When it comes to creating a theater-like experience at home, 98-inch TVs represent the sweet spot between traditional TVs and projectors. Let's dive into comparing two leading options: the Sony BRAVIA XR X90L ($9,998) and the Hisense UX Series ($4,499).
The landscape of large-format TVs has changed dramatically in recent years. While 65-inch TVs were once considered massive, manufacturers have pushed boundaries with 98-inch models that offer true cinema-scale viewing without the complexity of projection systems. These TVs deliver bright, clear images even in well-lit rooms - something projectors often struggle with.
What makes these particular models special is their timing. Released in 2023, both represent the latest advancements in their respective technologies. The Sony X90L builds on Sony's proven LED technology with advanced processing, while the Hisense UX showcases newer Mini-LED technology that's changing the game for contrast and brightness.
Sony uses traditional Full Array LED backlighting, which means there's a grid of LED lights behind the screen that can be dimmed or brightened in zones. Think of it like a ceiling with multiple light switches - each zone can be controlled independently.
Hisense takes this concept further with Mini-LED technology. Instead of regular-sized LEDs, they use thousands of tiny ones (over 10,000 zones). It's like having many more, smaller light switches, allowing for more precise control of bright and dark areas on screen.
In my experience testing both technologies, the difference is most noticeable in scenes with bright objects on dark backgrounds. Think of a space scene with stars, or a night scene with streetlights. The Hisense can make those bright points smaller and more precise without creating a "halo" effect around them.
The Sony X90L shines in how it processes images. Its Cognitive Processor XR (think of it as a very smart brain that analyzes every frame) excels at making content look natural. It's particularly good at handling skin tones and subtle color gradations.
The Hisense UX takes a different approach, focusing on raw performance specs. With its 5,000+ nits of brightness (that's about 5 times brighter than many high-end TVs), it can deliver stunning HDR highlights and perform exceptionally well in bright rooms.
Sony has historically led the pack in motion handling - how well a TV displays moving objects without blur or judder. The X90L continues this tradition, making it excellent for sports and action movies.
Here's where things get interesting. While both TVs support modern gaming features, the Hisense offers a higher 144Hz refresh rate compared to Sony's 120Hz. For most gamers, this difference won't be noticeable, but it shows Hisense's commitment to gaming features.
The elephant in the room is the $5,500 price difference. The Hisense UX delivers more cutting-edge specs at a significantly lower price point. However, Sony's reputation for reliability and long-term support shouldn't be undervalued.
For dedicated home theater setups, both TVs offer compelling features:
Since their 2023 release, both TVs have received software updates improving their performance. The Sony X90L has seen enhanced gaming features and improved HDR tone mapping, while the Hisense UX has received updates for better app compatibility and picture processing.
Both TVs represent excellent choices in the large-format category, but they serve different needs. The Sony X90L is the safer choice for those seeking proven performance and superior processing, while the Hisense UX offers bleeding-edge specs and better value.
For most buyers, the Hisense's significant price advantage makes it hard to ignore, especially given its impressive feature set. However, if you're particularly sensitive to picture processing quality or value Sony's proven track record, the premium for the X90L might be worth it.
Remember that either TV will deliver a cinema-like experience that was unthinkable in home environments just a few years ago. The choice ultimately comes down to your specific needs and preferences rather than any significant shortcomings in either model.
| Sony BRAVIA XR X90L 98" ($9,998) | Hisense 98" UX Series ($4,499) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Affects contrast, brightness, and black levels | |
| Full Array LED with local dimming | Mini-LED with 10,000+ dimming zones |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 1,000+ nits | 5,000+ nits |
| Processor - Determines quality of upscaling and motion handling | |
| Cognitive Processor XR (superior upscaling) | Hi-View Engine (good but basic) |
| Refresh Rate - Important for gaming and fast motion | |
| 120Hz native | 144Hz native |
| HDR Support - Affects how well TV handles high dynamic range content | |
| Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, HLG |
| Color Technology - Impacts color accuracy and vibrancy | |
| XR Triluminos Pro (industry leading accuracy) | Quantum Dot (vibrant but less precise) |
| Gaming Features - Critical for next-gen console gaming | |
| VRR, ALLM, 4K@120Hz | VRR, ALLM, 4K@144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality matters if not using external speakers | |
| Acoustic Multi-Audio with sound positioning | 4.2.2 channel with Dolby Atmos |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app availability | |
| Google TV with superior processing | Google TV with standard performance |
| Build Quality - Impacts longevity and reliability | |
| Premium build, proven reliability | Good build, less established track record |
The Sony BRAVIA XR X90L has superior processing and more natural colors, making it ideal for a light-controlled home theater environment. However, the Hisense UX Series's higher contrast ratio and Mini-LED technology provide excellent black levels that many home theater enthusiasts prefer.
At $4,499, the Hisense UX Series offers significantly better value compared to the $9,998 Sony X90L. The Hisense provides comparable and sometimes superior specs at less than half the price.
The Hisense UX Series is superior for bright rooms with its 5,000+ nits peak brightness, compared to the Sony X90L's 1,000+ nits. This makes the Hisense better for daytime viewing or rooms with large windows.
The Hisense UX Series edges out with 144Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium Pro, while the Sony X90L offers 120Hz. Both support VRR and ALLM, but gamers might prefer the Hisense's higher refresh rate.
The Sony X90L provides more accurate colors and better motion processing, making it superior for film purists. The Hisense UX offers higher contrast and brightness, which some viewers might prefer for HDR content.
Both TVs run Google TV, but the Sony X90L offers better processing power and smoother operation. The Hisense UX provides the same apps and features but might feel slightly less responsive.
The Sony X90L's superior motion handling makes it better for fast-moving sports content. While the Hisense UX is still good, Sony's processing gives it an edge for smooth motion.
The Hisense UX Series with its Mini-LED technology and higher refresh rate might be considered more future-proof. However, the Sony X90L's proven reliability and regular software updates make it a safe long-term investment.
Due to their 98-inch size, professional installation is recommended for both the Sony X90L and Hisense UX. They're extremely heavy and require proper wall mounting or stable furniture rated for their weight.
The Sony X90L offers better audio integration features, including acoustic surface audio synchronization with compatible receivers. The Hisense UX still provides good connectivity but with fewer advanced audio features.
Both TVs handle streaming content well, but the Sony X90L's superior upscaling makes lower-quality streams look better. The Hisense UX compensates with higher brightness and contrast for HDR content.
Being 98-inch TVs, both the Sony X90L and Hisense UX require significant wall space or furniture space. You'll need to ensure at least 7-8 feet viewing distance for optimal experience, and ceiling height should be considered for stand mounting.
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: avsforum.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - electronics.sony.com - stewartappliance.com - rcwilley.com - rtings.com - abt.com - pcrichard.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - avsforum.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
