Hisense U9N: Two-minute overview
The Hisense U9N arrived on the scene after the rollout of the Hisense U8N, a mid-range mini-LED TV providing distinctive efficiency and worth for cash. And whereas the step-up U9N collection is arguably eclipsed by the U8N with regards to worth, it nonetheless provides a noticeable improve in image and sound high quality and has a extra premium design.
Availability of the Hisense U9N is restricted to the US market, the place, befitting a premium TV, it’s offered in 75-inch ($1,999.99) and 85-inch ($2,999.99) display screen sizes. These costs are a substantial saving on the preliminary launch costs and are notably lower than premium mini-LED TV choices from Samsung and Sony. For this overview, I examined the 75-inch U9N.
The U9N’s specs embody a mini-LED backlight with as much as 5,300 native dimming zones (within the 85-inch mannequin) and a Hello-View Engine X chipset borrowed from the corporate’s restricted version ULED X collection TVs. Together with offering AI-driven image enhancements, this carries assist for the Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG high dynamic range codecs.
Image high quality on the U9N is gorgeous. Photos are vibrant, and have distinctive element and distinction. Colours pop with out trying garish, and it has notably higher movement dealing with than different Hisense TVs I’ve examined. However what actually units it aside from the U8N and in addition lets it compete within the premium mini-LED TV enviornment is its exact, refined native dimming, which creates deep, uniform-looking blacks with high-quality gradations of shadow element. Additionally, its image doesn’t lose distinction and coloration richness when seen from off-center seats – an essential issue for watching with teams.
Sound high quality is one other U9N robust level. A built-in 4.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos speaker system delivers strong sound with clear positioning of dialogue and results, together with an honest bass kick. Audio efficiency is helped by the TV’s design, which positions the left and proper audio system in an angled aluminum bezel to allow them to emit sound straight on the viewer, whereas the highest floor comprises upward-firing audio system for Atmos peak results.
As with different Hisense TVs within the US, Google TV is used as a sensible TV interface and it’s a versatile and comparatively uncluttered platform with a compelling Ambient mode for displaying paintings and images. Palms-free voice instructions are supported, and there’s additionally a built-in mic on the distant should you don’t need the TV to be set in ‘always-listening’ mode.
Gaming options on the U9N embody twin HDMI 2.1 ports with assist for 4K 144Hz, VRR with AMD FreeSync Premium Professional, and Dolby Imaginative and prescient gaming. Enter lag is barely excessive in comparison with the best gaming TVs, however that’s not one thing extra informal players will discover.
The Hisense U9N finally provides as much as a terrific worth. It does price fairly a bit greater than the step-down Hisense U8N, however should you do have the cash to spend, the upgrades it provides are price it.
Hisense U9N overview: Worth and launch date
- Launch date: April 2024
- 75-inch: $2,999
- 85-inch: $3,999
The Hisense U9N is offered in 75- and 85-inch display screen sizes, with availability restricted to the US market. As a 2024 mannequin, costs for each sizes have dropped for the reason that TVs first shipped, with the 75-inch model now broadly out there for $1,999.99 and the 85-inch for $2,999,99.
In Hisense’s TV lineup, the U9N collection slots in between the mid-range U8N collection and the limited-release ULED X collection, the latter of which it borrows a number of options from.
Hisense U9N overview: Specs
|
Display screen kind: |
QLED with Mini-LED |
|
Refresh charge: |
144Hz |
|
HDR assist: |
Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
|
Audio assist: |
Dolby Atmos, DTS |
|
Good TV: |
Google TV |
|
HDMI ports: |
4 (2x HDMI 2.1) |
|
Constructed-in tuner: |
ATSC 3.0 |
Hisense U9N overview: Benchmark outcomes
Hisense U9N overview: Options
- Mini-LED backlight with as much as 5,300 zones
- Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+ HDR
- Two HDMI 2.1 inputs with 4K 144Hz assist
The Hisense U9N includes a mini-LED backlight with as much as 5,300 native dimming zones (within the 85-inch mannequin). It makes use of the identical Hello-View Engine X chipset discovered within the firm’s limited-edition ULED X collection TVs, which options AI-driven scene detection and real-time picture enhancement. Excessive dynamic vary assist consists of Dolby Imaginative and prescient, Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, and there’s an ultra-wide viewing angle characteristic to make sure constant image high quality when watching from off-center seats.
The 75-inch U9N I examined includes a 4.1.2-channel built-in speaker system powered by 76W of amplification that helps Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, together with IMAX Enhanced. The U9N’s thicker-than-average aluminum bezel homes front-firing left and proper audio system and there are upwards-firing Atmos peak audio system situated on the prime.
