So you're thinking about getting a massive 98-inch TV? Let's dive into comparing two of the most popular options - the Hisense 98" UX Series ($4,499) and the Samsung 98" DU9000 ($2,499). Both released in late 2023, these TVs represent different approaches to bringing the theater experience home.
Before we get into the specifics, let's talk about what makes these massive TVs special. At 98 inches, we're talking about a screen that's over 8 feet wide - practically wall-sized for most homes. This size creates an immersive experience that's genuinely cinematic, especially when viewed from 10-15 feet away. These aren't just TVs; they're home theater centerpieces.
The Hisense UX Series uses Mini-LED technology, which is a significant upgrade from traditional LED backlighting. Think of Mini-LEDs like having thousands of tiny flashlights behind your screen instead of just a few dozen. With over 10,000 dimming zones, the Hisense can precisely control brightness in very small areas, creating stunning contrast between bright and dark parts of the image.
In contrast, the Samsung DU9000 uses their Crystal UHD technology, which is a more traditional LED approach. While still capable of excellent picture quality, it can't match the precise control of Mini-LED. Think of it like painting with a slightly bigger brush - still beautiful, but with less fine detail in the highlights and shadows.
Here's where the price difference really shows:
This difference matters most when watching HDR content (videos with extra brightness and color information) or using the TV in a bright room. The Hisense can create those stunning bright highlights that make HDR content pop, while the Samsung delivers a more standard experience.
Both TVs support modern gaming features, but there are important differences:
The Hisense UX offers:
The Samsung DU9000 provides:
For casual gamers, either TV will work great. But if you're serious about gaming, especially with the latest consoles or PC, the Hisense's extra features provide a smoother, more responsive experience.
Both TVs offer comprehensive smart platforms, but they take different approaches:
Hisense uses Google TV:
Samsung uses Tizen:
Here's where we need to talk about the $2,000 price difference. The Hisense UX delivers demonstrably better picture quality, especially in these scenarios:
The Samsung DU9000 offers:
If you're building a dedicated home theater, a few additional factors come into play:
Both TVs have built-in speakers, but at this size, you'll want a dedicated audio system. Both support eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) for connecting to modern sound systems, but the Hisense adds Dolby Atmos support for more immersive audio setups.
For 98-inch screens, you'll want:
Consider these key questions:
The Hisense 98" UX is the clear technical winner, offering better picture quality, brightness, and features. It's the choice for enthusiasts who want the best possible picture and are willing to pay for it.
The Samsung 98" DU9000 represents excellent value, delivering a massive screen with good picture quality at a more accessible price point. It's perfect for those who want the impact of a huge TV without requiring absolute peak performance.
Both TVs will provide an impressive viewing experience - the main question is whether the Hisense's premium features justify its premium price for your specific needs and viewing environment.
| Hisense 98" UX Series ($4,499) | Samsung 98" DU9000 ($2,499) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Determines contrast, brightness, and overall picture quality | |
| Mini-LED with 10,000+ dimming zones | Standard LED with basic local dimming |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 5,000+ nits (exceptional HDR performance) | 400-500 nits (adequate for standard viewing) |
| Gaming Refresh Rate - Higher rates mean smoother motion | |
| 144Hz with full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth | 120Hz with limited HDMI 2.1 bandwidth |
| HDR Support - More formats mean better compatibility with streaming content | |
| Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | HDR10+, HLG (no Dolby Vision) |
| Smart Platform - Affects app availability and ease of use | |
| Google TV (more open ecosystem, frequent updates) | Tizen (proprietary but polished) |
| Local Dimming Zones - More zones mean better contrast and less blooming | |
| 10,000+ zones (premium contrast control) | Dozens of zones (standard contrast) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| VRR, ALLM, Dolby Vision Gaming | VRR, ALLM (basic gaming features) |
| Power Consumption - Impacts electricity costs | |
| Higher due to brighter panel | More efficient, lower consumption |
| Value Proposition - Price vs Performance | |
| Premium price for best-in-class performance | Excellent value for size, good baseline performance |
The Hisense 98" UX Series ($4,499) is superior for dedicated home theaters due to its Mini-LED technology, higher brightness, and better contrast ratios. While the Samsung DU9000 ($2,499) performs well, it lacks the premium HDR performance home theater enthusiasts typically desire.
The Hisense UX costs $4,499, while the Samsung DU9000 is priced at $2,499, representing a $2,000 difference in price.
The Hisense UX significantly outperforms with 5,000+ nits brightness and Dolby Vision support. The Samsung DU9000 offers basic HDR performance with around 400-500 nits brightness.
Both support 4K gaming, but the Hisense UX offers 144Hz and more gaming features, while the Samsung DU9000 maxes out at 120Hz with basic gaming features.
The Hisense UX performs significantly better in bright rooms due to its 5,000+ nit brightness. The Samsung DU9000 is better suited for controlled lighting conditions.
The Hisense UX uses Google TV with more apps and frequent updates, while the Samsung DU9000 uses Tizen OS, which is more limited but well-integrated with Samsung devices.
The Hisense UX uses superior Mini-LED technology with 10,000+ dimming zones, while the Samsung DU9000 uses standard LED technology with basic local dimming.
Yes, for both the Hisense UX and Samsung DU9000, a dedicated sound system is recommended for proper home theater performance, though both include basic built-in speakers.
Both the Hisense UX and Samsung DU9000 are best viewed from 12-15 feet away, with a minimum distance of 9-10 feet for optimal viewing.
The Hisense UX offers more future-proof features with Mini-LED technology, higher refresh rates, and better HDR support compared to the Samsung DU9000.
Yes, both the Hisense UX and Samsung DU9000 support VESA wall mounting, but professional installation is strongly recommended due to their size and weight.
For most users, the Samsung DU9000 offers better value with good picture quality at $2,499. However, if premium performance is important, the Hisense UX justifies its higher price with significantly better picture quality and features.
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 - walmart.com - stealthoptional.com - youtube.com - soundandvision.com - youtube.com - hdtvtest.co.uk - avsforum.com - hisense-canada.com - fouanistore.com - displayspecifications.com - bestbuy.com - thebigscreenstore.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - rtings.com - assetserver.net - associatedappliance.com - insight.com - nfm.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - blog.rentacenter.com - samsung.com - merlinstv.com - samsung.com
