Hisense 116UX Review: A Giant RGB Mini-LED Statement TV
The 2025 Hisense 116UX is a 116-inch 4K flagship built around an RGB-MiniLED backlight, a native 165 Hz panel and a powerful integrated 6.2.2-channel sound system. Its enormous screen, vivid color, strong contrast and effective anti-reflection treatment impressed during the live demonstration. It is also a serious gaming display, with 48-165 Hz VRR, ALLM, FreeSync Premium Pro and three HDMI 2.1 inputs. The major barriers are its $29,999 starting MSRP, 239.2-pound assembled weight, 103.6-inch cabinet width and demanding installation requirements.
Video summary
Tech Steve traveled to New York to see the 116-inch Hisense 116UX in person. He found the RGB-MiniLED system exceptionally colorful and bright, with strong contrast, convincing image depth and better side-angle performance than he expected. The anti-glare treatment also handled surrounding light well. Theater Day and Filmmaker Mode were his preferred picture presets, while sports content showed good motion, detail and color reproduction. Gaming support includes a native 165 Hz panel, VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro and an adjustable Game Bar. The integrated 6.2.2-channel audio sounded good for a television, although Steve would still consider a soundbar when stronger bass is a priority. He also found the interface quick and responsive. His overall conclusion was that the 116UX is too expensive for most shoppers but represents an exciting step forward for Hisense and large-screen RGB-MiniLED technology.
Tech Steve Takeaway
Buy the 116UX if you want a genuinely theater-sized television with standout color, high brightness, premium gaming support and unusually capable built-in sound—and you have the room, budget and installation plan to support it. Most shoppers should consider the smaller 100UX or wait for RGB-MiniLED pricing to fall.
Picture quality
The RGB-MiniLED backlight uses independently controlled red, green and blue Mini-LED light sources to manage both color and light output. During the demonstration, the 116UX produced vivid color, impressive image depth, strong contrast and detailed highlights. Tech Steve also found its side-angle color performance better than expected. Anti-Reflection Pro reduced visible room-light reflections, making this enormous screen more practical in brighter spaces, although direct windows can still create glare.
HDR performance
The 116UX carries a manufacturer peak-brightness claim of up to 8,000 nits and supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, HLG and gaming variants of Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Tech Steve found the HDR presentation extremely bright and detailed but did not evaluate Dolby Vision during the event. Filmmaker Mode was his preferred option for a more natural-looking presentation.
Gaming performance
A native 165 Hz panel, 48-165 Hz VRR range, ALLM, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and an on-screen Game Bar make the 116UX well equipped for console and PC gaming. All three HDMI inputs are HDMI 2.1. HDMI 3 also handles eARC, so connecting an eARC audio system leaves two HDMI inputs available for other sources.
Motion handling
Sports footage looked clean and detailed during the demonstration, with good motion reproduction across the massive screen. The physical panel operates at a native 165 Hz and supports up to 165 Hz at its native 4K resolution.
Sound quality
Hisense equips the 116UX with a 110-watt, 6.2.2-channel CineStage X Surround system featuring side-firing and top-firing speakers plus integrated bass hardware. Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X are supported. Tech Steve found the television's audio surprisingly good, but noted that bass response can depend on placement and that a separate soundbar may still be worthwhile for buyers seeking more impact.
Smart TV experience
Google TV supplies the app and content interface, with Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, Google Assistant and Alexa compatibility. Tech Steve found menu navigation responsive and did not notice distracting interface lag. Ambient Mode, voice control and AI-assisted picture and sound options are also included.
Calibration notes
Tech Steve primarily viewed the television in Theater Day mode and preferred Theater Day or Filmmaker Mode for their more natural-looking presentation. Standard, Cinema Day, Cinema Night, Dynamic, Sports and Filmmaker SDR modes are available. IMAX Enhanced and AI-assisted viewing options provide alternatives for shoppers who prefer automatic processing.