Hisense TVs use the Google TV good TV interface, and the U9N collection additionally includes a built-in mic for hands-free voice management. (Works with Alexa can also be supported.) Gaming options embody 4K 144Hz assist for PC gaming, AMD FreeSync Premium Professional, and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). The U9N’s inputs embody two HDMI 2.1 ports, and there’s additionally an ATSC 3.0 tuner for receiving Subsequent-Gen TV broadcasts.
Hisense U9N overview: Image high quality
- Distinctive brightness, refined native dimming
- Wealthy coloration copy
- Spectacular movement dealing with
The Hisense U9N’s excessive brightness ranges simply exceed different premium mini-LED TVs such because the Samsung QN90D and Sony Bravia 9. I measured HDR brightness on a ten% HDR white window sample in Filmmaker Mode at 2,694 nits, whereas a full-screen HDR white sample measured 590 nits in the identical mode. These numbers point out that the U9N can show the total degree of spotlight element in most motion pictures and TV exhibits with HDR with out having to resort to tone mapping, and packages like sports activities may even look good when seen in vibrant rooms.
Hisense says the U9N has an anti-reflection display screen coating, although I did be aware some display screen glare when viewing with my room’s overhead lights on. One robust picture-quality optimistic for daytime sports activities viewing is the U9N’s ultra-wide viewing angle characteristic, which ensures that footage had uniform distinction and coloration saturation even when viewing from far off-center seats – as you might need to do when watching with a crowd of individuals.
The U9N’s coloration gamut protection was additionally distinctive, measuring 98.9% for UHD-P3 and 81.5% for BT.2020 in Filmmaker Mode. These outcomes greatest different premium mini-LED TVs we’ve examined, and rival what you get with the best OLED TVs. Grayscale accuracy in the identical mode was much less spectacular, averaging 3.5 (we usually search for a end result beneath 3), although coloration accuracy averaged out to an distinctive 1.1.
With its terribly vibrant image, the U9N regarded unbelievable when viewing sports activities. Watching the Eagles trounce the Chiefs in Tremendous Bowl LIX, the respective inexperienced and purple hues of the gamers’ uniforms popped from the display screen, and highlights like stadium lights gleaming off helmets gave the picture a powerful sense of realism and depth. The U9N additionally did a terrific job of upscaling the HD image, making it look close to 4K-like.
Darker content material such because the Apple TV Plus present Severance additionally shone on the U9N’s expansive 75-inch display screen. Season 2 Episode 4 takes place in a frozen rural panorama, and the U9N rendered particulars within the wintry scenes with a excessive degree of subtlety. Severance ceaselessly makes use of monochrome coloration schemes – blue, particularly – for units and costumes, and the U9N displayed these vividly whereas additionally leaving pores and skin tones trying fully pure.
Different scenes from the identical Severance episode demonstrated the U9N’s exact native dimming. Because the MDR workforce camps outdoor on a company retreat, there are a number of scenes with campfires being lit and torches wielded at evening. On the U9N, these fires blazed towards a black background with minimal blooming results. Even once I checked the blooming torture check clips on the Spears & Munsil Extremely HD Benchmark 4K Blu-ray check disc, I may see solely simply the faintest indicators of backlight blooming.
After I did a hands-on check of a pre-production U9N again in early 2024, I used to be dissatisfied with its movement dealing with. However Hisense clearly made progress on that entrance with the manufacturing model of the U9N, which has no such difficulty. After I watched a reference scene from Bond movie No Time to Die the place 007 walks throughout a craggy mountain cemetery, the image regarded impressively stable, even with no movement processing utilized. The U9N’s stable movement dealing with additionally yielded advantages for sports activities, which regarded fluid but absolutely pure.
- Image high quality rating: 5/5
Hisense U9N overview: Sound high quality
- 4.1.2-channel, 76W speaker system
- Auto Acoustic Tuning characteristic
- Good peak, width with Atmos soundtracks
The U9N includes a 4.1.2-channel speaker system powered by 76W. Entrance left and proper drivers are constructed into the edges of the TV’s substantial aluminum bezel and upwards-firing drivers are situated on the display screen’s prime. Across the again, a pair of built-in bass drivers deal with subwoofer responsibility.
An array of audio changes are offered past the U9N’s primary sound presets. The Superior Settings menu has an Auto Acoustic Tuning characteristic that permits you to optimize the TV’s sound output based mostly on measurements taken of your viewing setting utilizing the mic within the distant management. There’s additionally a multi-band equalizer adjustment, wall-mount compensation, and a subwoofer degree adjustment.
