Hisense finally unveiled its 2023 TV lineup at the CES 2023 show in Las Vegas in January and while we’ve yet to test the new models, what we’ve seen certainly looks exciting.
The lineup will include everything from next-gen ULED TVs called ULED X, to more mainstream mini-LED TVs and the brand’s ongoing efforts to make laser TVs mainstream.
So if you’re thinking about upgrading your TV this year, but you know you don’t want to drop thousands for the fun, then Hisense’s 2023 line-up might be worth keeping in mind. That is why you will find the complete breakdown of the range at the bottom of this page. But first, let’s talk about the highlights of Hisense’s 2023 range.
Mini LED for the masses
If you search for “Mini LED TV” on Amazon, you’ll find list after list for TVs costing thousands of dollars. That’s because Mini LED tends to be expensive, which makes sense considering it competes with other high-end display technologies like OLED.
What is the difference? We have a page that explains everything you need to know about Mini LED, but simply put, you can think of Mini LED as an improved version of LED technology. As the name suggests, the backlight of mini LED TVs essentially has much smaller LEDs than those of traditional LED-backlit models. lot more LEDs can be packed in it. More LEDs allow for more individual dimming zones which, when done at this point, results in better control of lighting across different areas of the image.
Typically, more LEDs mean more dimming zones and, in theory, better contrast, more complex lighting and, ideally, an image that impresses, but is also more realistic and nuanced. Mini LED TVs can and usually are brighter than OLED TVs, and while truly perfect blacks are generally a bit too far, very good mini LED TVs can come close. It’s no wonder that mini LED TVs tend to be expensive.
But with Hisense’s 2023 lineup, that looks set to change. All three of Hisense’s main 2023 lines, the U6K, U7K and U8K, are mini LED TVs, and the cheapest TV in the range starts at just $500 (around £500 / AU$730). According to Hisense, the Mini LED brand is trying to make a more accessible, accessible technology that isn’t exclusively the domain of premium TVs with premium prices. Given how impressed we were with the premium mini LED TVs we tested last year, we’ll be curious to see how successfully Hisense’s cheaper models perform when we get them for review.
Gamers, rejoice
In terms of gaming, what you want most from a TV (aside from the lowest possible input lag) is support for 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM.
And if you’re going for a flagship like the detail in our best gaming TV guide, the above are now basic features. But they are still quite hard to find on cheaper sets. Perhaps that will change in 2023, as Hisense’s entry-level U6K offers VRR and ALLM, albeit with a 60Hz refresh rate, while the U7K and U8K offer that same VRR and ALLM support with the addition of a 144Hz refresh rate.
Interesting is the choice to opt for 144Hz support instead of 120Hz support. 120Hz is the max you get with PS5 and Series X, while 144Hz is a feature more commonly associated with monitors, as PCs can run games above 120Hz. In short, while the increase to 144 Hz will be of little concern to console gamers, at least for now, the PC gaming audience might just appreciate that extra Hz.
Laser: the future of TV?
According to Hisense, laser is the future of television. Whether that’s true remains to be seen – we certainly weren’t sold on the Hisense 100L9GTUK laser TV when we tested it last year – but Hisense is introducing some new laser TVs in 2023.
What exactly is a laser TV? The term Laser TV is a bit confusing in our opinion. It’s not a TV in the traditional sense, but rather an ultra-short-throw projector paired with a screen (Hisense also sells UST projectors that don’t come with screens, and these aren’t considered laser TVs by the brand). The reason for the name Laser TV is that Hisense wants people to see these projector/screen combinations as alternatives to traditional televisions.
The big advantage of a Laser TV is its size: you can find Laser TVs with huge screens for the price of typical TVs that are relatively small.
Enter the L9H and L5H 2023 laser TVs from Hisense. Both TVs come in 100-inch and 120-inch sizes, which Hisense calls “affordable,” but we don’t have official pricing information yet. If last year’s models are anything to go by, we’d expect prices to be somewhere around the range of a premium 65-inch TV.
The L5H is Hisense’s entry-level laser TV, equipped with a high-gain ALR screen, Dolby Vision, smart functionality and built-in 40W speakers with Dolby Atmos. The L9H is Hisense’s more premium laser TV, managing to pack Hisense’s TriChroma laser technology alongside HDR support on top of features similar to the L5H.
ULED X
ULED is Hisense’s take on QLED, and QLED is, as you’d expect, another upgrade on traditional LED technology. QLED TVs use Quantum Dots, or small semiconductor particles a few nanometers in size that will eventually emit their own light, but now use backlighting like traditional LCD TVs. These quantum dots convert the white light from that backlight into colored light, creating incredibly vibrant, colorful displays.
ULED X is Hisense’s version of ULED, and you can find this technology in the UX series of TVs. Unfortunately, specific details, pricing and release date of the UX series are not yet known, but some impressive specs have already been revealed.
The new UX TVs will feature Mini LED backlighting consisting of 20,000 LEDs grouped into 5,000 separate dimming zones and Hisense promises 2,500 nits peak brightness and wider viewing angles over existing ULED models. Those are some impressive stats on paper, although of course we’ll wait until we’ve fully reviewed the new TVs in our test labs before passing judgement.
