ZDNET Names Hisense U8QG Best 2026 TV With 165Hz Refresh Rate

Q: With Hisense packing 5,000 nits and Mini LED into its 2026 TVs, are legacy brands like Sony finally losing their premium edge?

Not yet. Hisense has clearly narrowed the gap, but legacy brands like Sony still retain a premium edge in areas that matter beyond raw specs. Hisense’s 2026 lineup shows why it is no longer just a budget brand. The U8QG offers up to 5,000 nits, Mini LED, 165Hz, VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision IQ, 2,048 dimming zones, and 4.1.2 Atmos sound at a price well below many premium rivals. That makes it one of the strongest value TVs on the market. Hisense is also pushing further with RGB Mini LED models such as the UR9, signaling real ambition at the high end. But premium leadership is not decided by brightness alone. Sony’s 2026 Bravia 7 II and Bravia 9 II are being praised for image accuracy, local dimming control, viewing angles, anti-reflection performance, and how closely they track professional mastering monitors. Independent reviews still describe Sony sets as among the most accurate and refined displays for movies, even when their peak brightness is lower than Hisense’s headline numbers. The real shift is that Sony no longer owns a comfortable quality gap. Hisense now matches or beats premium brands on features and often on value, especially for bright-room viewing, gaming, and large-screen buyers. Where Sony still leads is processing, consistency, and cinematic polish. So the market has changed from “Sony is better, if you can afford it” to “Sony is still better for some buyers, but Hisense may be the smarter buy for many more.”

Q: Does Hisense's promise of upcoming Dolby Vision 2 on its massive 100-inch RGB-miniLED models hide a catch regarding future software reliability?

Yes — the catch is that Dolby Vision 2 on Hisense’s 100-inch RGB-miniLED sets is being promised as a later software update, not as a feature fully available at launch, so buyers are being asked to trust Hisense’s update follow-through. The reporting and related product details show that Hisense’s new UR9S and UR8S RGB-miniLED models are expected to gain Dolby Vision 2 support after release. That does not mean the feature will fail to arrive, but it does create normal risks tied to TV software roadmaps: delays, partial implementation, bugs at rollout, or differences between regions, screen sizes, and apps. That matters more on a 100-inch flagship because buyers are paying for cutting-edge display hardware partly on the expectation that promised processing and HDR features will mature over time. If Dolby Vision 2 is central to the buying decision, the safest approach is to treat it as “planned” rather than guaranteed until Hisense publishes firmware timing, supported models, and exactly what Dolby Vision 2 functions will be enabled. The broader ZDNET roundup supports the idea that Hisense is aggressive on features and pricing, often offering premium specs below rivals. But that value strategy can also mean shoppers should scrutinize software support as closely as panel specs. In short, the hardware ambition looks real; the catch is uncertainty over long-term software reliability until the update actually ships and proves stable in real-world use.

2 articles · Updated · ZDNet · Aug 4

ZDNET picked the Hisense U8QG as its top Hisense TV for 2026, citing a Pantone-validated Mini LED panel, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support, and dedicated movie and gaming modes.
The U8QG’s 165Hz refresh rate, VRR support, anti-glare screen, and 5,000-nit peak brightness drove the recommendation, positioning it as a premium alternative to pricier OLED sets.
Hisense’s lineup spans budget to premium models, with the U9N highlighted for 144Hz gaming and brightness, the A7N for 4K features under $500, and the QD6 for streaming-focused buyers.
The review says Hisense has moved beyond its budget-brand roots, now competing in mid-range and high-end TVs with features such as Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and newer RGB Mini LED technology.

Sources

Left50%

Center50%

ZDNet1d ago

ZDNET Names Hisense U8QG Best TV of 2026 in Expert Review

PCMag1d ago

TCL QM8 Class 65-Inch TV (65QM851G) Review | PCMag

With Hisense packing 5,000 nits and Mini LED into its 2026 TVs, are legacy brands like Sony finally losing their premium edge?

Does Hisense's promise of upcoming Dolby Vision 2 on its massive 100-inch RGB-miniLED models hide a catch regarding future software reliability?

Can the aggressively discounted Hisense S7 Canvas finally dethrone Samsung's The Frame as the ultimate decor-friendly television for modern living rooms?