The U9N displayed persistently clear dialogue and quantity ranges may very well be set pretty excessive with out listening to any distortion. Watching the current sequel Twisters, in an early scene the place the scholars seed a twister, solely to get caught up within the ensuing turmoil, the sound of wind and free objects – like automobiles and our bodies – blowing round exceeded the display screen space and had a great sense of width and peak. Shouted dialogue on this sequence additionally got here throughout clearly, and there was even an honest degree of bass thump.
We normally advocate including one of many best soundbars to any TV, however the U9N may simply stand by itself so long as you’re not overly fussy about residence theater sound.
Hisense U9N overview: Design
- Broadly spaced assist ft
- Premium design with angled bezel
- Full-sized, backlit distant management
In contrast to different premium (or premium-aspiring) TVs I’ve not too long ago examined, the Hisense U9N opts for broadly spaced assist ft as an alternative of a pedestal-type base. These barely cleared my 59-inch-wide TV stand, with only a 0.5-inch of house on either side, so be sure to first measure your individual stand. The ft present sturdy assist for the TV, although I wanted there was a variable peak choice to clear more room for a soundbar, should you select one.
The U9N’s bezel is angled on the edges to accommodate the TV’s front-firing audio system. This offers the TV a extra premium look than different Hisense TVs, which have a extra primary design. Rear panel connections embody 4 HDMI ports (two of that are HDMI 2.1), an optical digital audio output, 3.5mm analog audio enter and output jacks, and a pair of USB-A inputs.
Hisense’s full-sized distant management has curved edges and a extra stable really feel than most different TV remotes. The keypad is backlit and there are buttons to straight entry the TV’s fast menu and broadcast channels information, together with streaming companies together with Netflix and Disney Plus. A centrally situated mic button permits you to selectively entry Google voice instructions if you’ve disabled the TV’s built-in mic.
Hisense U9N overview: Good TV and menus
- Google TV with Ambient mode
- Reside TV program grid
- Intensive image changes and fast menu
Hisense makes use of Google TV because the good interface for all of its TVs within the US. This gives an editable row of apps on the backside of the house display screen, together with a row of recommended content material straight above. The recommendations that seem listed here are based mostly on each your viewing historical past and Google search historical past – an association you join when getting into your Google account within the TV’s consumer profile. My solely severe difficulty with Google TV is that you should create a Google account to obtain apps from the Google retailer, and never everybody will essentially need to take part within the ever-growing Google-verse.
Scrolling down the house display screen reveals a spread of recommended content material classes, whereas tabs on the prime of the display screen allow you to entry a Reside program information with each Google Freeplay free TV channels and broadcast channels acquired by the U9N’s ATSC 3.0 tuner.
A Screensaver choice within the TV’s predominant menu lets you configure Ambient mode, which kicks in when the TV is on standby. Alternatives right here embody an artwork gallery with Google-curated pictures, custom-generated AI artwork, and images out of your private Google Photos account. You can even add climate and time widgets, which is able to present up as an overlay on any pictures in Ambient mode.
Hisense gives intensive image changes within the U9N’s setup menu, with choices to have the TV mechanically detect content material with Filmmaker Mode and IMAX Mode tags, optimize image settings based mostly on the scene, and upscale normal dynamic vary (SDR) packages to excessive dynamic vary (HDR).
A fast menu (referred to as up by urgent the Menu button on the distant) permits you to simply swap image and sound presets, in addition to straight entry each image and sound adjustment menus.
- Good TV & menus rating: 4/5
Hisense U9N overview: Gaming
- Two HDMI 2.1 ports
- 4K 144Hz, FreeSync Premium Professional, Dolby Imaginative and prescient gaming
- 15.2ms enter lag
The U9N’s twin HDMI 2.1 ports assist 4K 144Hz, VRR with AMD FreeSync Premium Professional, and Dolby Imaginative and prescient gaming. We usually ding TVs in evaluations for offering solely two, relatively than 4, HDMI 2.1 ports, however a further HDMI port on the U9N helps HDMI eARC, permitting for each PS5 and Xbox Sequence X gaming consoles and an exterior soundbar to be linked suddenly, so we are able to settle for it right here.
A Sport Bar menu (accessible by way of the fast menu) gives a spread of stats and game-related image and sound changes, together with genre-specific presets, when the TV is in Sport mode.
