If you're in the market for a premium 65-inch TV, you've probably come across the Hisense H9G ($1,505) and LG G4 OLED evo ($2,599). Let's break down everything you need to know to make a smart choice between these two impressive but very different TVs.
The core difference between these TVs lies in how they create images. The Hisense H9G, released in 2020, uses Quantum Dot LED technology (think tiny light-filtering particles that create more vibrant colors) combined with local dimming zones (areas of the backlight that can brighten or dim independently). Meanwhile, the 2024 LG G4 uses OLED technology, where each pixel creates its own light and can turn completely off for perfect blacks.
This fundamental difference affects everything from picture quality to longevity. Having tested both technologies extensively, I can tell you that OLED generally provides better overall picture quality, especially in dark rooms, while LED TVs often perform better in bright environments.
The LG G4's OLED panel delivers what we call "infinite contrast" - meaning when a pixel needs to be black, it's truly, completely black. This makes dark scenes in movies look incredibly realistic, especially in home theater settings. I've found this particularly noticeable in space movies like "Interstellar" where the blacks need to look truly black.
The Hisense H9G uses 180 local dimming zones to achieve very good blacks, but you might occasionally notice some blooming (light bleeding around bright objects on dark backgrounds). It's still impressive for LED technology, but it can't match OLED's perfect blacks.
Here's where things get interesting. The Hisense can reach higher peak brightness (around 1,000 nits - a measure of light output) compared to the LG's roughly 800 nits. This makes the Hisense potentially better for bright rooms and impressive with HDR content (High Dynamic Range - content specially mastered to show more detail in very bright and very dark areas).
However, the LG's perfect blacks mean it actually achieves better overall contrast despite lower peak brightness. In my experience testing both, HDR content looks stunning on both TVs, just in different ways.
Gaming capabilities have evolved significantly since the H9G's 2020 release. The LG G4 supports all the latest gaming features:
The Hisense H9G supports 4K at 120Hz but lacks VRR and proper HDMI 2.1 support. For casual gamers, this might not matter much. But if you're using a PS5 or Xbox Series X, the LG's gaming features make a noticeable difference.
Both TVs offer comprehensive smart features, but their approaches differ. The Hisense uses Android TV (now called Google TV), which provides access to thousands of apps and built-in Chromecast functionality. The LG uses webOS, which I've found to be slightly more streamlined but with fewer app options.
The LG's 2024 processor handles menu navigation and content upscaling (making lower-resolution content look better on the 4K screen) more smoothly than the Hisense's 2020 hardware. However, both systems work well for everyday use.
Here's where we need to talk about bang for your buck. The Hisense H9G at $1,505 represents excellent value, especially considering its picture quality and features. Yes, it's a 2020 model, but its performance still competes with many current TVs.
The LG G4 at $2,599 is nearly twice the price. You're paying for:
For dedicated home theater use, the LG G4's perfect blacks and infinite contrast make it the clear winner. In a controlled lighting environment, OLED technology truly shines. However, if your viewing space has lots of windows or bright lights, the Hisense's higher brightness might actually work better.
Choose the Hisense H9G if:
Choose the LG G4 if:
Both TVs represent their respective technologies well, but they serve different needs. The Hisense offers tremendous value while still delivering excellent picture quality. The LG provides the latest technology and superior overall performance but at a premium price.
Remember, the best TV for you depends on your specific needs, viewing environment, and budget. Consider your priorities and choose accordingly.
Hisense 65" H9G ($1,505) | LG 65" G4 OLED evo ($2,599) |
---|---|
Display Technology - Fundamentally determines picture quality and viewing experience | |
LED with Quantum Dots & Local Dimming | OLED evo (self-emitting pixels) |
Contrast Ratio - Critical for picture depth and realism | |
Very good (limited by LED technology) | Infinite (perfect blacks) |
Peak Brightness - Important for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
1,000 nits (excellent for bright rooms) | 800 nits (good but lower peak) |
Local Dimming Zones - More zones mean better contrast control | |
180 zones (good for LED) | Perfect per-pixel dimming (OLED advantage) |
Gaming Features - Critical for next-gen console gaming | |
Basic (120Hz, no VRR) | Advanced (144Hz, VRR, ALLM, HDMI 2.1) |
Viewing Angles - Important for wide seating arrangements | |
Limited (best viewed straight-on) | Excellent (maintains quality at any angle) |
Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app availability | |
Android TV (excellent app selection) | webOS 24 (streamlined but fewer apps) |
Processor - Impacts upscaling quality and smart features | |
Hi-View (2020 technology) | α11 AI (2024 latest gen) |
Risk of Burn-in - Consider for static content viewing | |
None (LED advantage) | Minimal but possible (OLED characteristic) |
Year Released - Affects feature set and support | |
2020 (aging but still competitive) | 2024 (latest technology) |
The LG G4 OLED evo provides superior picture quality for movies, especially in a home theater setting. Its perfect blacks and infinite contrast make it ideal for cinematic content. The Hisense H9G still offers excellent picture quality, but can't match OLED's performance in dark scenes.
The Hisense H9G performs better in bright rooms with its 1,000 nits peak brightness. While the LG G4 offers excellent overall picture quality, its 800 nits peak brightness isn't as effective in very bright environments.
For dedicated home theater use, the price premium of the LG G4 is justified. Its perfect blacks and superior contrast make it the better choice for controlled lighting environments. However, if budget is a concern, the Hisense H9G still delivers impressive performance at a lower price point.
The LG G4 OLED evo is significantly better for gaming, with 144Hz refresh rate, VRR support, and HDMI 2.1 ports. The Hisense H9G lacks these advanced gaming features, making it more suitable for casual gaming.
Both offer good smart platforms, but they're different. The Hisense H9G uses Android TV with more apps available, while the LG G4 uses webOS which is more streamlined but has fewer apps. Both support major streaming services effectively.
The LG G4 handles motion better and has wider viewing angles, making it superior for group sports viewing. The Hisense H9G has higher brightness which can be beneficial for daytime sports watching.
The Hisense H9G uses LED technology which has no risk of burn-in. While the LG G4 has improved OLED technology to minimize burn-in risk, it's still technically possible with static images displayed for very long periods.
Both TVs benefit from adding a sound bar or home theater audio system. Neither TV's built-in speakers can match the audio quality needed for a true home theater experience.
Both handle streaming well, but the LG G4's newer processor provides better upscaling of non-4K content. However, the Hisense H9G still offers very good streaming performance for most users.
The LG G4 OLED evo is significantly better for dark room viewing due to its perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio. This makes it ideal for home theater environments.
Both TVs handle HDR well, but differently. The Hisense H9G offers higher peak brightness, while the LG G4 provides better overall contrast. Both support Dolby Vision HDR.
The Hisense H9G at $1,505 offers better value for most users. However, if you're building a premium home theater or need the best gaming features, the LG G4 at $2,599 justifies its higher price with superior performance.
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: rtings.com - bestbuy.com - techradar.com - youtube.com - digitaltrends.com - assets.hisense-usa.com - bestbuy.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - tomsguide.com - crutchfield.com - visions.ca - youtube.com - cnet.com - schaeferstv.com - rtings.com - costco.com - bhphotovideo.com - techradar.com - youtube.com - abcwarehouse.com - youtube.com