Shopping for a massive TV can be both exciting and overwhelming. Today, we're comparing two impressive contenders in the giant TV space: the LG 98" QNED 4K UHD Smart TV ($3,999) and the Hisense 100" QD7 Series QLED 4K UHD Smart TV ($1,799). Both launched in late 2023, representing the latest in large-format TV technology.
The market for TVs over 95 inches has exploded recently, with prices becoming surprisingly reasonable for these cinema-sized displays. When you're looking at TVs this large, several factors become critically important that might not matter as much with smaller sets.
First, let's talk about space requirements. You'll need not just wall space, but also proper viewing distance - typically 10-15 feet for optimal viewing. These TVs also weigh considerably more than their smaller siblings, with the LG QNED weighing 134.9 pounds without its stand and the Hisense QD7 coming in at a similar weight.
Both TVs use quantum dot technology, but they approach it differently. The LG QNED combines quantum dots with their NanoCell technology and local dimming. Think of local dimming like having thousands of tiny dimmable flashlights behind the screen - it helps create deeper blacks and better contrast. The Hisense QD7 uses quantum dots too, but without local dimming, which means it can't control darkness as precisely.
In practical terms, watching a space movie like "Interstellar" on the LG QNED, you'll see deeper blacks in the star field and more detail in dark scenes. The Hisense still looks great, but those space scenes won't have quite the same depth.
Both TVs get plenty bright, but they target different strengths. The Hisense QD7 actually gets a bit brighter in standard content, making it excellent for bright rooms. The LG QNED, while still plenty bright, focuses more on contrast and color accuracy.
Colors on both sets are vivid and realistic, but the LG has a slight edge in accuracy. If you're someone who notices subtle skin tones or wants colors to look exactly as the director intended, the LG QNED has the advantage.
Gaming on a 100-inch screen is an incredible experience, and both TVs are well-equipped for it. The Hisense QD7 supports gaming at 144Hz (meaning the screen can refresh 144 times per second), while the LG tops out at 120Hz. Both support variable refresh rate (VRR), which prevents screen tearing during gaming.
The Hisense seems to target gamers more specifically with its Game Mode Pro and gaming dashboard. However, the LG's better processing might give you a slightly clearer picture during fast motion.
Both TVs offer excellent smart platforms - LG uses webOS, while Hisense uses Google TV. In my experience, Google TV on the Hisense feels a bit more intuitive and has better content recommendations. However, LG's webOS is highly refined and very responsive.
For sound, neither TV will replace a good home theater system, but the LG has a slight edge with its 2.2 channel system versus the Hisense's 2.1 setup. Both support Dolby Atmos passthrough to external systems.
Here's where things get interesting. The Hisense QD7 at $1,799 is literally less than half the price of the LG QNED at $3,999. That's a $2,200 difference - enough to buy a fantastic sound system or several years' worth of streaming subscriptions.
Is the LG twice as good? No. Is it better? Yes, particularly in picture quality and processing. But the value equation depends entirely on your priorities and budget.
In a dedicated home theater room, the LG QNED's superior contrast and black levels become more noticeable. Dark room performance is where the price difference between these TVs becomes most apparent. However, if your theater room has ambient light or you're planning to watch mostly brighter content like sports or gaming, the Hisense becomes more compelling.
Both TVs support the major HDR formats (High Dynamic Range - technology that improves bright and dark details in the picture), including Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The LG's local dimming makes HDR content pop a bit more, but both deliver an impressive HDR experience.
Both these models represent significant improvements over their predecessors. The LG QNED series has improved its local dimming algorithms and color accuracy since the 2022 models. The Hisense QD7 brings quantum dot technology to a more affordable price point than ever before in this size class.
The gaming features on both sets - particularly the high refresh rates and VRR support - would have been unheard of in TVs this size just a couple of years ago.
Here's my practical advice for choosing between these TVs:
Choose the LG QNED if:
Choose the Hisense QD7 if:
Don't underestimate the installation challenges with either TV. Professional installation is highly recommended - these aren't your typical hang-on-the-wall TVs. Make sure your wall can support the weight and that you have adequate ventilation space.
Both TVs require at least a 15-amp circuit - they can draw significant power during bright scenes. Consider this when planning your home theater electrical setup.
After spending time with both TVs, I've come to appreciate their different approaches to the giant TV market. The LG QNED is clearly the superior TV in terms of pure picture quality and processing, but the Hisense QD7 delivers an incredible value proposition that's hard to ignore.
