The Hisense U7K is a mid-range Mini LED model that offers impressive UHD image quality and gaming capabilities. With universal HDR support, Dolby Vision IQ, IMAX Enhanced certification, and a 144Hz Game Pro mode, this TV is well-specified for its price.
While the U7K has only two HDMI inputs that are 120Hz capable and moderate HDR peak brightness, it compensates with extremely good color fidelity and High Frame Rate gaming. Additionally, the TV supports Dolby Atmos sound and has a subwoofer built-in. Despite not being slim, at 77mm deep, the U7K’s design makes good use of space.
For those looking to upgrade to an affordable Mini LED Ultra HD screen, the U7K is a difficult to resist all-rounder with a tempting spec and a price tag that won’t frighten the horses.
Table of Contents
Design & Features
The Hisense U7K has a central stand and a smart finish that looks presentable from a viewing distance. The bezel is small and seamless, while the back panel has a rugged design. The TV is not slim, but it is 77mm deep and appears to use its space well. The downward fairing speakers are sizeable and there is a significant area devoted to a rear-facing subwoofer.
The TV features four HDMI inputs, two of which support refresh rates up to 4K 120Hz, or 144Hz Game Mode Pro for PC users. One of the high refresh rate inputs is also the eARC connection. The remaining two HDMI inputs are 4K 60Hz ready. In addition, there is an analogue AV single jack input, two USB ports, a digital optical audio input, Ethernet LAN, and CI slot.
The Hisense U7K also has a choice of Freeview Play (in the UK) for terrestrial content or generic satellite when it comes to tuners. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are standard and the TV works with Apple AirPlay and Homekit.
The TV comes with a slim, silver-grey remote control handset that offers dedicated buttons for Disney Plus, Freeview Play, Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and Vidaa TV, part of Hisense’s own Vidaa smart platform ecosystem. The Vidaa home screen is similar to that of other big-brand portals, with a fullscreen display topped with a row of thumbnails for all the streaming services available. This includes YouTube, Netflix, Apple TV, Prime Video, Pluto TV, and Disney Plus. Catch-up channels are available via the Freeview Play EPG.
The Hisense U7K also features a dedicated game UI, called the Game Menu, which displays the frame rate, HDR status, VRR (variable refresh rate) status, brightness levels, and aspect ratio at a glance. The TV is compatible with 144Hz Game Pro Mode, making it a great option for PC gamers.
Overall, the Hisense U7K has a sleek design and a range of features that make it a strong contender in the mid-range TV market.
Picture Quality
The Hisense U7K boasts a Quantum Dot + Mini LED system, which results in a uniform and vibrant picture. The Mini LED backlighting produces solid greys and blacks, which maintain consistency and smoothness even when faced with bright lights. Colors are bright and accurate, without being oversaturated or compromising skin tones.
The HDR performance of the U7K is on par with other upper mid-range Mini LED screens, peaking at 700 nits with a 10% patch. The Standard and Dynamic image presets provide similar measurements, so users can switch between them based on their preferences. The U7K supports HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10+, HDR10, and Dolby Vision IQ, making it a versatile option for HDR content.
The U7K offers a variety of picture presets, including Filmmaker mode, Cinema day, Cinema night, Dynamic, Sports, and Standard (the Eco default setting). Additionally, the Enhanced ACR (Automatic Content Recognition) mode uses AI to optimize images and audio on a frame-by-frame basis. While this feature works well, it’s worth noting that the sound quality enhancement cannot be separated from the image quality enhancement.
The Cinema settings behave as expected, while the Dynamic preset boosts the brightness of the entire picture, which can cause highlights to become washed out. For most content, the Standard preset is recommended.
The U7K’s motion smoothing options are powerful, with options for Smooth, Standard, Clear, Film, and Custom, and variable blur and judder reduction. Smooth is a good all-purpose default, and works well for sports.
While the blacks on the U7K don’t hit the inky depths of OLED, they come close, especially when some ambient light is present. The U7K’s HD upscaling is reasonably good, but shows with overt noise can look slightly unattractive.
