The TV technology arms race is accelerating in 2026, and RGB MiniLED has quickly emerged as one of the key battlegrounds. Hisense is stepping directly into that fight with its newly announced UR9 RGB MiniLED TV lineup, offered in 65, 75, 85, and 100-inch screen sizes. The move puts it alongside Samsung, TCL, and LG, all of whom are pushing next-generation backlighting systems aimed at improving brightness, color accuracy, and contrast control, right as consumers continue to gravitate toward much larger displays.
That shift in demand is impossible to ignore. Screens that once felt excessive now look like the new normal, especially as prices fall and living rooms evolve into full-time viewing spaces. Hisense is clearly leaning into that trend with the UR9 series, positioning RGB MiniLED as a practical upgrade for buyers who want bigger screens and better performance without stepping into ultra-premium territory.
“The living room has become the social centerpiece of the home, with your screen starring at the center of it all,” said James Fishler, Chief Commercial Officer at Hisense USA. “Nearly 90% of Americans say bold, vibrant color makes them more interested in what they’re watching — and that’s exactly why we built the UR9. As the first to bring RGB MiniLED to market, we’re setting a new standard for color performance in home viewing experiences.”
RGB MiniLED Explained: Why This New Backlight Tech Matters
An RGB MiniLED TV is still an LCD-based display, but it takes miniLED backlighting a step further by using individual red, green, and blue LEDs instead of the traditional white or blue-only LEDs found in most LED and MiniLED TVs. This tri-color backlight structure allows for far more precise control over both brightness and color, rather than relying on filters to shape the image after the fact.
The result is a wider color range, up to full BT.2020 coverage, along with improved contrast and more accurate detail rendering. With Pantone Validated RGB MiniLED color support, the technology is designed to deliver more lifelike images with better separation between light and dark areas, exposing details that conventional LED backlit displays often miss.
For a deeper dive into RGB MiniLED and Micro RGB LED technology, check out our reference article: WTF Are RGB MiniLED and Micro RGB LED TVs? Breaking Down the Next Gen Display Tech.
Hisense was first to bring RGB MiniLED technology to market, getting out ahead of rivals with a consumer-ready implementation. The UR9 Series represents the next phase of that strategy, expanding the lineup with a broader range of screen sizes aimed at meeting growing demand for larger displays.
Hisense UR9 RGB MiniLED TVs: Key Features, Screen Sizes, and What Sets Them Apart
RGB MiniLED: This is the foundation of the UR9 series. Available in 65, 75, 85, and 100-inch screen sizes, it uses independent red, green, and blue MiniLED light sources to generate color directly, rather than relying on a white backlight and filters. The payoff is more accurate color reproduction, improved contrast, deeper blacks with better shadow detail, and brighter, more controlled highlights.
Hi-View AI Engine RGB: To support the RGB MiniLED backlight system, the UR9 series integrates Hisense’s Hi View AI Engine, which analyzes content in real time and adjusts brightness, contrast, and color temperature on the fly. It can recognize different types of content such as sports, movies, streaming, and gaming and optimize the picture accordingly, reducing the need for constant manual adjustments.
Obsidian Panel: Hisense’s low reflection screen surface is designed to reduce glare from windows and room lighting while maintaining strong contrast. Dark scenes hold onto their detail and depth even in bright environments, making daytime viewing far less of a compromise.
Up to 5000 Nits Peak Brightness: Combined with the low reflection properties of the Hisense Obsidian Panel, the UR9 series can deliver up to 5000 nits of peak brightness, depending on the model and screen size. This level of light output helps maintain image clarity and impact in bright rooms and daytime viewing conditions.
AI RGB Light Sensor: This feature automatically adjusts brightness and color temperature based on the lighting in your room, helping the picture stay balanced and natural whether you are watching during the day or at night. It works hand in hand with the UR9’s high light output to keep the image consistent without constant manual adjustment.
IMAX Enhanced and Filmmaker Mode: IMAX Enhanced support allows the UR9 to deliver optimized picture and DTS audio performance for compatible content, including the correct aspect ratio used in IMAX presentations. Filmmaker Mode takes a different approach by preserving the original aspect ratio, color, frame rate, and sound, ensuring content is presented as the director intended without added processing.
Native 180Hz Game Mode: For gamers, the UR9 series supports a native 180Hz refresh rate, delivering fast, responsive performance with reduced motion blur and input lag. Rapid camera movement, competitive gameplay, and live sports all benefit from sharper detail and smoother motion.
Enhanced Game Bar: Hisense’s Advanced Game Bar provides real time access to key settings such as FPS, VRR, and HDR. It allows for quick adjustments without interrupting gameplay, which is exactly how it should work.
AI Smooth Motion with MEMC: The UR9 also includes AI Smooth Motion along with standard motion estimation and motion compensation processing to reduce blur, judder, and stutter. It can improve clarity across sports, movies, and games, but there is a trade off. For films, it is best to turn it off if you want to preserve a more natural look. Filmmaker Mode handles that automatically and saves you from digging through menus.
