Hisense U8 85"
The native 165Hz panel with Game Booster 288 and FreeSync Premium Pro eliminates tearing for fluid, responsive gameplay on an 85-inch QLED display. The included 5.1.4-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos and a 6.5-inch subwoofer delivers room-filling, distortion-free audio that matches the Pantone-validated color accuracy. This bundle is best for console and PC gamers who want a massive, high-refresh-rate screen with immersive surround sound in a single package.
No current retailer price
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
A gaming beast with killer audio, but the smart features are stuck in 2015. Get it for the speed and sound, not the apps.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Native 165Hz panel with FreeSync Premium Pro is a standout for gaming 95th
- 5.1.4 channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X is best-in-class audio 90th
- Pantone Validated QLED color covers over a billion shades
- Game Bar puts real-time settings right on the remote
Cons
- Smart platform is one of the worst we've seen
- Connectivity options are disappointing
- Picture quality overall is mediocre for the price
- HDR performance falls behind most competitors
The proof
Performance
The gaming chops are the headline here. A native 165Hz panel with VRR from 48Hz to 165Hz is one of the best on the market, and the Game Booster 288 mode pushes things even further. The audio setup surprised us too, six front-firing speakers, two up-firing, four surrounds, and a 6.5 inch subwoofer puts this in the top tier for sound. But the smart platform is a real letdown, it's dead last compared to other TVs we've tested.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 85" |
| Resolution | 4K |
| Panel Type | QLED |
Picture Quality
| Color Gamut | Pantone Validated |
| Motion Tech | Low Latency MEMC |
HDR
| HDR Formats | HDR |
| Dolby Vision | No |
| HDR10+ | No |
| HLG | No |
Gaming
| Refresh Rate | 165 Hz |
| VRR | AMD FreeSync Premium Pro |
| ALLM | Yes |
| Game Mode | Yes |
Audio
| Speaker Config | 5.1.4 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
| Surround Sound | DTS:X |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
vs Competition
Against the LG OLED evo C5 and Sony BRAVIA 9, the Hisense loses on picture quality and HDR, those OLEDs are simply better at making movies look stunning. But neither of those can touch the U8's 165Hz refresh rate or the included 5.1.4 soundbar. The TCL QM8K is the closest rival on gaming specs, but its audio is nowhere near this bundle. If you're a competitive gamer who wants big sound without buying separates, the Hisense makes a strong case.
| Spec | Hisense U8 85" | Samsung QN990F | Sony BRAVIA 9 K85XR90 | TCL QM8K Series 75QM8K | LG OLED evo OLED55C6PUA | Roku Pro Series 55R8C5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 85 | 75 | 85 | 75 | 55 | 55 |
| Resolution | 4K | 7680x4320 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 |
| Panel Type | QLED | Mini-LED | Mini-LED | Mini-LED | OLED | Mini-LED |
| Refresh Rate | 165 | 120 | 120 | 144 | 120 | 120 |
| Hdr | HDR | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision | Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR 10+, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) | Dolby Vision, HDR 10, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) | Dolby Vision, HDR 10+, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) |
| Smart Platform | - | Tizen | Google TV | Google TV | webOS | Roku TV |
| Dolby Vision | false | false | true | true | true | true |
| Dolby Atmos | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Hdmi Version | - | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | HDR | Audio | Smart | Gaming | Display | Connectivity | Social Proof | Affordability | Picture Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hisense U8 85" | 33.3 | 94.5 | 6 | 89.7 | 51.4 | 17.9 | 42 | 0 | 36.1 |
| Samsung QN990F Compare | 82.1 | 99.8 | 92.3 | 88.1 | 99.6 | 99.9 | 99.6 | 12.6 | 83.3 |
| Sony BRAVIA 9 K85XR90 Compare | 86 | 97.4 | 90.5 | 78.6 | 95 | 92.9 | 86.6 | 12.3 | 78 |
| TCL QM8K Series 75QM8K Compare | 90.1 | 95.2 | 98.7 | 93.2 | 89.3 | 92.9 | 86.6 | 33.3 | 99.4 |
| LG OLED evo OLED55C6PUA Compare | 74.4 | 85.7 | 88.8 | 99.2 | 87.8 | 88.8 | 97.9 | 34.5 | 85.7 |
| Roku Pro Series 55R8C5 Compare | 74.4 | 85.7 | 83.9 | 88.1 | 78.1 | 92.9 | 93.5 | 50.1 | 36.1 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Without a listed price it's hard to call this a slam dunk, but the bundle approach makes sense. You're getting a massive 85 inch screen and a serious Atmos soundbar in one box. If the price lands under what you'd pay for a comparable OLED plus separate audio, it's worth it. If it's priced like a premium OLED, skip it.
Read more
Overview
This is a gamer's dream bundle that skips the boring stuff to go all-in on speed and sound. The Hisense U8 brings a native 165Hz panel and FreeSync Premium Pro, and they've thrown in a 5.1.4 channel soundbar with actual up-firing speakers. It's not the smartest TV on the block, but if you want big-screen gaming with audio that rattles your couch, this is a serious contender.
Common Questions
Q: Does the 165Hz panel actually make a difference for console gaming?
Yes, if you have a PS5 or Xbox Series X that supports 120Hz output. The extra headroom to 165Hz matters more for PC gamers, but the VRR range from 48Hz to 165Hz means smoother gameplay even when frame rates dip.
Q: Is the included soundbar worth it or should I buy a separate one?
It's genuinely good. The 5.1.4 channel setup with up-firing speakers and a 6.5 inch subwoofer puts it in the top tier for TV audio. You'd spend a few hundred bucks to match this with a separate bar.
Q: How is the smart TV interface?
Honestly, it's rough. The smart platform ranks near the bottom of our database. If you rely on built-in apps, you'll be frustrated. Plan on plugging in a streaming stick.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a movie buff who wants deep blacks and perfect HDR, this isn't it. Go get the LG OLED evo C5 or Sony BRAVIA 9 instead. And if you just want a simple smart TV for Netflix and chill, the Roku Pro Series will treat you better.
Verdict
Buy this if gaming is your main event and you want a complete setup without hunting for a separate soundbar. The 165Hz panel and Atmos audio are genuinely impressive. But if you care more about movie nights and smart TV apps, look elsewhere, this thing's smart platform and HDR performance just don't keep up.
Usage Scores
- Overall32.2
- Budget23.3
- Gaming52.4
- Movies31.4
- Sports45.1
- Outdoor25
- Portable16.6
- Corporate22.2
- Streaming26.1
- Smart Home18
