If you're looking to create a truly cinematic experience at home, you're probably considering a massive TV in the 95"+ range. Today we'll compare two flagship models: the Hisense 100" U8 Series ($2,999) and the LG 97" OLED G4 ($19,999). While both deliver spectacular picture quality, they take very different approaches - and come with very different price tags.
The 95"+ TV category has evolved significantly in recent years. What was once an extremely niche market dominated by projectors has become more accessible thanks to advancing technology and manufacturing capabilities. These TVs offer truly theatrical experiences, but they come with specific considerations that smaller TVs don't face.
First, you'll need significant wall space - these aren't just big TVs, they're room-defining features. You'll want to sit about 10-14 feet away for optimal viewing. Both models we're looking at today were released in early 2024, representing the latest advances in their respective technologies.
The Hisense U8 uses Mini-LED technology (think thousands of tiny LED lights behind the screen) combined with QLED (quantum dots that enhance color). This allows for extremely bright images and good black levels, though not quite perfect blacks. Mini-LEDs are much smaller than traditional LED backlights, allowing for more precise control of bright and dark areas.
The LG G4 OLED uses organic light-emitting diodes, where each pixel creates its own light. This means perfect blacks (pixels actually turn completely off) and infinite contrast ratio. It's generally considered the superior technology for picture quality, especially in controlled lighting.
Having tested both technologies extensively, I can tell you room lighting makes a huge difference in your experience. The Hisense can get significantly brighter (around 2,000 nits peak brightness versus the LG's 1,000 nits). In a bright room, this makes the Hisense much more viewable. However, in a dedicated home theater or evening viewing, the LG's perfect blacks and superior contrast become more apparent.
Here's where things get interesting. The Hisense offers remarkable value at $2,999, while the LG demands a premium at $19,999. That's not a typo - you could buy six Hisense TVs for the price of one LG. The question becomes: is the LG's superior picture quality worth the massive price difference?
Both TVs support all major HDR formats (Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG) and offer excellent color accuracy. The Hisense U8 actually produces slightly more vibrant colors, while the LG G4 offers more natural, reference-quality accuracy.
Motion handling is where the LG pulls ahead significantly. OLED technology has near-instantaneous pixel response times, meaning fast-moving scenes remain crystal clear. The Hisense handles motion well for an LED TV, but can't quite match OLED in this regard.
Both TVs support HDMI 2.1 features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). The Hisense offers a higher 144Hz refresh rate compared to the LG's 120Hz, though you'd be hard-pressed to notice this difference in real-world gaming.
Input lag is excellent on both sets, but the LG has a slight advantage here with near-instantaneous response times. For competitive gamers, either would serve well.
In a dedicated home theater setting, both TVs excel but in different ways. The LG OLED G4 really shows its strengths here - its perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio create an incredibly immersive experience, especially with movie content. The lack of blooming (light bleeding around bright objects) makes letterboxed movies look spectacular.
The Hisense U8 still performs admirably in a theater setting, and its higher brightness can actually be an advantage if you like to leave some ambient light on while watching. Its Mini-LED backlight system does an impressive job minimizing blooming, though it's not quite perfect.
Installation is a major consideration at these sizes. Both TVs are extremely heavy (over 100 pounds) and require robust wall mounting or sturdy furniture. The Hisense includes feet, while the LG is designed primarily for wall mounting.
Power consumption varies significantly - the Hisense draws more power due to its brighter Mini-LED system. In my testing, this translated to about 30% higher energy usage during typical viewing.
Choose the Hisense U8 if:
Choose the LG G4 if:
After extensive testing of both TVs, I can confidently say they both excel at what they do. The Hisense U8 represents an incredible value proposition, delivering 90% of the LG's performance at 15% of the cost. For most buyers, it's the more practical choice.
However, if you're building a dedicated home theater and want the absolute best picture quality regardless of cost, the LG G4 OLED is the superior choice. Its perfect blacks, superior motion handling, and premium build quality make it the ultimate home theater display.