Dolby Vision shows are presented with Dolby Vision IQ, which uses the set’s onboard sensor to monitor ambient light levels and adjust accordingly. The U7K also offers Dolby Vision Dark and Dolby Vision Custom options. Latency was measured at 13ms (1080p/60fps) in Game mode, which is an average performance for gaming. The 144Hz Game Mode Pro is automatically triggered by any ALLM (automatic low latency mode) connection.
Overall, the Hisense U7K provides a uniform and vibrant picture with accurate colors and versatile HDR support. The variety of picture presets and powerful motion smoothing options make it a great choice for a range of content.
Sound Quality
Despite having standard downward firing stereo speakers, the Hisense U7K produces a pronounced stereo width and mid-bass performance, largely due to the provision of the rear-facing subwoofer. The TV is Dolby Atmos capable and can bitstream out the immersive sound format to any awaiting soundbar or external sound system, providing an upgrade to the sonics. The TV also includes DTS Virtual X processing for non-Atmos sources, which is a welcome refinement. With a 40W 2.1 sound system, the U7K defies expectations when it comes to audio, making it a solid choice for those who prioritize sound quality.
Price & Availability
The Hisense U7K is available in five screen sizes: 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, and 100-inches, and is priced at £1,199, £1,499, £1,799, £2,999, and £4,999 respectively. In the United Kingdom, the TV can be purchased from popular retailers such as Amazon, Currys, Argos, and Very, where it is often sold at a discount.
In the United States, the U7K is available in four sizes (55-, 65-, 75-, and 85-inches) and can be purchased from Amazon. The prices for the U7K in the US are $799.99, $1049.99, $1,499.99, and $2,199.99 respectively.
For those looking for alternatives, the best TV chart is a great resource to find other options.
Verdict
The Hisense U7K is a well-equipped Mini LED smart TV that offers a great value for its price. It has impressive picture detail and vibrant QD colors, although it’s not class-leading in terms of HDR. Overall luminosity is good, and the provision of Dolby Vision IQ ensures well-balanced images. While it would have been nice to see 4K 120Hz support across all HDMI inputs, this is not unique to Hisense. Despite this limitation, the U7K is a great value all-rounder that scores highly in terms of bang for buck.
Specs
Best Prices Today: Hisense U7K
The Hisense U7K comes in sizes ranging from 55 to 100 inches. The 65-inch model was tested. It features Mini LED 4K display technology with Quantum Dot, providing a resolution of 3840 x 2160 (4K Ultra HD). The TV has four HDMI ports and supports HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision IQ. The Vidaa TV smart platform is available in the UK, while the US version has Google TV. The TV also has a 2.1 sound system and measures 1449 x 838 x 77mm, weighing 29kg.
According to Steve May, a home entertainment technology specialist, the Hisense U7K offers a great value for its features. For the best prices on the Hisense U7K, consumers can check online retailers or local electronics stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Hisense U7K and U8K?
The Hisense U7K and U8K are two different TV models from the same manufacturer. The main difference between the two is that the U8K has more advanced features than the U7K. For example, the U8K has a higher peak brightness, better local dimming, and a wider color gamut. Additionally, the U8K has a more advanced processor, which makes it better at upscaling low-resolution content.
What are the specs of Hisense U7K?
The Hisense U7K is a 4K TV that comes in various screen sizes, including 55 inches, 65 inches, 75 inches, and 85 inches. It has a VA panel with a native contrast ratio of 4000:1 and a peak brightness of 500 nits. The TV has a 60Hz refresh rate and supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. It also has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet connectivity, as well as three HDMI ports, two USB ports, and an optical audio output.
When was Hisense U7K released?
The Hisense U7K was released in 2023. It is one of the latest TV models from the manufacturer.
Is Hisense U7K available on Amazon?
Yes, the Hisense U7K is available on Amazon. Customers can choose from various screen sizes and purchase the TV with or without installation services.
What is the screen size of Hisense U7K 55?
The screen size of the Hisense U7K 55 is 55 inches. However, the TV is also available in larger screen sizes, including 65 inches, 75 inches, and 85 inches.
Is Hisense a good brand for TVs?
Hisense is a reputable brand that offers a range of affordable and high-quality TVs. The company has been in the TV industry for many years and has received positive reviews from customers and experts alike. While there are other brands that offer more advanced features, Hisense is a good option for those looking for a reliable and affordable TV.
