Hisense U8QG 2025 Review: Bright Mini-LED Gaming TV

The 2025 Hisense U8QG offers a brighter, more refined picture than its predecessor. It also adds advanced gaming features, including 4K at 165Hz and support for both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming.

Hisense U8QG (2025) Quick Overview

Hisense upgraded the U8QG’s design to house a new 4.1.2-channel speaker system. This setup delivers immersive sound for most content. However, the built-in subwoofer struggles with deep bass, especially during action-heavy scenes, causing noticeable distortion.

The U8QG builds on the success of the U8N series. It delivers even higher brightness and improved local dimming. While the leap in quality isn’t massive, benchmark tests show better performance in brightness, color range, and gaming input lag.

AI-enhanced picture and sound modes are included, though they’re optional. The AI picture mode can help upscale lower-resolution content, but results may vary.

In the U.S., the U8QG runs on Google TV, offering a smooth, user-friendly interface. It includes features like Ambient Mode, which displays personal photos when the TV is idle. In Europe, the TV uses Hisense’s VIDAA platform.

Gaming is a standout feature. The U8QG supports:

• 4K at 165Hz
• FreeSync Premium Pro
• Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming

However, it only includes three HDMI 2.1 ports. On the plus side, it also features a USB-C input with DisplayPort support.

At launch, the U8QG was pricey. Now, prices have dropped significantly. The 65-inch model, for example, is currently available for $1,399—making it a strong value for its performance.

Hisense U8QG Review: Price and Release Date

The Hisense U8QG series launched in the U.S. in March 2025. These TVs are Hisense’s top-tier mainstream mini-LED models, positioned just below the premium U9N series.

Pricing (U.S. and Australia)

• 55-inch: $999
• 65-inch: $2,199 / AU$2,999
• 75-inch: $2,499 / AU$3,999
• 85-inch: $3,499 / AU$4,999
• 100-inch: $4,999

Prices for the UK have not been announced yet. We’ll update this review once that information becomes available.

Availability

All sizes are currently available in the U.S. In Australia, the 65-, 75-, and 85-inch models are on sale.

Discounts (as of May 2025)

Just two months after launch, prices are already dropping:

• 65-inch: Now $1,399
• 75-inch: Now $1,899
• 85-inch: Now $2,499

These early discounts make the U8QG series a more attractive option for buyers looking for high-end features at a lower price.

Hisense U8QG Review: Specs

• Screen Type: OLED
• Refresh Rate: Up to 165Hz
• HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
• Audio Support: Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X
• Smart TV Platform: Google TV
• HDMI Ports: 3 x HDMI 2.1
• Built-in Tuner: ATSC 3.0 (U.S. only)

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Hisense U8QG Review: Features

The U8QG series is packed with premium features and notable upgrades over the previous U8N series.

It uses a mini-LED backlight system, offering up to 5,000 local dimming zones on the 100-inch model. Smaller sizes have fewer zones but still deliver strong contrast and brightness control.

Hisense powers the U8QG with its Hi-View AI Engine Pro. This processor enhances picture and sound using AI-based optimization.

HDR support is extensive. The TV handles Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, and HLG. Peak brightness reaches up to 5,000 nits, making it ideal for bright rooms. An Anti-Reflection Pro screen further reduces glare.

Audio performance is a standout. All models include a 4.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos speaker system. On the 65-inch model, it delivers 72 watts of power.

The smart TV experience varies by region. In the U.S., the U8QG runs Google TV, which supports hands-free voice control via built-in far-field microphones or the remote. In the UK, Europe, and Australia, it uses Hisense’s VIDAA platform.

Gamers will appreciate the upgrades. The U8QG supports 4K at 165Hz across all three HDMI 2.1 ports. It also includes FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and a Game Bar for quick settings adjustments.

Hisense U8QG Review: Picture Quality

The Hisense U8QG delivers impressive brightness and vibrant color, making it a strong performer in well-lit rooms.

Brightness and Contrast

In Filmmaker Mode, peak brightness reached 3,337 nits on a 10% HDR window. Standard Mode measured slightly lower at 2,888 nits. These are notable improvements over last year’s U8N model.

