Brief Backgrounds on the Brands
Samsung began in 1938 as a grocery trading store in South Korea, entering the electronics industry with black and white TVs in 1969. By the 1990s, Samsung had become an international leader and innovator in home electronics including televisions. Today they are a global powerhouse, with their cutting-edge QLED and other displays receiving widespread acclaim.
Hisense originated in China in 1969 as a radio manufacturer, transitioning to TV production in 1978. Though not yet as globally ubiquitous as Samsung, Hisense has firmly positioned itself as a budget-friendly brand, combining value pricing with innovation in areas like quantum dot and ULED technology.
Industry Status and Trajectory
In terms of current market share among television manufacturers, Samsung maintains a clear #1 position at 31% globally. Hisense is ranked #5 with a share hovering around 10%. Over the past five years, while industry-wide TV sales have been essentially flat, Hisense stands at 56% growth in units sold thanks to overseas expansion. Samsung TV sales rose only 15% in that same period according to research firm Omdia.
Top 5 TV Makers - Global Market Share
Samsung - 31%
LG - 18%
Sony - 11%
Hisense - 10%
TCL - 9%But Samsung remains dominant in the crucial North American market, capturing over 40% of overall television revenues there fueled by premium QLED 4K and 8K models. Hisense garners only 5% of North American TV profits. However among budget to mid-range sets, particularly within emerging economies like India and Mexico, Hisense continues to gain ground according to analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants.
Display Technology
When it comes to display tech, Samsung emphasizes QLED screens featuring quantum dots and Backlit LED while Hisense has its proprietary ULED technology along with OLED panels on premium models.
Samsung QLED stands for quantum dot LED TV. These quantum dots produce incredibly pure color, preserved by Samsung‘s Direct Full Array backlight technology on high end QLED sets. The latest 2023 Neo QLED 8K models utilize precision Mini LED backlights. The QLED spectrum attains brightness levels OLED can‘t match. Blacks may not be as deep as OLED but contrasts remain stellar.
Samsung QN900C Neo QLED Mini LED 8K TV
Backlighting Zones - 20 vertically x 25 horizontally = 500 zones
Peak Brightness - Up to 2000 nits
Bit Depth - 14-bit Gradation Mapping
Hisense ULED televisions combine 4K resolution, high dynamic range support through Dolby Vision/HDR10/HLG, and a full array panel with strong native contrast levels averaging 5000:1. Premium ULED make use of over 72 local dimming zones on new 2023 sets while upscaling lower resolution content sources cleanly to 4K. Mid-range models have between 36 and 60 local dimming zones along with slightly dimmer panels topping out at 600 to 1000 nits. ULED cannot quite match QLED wide color volume or peak brightness but offer excellent value.
Hisense U7H Quantum Dot ULED 4K Premium TV
Backlighting Zones - 72 zones with upto 1000 nits brightness
HDR - Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
Audio - 10W Speakers with Dolby Atmos Processing
Gaming Mode - 4K/120Hz HDMI Forum VRR, ALLM
Models/Types
Beyond conventional flatscreen LED smart TVs, Samsung carries premium sets like:
- The Frame – Functions as lifestyle wall art in Art Mode
- The Sero – Rotating 43" display flips to portrait mode for mobile viewing
- The Terrace – Weatherproof 75-inch 4K QLED outdoor television
- The Premiere/Ultra Short Throw Projector – Projects up to 130 inches
Hisense smart TV model options focus almost entirely on flatscreens rather than specialized display form factors like Samsung. However in 2022 Hisense unveiled its first lifestyle model, the 65-Inch Bevel, accentuating interior design with custom modular bezel panels.
The Verdict: Experts say Samsung maintains the edge in lifestyle TVs. As reviewer John Higgins of HD Guru puts it:
The Terrace is the best outdoor TV I‘ve ever seen. If you want OLED-level quality in an outdoor model, it‘s the one to buy.
But for those prioritizing value, Hisense presents a solid standard television package.
Platforms/Interfaces
Samsung smart TVs now run the intuitive Tizen OS, while Hisense employs:
- Roku TV on lower-end ULED models
- Vidaa U OS on some mid-range sets
- Google TV for premium options
Tizen stands as a refined, unified OS while Hisense‘s use of varying platforms enables flexibility for different streaming and content priorities.
In terms of gaming, Samsung is the superior choice. According to HDTVTest‘s Vincent Teoh:
For gaming, Samsung QLED TVs support cutting-edge features like 4K/120fps, VRR, ALLM, etc. complete with FreeSync and G-Sync compatibility on Xbox and Playstation.
While 120Hz-enabled Hisense models can enable gaming modes, Samsung TVs currently have more mature, fully-realized high performance gaming support.
Connectivity
Latest Samsung TVs lead Hisense in inputs and wireless capabilities:
Samsung Hisense
HDMI 2.1 4 HDMI 2.1 2
USB 3 USB 2
Ethernet Yes Ethernet Select Models
WiFi 6 Yes WiFi 5 Yes
Bluetooth 5.2 Yes Bluetooth 5.0 YesFor external devices like disc players and soundbars, Samsung sets are better equipped with more advanced HDMI bandwidth and next generation wifi connectivity.
Pricing/Budgetary Considerations
Due to brand recognition and best-in-class performance, Samsung sets are generally more expensive:
Entry-level Samsung 4K TVs – $500 to $800
Mid-Range QLED Quantum HDR 4K Sets – $1,200 to $2,500
High-End 8K Flagship QLEDs – $2,500 to $4,500
Meanwhile, Hisense pricing is structured as follows:
Basic 720p and 1080p Sets – $250 to $400
Mid-tier 4K ULEDs – $500 to $1,000
Top-of-the-Line ULED Premium Models – $1,400 to $3,000
Industry analysts believe Hisense provides extremely solid overall value, especially for budget-minded buyers. As Kevin Krewell of Tirias Research told Reviewed.com:
Hisense TVs perform far above their price class. The company is shaking up the market by offering quality and features well above budget brands.
There‘s no getting around the fact that Samsung TVs carry premium pricing. But their rich colors, brighter panels and leading HDR make them best suited for discerning home theater setups according to critics and consumers alike. As CNET‘s David Katzmaier says:
Samsung QLED TVs combine exceptional bright-room performance, industry-leading color, acceptably deep black levels and plenty of gaming extras.
For shoppers on tighter budgets though, Hisense deserves a look. As Roku TV critic PJ Gorman explains:
Hisense Roku TVs provide strong 4K HDR quality and usability in an affordable package.
The Verdict: While Samsung TVs can cost considerably more than comparably-sized Hisense models, keep in mind that better components, connectivity and interfaces do bear real value in enhancing the viewing experience. Consider budget but also be mindful of production savings underlying ultra low-cost television sets.
The Verdict
In summary, Samsung clearly remains the industry leader in display innovation, delivering superb QLED 4K and 8K UHD TVs ideal for dedicated home theater setups, gamers and premium technology seekers. Hisense cannot quite achieve Samsung‘s level of color vibrancy and peak brightness but counter with greater affordability using their own ULED Quantum Dot and other evolving display tech. For cost-conscious shoppers wanting good everyday TV functionality, Hisense also fares perfectly well.
Ultimately needs and price ranges differ among consumers. Discerning videophiles wanting the very best for sports, movies and shows will likely be drawn toward Samsung and other high-end brands. But casual viewers just wanting reliable smart TV streaming can save substantially through Hisense‘s quality budget 4K offerings. Either brand provides display options tailored effectively for their target demographics.