Total HDR Solution: The Hisense UR9 is compatible with advanced HDR formats (Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive), preserving creative detail and dynamically adjusting brightness based on both content and room lighting.
4K UltraHD Resolution & AI 4K Upscaler: The UR9 Series TVs support 4K UHD native resolution and also support AI 4K upscaling for the best possible image display from lower resolution content.
3x HDMI 2.1: The Hisense UR9 TVs support HDMI 2.1 on all three of their HDMI inputs. For details on what HDMI 2.1 supports, refer to our reference article: WTF is HDMI 2.1?
Wi-Fi 6E: The UR9 Series is equipped with the latest WiFi 6E connectivity, provided you have high-speed broadband access. This provides support for high-resolution streaming, cloud gaming, and multi-device households.
4.1.2 Multi-Channel Surround & Tuned by Devialet: To provide a good foundation for TV listening, the UR9 incorporates precision-tuned speakers tuned by Devialet that provide layered, multidirectional room-filling audio. Clear Dialogue is supported while effects move naturally around and above you, providing a more natural listening experience. The UR9 series is also Dolby Atmos compatible.
Hi-Concerto: In addition to Devialet tuning, UR9 TVs include Hisense Hi-Concerto. This allows the TV to work in tandem with compatible Hisense soundbars, or the HT Saturn Audio system enables the speakers in both the TV and external audio system to work together. This is similar to Samsung’s Q-Symphony, offering users a more integrated audio setup without needing to disable their TV’s own speakers.
Google TV with Gemini: The UR9 series runs Google TV, bringing together movies, shows, and live TV from your streaming services into a single interface with access to over 10,000 apps. Gemini adds a more conversational layer, allowing users to ask more natural questions and get useful responses, while also helping with voice control and basic automation.
Backlit Remote: Hisense includes a backlit voice remote with practical touches like a customizable favorite key for quick app access and a Find My Remote function. The backlighting adjusts automatically based on room conditions, making it easier to use in both bright and dark environments.
Minimalist Design: The UR9 features a clean, understated chassis with a slim profile that keeps the focus on the screen. It integrates easily into a range of setups, whether wall mounted or placed on a stand or media console.
The Bottom Line
The Hisense UR9 series is one of the first serious attempts to bring RGB MiniLED into a full consumer lineup, not just a limited run of oversized flagship screens. That alone makes it notable. Hisense moved quickly, beating Samsung to market with a broader range of sizes from 65 to 100 inches, and positioned RGB MiniLED as a practical step forward in backlight precision, color performance, and brightness for real world viewing.
But there are tradeoffs. Pricing is aggressive, with the 65 inch model starting at $3,499, and there is no support for HDMI 2.2, which some expected to see at this level. That makes the UR9 feel a bit early adopter focused. Hisense is clearly aware of that, which is why the pre-order promotion matters. Offering a free 55-inch TV alongside the purchase could take some of the sting out of the price and give buyers a reason to jump in sooner rather than later.
The bigger picture is where things get interesting. This puts immediate pressure on Samsung, which has talked up Micro RGB LED but has yet to deliver a full lineup, and leaves the door open for TCL and Sony to respond with their own approaches. The UR9 is not a safe play, but it is a strategic one. If RGB MiniLED delivers on its promise, Hisense just bought itself a head start in what is shaping up to be the next major TV technology fight.
Availability & Pricing
Pre-orders for the Hisense UR9 RGB MiniLED TV have begun at Hisense and Best Buy as follows:
- 100UR9SG (100 inches): $8,999.99 at Hisense (coming soon), Best Buy
- 85UR9SG (85-inches): $5,999.99 at Hisense, Best Buy
- 75UR9SG (75-inches): $4,999.99 at Hisense, Best Buy
- 65UR9SG (65-inches): $3,499.99 at Hisense, Best Buy
Pro Tip: Customers who register for pre-order a UR9 Series RGB MiniLED TV between March 26 and April 22 will receive a unique redemption code for a 55-inch Hisense CanvasTV ($687.99 at Amazon) on Hisense with a qualifying purchase. Additional terms and conditions apply.
Hisense Out Host
“Out Host with Hisense” Campaign: Alongside the UR9 pre order launch, Hisense is rolling out its “Out Host with Hisense” campaign, timed with the FIFA World Cup 2026 coming to the United States this summer, where the brand is serving as an official sponsor. The campaign leans into a familiar message for Hisense, focusing on how TVs bring people together at home and anchor shared viewing experiences.
“Out Host with Hisense” highlights different hosting styles and ties them to the brand’s 2026 TV lineup, positioning its products as part of how people gather, watch, and share major moments. As part of the campaign, users can visit the official Hisense site to take a Hosting Style Quiz, identify their hosting persona, and get matched with a recommended TV setup.
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