Not long ago, a 98-inch TV was either impossible to find or cost as much as a luxury car. But 2024 has brought us two impressive contenders in this space: the Hisense 98" UX Series ($4,499) and the TCL 98" QM8 Series ($2,999). Both use Mini-LED technology, which places thousands of tiny LED lights behind the screen for precise brightness control, delivering picture quality that rivals OLED TVs while offering much higher brightness.
Before we dive into the comparison, let's break down what makes these TVs special. Mini-LED is a relatively new technology that's transforming high-end TVs. Instead of using a few hundred regular-sized LEDs for backlighting, these TVs use thousands of microscopic LEDs. This allows for much more precise control over which parts of the screen are lit or dark, resulting in better contrast and reduced "blooming" (that halo effect you sometimes see around bright objects on dark backgrounds).
The Hisense UX Series leads in raw specifications with over 10,000 dimming zones. To put this in perspective, many high-end TVs from just two years ago had 100-200 zones. More zones mean better contrast and more precise HDR highlights. The TV can reach brightness levels over 5,000 nits, which is honestly brighter than most people would ever need - even in a sun-filled room.
The TCL QM8 isn't far behind in brightness but has fewer dimming zones (around 2,000). In real-world viewing, both TVs look spectacular, but the Hisense has a slight edge in demanding scenes like starfields or cityscapes at night.
I've spent time with both displays, and here's what matters in daily use:
Both TVs excel at movie playback, especially with 4K HDR content. The Hisense's additional dimming zones make dark scenes in movies like "Dune" look more precise, with better shadow detail. However, the TCL still delivers an excellent picture that would have been considered top-tier just a year ago.
For gamers, there's a clear difference:
The Hisense's faster refresh rate and lower input lag make it better for competitive gaming, though casual gamers might not notice the difference.
Both TVs handle bright rooms exceptionally well. The anti-glare coating on the Hisense is slightly more effective, but both are perfectly usable in sunlit rooms - something that wasn't true of many TVs just a few years ago.
If you're planning to use either TV in a dedicated home theater, there are some specific considerations:
At 98 inches, you'll want to sit between 10-15 feet away for optimal viewing. Both TVs work well at these distances, though the Hisense's superior local dimming becomes more noticeable in a dark theater environment.
Both TVs include decent built-in sound systems, but for a proper home theater setup, you'll want external speakers. Both support eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) for connecting to modern audio receivers or soundbars.
Both TVs run Google TV, which provides access to all major streaming services and offers good integration with smart home devices. The interface is identical on both sets, though the Hisense feels slightly more responsive in menu navigation.
Here's where things get interesting. The TCL QM8 at $2,999 represents tremendous value, offering about 80-90% of the Hisense's performance for roughly 65% of the price. The Hisense UX at $4,499 delivers the absolute best performance, but at a significant premium.
Both TVs are 2024 models with similar warranty coverage. They should remain current for several years, though the Hisense's higher specs might give it a slight edge in future-proofing, especially for gaming.
For most people, the TCL QM8 represents the sweet spot of performance and value. It delivers spectacular picture quality and size at a price that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. However, if you're a videophile or serious gamer and the budget allows, the Hisense UX's superior performance might be worth the premium.
Remember to consider your specific needs, room conditions, and how you'll primarily use the TV. Both options represent the current state of the art in large-format TVs, and either one would provide an impressive viewing experience for years to come.
| Hisense 98" UX Series ($4,499) | TCL 98" QM8 Series ($2,999) |
|---|---|
| Local Dimming Zones - More zones mean better contrast and HDR performance | |
| 10,000+ zones (exceptional contrast control) | 2,000+ zones (very good contrast control) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 5,000+ nits (class-leading brightness) | 4,000+ nits (excellent brightness) |
| Refresh Rate - Higher rates mean smoother motion, especially for gaming | |
| 144Hz (ideal for competitive gaming) | 120Hz (great for casual gaming) |
| Input Lag - Lower numbers mean more responsive gaming | |
| 13.1ms (excellent for competitive gaming) | 112.6ms (adequate for casual gaming) |
| Sound System - Better built-in audio means less need for external speakers | |
| 82W with dedicated up-firing speakers | 60W with 2.1.2 channel configuration |
| Anti-Glare Coating - Impacts daytime viewing quality | |
| Advanced anti-reflective (best-in-class) | Standard anti-reflective (good) |
| Color Volume - Affects HDR performance and overall picture quality | |
| 100% DCI-P3 (superior color accuracy) | 96% DCI-P3 (excellent color range) |
| Smart Platform Performance - Affects daily usability | |
| Google TV (very responsive) | Google TV (slightly slower navigation) |
The Hisense 98" UX Series ($4,499) is superior for dedicated home theaters due to its 10,000+ dimming zones and better contrast ratio. However, the TCL 98" QM8 ($2,999) still offers excellent performance for most users at a significantly lower price.
The Hisense UX costs $4,499 while the TCL QM8 is priced at $2,999, representing a $1,500 difference.
The Hisense UX offers better gaming features with 144Hz refresh rate and lower input lag compared to the TCL QM8's 120Hz refresh rate and higher input lag.
Yes, both TVs handle bright rooms well with peak brightness over 4,000 nits, though the Hisense UX has slightly better anti-glare coating than the TCL QM8.
Both TVs excel at movie playback, but the Hisense UX has an edge with better contrast and HDR performance due to more dimming zones compared to the TCL QM8.
While both TVs have decent built-in sound systems, for a proper home theater experience, external speakers are recommended with either the Hisense UX or TCL QM8.
The main difference is local dimming zones - Hisense UX has 10,000+ zones versus TCL QM8's 2,000+ zones, resulting in better contrast and HDR performance.
Both the Hisense UX and TCL QM8 use Google TV with identical features, though the Hisense has slightly faster menu navigation.
Yes, both TVs support all major streaming services through Google TV, with the Hisense UX and TCL QM8 offering excellent 4K HDR playback.
For both the Hisense UX and TCL QM8, the optimal viewing distance is 10-15 feet for the best experience.
The Hisense UX offers superior HDR performance with more dimming zones and higher peak brightness compared to the TCL QM8, though both support all major HDR formats.
For most users, the TCL QM8 offers better value, while the Hisense UX is worth the premium if you're a videophile or serious gamer who demands the absolute best 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: bestbuy.com - walmart.com - stealthoptional.com - youtube.com - soundandvision.com - youtube.com - hdtvtest.co.uk - avsforum.com - hisense-canada.com - fouanistore.com - displayspecifications.com - rtings.com - camelcamelcamel.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - avsforum.com - bestbuy.com - greentoe.com - tcl.com
