Compare: Hisense U7KQ vs Sony BRAVIA 5 (XR5)

Hisense U7KQ with a size of 100" is clearly a better television compared to the smaller diagonal variants. The proprietary VIDAA system has a similar interface to other televisions (e.g., with Google TV on board). It works quickly and efficiently. It does not freeze or contain errors. Only the built-in file player sometimes struggled with performance. However, it is worth looking at the app tests, as not all of them were available at the time of writing the review. The television's features are quite extensive, and nearly everything we tested was successfully implemented. When used during the day, the high brightness of the panel is commendable, as it can cope even in very sunlit living rooms. When watching in cinema conditions, we can expect good blacks thanks to the VA panel supported by multiple dimming zones. The screen handles low-quality content (e.g., SD channels or DVDs) relatively well; a certain downside is the lack of a function to reduce posterisation (i.e., the distinct tonal transitions). This looks much better in 4K HDR films because we have a wide colour palette and strong light effects. Support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos is another advantage, although the speakers built into the screen are rather average. Sports enthusiasts will be pleased with the 120Hz panel with a smoothing system. When connected to a console, gaming on the television is very good due to low input lag. Motion blur is moderate, which means that it is very rare to notice slight "trails" during dynamic movements on a dark background. The lack of an HGiG mode reduces the visual quality of games in HDR format, while the absence of local dimming in VRR mode makes this latter function useless. Overall, the picture quality can be described as good and adequate for its price. There are no obvious flaws or unexpected advantages here, but there is a large size.

Sony Bravia 5 is a continuation of the iconic X90L model, and it's evident that the manufacturer aimed to take a step forward. A greater number of backlighting zones have been implemented, which makes the contrast seem better in many scenes, and the blacks appear deeper than its predecessor. The 120 Hz panel and MotionFlow system allow the smoothness of the image to be tailored to personal preferences – from a slight cinematic texture to crystal-smooth motion in sports and games. This is equipment that does not shy away from any content, as regardless of whether we are watching a match, an action film, or a concert, the image maintains clarity and character. However, the true strength of the Bravia 5 lies in the XR processor. It is this that makes older materials look better than they should – upscaling works like magic, smoothing out noise, improving gradation, and providing consistency even with lower-quality content. Thanks to this, in everyday use, the Bravia 5 can surprise, as instead of struggling with signal imperfections, it draws out the maximum. Additionally, there is excellent colour reproduction after calibration and dynamic tone mapping along with Dolby Vision mode, which allows one to enjoy details even in difficult, contrasted scenes. However, it cannot be hidden that in several moments, the Bravia 5 has disappointed us quite significantly. Despite the greater number of zones, brightness and contrast are not always better than in the X90L – sometimes they even perform worse. This raises a sense of wasted potential, as we were counting on a greater qualitative leap. After all, we are talking about a true MINI-LED television here. Nevertheless, the Bravia 5 remains an excellent television for those who want to enjoy primarily image quality. If you are looking for a model that can impress with motion smoothness, extracts details from difficult scenes, and works wonders with older materials, the Bravia 5 will surely meet those expectations. It's a television that sometimes struggles to keep up with the competition in certain aspects, but it still holds its own with what Sony does best – cinematic imagery.

The television is equipped with a VA panel, which has a high contrast even without the support of local dimming technology. Through additional support from Mini-LED technology, the television is able to offer really good black levels, both in muted, dark scenes and in mixed ones where black is interwoven with bright elements. It is safe to say that even in the most challenging test sequences, it achieved a result above 10,000:1. With the room fully darkened, sometimes the effect of zone dimming can be seen, in the form of a slight halo effect around text or brightening areas when a bright element moves quickly across the screen. However, this is a normal occurrence that is not bothersome. The television, like most LCD screens with local dimming, has a moderate tendency to dim the image, particularly small light sources in dark scenes.

Bravia 5 is the entry-level television from the Mini-LED series in Sony's portfolio for 2025, so naturally we start with the most important question – how does it handle black levels and contrast? After all, the term “Mini-LED” almost sounds like a magic spell these days. In theory, this means thousands of tiny LEDs arranged in zones that are meant to work in harmony, dimming and brightening the image so that the viewer sees more depth than in a classic LCD. In practice, we've counted about 200 local dimming zones in the 65-inch Bravia 5. Is that a lot? Certainly more than its predecessor, the already legendary X90L model, but when looking at Chinese manufacturers who manage to pack in hundreds, sometimes even thousands of zones – it seems rather modest.

One might expect that the combination of a greater number of zones with the refined dimming algorithms that Sony has accustomed us to over the years would translate to a significant quality leap over the X90L. Meanwhile – and here comes a slight disappointment – tests showed that the results are surprisingly similar to last year's model. Don't take this the wrong way: the contrast for an LCD television with local dimming is truly solid. In most scenes, bright elements are separated from dark ones with surgical precision, and the effect can be stunning. But when more demanding shots appear on the screen – those that relentlessly test the capabilities of the backlighting – it's clear that the equipment has its limitations.

Therefore, one could say that in terms of black levels and contrast, the Bravia 5 doesn't so much disappoint as rather fails to meet the expectations raised by the initial announcements. We were hoping for at least a slightly better result than its predecessor, and we got “only” good contrast. And it is this “only” that is the key word here – because good contrast in Sony's rendition still signifies a level that most competitors could be proud of.

