When you're ready to create the ultimate home theater experience, 98-inch TVs represent the pinnacle of what's possible in home entertainment. Let's compare two of 2023's most impressive offerings: the Samsung 98" Q80C ($7,997) and the Hisense 98" UX Series ($4,499).
The world of high-end TVs has evolved dramatically in recent years. While 65-inch TVs were once considered massive, manufacturers have pushed boundaries with 98-inch displays that truly replicate the cinema experience. These aren't just bigger TVs – they're technological showcases that demonstrate how far home entertainment has come.
Both of these TVs were released in 2023, and they represent different approaches to achieving premium picture quality. Let's break down what makes each special and who they might be best for.
The Samsung Q80C uses QLED technology (Quantum dot Light Emitting Diode), which enhances traditional LED backlighting with a layer of quantum dots – tiny particles that produce incredibly precise colors when hit with light. This technology, paired with direct full array backlighting, creates vibrant images with good contrast.
In contrast, the Hisense UX employs Mini-LED technology with over 10,000 dimming zones. Think of these zones like tiny spotlight controls – the more zones you have, the more precise the control over bright and dark areas of the screen. With 10,000+ zones, the Hisense can achieve remarkable contrast and brightness control that surpasses what was possible even a year ago.
Here's where things get interesting. The Samsung Q80C can achieve around 1,500 nits of peak brightness – plenty for most viewing conditions. However, the Hisense UX boasts an astounding 5,000+ nits, making it one of the brightest TVs ever produced. For context, most HDR content is mastered for 1,000 nits, so both TVs can display HDR content as intended, but the Hisense has tremendous headroom for future HDR content.
In practical terms, both TVs excel in different areas:
The Hisense UX's superior brightness and local dimming make it particularly impressive for dedicated home theater use. Dark scenes show better contrast, and bright highlights really pop. The Samsung Q80C still performs admirably, but can't quite match the Hisense's contrast capabilities.
Both TVs support modern gaming features, but there are differences:
The Hisense's slightly higher refresh rate gives it a small edge for PC gaming, though the difference between 120Hz and 144Hz is subtle.
The Samsung Q80C runs on Tizen OS, which offers a polished, responsive interface with good integration with other Samsung devices. The Hisense UX uses Google TV, which provides broader app support and excellent integration with Google services like Assistant and Chromecast.
At nearly $3,500 less, the Hisense UX offers remarkable value. It matches or exceeds the Samsung in most technical specifications while costing significantly less. This price difference could cover a high-end sound system or room treatments for a complete home theater setup.
These are massive TVs that weigh over 100 pounds. Professional installation is highly recommended. Consider:
Choose the Samsung Q80C if:
Choose the Hisense UX if:
Both TVs support HDMI 2.1 and modern gaming features, making them well-equipped for next-generation content. The Hisense's higher brightness capability might provide more headroom for future HDR content formats.
For most buyers, the Hisense UX represents the better value, offering superior technical specifications at a significantly lower price point. Its Mini-LED technology, higher brightness, and Google TV integration make it a more compelling package overall.
However, the Samsung Q80C remains a solid choice for those who prioritize brand reputation and ecosystem integration. Its premium build quality and refined software experience shouldn't be overlooked.
Either way, these massive 98-inch displays represent the current peak of home theater technology, offering experiences that were unimaginable just a few years ago. The choice ultimately comes down to your specific needs, budget, and ecosystem preferences.
Remember to consider professional installation and proper room setup to get the most from whichever TV you choose. These aren't just TVs – they're centerpieces of a home entertainment experience that can rival or surpass many commercial theaters.
| Samsung 98" Q80C ($7,997) | Hisense 98" UX ($4,499) |
|---|---|
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 1,500 nits (good for most content) | 5,000 nits (exceptional HDR performance) |
| Local Dimming Zones - More zones mean better contrast and less blooming | |
| Hundreds of zones (good contrast) | 10,000+ zones (exceptional contrast control) |
| Refresh Rate - Higher is better for gaming and motion | |
| 120Hz (excellent for console gaming) | 144Hz (slight edge for PC gaming) |
| Display Technology - Affects color accuracy and brightness | |
| QLED with Direct Full Array (proven technology) | Mini-LED ULED (newer, more precise control) |
| Smart Platform - Affects app availability and ease of use | |
| Tizen OS (polished but limited) | Google TV (broader app support, better integration) |
| HDR Support - More formats mean better compatibility | |
| HDR10, HDR10+, HLG (no Dolby Vision) | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG (complete support) |
| Audio Output - Built-in sound quality | |
| 40W 2.2CH (decent but basic) | 4.2.2CH with more power (better built-in audio) |
| Value Proposition - Price to performance ratio | |
| Premium priced, Samsung reliability | Significantly better value, newer tech |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen consoles | |
| VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro, Game Bar | VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro, Game Bar, higher refresh |
The Hisense UX ($4,499) is better for dedicated home theaters due to its superior contrast ratio, higher peak brightness of 5,000 nits, and 10,000+ local dimming zones. The Samsung Q80C ($7,997) is still excellent but doesn't match the Hisense's HDR performance.
The Hisense UX offers significantly better value at $4,499 compared to the Samsung Q80C at $7,997, while providing superior specifications in most areas.
Both TVs excel at gaming, but the Hisense UX edges out with 144Hz refresh rate compared to Samsung's 120Hz. Both offer VRR and FreeSync Premium Pro support.
The Hisense UX delivers substantially higher brightness at 5,000+ nits versus the Samsung Q80C's 1,500 nits, making it better for bright rooms and HDR content.
Yes, professional installation is highly recommended for both TVs due to their size and weight (over 100 pounds each). Proper wall mounting requires structural consideration.
For optimal viewing of either the Samsung Q80C or Hisense UX, maintain a distance of 12-15 feet for comfortable viewing and full 4K detail appreciation.
The Hisense UX uses Google TV, offering broader app support and better integration with smart home devices. Samsung's Tizen OS is polished but more limited in functionality.
Both excel at movie playback, but the Hisense UX has an advantage with superior contrast and brightness, plus complete HDR format support including Dolby Vision.
Both TVs handle bright rooms well, but the Hisense UX performs better in challenging lighting conditions due to its higher brightness. However, controlled lighting still provides the best experience.
The Hisense UX features a more robust 4.2.2-channel system compared to Samsung's 2.2-channel 40W system. However, for proper home theater use, an external sound system is recommended for both.
Yes, both the Samsung Q80C and Hisense UX support standard VESA wall mounting, but require professional installation and proper wall reinforcement due to their size and weight.
Both TVs offer HDMI 2.1, high refresh rates, and modern gaming features. The Hisense UX might have more headroom for future HDR content with its higher brightness capability and more comprehensive HDR format support.
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: techradar.com - samsung.com - rtings.com - abt.com - trustedreviews.com - billsmith.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - images.samsung.com - samsung.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - walmart.com - stealthoptional.com - youtube.com - soundandvision.com - youtube.com - hdtvtest.co.uk - avsforum.com - hisense-canada.com - fouanistore.com - displayspecifications.com