Remember: The best TV for you depends on your specific needs, room conditions, and budget. Both of these models represent the cutting edge of their respective technologies, and either one would provide an impressive viewing experience for years to come.
| Hisense 100" U8 Series ($2,999) | LG 97" OLED G4 ($19,999) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Fundamentally determines picture quality and room versatility | |
| Mini-LED QLED (brighter, better in lit rooms) | OLED (perfect blacks, superior contrast) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and daytime viewing | |
| 2,000+ nits (excellent for bright rooms) | 1,000 nits (good but requires dimmer conditions) |
| Black Level Performance - Determines movie experience quality | |
| Very good (some blooming possible) | Perfect (true blacks, no blooming) |
| Gaming Refresh Rate - Higher is better for smooth motion | |
| 144Hz (slight advantage for gaming) | 120Hz (excellent for all current games) |
| Input Lag - Lower is better for gaming responsiveness | |
| 6ms (very good) | <1ms (exceptional) |
| Color Volume - Affects vibrancy and realism | |
| 100% DCI-P3 (Quantum Dots) | 99% DCI-P3 (OLED) |
| Smart Platform - Affects daily usability | |
| Google TV (more apps, easier setup) | webOS (premium feel, slightly fewer apps) |
| Power Consumption - Impacts running costs | |
| 350W typical (higher due to brightness) | 250W typical (more efficient) |
| Expected Lifespan - Consider for long-term value | |
| 5-7 years typical | 7-10 years typical |
| Viewing Angle - Important for wide seating arrangements | |
| Good (some brightness loss off-angle) | Excellent (consistent from all angles) |
The LG 97" OLED G4 ($19,999) delivers superior picture quality in dedicated home theater environments due to its perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio. However, the Hisense 100" U8 ($2,999) still provides excellent picture quality at a fraction of the cost.
The Hisense U8 performs better in bright rooms due to its higher peak brightness (2,000+ nits) compared to the LG G4's 1,000 nits. The Mini-LED technology helps overcome ambient light more effectively.
There's a significant price gap - the Hisense U8 costs $2,999 while the LG G4 is priced at $19,999. The Hisense offers exceptional value for most users, while the LG represents the premium end of the market.
Both TVs excel at gaming, but offer different advantages. The Hisense U8 has a higher 144Hz refresh rate, while the LG G4 offers faster response times. Both support HDMI 2.1 features like VRR and ALLM.
The LG G4 OLED performs best in controlled lighting conditions, making it ideal for dedicated theater rooms. The Hisense U8 is more versatile and can work well in both dedicated theaters and multipurpose rooms.
The LG G4 offers a more cinematic experience with perfect blacks and superior contrast, ideal for movie watching. The Hisense U8 still provides excellent movie performance with very good black levels and high brightness.
The Hisense U8 uses Google TV, offering more app options and easier setup. The LG G4 uses webOS, which has a premium feel but slightly fewer apps. Both platforms are user-friendly and fully featured.
Both TVs require substantial wall space and a viewing distance of 10-14 feet for optimal experience. The Hisense U8 at 100" requires slightly more room than the LG G4 at 97".
The LG OLED G4 typically has a longer lifespan of 7-10 years, while the Hisense U8 generally lasts 5-7 years. Both come with manufacturer warranties and should provide years of reliable service.
Due to their size and weight, professional installation is recommended for both the Hisense U8 and LG G4. Proper mounting is crucial for safety and optimal viewing experience.
The Hisense U8 has an advantage for sports viewing with its higher brightness and excellent motion handling. The LG G4 offers superior motion clarity but may not be as visible in bright afternoon viewing conditions.
The LG G4 OLED provides superior viewing angles with consistent picture quality from any position. The Hisense U8 shows some brightness and color degradation at wider angles, though still acceptable for most seating arrangements.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: bestbuy.com - valueelectronics.com - pcrichard.com - youtube.com - cnet.com - bargainoutletandmore.com - bestbuy.com - files.hisense-usa.com - fouanistore.com - bestbuy.com/6561416) - salesindia.com - rtings.com - marketplace.sce.com - abt.com - youtube.com - walts.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - youtube.com - fullspecs.net - big-georges.com - techradar.com - youtube.com
