When it comes to creating a truly cinematic experience at home, nothing beats a massive TV. Today we're comparing two flagship models that blur the line between TV and home theater: the LG 97" G2 Series OLED evo ($14,999) and the Hisense 100" U8 Series ($2,999). Both released in 2023, these TVs represent different approaches to achieving spectacular picture quality at a theater-like scale.
The 95"+ TV category has evolved significantly in recent years. What was once an exotic luxury has become more attainable, though still premium. These massive displays require careful consideration of room size, viewing distance, and installation methods. For optimal viewing, you'll want to sit between 10-15 feet away from either of these TVs.
The technology driving these displays has also matured. OLED has gotten brighter and more resistant to burn-in, while Mini-LED has dramatically improved local dimming performance and black levels. Let's explore how these advances play out in our two contenders.
The LG G2 OLED uses organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), where each pixel creates its own light. This results in perfect blacks because unused pixels simply turn off completely. Having tested many OLED TVs, I can confirm this creates an almost magical effect in dark scenes - especially in a dedicated home theater setting.
The Hisense U8 takes a different approach with Mini-LED technology, using thousands of tiny LED backlights arranged in zones. While it can't match OLED's perfect blacks, it can get significantly brighter - sometimes 2-3 times brighter in HDR highlights. This makes it better suited for bright rooms where controlling ambient light is challenging.
Both TVs excel at different aspects of image quality:
For gamers, the LG G2 holds a clear advantage. Its near-instantaneous pixel response time eliminates motion blur, and it supports all the latest gaming features like 4K/120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). Input lag is incredibly low - you'll never notice any delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen.
The Hisense U8 handles gaming well but with some compromises. While it supports 4K/120Hz and VRR, the response time isn't quite as quick, which can result in some motion blur in fast-moving scenes. Still, casual gamers likely won't notice the difference.
The LG G2 is designed primarily for wall mounting, with an ultra-thin profile that looks stunning when mounted. However, if you want to use a stand, you'll need to purchase one separately. The TV weighs about 123 pounds without a stand.
The Hisense U8 is more flexible in terms of placement options and comes with feet that can be positioned in different configurations to accommodate various furniture sizes. It's notably heavier at around 150 pounds, so professional installation is recommended for either TV.
LG's webOS platform on the G2 is refined and responsive, with a polished interface that's easy to navigate. The Magic Remote, which works like a wireless pointer, makes browsing feel natural and intuitive.
The Hisense runs Google TV, offering excellent content recommendations and seamless integration with Google services. If you're already invested in the Google ecosystem (Android phone, Google Home devices, etc.), you'll appreciate this integration.
Here's where things get interesting. The LG G2 costs roughly five times more than the Hisense U8. Is it five times better? No. Is it noticeably better in certain scenarios? Absolutely.
The LG delivers the absolute pinnacle of picture quality, particularly in controlled lighting conditions. For serious movie enthusiasts or those building a dedicated home theater, its perfect blacks and infinite contrast create an unmatched viewing experience.
The Hisense, meanwhile, offers tremendous value. Its picture quality is excellent by any standard, and its brightness advantage makes it more versatile for typical living room environments. For most users, it represents a better balance of performance and price.
Consider these key factors when choosing between these TVs:
Both TVs represent current technology, but they'll age differently. OLED technology continues to improve in brightness while maintaining its perfect blacks. Mini-LED is also evolving, with more dimming zones and better local contrast. Both should remain excellent performers for years to come.
Regular software updates keep both platforms current with new streaming services and features. The Google TV platform on the Hisense might have a slight advantage for long-term support, given Google's resources and widespread adoption.
The LG 97" G2 OLED and Hisense 100" U8 represent different but valid approaches to large-format premium TV. The LG is the choice for enthusiasts seeking the absolute best picture quality, particularly for movies and gaming in controlled lighting. The Hisense offers tremendous value and better bright-room performance, making it the more practical choice for most users.
