Katarzyna Petru
During the CES 2026 trade show, Hisense showcased the second generation of its RGB LED technology, as well as the next iteration of true MicroLED. The manufacturer is focusing on expanding the colour palette by adding a fourth colour in both the LCD backlighting and the MicroLED diodes themselves. We had previously reported on Hisense's plans for 2026, but the presentation at CES revealed additional details regarding two new flagship televisions.
RGB MiniLED evo – four colours in LCD backlighting
After introducing one of the first LCD televisions with RGB LED backlighting in 2025, Hisense is advancing the concept into the second generation, named RGB MiniLED evo. The technology will debut in the 116-inch model 116UXS, the successor to last year's 116UX.
A key innovation is the addition of cyan as the fourth colour of the backlight LEDs, alongside red, green, and blue. According to Hisense, this allows for an expanded colour palette of 110% BT.2020, which is the colour space used in HDR. The manufacturer has also confirmed that the 116UXS offers "tens of thousands of local dimming colour zones." In practice, most HDR films, series, and games are still created in the smaller DCI-P3 space, so BT.2020 remains primarily a safeguard for the future. However, Hisense is clearly signalling that it is preparing its televisions for the next stage of HDR development.
The new model also features an improved image processor Hi-View AI Engine RGB, support for Dolby Vision 2, and other enhancements. The previous generation claimed a peak brightness of up to 10,000 nits. The price has not yet been disclosed, but for comparison, the 116UX from 2025 cost around $25,000.
RGBY MicroLED – the fourth subpixel in true MicroLED
The second novelty is RGBY MicroLED, which represents another step in the development of true MicroLED. Unlike models marketed as "Micro RGB" by LG or Samsung, Hisense's solution does not use an LCD matrix. Each subpixel here is a separate LED diode. After last year's 136-inch MicroLED for around $100,000, Hisense plans to introduce a 163-inch MX MicroLED model with a new RGBY structure in 2026. A yellow subpixel has been added to the classic RGB set, which – according to the manufacturer – allows for breaking through the "colour ceiling" that current MicroLED technology encounters.
The effect is expected to be ambitious: 100% coverage of BT.2020 for HDR content. Peak brightness has not yet been disclosed, nor has the price, although it can be expected that it will once again be in the ultra-premium segment.
Technology versus costs
Hisense's presentations clearly show that the manufacturer is actively experimenting with expanding the colour gamut – both in LCDs with advanced backlighting and in true MicroLED. However, the question arises whether this direction is indeed key today.
Perhaps, as with Samsung, LG or Sony, the greater challenge is no longer the further 'tweaking' of picture parameters, but drastic reductions in MicroLED production costs so that this technology can move beyond the niche luxury market segment.
