If you like the LG C4 OLED TV but can’t quite afford the asking price, Hisense has the perfect TV for you – well, if it’s launching in your area. The new Hisense A85N has the same LG Display-made W-OLED 2024 panel as used in the LG C4 and the excellent Philips OLED908 – but while the LG launched in Germany at €2,399 for the 55-inch model, the Hisense will set you back €1,600. There’s also a 65-inch model that’s cheaper too, with a recommended retail price of €2,200.
So far, the launch details are only for Germany, but the same model will also be sold in other parts of Europe. We have reached out to Hisense for details of those launches and price variations, so we will keep you posted when the information becomes available.
Here's what you need to know in terms of specs.
Hisense A85N: Key Features and Specifications
The new Hisense A85N is OLED (which is interesting because the firm has been a key proponent of mini-LED technology and is a founding member of the QLED alliance) and its panel is designed to deliver 1,000 nits of peak brightness, which is basically what you get from the LG C4. The panel has a 144Hz refresh rate and is accompanied by two 6W speakers.
The four HDMI ports include two with HDMI 2.1 features including ALLM and VRR for gamers, so it’s one area where LG has the edge and ranks among the best gaming TVs – LG’s sets have four HDMI 2.1 ports. However, the TV supports a wide range of HDR formats, including HDR10, HDR10+, HLG and Dolby Vision IQ, so it trumps LG’s model by supporting all forms of HDR (although OLEDs from Philips and Panasonic offer it too). There’s also support for IMAX Enhanced sound, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
The operating system is Hisense's own Vidaa, which offers most of the most popular streaming apps. According to the specifications published by FlatpanelsHD, it supports AirPlay 2, but not Chromecast, and it also works with Alexa.
The German launch is planned for September 2024 with a cashback promotion; we expect other European launches to follow shortly after.
We haven’t tested this TV yet, but we have tested the LG C4, so we know what this panel has to offer. And for an OLED panel, it’s a very impressive one, scoring 4.5 out of 5 in our tests. The Hisense TV will of course have a different processor and firmware to the LG, but getting the same panel at a much lower price means it could be a very impressive and comparatively affordable purchase that rivals the best OLED TVs on the market on price.
We recently published our review of the LG B4, and that model is 30% less bright than the Hisense and costs €1,899 for the 55-inch model in Germany, so the Hisense would be much brighter and still cheaper. Hopefully it will come to more countries.
