In the competitive world of premium Smart TVs, finding a bad option in 2024 is a rare occurrence. Not too long ago, the gap between the best OLED TVs and everything else seemed unbridgeable. However, the Hisense U8NAU Mini-LED Pro Series 4K TV proves that Mini-LED technology has come a long way, significantly narrowing that gap. Unless you have a professional’s eye or are comparing screens side by side, you’d be hard-pressed to spot the difference.
I’ve had the privilege of reviewing some of the best TVs from industry giants like LG, Sony, and Samsung. However, I’ve always been eager to get hands-on with Hisense, a brand that’s often overshadowed in the premium TV market. Hisense, along with TCL, is frequently considered B-tier by many consumers, who might pass them up in favor of more well-known brands. But that’s a mistake, especially when you consider what the U8NAU brings to the table.
Starting at $2,699 for the 65” model, the U8NAU is priced a few hundred dollars cheaper than its direct competitors, like LG’s QNED86 and TCL’s C885, both of which hover around the $3,000 mark. Hisense has clearly positioned itself at the lower end of the premium segment, making it an attractive option for those seeking top-tier performance without the top-tier price.
And what a package it is. The U8NAU features a Mini-LED backlighting system with 1,300-zone full-array local dimming, delivering excellent lighting and image control. The panel supports all major HDR formats and boasts an impressive peak brightness of 2,800 nits, making HDR content truly pop. Dolby Atmos support ensures immersive audio to match the stunning visuals. Gamers will also appreciate the 144Hz refresh rate and a game dashboard similar to what you’d find on LG and Samsung models.
Design and Features
The Hisense U8NAU’s design is straightforward—a slab of glass and plastic perched on a stand. It’s not particularly striking, but the sheer size of the 75-inch model I reviewed is impressive. Getting this behemoth out of the box, attaching the stand, and setting it up was a three-person job. The stand is appropriately hefty to support the TV’s massive size, though it does feel like it might topple over. Wall mounting is an option with a VESA 600×600 mount, though you’ll need a sturdy wall and a few extra hands to get it up there.
Around the back, the plastic panel is stylish enough, though it’s not something you’ll be admiring often. The port selection is decent, with four HDMI ports, but only two support HDMI 2.1(and one of those is the eARC port), which is necessary for your PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. It’s not a deal-breaker, but considering that LG offers all four ports as HDMI 2.1 compatible, it’s something to consider if you have multiple high-end devices.
The real star of the show is the U8NAU’s 4K Mini-LED panel. With a peak brightness of 2,800 nits, it handles even the brightest rooms with ease. Colors are vivid and punchy straight out of the box thanks to the infusion of Quantum Dot tech, and the preset modes are more than sufficient for most viewers. I’m not one to dive deep into color settings, so I appreciated the ready-to-go quality.
VIDAA OS
Navigating the U8NAU is a breeze, thanks to Hisense’s custom VIDAA OS. It’s clean, simple, and intuitive, reminiscent of LG’s WebOS or Google TV. The interface features a top banner for promotions, key app tiles for services like Netflix and Disney+, and a floating bar for shortcuts to search, settings, inputs, and notifications.
Hisense includes two remotes with the U8NAU: a basic plastic one and a more premium metal remote that’s solar-powered, supports USB-C charging, and glows in the dark. Both remotes have large buttons for streaming services and navigation, though they lack the more advanced motion controls found on some other brands.
Voice control is available through Amazon Alexa or VIDAA Voice, but I found it hit-or-miss. The TV often misunderstood my commands (possibly due to my accent) and oddly seemed to respond more accurately to my eldest daughter’s voice, leading to frequent interruptions during family movie nights.
For those who prefer using their phones as a remote, the VIDAA mobile app offers full control over the U8NAU. Personally, I found the app cluttered and overwhelming, and I didn’t use it more than once. Manufacturers might want to reconsider the push to connect TVs with every possible device and app—it’s a TV, after all, meant primarily for watching Netflix, not for controlling your smart home.
Picture Quality: A Near-OLED Experience
When it comes to watching Netflix, the Hisense U8NAU’s bright, colorful panel combined with exceptional backlight control makes for an impressive viewing experience. With over 1,300 dimming zones, this TV offers class-leading contrast and color saturation. The dark areas on screen appear incredibly deep—while not true black like OLED, they come eerily close. The one notable difference you’d spot side by side with an OLED is in these darkest scenes, but the gap has never been narrower.