For most people, I'd actually recommend the Hisense QD7. The money saved could be invested in a great sound system or other home theater components. However, if you're building a premium home theater and want the best possible picture quality in this size range, the LG QNED is worth the premium.
Remember, at these sizes, either TV will deliver an impressive viewing experience that will transform your home entertainment. The choice ultimately comes down to your specific needs, room conditions, and budget priorities.
| LG 98" QNED 4K UHD ($3,999) | Hisense 100" QD7 ($1,799) |
|---|---|
| Local Dimming - Critical for contrast and black levels in dark rooms | |
| Yes, with precision dimming zones | No local dimming |
| Refresh Rate - Important for gaming and fast motion | |
| 120Hz native | 144Hz native |
| Panel Technology - Affects overall picture quality and viewing angles | |
| QNED (Quantum NanoCell) with better accuracy | QLED with higher brightness |
| HDR Support - Determines range of brightness and colors | |
| HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG | HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG |
| Processing - Affects upscaling and motion handling | |
| α8 AI Processor (superior upscaling) | Basic AI upscaling |
| Gaming Features - Critical for console gaming | |
| VRR, ALLM, 4K@120Hz, FreeSync | VRR, ALLM, 4K@144Hz, FreeSync Premium |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app availability | |
| webOS (more refined, less ads) | Google TV (better content discovery) |
| Audio Output - Built-in sound quality | |
| 2.2 channel, 40W | 2.1 channel, 50W |
| Weight Without Stand - Installation consideration | |
| 134.9 lbs | 132 lbs |
| Price Per Inch - Value metric | |
| $40.80 per inch | $17.99 per inch |
| Power Consumption - Running cost consideration | |
| 380W typical | 500W typical |
| Warranty - Protection for investment | |
| 1 year parts and labor | 3 years parts and labor |
The LG 98" QNED 4K UHD Smart TV offers superior picture quality for home theater use due to its local dimming feature and better contrast levels. While both TVs offer excellent color, the LG's processing and black levels make it notably better for movie watching in controlled lighting conditions.
The Hisense 100" QD7 is priced at $1,799, while the LG QNED costs $3,999 - a significant $2,200 difference. This price gap makes the Hisense an attractive value option for budget-conscious buyers.
The Hisense QD7 offers a slightly higher refresh rate at 144Hz compared to LG's 120Hz, making it marginally better for gaming. Both TVs support variable refresh rate and auto low latency mode, but the Hisense's gaming-focused features and lower input lag give it a slight edge.
The Hisense 100" QD7 actually performs better in bright rooms with higher peak brightness, while the LG QNED is optimized for controlled lighting conditions. For sunlit spaces, the Hisense might be the better choice.
Both TVs require similar room sizes, with a recommended viewing distance of 10-15 feet. You'll need at least a 12x15 foot room to properly accommodate either display and maintain comfortable viewing angles.
Yes, professional installation is strongly recommended for both models. These TVs weigh over 130 pounds each and require proper wall mounting or sturdy furniture placement. Their size makes them particularly challenging to handle safely.
The Hisense QD7 uses Google TV, which offers better content recommendations and a more intuitive interface. The LG QNED uses webOS, which is very responsive but slightly less user-friendly. Both support major streaming apps.
Both TVs handle motion well, but the Hisense QD7's higher brightness makes it slightly better for daytime sports viewing. The LG QNED offers better motion processing, which can be noticeable during fast-moving sports action.
While both TVs have decent built-in speakers, for a proper home theater experience, you'll want at least a 5.1 channel surround sound system. Both TVs support Dolby Atmos passthrough for advanced audio setups.
The LG QNED offers better HDR performance thanks to its local dimming capability, providing more impactful contrast in HDR content. While the Hisense QD7 supports all major HDR formats, its lack of local dimming limits HDR impact.
Both TVs should last 7-10 years with proper care. The LG typically has better build quality and reliability, while Hisense offers a longer warranty period of 3 years compared to LG's 1 year.
The LG 98" QNED is the better choice for a dedicated home theater room due to its superior contrast, better black levels, and more accurate color reproduction. However, if budget is a major concern, the Hisense 100" QD7 still delivers an impressive theater experience at a much lower price point.
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 - greentoe.com - pcrichard.com - rtings.com - rtings.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - ecdcom.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - displayspecifications.com - techradar.com - youtube.com - kitele.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - ca.camelcamelcamel.com - fouanistore.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - 2001audiovideo.com - bestbuy.com/6595342) - static.pcrichard.com - centrehifi.com - youtube.com - uk.hisense.com - hisense-canada.com