The UX TVs also support features such as Dolby Vision HDR, VRR and a 4.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos sound system with 80W of power. If Hisense manages to keep the price on UX TVs below premium OLED sets, then the UX line could well become a formidable competitor with some of the TV heavyweights out there, such as LG’s OLEDs.
Hisense 2023 TV range breakdown
So, what does Hisense’s 2023 lineup look like in terms of specific TVs? Well, you’re in luck because we’ve got the full analysis for you.
Unfortunately, pricing hasn’t been fully announced yet and we don’t know everything specifically about these sets, but we’ll update this page with more information as it comes out.
Also note that you won’t see the UX line below just yet, as Hisense is still keeping the detail close to its chest on these TVs. They’re expected this year though, so hang on and we’ll add them to the breakdown when more information is revealed later.
Hisense U6K
Hisense’s U6K is the brand’s latest entry-level kit for 2023. These TVs start at just $500, according to Hisense, making them an affordable way to enter the magical world of mini-LED technology, but of course we won’t be able to give you specifics on performance until we get our hands on these TVs.
We don’t know anything else about the U6K yet, but the price and the panel tech used make it seem like it could be a great all-rounder that won’t break the bank. But until we’ve actually used it, we can’t confirm this.
Hisense U6K specs
- Sizes: 50 inches to 85 inches
- Display type: ULED + Mini LED
- Solution: 4K
- Processor: To be determined
- Sound: Dolby Atmos
- HDMI 2.1: TBC, eARC
- Gaming Features: 60Hz, VRR, ALLM, Game Mode
Hisense U7K
If you’re looking for a step up from the U6K, the U7K is it. You get the same features as the U6K with some major upgrades. Instead of Dolby Vision you get Dolby Vision IQ, and instead of being stuck with a 60Hz refresh rate you get a native 144Hz panel.
You also get Dolby Atmos support. All told, the biggest upgrade here with the U7K is for gamers thanks to that native 144Hz refresh rate and the promise of better audio quality and a more robust HDR implementation from Hisense. However, we generally recommend pairing your TV with an external sound solution such as a soundbar.
Hisense U7K specs
- Sizes: 55 inches to 85 inches
- Display type: ULED + Mini LED
- Solution: 4K
- Processor: To be determined
- Sound: Dolby Atmos
- HDMI 2.1: TBC, eARC
- Gaming Features: 144Hz, VRR, ALLM, Game Mode
Hisense U8K
Hisense’s U8K is the flagship of the 2023 TV brand, outside of the UX series of TVs that have not yet been fully revealed. This TV has the same features as the U7K plus some extra upgrades – although again we don’t have all the information on these TVs so we can give you comparisons between, say, brightness with the U7K and U8K.
However, according to Hisense, the U8K manages to double the local dimming zones of the older U8H while still offering meaty peak brightness of up to 1500 nits. You also get a low-reflection anti-glare screen to reduce ambient reflections as much as possible. Other goodies in the U8K include a next-gen OTA 4K tuner, as well as Wi-Fi 6e support plus IMAX Enhanced and FilmMaker modes.
Hisense U8K specs
- Sizes: 55 inches to 85 inches
- Display type: ULED + Mini LED
- Solution: 4K
- Processor: To be determined
- Sound: Dolby Atmos
- HDMI 2.1: TBC, eARC
- Gaming Features: 144Hz, VRR, ALLM, Game Mode
Hisense L5H Laser TV
Hisense’s L5H Laser TV is the brand’s 2023 entry-level laser TV. According to Hisense, it is designed to fit well in any living room. And on paper, if you need a huge screen, suffice it to say the L5H’s huge 100-inch or 120-inch sizes can get the job done.
Thanks to the single X-Fusion Blue Laser Light Source, Dolby Vision support and a high-gain ALR display that’s ready to use even in broad daylight, according to Hisense. You also get Wi-Fi 6e, Google TV smarts, AirPlay 2 and FilmMaker Mode, rounding out the L5H’s offerings.
Hisense L5H Specifications
- Sizes: 100 inches, 120 inches
- Display type: Laser
- Solution: 4K
- Laser: X Fusion blue
- Sound: Dolby Atmos + 40W speakers
- HDMI 2.1: To be determined
- Gaming Features: To be determined
Hisense L9H Laser TV
Hisense’s L9H Laser TV is the brand’s more premium 2023 laser TV offering. This TV offers a major laser upgrade over the L5H, relying on Hisense’s TriChroma triple-light laser engine. According to Hisense, this TV can achieve 107% of the BT.2020 color space on top of a brightness of 3000 ANSI lumens.
You also get familiar features like Dolby Vision and HDR 10, smart functionality, Wi-Fi 6e, AirPlay 2, and a high-gain ALR display. As far as modern laser TVs go, on paper you’re about to get what you want out of the L9H if you have the money to spend on a new centerpiece for your home entertainment setup.
Hisense L9H Specifications
- Sizes: 100 inches, 120 inches
- Display type: Laser
- Solution: 4K
- Laser: trichroma
- Sound: To be determined
- HDMI 2.1: To be determined
- Gaming Features: To be determined