Hisense has shrunk a technology once confined to $30,000 professional monitors into a consumer TV starting at just $1,300. The Chinese electronics giant this week launched the UR8, an RGB Mini-LED television that promises dramatically brighter, more vibrant colors than standard Mini-LED or OLED sets.
The UR8 is the first mainstream TV to use RGB Mini-LED backlighting, a technique that replaces the usual blue LEDs with independent red, green, and blue LEDs behind the LCD panel. This gives the TV direct control over each color channel, eliminating the color volume compromises typical of white-LED or quantum-dot approaches. Hisense claims the UR8 can produce over 95% of the BT.2020 color gamut and peak brightness exceeding 3,000 nits.
The technology appeared last year in Hisense's flagship 116-inch UX, priced near $30,000. The UR8 brings it to 55-, 65-, 75-, and 85-inch sizes, with pricing starting at $1,300 for the 55-inch model. All variants ship in early 2026 and support Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and 144Hz VRR for gaming.
Industry analysts see the move as a deliberate attack on OLED's dominance in premium TV. OLED offers perfect blacks but struggles with sustained high brightness. RGB Mini-LED combines the brightness of LCD with color purity approaching OLED. "This could force OLED makers to drop prices or innovate faster," said a display analyst cited by CNET.
The UR8 launch also pressures Samsung and Sony, which have focused on quantum-dot Mini-LED and OLED. Hisense previously disrupted the market with laser TV and affordable 8K sets. The UR8 extends that strategy into the high-end color performance niche.
What happens next? Sample reviews emerge in the coming weeks, and first-hand comparisons with Sony's Bravia 9 and Samsung's QN90F will reveal real-world differences. If the UR8 delivers on its promises, 2026 could mark a turning point where RGB Mini-LED becomes the new battleground, not OLED versus QLED.
Technology
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Hisense's Colorful RGB TV, the UR8, Hits Shelves From $1,300
Hisense has released the RGB Mini-LED UR8, which promises brighter colors than before.
Ty Pendlebury
CNET
2 min read
5/10
Key Takeaways
- Hisense UR8 starts at $1,300 for the 55-inch model, with 65-, 75-, and 85-inch sizes also available, shipping in early 2026.
- The TV uses RGB Mini-LED backlighting, previously seen only in Hisense's $30,000 116-inch UX, enabling peak brightness over 3,000 nits.
- It covers 95% of the BT.2020 color gamut, a significant improvement over typical Mini-LED and OLED sets, which cover 70–80%.
- The UR8 supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and 144Hz Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), making it suitable for both movies and gaming.
- Hisense claims the UR8 is brighter and more color-accurate than comparable Sony and Samsung models at the same price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Hisense UR8 is a 2026 television that uses RGB Mini-LED backlighting technology. It offers brighter and more colorful images than standard Mini-LED or OLED TVs, starting at $1,300 for the 55-inch model.
RGB Mini-LED uses separate red, green, and blue LEDs behind the LCD panel, instead of white or blue LEDs with quantum dots. This allows direct control of each color channel, producing wider color gamuts (95% BT.2020) and higher peak brightness (over 3,000 nits).
The Hisense UR8 is expected to ship in early 2026. Pre-order and exact availability dates vary by region, with sizes from 55 to 85 inches.
The Hisense UR8 starts at $1,300 for the 55-inch model. Larger sizes (65, 75, 85 inches) will cost more, but exact pricing for each size has not been fully detailed yet.
Yes. The UR8 supports a 144Hz Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), low input lag, and HDMI 2.1 features, making it suitable for next-gen console and PC gaming. It also supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ for HDR gaming.
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Original source
www.cnet.com
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