Remember that either TV will deliver an impressive viewing experience that transforms your space into a home theater. The decision ultimately comes down to your specific needs, room environment, and budget priorities.
| LG 97" G2 OLED ($14,999) | Hisense 100" U8 ($2,999) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Fundamentally affects picture quality and viewing conditions | |
| OLED evo (self-lit pixels, perfect blacks) | Mini-LED QLED (brighter, better in lit rooms) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and daytime viewing | |
| 1,000 nits (good for controlled lighting) | 1,500 nits (excellent for bright rooms) |
| Contrast - Determines black level performance and image depth | |
| Infinite (perfect blacks, best for movies) | Very High (thousands of dimming zones) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| 4K@120Hz, G-Sync, FreeSync, <1ms lag | 4K@144Hz, FreeSync, 6ms lag |
| Smart Platform - Affects daily usability and app access | |
| webOS (polished, exclusive features) | Google TV (more open, better recommendations) |
| Installation Requirements - Consider your room setup | |
| Wall-mount focused, 123.5 lbs | Flexible placement, 150 lbs |
| Viewing Angles - Important for wide seating arrangements | |
| Excellent (no color shift at angles) | Good (some brightness loss at angles) |
| Price-Performance Ratio - Value proposition | |
| Premium price, ultimate quality | Excellent value, very good quality |
| Power Consumption - Impact on electricity bills | |
| 230W typical (very efficient for size) | 350W typical (higher due to brightness) |
| Lifespan Considerations - Long-term ownership factors | |
| OLED may require care to prevent burn-in | LED technology, more durable long-term |
The LG 97" G2 OLED ($14,999) is superior for dedicated home theaters due to its perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio. In controlled lighting, OLED technology creates a more cinematic experience than the Hisense's Mini-LED system.
The Hisense 100" U8 ($2,999) offers exceptional value, delivering very good picture quality at one-fifth the price of the LG G2. While it doesn't match OLED's perfect blacks, it provides impressive performance for most viewers.
The Hisense U8 performs better in bright rooms with its 1,500 nits peak brightness and Mini-LED technology. The LG G2, while excellent, is best suited for controlled lighting conditions.
The LG G2 OLED offers superior gaming performance with lower input lag (<1ms), perfect motion handling, and support for all major gaming features including G-Sync and FreeSync. It's the better choice for serious gamers.
Both TVs should be professionally installed due to their size and weight. The LG G2 is designed primarily for wall mounting, while the Hisense U8 offers more flexible placement options including stand mounting.
The LG G2 OLED provides superior viewing angles with consistent picture quality from any position, making it better for wide seating arrangements in home theaters.
The Hisense U8 handles sports well with its higher brightness and good motion handling. The LG G2 offers better motion clarity but may not be as bright for daytime sports viewing.
The Hisense U8 uses LED technology that's generally more durable long-term, while the LG G2 requires some care to prevent burn-in, though modern OLED TVs have significantly improved in this regard.
The LG G2 offers the ultimate movie-watching experience with perfect blacks and superior contrast, especially in dark scenes. The Hisense still provides excellent picture quality but can't match OLED's contrast.
The Hisense U8 uses Google TV, offering excellent content recommendations and wider app compatibility. The LG G2 uses webOS, which is more polished but somewhat more limited in features.
Both TVs require large rooms with optimal viewing distances of 10-15 feet. The LG 97" G2 and Hisense 100" U8 need significant wall space and proper room dimensions for the best experience.
Yes, while both TVs have decent built-in audio, their massive size and premium picture quality deserve matching audio performance. A dedicated surround sound system is recommended for either the LG G2 or Hisense U8 to create a true home theater experience.
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: digitaltrends.com - xssentials.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - rangsemart.com.bd - woodburyappliance.com - displaymate.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - displayspecifications.com - techradar.com - avsforum.com - lg.com - youtube.com - 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
