The Hisense U8G has been gaining popularity as a very affordable 4K TV with impressive picture quality and features. However, it‘s not without some notable downsides. As an expert on display technology and avid TV watcher myself, I want to provide an insider‘s look at 6 key reasons why the U8G may not be the right fit for you.
What is the Hisense U8G?
First, a quick primer. The U8G is a 2021 model 4K LED TV from Hisense. It uses what‘s called a "ULED" panel, the company‘s proprietary tech alternative to QLED used by brands like Samsung. The U8G promises superb colors, brightness, and contrast thanks to quantum dot and full array local dimming (FALD) technology on its LED backlight. It also supports premium features like Dolby Vision HDR, Dolby Atmos audio, and HDMI 2.1 for gaming.
On paper, it delivers excellent performance and extensive features at a mid-range price point. But real-world ownership may reveal a few unpleasant surprises…
Reason 1: Narrow Viewing Angles Lead to Image Degradation
One of the most common complaints about the U8G is that it has poor viewing angles. This means if you sit even slightly off-center from the screen, picture quality diminishes noticeably. Colors start to wash out and black levels become grayish.
This is typical of LED displays compared to OLED. But many users report the U8G‘s angles are significantly more limited than competing models. You‘ll likely need to restrict seating to directly in front of the set. For larger living rooms where people are relaxing at wider vantage points, the narrow viewing angles can be incredibly frustrating.
Reason 2: Underwhelming HDR Performance in Dark Scenes
Next on the list of gripes is the U8G‘s hit-or-miss performance with high dynamic range (HDR) content. HDR is meant to deliver far greater contrast between the brightest whites and deepest blacks. But multiple professional reviews call out issues with blooming and black level crushing when watching the U8G in darker room conditions.
Complex HDR scenes can reveal backlight clouding or "flashlighting" in corners. Shadow detail frequently gets lost. While bright highlights pop nicely, darker portions of the image fail to impress. So cinephiles or binge-watchers expecting an immersive viewing experience may walk away let down.
Reason 3: Clunky Android TV Interface
Android TV is Google‘s smart TV platform also found on many Sony and TCL models. Like any interface, ease of use is subjective. But many U8G owners complain that Android TV feels a bit clunky to navigate thanks to the home screen‘s content overload.
Icons and previews for various streaming apps and shows bombard you. Customizing the layout takes some digging in settings menus. Simple tasks like rearranging app order can be frustrating. And occasional lag in response while using voice commands via the remote add to the rough-around-the-edges feel.
Reason 4: Lackluster Sound Quality from Built-In Speakers
No one really expects mind-blowing audio from slender TV speakers. But the U8G‘s sound quality gets called out as decidedly below average. Review measurements found noticeable harmonic distortion past moderate volumes. Hearing dialog clearly can require maxing out volume. And there‘s very little bass response.
You‘ll almost certainly want a sound bar to get an engaging audio experience. If you don‘t plan on pairing external speakers, the weak built-in speakers may be tough to live with.
Reason 5: Often More Costly than the Competition
Here‘s where that affordable price claim gets debatable. While the 55-inch U8G carries a reasonable $1,500 MSRP, street prices are often $400+ more. And competing models can be found for equal or lower cost. For example, the LG A1 OLED starts around the same $1,100 price for a 55" size yet delivers better picture uniformity and viewing angles. Or TCL‘s newest 6-series models offer mini-LED technology improving contrast well beyond the U8G for just $800 as of this writing. When you map features to real-world pricing, the U8G loses some of its value appeal.
Reason 6: Dirty Screen Effect with Gray Uniformity
One last flaw that may ruin the viewing experience is the U8G‘s subpar gray uniformity. Uniformity refers to the TV‘s ability to display consistent shades and colors across the entire screen.
But with the Hisense panel, darker gray hues often appear mottled or blotchy, hence the "dirty screen effect" phrase. Users report it looking like a layer of clouds or fog across neutral backgrounds. This gets very distracting in panning shots. While blacks look inky, anything just above absolute black turns into a grayish cacophony rather than a smooth neutral tone.
This applies mainly for dimmer footage. But for a premium 4K television in 2022/2023, getting such a fundamental aspect of image quality wrong remains a glaring issue.
Top 3 Alternate Picks to the U8G
Clearly the Hisense U8G, like any TV, has some imperfections holding it back from greatness. Here are 3 models I‘d recommend instead that dodge the pitfalls above while offering superb performance around the U8G‘s price point.
1. TCL 6-Series (R646)
TCL‘s mid-range darling delivers mini-LED backlighting and quantum dot color at a very wallet-friendly price. Over 1,000 dimming zones provide phenomenal contrast and brightness to rival flagship Samsung and Sony models. Gamers will appreciate HDMI 2.1 ports and THX Certified Game Mode. And it stands up well as a home theater choice with Dolby Vision and Roku smart features.
Key Perks:
- Excellent wide viewing angles
- Impressive HDR highlights and shadow detail
- Easy-to-use Roku TV interface
- Great built-in audio quality
2. LG C1 Series OLED
LG‘s C1 remains a top-rated OLED TV for outstanding image quality with perfect blacks and a razor-sharp 4K picture. It‘s also a superb gaming display and great for sports with sub-1ms response times and NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility. Smooth motion handling and wider viewing angles than any LED make this a home cinema rock star.
Key Perks:
- Flawless black levels and contrast
- Cinematic picture quality
- Low input lag and fast response
- Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision IQ
3. Samsung QN90A Neo QLED
Representing Samsung‘s 2022 Neo QLED lineup, the QN90A packs in Mini LED backlights with precision dimming zones for exceptional HDR performance. Its Neo Quantum Processor also leverages AI to upscale content and optimize every scene. If you want bold, accurate colors and inky blacks without the worry of OLED burn-in, the QN90A beautifully fits the bill.
Key Perks:
- Anti-glare panel with wide viewing angles
- Deep blacks and lively contrast
- Minimizes dirty screen effect
- Object Tracking Sound+ audio
The Bottom Line
The Hisense U8G tantalizes buyers with its feature set at such an affordable price. But real-world testing reveals several pesky flaws that may ultimately leave you dissatisfied. Before pulling the trigger, weigh options like the TCL 6-Series R646 and LG C1 OLED that dodge the pitfalls called out here. Their superior performance across viewing angles, sound, HDR, and more justify paying a bit extra.
Making an educated purchase decision means moving beyond flashy marketing claims to understand where budget models like the U8G cut corners. I hope scrutinizing its Cons more closely helps you identify the best 4K TV that aligns with your needs and expectations.
