The world of truly giant TVs (95 inches and larger) has become more interesting lately, with some fascinating options at very different price points. Let's dive into comparing two of the most notable: the LG 97" G2 Series OLED evo ($14,999) and the Hisense 100" U76 Series QLED ($1,999).
When you're shopping for a TV this large, you're essentially looking at home theater territory. These aren't just big TVs - they're room-defining pieces of technology that can deliver cinema-like experiences. But before we compare our contenders, let's understand what makes this category special.
Giant TVs occupy an interesting space between traditional TVs and projectors. They offer the convenience and reliability of a TV with the impact of a projector, but without worrying about ambient light or maintenance. However, they come with their own considerations - from the obvious (do you have enough wall space?) to the less apparent (will your floor support the weight?).
The LG OLED97G2 uses OLED technology, where each pixel creates its own light. Think of it like millions of tiny lightbulbs that can turn completely off for perfect blacks. This TV represents the pinnacle of OLED technology, featuring LG's "evo" panel that pushes brightness higher than traditional OLEDs.
The Hisense U76 uses QLED technology with Mini LED backlighting. Instead of each pixel creating light, it has thousands of tiny LEDs behind the screen, grouped into 256 zones that can dim independently. Think of it like having 256 spotlights behind the screen that can adjust their brightness separately.
Both TVs were released in the last two years, with the LG being a 2022 model and the Hisense representing newer 2023 technology. The tech hasn't fundamentally changed since release, though software updates have added features and refinements.
In my experience testing both technologies, OLED still wins for overall picture quality, especially in controlled lighting. The LG's perfect blacks and infinite contrast create an image that simply looks more three-dimensional. However, the Hisense fights back with significantly higher brightness - helpful if you're watching in a bright room or during daytime.
For home theater use, the OLED's perfect blacks are particularly impressive. When watching movies like "Dune" or "The Batman," dark scenes maintain detail while staying truly dark. The Hisense handles these scenes well too, but you might notice some slight blooming (light bleeding) around bright objects on dark backgrounds.
Both TVs excel at gaming, but in different ways. The LG OLED97G2 offers near-instantaneous response times - there's virtually no blur behind moving objects. It supports both NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, which help eliminate screen tearing (where the image appears to split horizontally during fast motion).
The Hisense U76 counters with a 144Hz refresh rate (meaning the screen can update 144 times per second) and very good input lag numbers. For competitive gamers, this higher refresh rate might be more valuable than the OLED's perfect contrast.
These TVs are massive. The LG weighs 123.5 pounds without its stand, while the Hisense comes in at 132.3 pounds. You'll need solid wall mounting or very sturdy furniture. Professional installation is highly recommended.
Room size is crucial - you'll want to sit about 10-13 feet away for the best experience. Any closer and you might notice individual pixels; any further and you lose some of the immersive effect.
This is where things get interesting. The price difference between these TVs is dramatic - you could buy seven Hisense TVs for the price of one LG OLED. The LG offers the absolute pinnacle of picture quality, but the Hisense delivers 90% of the experience for about 15% of the cost.
In a dedicated home theater room with controlled lighting, the LG's perfect blacks and superior contrast will be immediately noticeable. But in a bright living room, the Hisense's higher brightness might actually make it more enjoyable to watch.
Having spent time with both TVs, here's how they handle different content:
Movies: The LG's perfect blacks and infinite contrast make it the clear winner for film content, especially in a dark room. The Hisense still looks excellent, but can't quite match the OLED's ability to show detail in very dark scenes.
Sports: Both perform admirably, with the Hisense's higher brightness possibly giving it an edge for daytime sports viewing. Motion handling is excellent on both sets.
Gaming: The LG offers better response times and more gaming features, but the Hisense's 144Hz refresh rate is impressive. Both will satisfy most gamers.
Here's a straightforward decision framework:
Choose the LG OLED97G2 if:
Choose the Hisense U76 if:
Both TVs represent impressive achievements in different ways. The LG shows what's possible when cost is no object, while the Hisense demonstrates how far affordable TV technology has come.