The U8NAU’s AI engine works wonders, making it easy to forget you’re not watching an OLED. Hisense has somehow managed to nearly eliminate blooming, a common issue where a TV lacks contrast between dark backgrounds and bright objects, creating a distracting glow. I tested this with a space scene full of stars against the blackness of space, and the U8NAU passed with flying colors. In contrast, something like last year’s LG QNED86 turned that scene into a milky mess. This makes movie watching on the U8NAU a pure pleasure, free from the distracting smearing you might see on lesser panels.
One of the U8NAU’s standout features is its brightness. While OLEDs often struggle in bright rooms, especially with sunlight pouring in, the U8NAU holds its own. My living room has large French balcony glass doors that let in a lot of light, but the U8NAU managed to keep images bright and vivid even during the day. What’s more impressive is that despite the high brightness, the TV still maintains deep blacks and avoids washing out the image, all while keeping blooming and haloing to a minimum.
This exceptional brightness and local dimming means movie lovers will appreciate comprehensive HDR support on the U8NAU. It handles Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and Imax Enhanced formats, ensuring you get the ultimate movie-watching experience. Whether it’s the moody space fantasy world of Rebel Moon, the classic action of Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, or the vibrant animation of Masters of the Universe: Revolution, everything looks stunning on this TV.
Like all smart TVs, the U8NAU comes with various picture profiles, including IMAX Enhanced, Cinema, Gaming, and Sports modes. Personally, I prefer the standard mode, letting the TV’s AI-powered Hi-View Engine PRO handle the image balancing. This engine uses Hisense’s Deep Neural Network to analyze and enhance every pixel in real-time, ensuring optimal image quality frame by frame. The result is a spectacular viewing experience, and even with the 1080p tier of Netflix, the TV upscaled content to 4K beautifully.
While I didn’t spend much time testing live broadcasts or sports, I did catch a few Wimbledon 2024 matches. Despite forgetting to switch the TV to its Sports mode, which uses a 200Hz Smooth Motion feature to clean up fast-moving action, the standard mode performed admirably. I had no trouble tracking the ball during rapid serves and returns.
The U8NAU’s audio performance is decent, thanks to its 2.1.2 built-in speaker system. It gets suitably loud and supports Dolby Atmos virtualization, which creates a wider soundstage and separation. However, the overall tonal balance is just average, and the bass is on the weaker side. You’ll likely need to crank up the volume a bit for a more immersive experience. But let’s be honest—if you’re investing in a TV like this, chances are you’re also going to pair it with a soundbar for a more robust audio setup.
A New Contender for Gamers
LG and Samsung have long been the go-to brands for gamers, thanks to their abundance of HDMI 2.1 ports and dedicated game menus, allowing for seamless 4K 120Hz gaming. But Hisense has thrown a curveball with the U8NAU, which not only keeps pace with the big names but even surpasses them with a faster 144Hz refresh rate.
One limitation, however, is the inclusion of only two HDMI 2.1 ports. If you own multiple gaming devices, managing connections can get a bit tricky. Still, the U8NAU comes equipped with Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which automatically detects your gaming device and adjusts settings for the smoothest gameplay possible.
Hisense has also introduced a Game Bar feature that rivals what you’ll find on LG and Samsung models. This on-screen display shows your current frame rate—I was pleasantly surprised to see God of War Ragnarok running at 110-120fps in performance mode on my PlayStation 5. The Game Bar also allows you to toggle settings like VRR and ALLM on or off, change inputs, and monitor temperatures—all without leaving the game. You can even set up a split-screen with the Game Bar while you’re deep in the action.
There’s also the handy Mini Map Zoom feature, which lets you magnify parts of the map and is particularly useful for FPS and MOBA gamers. The U8NAU also supports AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync, reducing screen tearing and ensuring smooth gameplay, regardless of whether you’re on a console or PC.
Verdict
The Hisense U8NAU Mini-LED Pro Series 4K TV is a powerhouse, offering nearly everything you’d expect from a high-end OLED at a fraction of the price. The few compromises, like the limited number of HDMI 2.1 ports and the average audio quality, are easy to overlook when considering the TV’s overall performance. Whether you’re watching movies, gaming, or just binge-watching your favorite shows, the U8NAU delivers an outstanding experience.
Priced competitively at $2,699, the U8NAU offers incredible value for a Mini-LED TV in 2024. While it might not surpass the performance of the best OLEDs, it comes remarkably close, and the cost savings make it an enticing option for anyone in the market for a premium TV.
Would I recommend the Hisense U8NAU Mini-LED Pro Series 4K TV? Absolutely. It’s a brilliant option for those looking to get top-notch performance without breaking the bank. Hisense is no longer just a budget brand—it’s a serious contender in the premium TV market.
Hisense Australia kindly loaned the U8NAU to PowerUp for the purpose of this review