However, full-screen brightness was slightly lower than the U8N. Filmmaker Mode hit 733 nits, while the U8N reached 805. In Standard Mode, the U8QG measured 744 nits compared to the U8N’s 873.

For standard and high-definition content, Filmmaker Mode showed unusually low brightness. Modes like Standard or Theater Day/Night are better choices for everyday viewing.

Color Performance

Color accuracy is excellent. In Filmmaker Mode, the U8QG covered 97.8% of the UHDA-P3 and 82.8% of the BT.2020 color gamuts—both strong results for a mini-LED TV.

The average Delta-E for color points was 1.8, which is below the threshold where the human eye can detect errors. However, grayscale accuracy was weaker, with a Delta-E of 4.3, resulting in a slight reddish tint.

Picture Adjustments and Enhancements

Several settings improved the overall picture:

• Dynamic Tone Mapping added punch to highlights.
• Dark Detail enhanced shadow clarity in dark scenes.
• AI Contrast (set to Low or Medium) improved upscaled HD content but made 4K HDR look overly sharp.

Local Dimming and Shadow Detail

Local dimming continues to improve with each Hisense generation. On the U8QG, it’s the best yet.

Dark scenes in shows like The Last of Us (Season 2, Episode 6) looked deep and detailed. Even tricky scenes, like moonlight on water, showed no blooming or halo effects. Setting Local Dimming to High delivered the best contrast.

Color and Sports Performance

Colors appeared rich and lifelike. Sports broadcasts, like the NBA playoffs, looked especially vibrant. Uniforms popped with bold, saturated tones.

Thanks to its high brightness and anti-reflection screen, the U8QG performs well in bright rooms. Even dark content remains watchable under overhead lighting.

Viewing Angles and Motion Handling

Off-axis viewing is a weak point. Colors and contrast fade when viewed from the side. This won’t affect most living room setups, but viewers sitting far off-center may notice a drop in quality.

Motion handling is average. In Film Mode, scenes like Bond walking through a cemetery in No Time to Die appeared slightly blurry and unstable.

Switching to Custom Mode and adjusting Judder and Blur to 3–4 helped reduce this issue. The trade-off was a mild “soap opera effect,” but motion clarity improved.

Hisense U8QG Review: Sound Quality

The Hisense U8QG delivers a noticeable upgrade in sound compared to last year’s U8N model. It features a 4.1.2-channel speaker system with 72 watts of power. This setup supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X, offering a more immersive audio experience than the U8N’s 2.1.2-channel system.

The TV includes several sound presets and an Intelligent Sound mode. This mode automatically adjusts audio based on the type of content you’re watching. It also offers Room Acoustic Tuning, which uses the remote’s built-in microphone to tailor sound to your room’s layout.

In general, the sound is powerful and immersive. During testing, it was so convincing that I briefly thought my external surround speakers were on.

However, the built-in subwoofer struggles with deep bass in movie soundtracks. Low-frequency effects often caused it to rattle, which was distracting and unpleasant.

This issue didn’t occur with regular TV shows, news, or sports. You can reduce the rattling by lowering the Bass Boost setting or disabling the subwoofer entirely in the Sound Advanced Settings menu.

Despite these workarounds, the subwoofer’s performance is a letdown. For the best experience, consider pairing the U8QG with a high-quality soundbar. The TV’s built-in audio is solid overall, but it doesn’t fully replace a dedicated sound system.

Hisense U8QG Review: Design

The Hisense U8QG has a bold, sturdy design. From the side, it looks chunky due to its two-inch depth. This extra space houses the TV’s side-firing and upfiring Atmos speakers.

From the front, the TV appears much sleeker. Its ultra-thin 0.25-inch bezel maximizes screen space and keeps the focus on the picture.

The aluminum pedestal stand adds stability and style. It features an angled cut and includes cable management at the back for a clean setup.

One downside is the limited number of HDMI ports—only three instead of the usual four. However, all three are HDMI 2.1 and support 4K at 165Hz. There’s also a USB-C input with DisplayPort support, which is great for connecting a PC.