For most buyers, the Hisense's value proposition will be hard to ignore. It delivers an impressive picture and features at a fraction of the OLED's cost. However, if you're building a dedicated home theater and want the absolute best picture quality regardless of cost, the LG OLED remains the superior choice.
Remember that either TV will represent a significant upgrade over smaller or older sets. The key is matching your choice to your specific viewing environment and needs.
LG 97" G2 OLED ($14,999) | Hisense 100" U76 ($1,999) |
---|---|
Display Technology - Fundamentally affects picture quality and viewing experience | |
OLED evo (self-lit pixels, perfect blacks) | QLED with Mini-LED (bright but some blooming) |
Peak Brightness - Critical for daytime viewing and HDR impact | |
800-1000 nits (excellent for dark rooms) | 800 nits (good for bright rooms) |
Contrast Ratio - Determines depth and realism of image | |
Infinite (perfect blacks) | 5000:1 (good but visible backlight) |
Local Dimming - Affects contrast and black levels | |
Per-pixel dimming (8.3 million zones) | 256 dimming zones |
Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
120Hz, VRR, G-Sync, FreeSync | 144Hz, VRR, FreeSync Premium |
Weight - Critical for installation planning | |
123.5 lbs without stand | 132.3 lbs without stand |
Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app availability | |
webOS (polished but ad-heavy) | Google TV (more customizable) |
Power Consumption - Impacts electricity costs | |
230W typical | 500W typical |
Warranty - Protection for significant investment | |
1 year parts and labor | 2 years parts and labor |
Processing - Affects upscaling and motion handling | |
α9 Gen 5 AI (superior processing) | AIPQ (good but less refined) |
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, these features create a more cinematic experience than the Hisense 100" U76 ($1,999).
The Hisense U76 costs $1,999, while the LG G2 is priced at $14,999 - a $13,000 difference. This significant price gap makes the Hisense a more accessible option for most buyers.
The Hisense 100" U76 typically performs better in bright rooms due to its QLED technology and high brightness output. The LG OLED, while excellent, is best suited for controlled lighting conditions.
Yes, professional installation is recommended for both the LG G2 and Hisense U76. These TVs weigh over 120 pounds each and require proper wall mounting or specialized furniture for safe installation.
Both TVs excel at gaming, but offer different advantages. The LG OLED provides better response times and G-Sync support, while the Hisense QLED offers a higher 144Hz refresh rate. Both support variable refresh rate (VRR).
The LG 97" G2 delivers superior movie performance with perfect blacks and infinite contrast, ideal for cinematic content. The Hisense U76 still provides excellent picture quality but can't match OLED's contrast performance.
Both TVs should last many years with proper care. The Hisense U76 comes with a 2-year warranty compared to LG's 1-year coverage. QLED technology may have slight advantages for longevity due to no risk of burn-in.
For both the LG G2 and Hisense U76, you'll want a viewing distance of 10-13 feet and a wall width of at least 9 feet. Room height should be at least 7 feet for comfortable viewing.
Yes, both the LG OLED and Hisense QLED feature eARC support and optical outputs for connecting to home theater receivers or soundbars. Both support Dolby Atmos passthrough.
The Hisense U76 might have a slight edge for sports due to its higher brightness and 144Hz refresh rate. However, the LG G2 offers superior motion handling and wider viewing angles.
Yes, both TVs support standard VESA wall mounting, but require heavy-duty mounts rated for their weight. The LG G2 weighs 123.5 lbs, while the Hisense U76 weighs 132.3 lbs.
The Hisense U76 uses Google TV, offering more customization and app options. The LG G2 uses webOS, which is more polished but less flexible. Both provide access to all major streaming services.
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 - greentoe.com - walmart.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - files.hisense-usa.com - displayspecifications.com - hisense-canada.com - howards.pairsite.com - displayspecifications.com - electronicexpress.com - hisense-usa.com