At 15.2ms, the U9N’s enter lag in Sport mode is on the excessive facet in comparison with the perfect gaming TVs, although I didn’t discover any points throughout informal gaming with an Xbox Sequence X.
Hisense U9N overview: Worth
- Priced decrease than premium mini-LED competitors
- Cheaper Hisense U8N collection can also be wonderful
- Nonetheless, a terrific general worth
At round $2,000, the 75-inch Hisense U9N is priced decrease than its closest mini-LED competitors with regards to image and sound high quality. You should purchase the Samsung QN90D in a 75-inch display screen measurement for round $2,400, whereas the Sony Bravia 9 will price you round $3,500. Taken in that firm, the U9N is an distinctive worth.
The principle factor that chips away on the U9N’s worth is the also-excellent Hisense U8N (round $1,299 for the 75-inch display screen measurement), which has a good brighter image than the U9N plus related gaming options and efficiency. You get a extra refined native dimming with the U9N, nevertheless, together with higher P3 coloration house protection and superior off-axis image efficiency. The U9N’s 4.1.2-channel audio system additionally ship extra highly effective and immersive sound than the U8N’s 2.1.2-channel audio system.
All issues thought-about, the Hisense U9N nonetheless stands out as a terrific worth, and one nicely price contemplating even at a $700 premium over the Hisense U8N.
Ought to I purchase the Hisense U9N?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Ranking |
|---|---|---|
|
Options |
Mini-LED backlight with as much as 5,300 native dimming zones; 4.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos audio system. |
4.5/5 |
|
Image high quality |
Excessive brightness and wonderful all-around image high quality. |
5/5 |
|
Sound high quality |
Highly effective, spacious sound with good bass. |
5/5 |
|
Design |
Sturdy design with angled bezel and broadly spaced assist ft. |
4.5/5 |
|
Good TV and menus |
Google TV a stable good interface, and is accompanied right here by plentiful image and sound settings. |
4/5 |
|
Gaming |
Good gaming characteristic bundle however solely two HDMI 2.1 ports and barely excessive enter lag. |
4/5 |
|
Worth |
Considerably expensive, however a terrific worth for a premium mini-LED TV. |
4.5/5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Panasonic Z95A overview: Additionally think about…
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Hisense U9N |
Samsung QN90D |
Sony Bravia 9 |
Hisense U8N |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Worth (75-inch) |
$1,999 |
$2,399 |
$3,499 |
$1,299 |
|
Display screen kind |
QLED with mini-LED |
QLED with mini-LED |
QLED with mini-LED |
QLED with mini-LED |
|
Refresh charge |
144Hz |
144Hz |
144Hz |
144Hz |
|
HDR assist |
Dolby Imaginative and prescient/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG |
HDR10+/HDR10/HLG |
HDR10+/HDR10/HLG |
Dolby Imaginative and prescient/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG |
|
Good TV |
Google TV |
Tizen |
Google TV |
Google TV |
|
HDMI ports |
4 (2x HDMI 2.1) |
4 x HDMI 2.1 |
4 (2x HDMI 2.1) |
4 (2x HDMI 2.1) |
How I examined the Hisense U9N
- Examined over the course of two weeks
- Measurements had been made utilizing Calman coloration calibration software program
- A full calibration was made earlier than continuing with subjective assessments
After I examined the Hisense U9N, I first spent just a few weeks utilizing it for informal viewing to evaluate the out-of-box image presets and get aware of its good TV menu and movie changes. I subsequent chosen probably the most correct preset (Filmmaker Mode, on this case) and measured grayscale and coloration accuracy utilizing Portrait Shows’ Calman color calibration software. The ensuing measurements present Delta-E values (the margin of error between the check sample supply and what’s proven on-screen) for every class and permit for an evaluation of the TV’s general accuracy.
Together with these assessments, I made measurements of peak mild output (recorded in nits) for each normal high-definition and 4K excessive dynamic vary utilizing 10% and 100% white window patterns. Protection of DCI-P3 and BT.2020 coloration house was additionally measured, with the outcomes offering a way of how faithfully the U9N can render the prolonged coloration vary in extremely high-definition sources.
I used the Calman ISF workflow, together with the TV’s superior image menu settings, to calibrate the picture for greatest accuracy after I might assessed its out-of-the-box efficiency. I additionally watched a spread of reference scenes on 4K Blu-ray discs to evaluate the TV’s efficiency, and 4K HDR exhibits streamed from Max, Hulu, and different companies.
You possibly can learn an in-depth overview of how we test TVs at TechRadar for extra info.