Reviews
Hisense vs Samsung TVs – Feature by Feature Comparison
If you want to find out which is the winner between Samsung and Hisense when it comes to TV models, read our in-depth value overview and feature breakdown.
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Model | Hisense R6 Series | Hisense U8 Series | Hisense H9 Series | Samsung Class AU8000 | Samsung Class AU8000 | Samsung Class Q60A |
Screen Size | 50" | 55" | 65" | 50" | 55" | 65" |
Display Type | LCD | LCD | LCD | LED | LED | QLED |
Resolution | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
UHD | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
HDR | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | 60 Hz | 60hz | 60hz | 60hz |
VRR | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
HDMI | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Bluetooth | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Smart TV | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Weight | 21.4 lbs | 38.1 lbs | 52.7 lbs | 25.4 lbs | 34.2 lbs | 46.1 lbs |
Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Hisense and Samsung are two of the largest TV manufacturers in the world, and with good reason. The tech giants have been producing top of the range TVs for a long time, each company releasing dozens of TV products that have been met with and overwhelmingly positive response. But who reigns supreme in the current market? We’ll take a closer look at what each company has to offer and which, if any, comes out on top.
Screen Technology
Where else to start but the screens? This is a TV’s bread and butter and it goes without saying that, as a consumer, you want the clearest, sharpest, most realistic picture quality available. Each company provides a range of different screens with differing technology. Whether it be due to the resolution, HDR, or 3D compatibility, the quality of the screen itself will always be the number one reason why anyone purchases a new TV set.
Here’s the rundown of what you can expect from each and what they all mean:
Hisense
Hisense produce three different types of TVs: OLED, ULED and 4K HDR.
OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode)
These TVs incorporate a layer which glows when an electric current is passed through. This negates the need for a backlight present in more traditional LED TVs. By doing so, OLED TVs can be lighter and thinner. Individual pixels can be turned on and off resulting in better contrast. This technology is considerably more expensive than other forms of LED but the trade-off is that you will get a sharp true-to-life visual experience.
ULED (Ultra Light Emitting Diode)
All ULEDs come with a 4K resolution as standard. Hisense’s range of ULEDs is affordable compared to similar quality LED screens. The arrangement of LEDs within these screens allows for better contrast than standard LED screens. This may be an improvement on standard LED but it is still lagging behind OLED’s contrast quality. ULED screens also tend to have smoother motion and a wider color gamut compared to their standard LED counterparts.
4K HDR (High Dynamic Range)
4K, also known as UHD (Ultra High Definition) is a massive resolution that has, as the name implies, four times the amount of pixels as standard HD or 1080p. 1080P has roughly 2 million pixels on screen whereas 4K has around 8 million. 4K resolution provides an incredibly clear image with a much higher pixel density than other resolutions. This makes virtually anything that appears on screen have more clarity and detail to them.
HDR combines multiple images at different degrees of luminosity to create pictures with high levels of detail in both light and dark areas. Any content that supports HDR will display very bright and very dark scenery with unparalleled realism, and has in recent years become a companion feature to UHD or 4K. Content that is available in 4K HDR is still relatively limited though, so only the most die-hard fans of these features have much incentive to get a TV that supports both.
Our pick
Hisense 50″ Class R6 4K UHD HDR Roku TV with Alexa Compatibility
- Dolby Vision HDR
- Impressive and Detailed Sound
- Faster Gaming
- Motion Rate 120
Samsung
Samsung also have three types of screen technology available in their range: LED, QLED and 8K.
LED (Light Emitting Diode)
LED TVs are either edge-lit or backlit and illuminate a series of panels. These are some of the most affordable TVs available but have a poorer light display than more modern technologies.
Our pick
SAMSUNG 50″ Class Crystal UHD AU8000 Series – 4K UHD HDR Smart TV with Alexa Built-in
- Dynamic Crystal Color
- Crystal Processor 4K
- Smart TV with Multiple Voice Assistants
- HDR (High-Dynamic Range)
- Motion Rate 120
QLED
These are essentially Samsung’s equivalent to Hisense’s ULEDs. These TVs feature a quantum filter which enhances color and improves light management in the display. QLED displays can be very bright and are ideal for rooms with ambient light sources. These screens tend to have better viewing angles and handle reflections from external light sources better than their standard LED counterparts.
Smart Features
Hisense uses an operating system named VIDAA U. It uses a simplified design which allows you to navigate through apps quickly and efficiently. They claim that you can access any app in three steps or fewer. The latest update of VIDAA U 3.0 allows for compatibility with voice assistant technologies such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant.
Samsung uses Tizen as its operating system for its smart TVs. The service is quick and reliable but its app support is rather poor. Searching for apps can be tricky but it is useable.
Pricing
At the high end, Hisense offers TVs upwards of $1000. These will give you the best picture quality and contrast options but obviously come at a hefty price.
The budget options available with Hisense are available for little over $250 for a 40” screen. The lower end offer 1080p full HD and comes with all the Smart TV options fully enabled.
Our pick
Hisense 55″ Premium U8 Series ULED 4K Smart TV with Alexa Compatibility
- Dolby Vision HDR picture and Dolby Atmos
- Ultra Motion and 120Hz Native Refresh Rate
- IMAX Enhanced and DTS®
- Game Mode Pro
- Hands Free Voice Control
Samsung’s premium end flagship 98” TV will set you back over $90,000. Needless to say, that is unaffordable for the average person so on the more affordable high end there are TVs available for similar prices to Hisense’s higher end.