The remote control is full-sized, backlit, and easy to use. It includes a built-in mic for Google Assistant and shortcut buttons for popular apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and Tubi.

Hisense U8QG Review: Smart TV and Menus

The U8QG runs Google TV in the U.S. and Hisense’s VIDAA system elsewhere. This review focuses on the Google TV experience.

Google TV offers a clean interface with personalized recommendations. You’ll need to sign in with a Google account to download apps and get tailored suggestions.

The interface isn’t ad-free. A rotating banner at the top promotes YouTube Premium, movie rentals, and Google’s Freeplay service. Still, the main “For You” screen mixes these with content from your subscribed apps.

The TV includes an ATSC 3.0 tuner for NextGen TV broadcasts. While it displays enhanced info for the channel you’re watching, the Live TV guide has issues. It doesn’t show data for over-the-air channels or allow direct channel selection. The Live Guide button on the remote also doesn’t work.

Fortunately, the Freeplay section in the same guide works without problems. This suggests the issue could be fixed with a future software update.

Navigating settings is mostly easy. A menu button on the remote brings up a quick-access bar for picture and sound modes, including advanced options like local dimming and AI enhancements. A gear icon on the remote and home screen opens deeper settings, including picture calibration tools.

Hisense U8QG Review: Gaming

The Hisense U8QG is packed with features that make it a strong choice for gamers.

It includes three HDMI 2.1 ports that support:

• 4K at 165Hz
• AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
• Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
• Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming

A built-in Game Bar lets you adjust settings without interrupting gameplay. This feature adds convenience and flexibility during intense sessions.

Input lag is impressively low. In Game mode, it measured just 9.9ms using a Bodnar 4K input lag meter. That’s the best result TechRadar has recorded on a Hisense TV. It puts the U8QG in the same league as top gaming TVs from Samsung and LG.

Hisense U8QG Review: Value

At launch, the 65-inch U8QG was priced at $2,199. It has since dropped to $1,399 in the US, making it a much better deal.

At this lower price, the U8QG offers excellent value. It competes well with premium mini-LED models like the Samsung QN90F, which currently sells for $2,099 in the same size.

However, the 2024 Hisense U8N is still available and costs under $1,000 for a 65-inch screen. It’s also a strong performer, with high brightness, refined local dimming, and solid gaming features.

After testing both, the U8QG stands out for its superior picture quality and more advanced gaming capabilities. It’s the better choice if your budget allows. Still, the U8N remains a great option for value-conscious buyers—if you can find it.

Hisense U8QG: Also Consider These Alternatives

If you’re looking at the Hisense U8QG, here are a few other TVs worth considering. Each offers similar features but varies in price, performance, and platform.

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1. Hisense U8QG

• Price (65-inch): $3,399 / £3,399 / AU$5,299
• Screen Type: QLED with mini-LED
• Refresh Rate: 165Hz
• HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
• Smart TV Platform: Google TV / VIDAA
• HDMI Ports: 3 x HDMI 2.1

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2. Hisense U8N

• Price (65-inch): $3,299
• Screen Type: QLED with mini-LED
• Refresh Rate: 144Hz
• HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
• Smart TV Platform: Google TV / VIDAA
• HDMI Ports: 4 total (2 x HDMI 2.1)

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3. Samsung QN90D

• Price (65-inch): $2,699 / £2,699 / AU$4,299
• Screen Type: QLED with mini-LED
• Refresh Rate: 144Hz
• HDR Support: HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
• Smart TV Platform: Tizen
• HDMI Ports: 4 total (2 x HDMI 2.1)

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4. TCL QM851G

• Price (65-inch): $2,999 / £2,999
• Screen Type: QLED with mini-LED
• Refresh Rate: 144Hz
• HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
• Smart TV Platform: Google TV
• HDMI Ports: 4 total (2 x HDMI 2.1)

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Each of these models offers strong performance with mini-LED backlighting and high refresh rates. The U8QG stands out with its 165Hz refresh rate, but others may offer better value depending on your needs.