What we like
- Enormous 116-inch screen creates a theater-like presentation
- RGB-MiniLED backlight delivers vivid color and impressive image depth
- Manufacturer-rated peak HDR brightness of up to 8,000 nits
- 3,584 local-dimming zones support strong contrast control
- Native 165 Hz panel with 48-165 Hz VRR and FreeSync Premium Pro
- Three HDMI 2.1 inputs support modern gaming equipment
- Anti-Reflection Pro helps control ambient-light reflections
- Powerful 110-watt 6.2.2-channel integrated audio system
- Supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ dynamic HDR formats
- Responsive Google TV interface with AirPlay and Chromecast
What to consider
- $29,999 starting MSRP puts it beyond the reach of most shoppers
- The 103.6-inch-wide cabinet requires an exceptionally large installation area
- Weighs 239.2 pounds with its stand and needs carefully selected mounting hardware
- The 371.5-pound shipping package requires advance delivery-path planning
- Listed 850-watt power consumption is high
- Only three HDMI inputs are provided, and eARC occupies HDMI 3 when used
- A soundbar or external audio system may still be desirable for stronger bass impact
Tech Steve verdict
The Hisense 116UX is designed for buyers who want television scale approaching a commercial display without giving up flagship picture and gaming features. Its strongest advantages are the RGB-MiniLED color system, manufacturer-rated 8,000-nit peak HDR capability, 3,584-zone local dimming, native 165 Hz gaming support, effective anti-reflection treatment and substantial 6.2.2-channel audio. The tradeoffs are equally substantial: a $29,999 launch price, very high power consumption, only three HDMI inputs and a cabinet that requires professional-level delivery and installation planning. Choose the 116UX when maximum screen size and visual impact matter more than price or convenience. The 100UX offers the same native refresh rate and core RGB-MiniLED concept in a more manageable package, but it carries a lower 5,000-nit brightness claim and lacks a consistently established zone count.
Size-by-size buying guide
Only verified size-specific measurements are displayed. Recommended distance uses a 30°-40° field-of-view range for mixed TV and cinematic viewing.
| Size / model | Panel / finish | Refresh | Dimming zones | Peak HDR | VESA | Feet width | Viewing distance | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100"100UXMSRP $19,999.00 | LCD with RGB-MiniLED backlightAnti-glare, low-reflection panel | 165 Hz native | — | 5,000 nits Manufacturer maximum claim in the 2025 US UX Series specification sheet; no Tech Steve measurement was supplied | 1000 x 600, M8 | 65.8 in | 11.5-15.6 ft | — |
| 116"116UXMSRP $29,999.00 | LCD with RGB-MiniLED backlightAnti-Reflection Pro / anti-glare low-reflection panel | 165 Hz native | 3,584 | 8,000 nits Manufacturer maximum claim on the final US product page and 2025 US specification sheet; no Tech Steve measurement was supplied | 800 x 600, M6 | 78 in | 13.3-18.0 ft | Check price ↗ |
Exclusive technology
RGB-MiniLED / RGB Local Dimming
Uses separate red, green and blue Mini-LED light sources rather than a conventional white or blue backlight. The system controls backlight color and brightness locally to expand color volume and improve contrast control.
3D Color Master Pro
Hisense color-processing system designed to coordinate the RGB backlight and LCD layer for wider and more precise color reproduction.
Hi-View AI Engine X
The flagship processor analyzes picture and audio in real time and adjusts color, contrast, motion, brightness and sound processing.
AI Picture
Automatically processes image clarity, color, contrast and motion according to the detected content.
AI Sound
Detects dialogue and content type and adjusts the sound for the program and listening environment.
AI Scenario
Automatically selects picture adjustments based on whether the TV detects a game, movie, show or other content type.
AI Energy
Controls brightness according to the displayed image to reduce unnecessary power use.
165Hz Game Mode Ultra
Gaming mode supporting a 48-165 Hz variable-refresh range, ALLM, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and an on-screen Game Bar. Hisense also advertises a separate Game Booster mode, but it is not treated as the panel's native refresh rate.
Anti-Reflection Pro
A low-reflection screen treatment intended to reduce visible glare from room lighting.
CineStage X Surround
Hisense's integrated 6.2.2-channel audio system with side speakers, top-firing speakers and built-in bass reproduction, presented with Opéra de Paris and Devialet branding.
Specifications
Audio
Connectivity
Gaming
Picture
Size Details
Smart Features
Specifications
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