At the more affordable end, Samsung offer sets for as little as $300. This is still a cut above Hisense’s most affordable TVs but there is not a lot to separate the two.
While Hisense doesn’t offer TV sets that cost several thousands of dollars, they do offer many competitive and attractive products in the mid-range that are comparable with Samsung’s sets of similar price ranges.
Our pick
SAMSUNG 50″ Class TU7000 Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV
- Crystal Display
- Crystal Processor 4K
- HDR (High-Dynamic Range)
- Smart TV Powered by Tizen
- Motion Rate 120
Product Comparison
Mid-Range
55″ Hisense O8B OLED H55O8BUK – $1300
Hisense offers a 55″ OLED with Ultra HD Premium and over 8 million pixels. The O8B comes with Dolby Atmos for lifelike audio and Dolby Vision for cinema-quality viewing. This TV also comes with deep backs for high contrast, a smooth motion rate and a super slim design.
65″ Hisense 65H8F 4K Android Smart LED TV HDR10
This may very well be one of the best large size Hisense TVs on the market today. A newer model from last year, this set has great color, contrast and brightness, and features some of the best HDR on a Hisense screen.
55″ Samsung Q70R QLED 4K HDR 1000 Smart TV – $1300
For the same price, Samsung also offers a 55″ TV. Their offering is a QLED with a 4K Quantum Processor. The Q70R comes with 100% color volume.
65″ Samsung QN65Q60RAFXZA QLED 4K Smart TV
Listed as a #1 best seller at online marketplaces, this QLED screen is an excellent choice for someone who wants a TV that comes with many different features. With Alexa compatibility and a patented Ambient Mode that helps the screen blend in with your home’s environment, this is one of the most versatile TVs in this price range hands down.
Budget End
32″ Hisense H32B5600UK HD Ready Smart TV – $300
This budget offering from Hisense comes with a quad core processor and one-touch access to all Smart TV features. DBX Total Sonics and DBX Total Surround combine to give impressive audio quality for a TV of this price. It comes with two HDMI ports as well as two USB ports.
43” Samsung RU7470 Series UHD TV – $500
This TV comes with Tizen OS for all the Smart function expected in a modern TV. It has 4K and HDR but suffers from a dimmer screen and worse viewing angles than some of its competitors.
Our pick
SAMSUNG 65″ QLED Q60A Series – 4K UHD Dual LED Quantum HDR Smart TV with Alexa Built-in
- 100% Color Volume with Quantum Dot
- Quantum Processor 4K Lite
- Quantum HDR
- AirSlim
- Dual LED
Top of the Range
80” Hisense H80L5UK 4K Ultra HD Smart Laser TV – $3300
At the other end of the price spectrum, we have a premium offer from Hisense. They offer a 4K viewing experience with a blue laser light providing unbeatable brightness. This TV uses HDR10 technology to give excellent contrast. It also has built-in WiFi and ready-to-go Smart features in Ultra HD.
82″ Samsung Q60R QLED 4K Quantum HDR Smart TV
This high-end TV comes with 100% color volume, a quantum 4K processor and ambient mode among some of its most impressive features. It is also fully equipped with Bixby – a virtual assistance tool developed by Samsung.
Is Hisense Worth Buying?
Our pick
Hisense 65″ H9 Quantum Series 4K ULED Android Smart TV
- Quantum Dot Color
- Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos
- Game Mode
- Motion Rate 480
- Google Assistant Built-In
As successful as the company has become in recent years, many shoppers are still a little on the fence when it comes to buying a new Hisense model. This is probably due to several reasons, but what are the two biggest ones are that: 1) Hisense doesn’t have the reputation of a household name like Samsung or Sony, and 2) Hisense is often seen as a budget-brand manufacturer only. Some take this to mean that Hisense’s prices are low because their quality is as well.
Fortunately, this is far from the truth. The fact of the matter is that many TV manufacturers have television sets that are priced at only a few hundred dollars that still deliver a great TV experience for the price. Even Samsung has been putting out more and more budget models over the past couple of years.
People should keep in mind that manufacturers have now more than ever mastered the art of crafting a TV. Manufacturers know very well which corners to cut when they want to release a large size 4K Smart TV for under $1000. While it may not have the most perfect HDR or build quality, it will still offer an impressive overall picture for the price you’re paying.
Like with a couple of the budget models we looked at earlier, Hisense is one of the masters of making low and even mid budget TV sets. Sure, they aren’t the most sophisticated or cutting-edge TVs ever made. But as long as we’re talking about the “bang for your buck” philosophy, it is very hard to beat Hisense at this game. Anyone who only wants to spend a few hundred dollars or so would be well advised to keep Hisense on their radar.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, the choice is down to you. Both tech companies have esteemed reputations and you will be getting a quality product regardless of which you choose.
It is best to select each TV on their individual merit than the brand’s overall quality, and there may be cases where you prefer what’s on offer from your less favored manufacturer. Price also makes all the difference, so set out your budget and then compare what’s on offer from each and which best suits your individual preferences.