Describing the HDR effect in the hundred-inch model Hisense U7KQ is not straightforward and requires broader context. As can be observed, the results are highly varied, depending on the type of scene and the intensity of the bright effects the television is meant to reproduce. In bright scenes, the device achieves over a thousand nits of brightness, which translates to vivid and realistic images – these are exactly the effects we expect from equipment of this class. Unfortunately, the situation deteriorates in darker scenes. In mixed shots, such as those in the film "Gemini Man," the television still offers good brightness at a level of 700 nits, allowing for enjoyment of high-quality content. However, problems arise in very dark scenes, where small light sources play a central role. The television does not fully utilise its capabilities here to avoid degrading the black level in adjacent areas. As a result, there is no spectacular "WOW" effect, and such frames often do not seem as if they are being produced in HDR technology.

Looking at similar results in terms of blackness and contrast, we expected equally stable performance as last year's model when it came to HDR content. Unfortunately – and this needs to be said outright – there has been a regression here that is hard to overlook. The paradox is that the peak brightness of the Bravia 5 is impressive: in our synthetic tests, the television achieved around 1000 nits in HDR. Sounds great, right? The problem is that this power does not always translate effectively to all film scenes. When small, point-like elements appear on the screen, something that had usually been polished with surgical precision in Sony's case is this time noticeably lacking. The algorithms attempt to maintain deep black around small objects, but the side effect is that details can be dimmed to such an extent that they become barely visible. Just consider the example of the film Sicario 2 – in some scenes there, small light sources practically disappeared, as if someone had covered them with dark film.

Of course, not everything looks so dramatic. In simpler, brighter scenes, where the image is filled with more light, the Bravia 5 shows that it can shine: literally and figuratively. Then the television achieves values in the range of 600–800 nits, which we saw both in synthetic tests and during film screenings. The impression is really positive; the brightness adds dynamism, and the colours appear vibrant and fresh. However, there remains a certain dissonance. We feel a slight confusion because evidently something has gone in a direction it shouldn’t have. Technological progress – more zones, greater backlighting power – has not been supported by the well-crafted image management that we usually associate with Sony. Fortunately, there are elements that have not been worsened and are, in fact, at a very high level. We are talking about colour reproduction. Thanks to the application of the PFS filter, the colour palette coverage is excellent – around 97% DCI-P3 and 75% BT.2020. These are values that allow for truly broad colour reproduction, giving films a sense of naturalness and cinematic quality.

The best factory mode we measured was 'Filmmaker'. Despite this, its characteristics left a wide scope for comment. Let us take a look at the gamma chart, which is responsible for the depth and contrast of the image. First, we will pay attention to the orange line running through the middle of the chart, starting at point 2.4. This is the reference value of the REC.709 standard. Now, let us look at the measured value, which is marked by a white, connected multi-point. Such a significant drop in gamma to a value of 2.0 indicates a considerable decrease in contrast, resulting in an image lacking proper depth, and one could observe the so-called 'milk' effect. The next thing we tested was the white balance. Though unassuming, if poorly configured, it can alter the entire character of the image. At the beginning, the chart was progressing quite well, but as we went further, it began to be dominated by two colours: red and blue. Due to the current state of affairs, all the materials we used for testing had an unpleasant tint in those colours. However, thanks to rich calibration tools, such as an advanced colour management system (CMS) and 2- and 20-point grey scale adjustment, we were able to significantly improve the display's performance in SDR materials, as evidenced by low deltaE errors and very well-rendered gamma and white balance.

Sony Bravia 5 was of course tested in the best possible mode, which is the Cinema mode. Right out of the box, it provides the most natural colours, definitely better than anything offered by the "eco" or "dynamic" modes, which are more suited for a showroom display than for a living room. However, the Cinema mode alone does not mean we can always expect cinematic picture quality. With SDR content, we had virtually no major complaints – the slightly warmed white balance gave the scenes a somewhat golden tone, but it was nothing that was visually jarring. However, the problem arose with HDR material. Here, the colour reproduction simply looked poor. The white balance was heavily skewed – with an excess of blue and a clear lack of red. At times, it resembled the store's "super vibrant image" mode, where everything is overexposed and artificially boosted.

This situation also made brightness management seem overly aggressive. The EOTF graph clearly showed that the television had problems with overexposing many scenes right out of the box. And while we know what Sony televisions are usually capable of, it was difficult to remain indifferent here – thus we quickly decided to go for calibration.

In SDR mode, after calibration, the television Hisense 100U7KQ looks excellent. There is nothing to fault in terms of colour reproduction - both pastel and strongly saturated hues are displayed according to the Rec. 709 standard. This ensures that the image looks natural and in line with the director's vision. As a result, viewers can enjoy an authentic visual experience, with colours and tonal subtleties faithfully rendered.

In HDR mode, however, there is a noticeable boost in bright tones. The television attempts to beautify the picture, which can lead to an artificial brightening. This phenomenon becomes even more evident in real scenes, where bright parts of the image may be excessively enhanced. Although the colours in HDR are generally good, they are intentionally boosted too much by the manufacturer, which can affect their naturalness.

This approach by the manufacturer to displaying images in HDR mode may not appeal to everyone, especially those who value authenticity and fidelity to original colours. However, for those who prefer more dynamic and vivid images, such an emphasis on bright tones can be an attractive solution, adding extra sparkle and impact to the scenes.

After calibration, the situation changed dramatically. We managed to adjust the white balance so that entire scenes began to look more natural, and the image gained cohesion and elegance. In HDR, we finally got rid of that unwanted clipping effect that had previously marred some shots. Suddenly, it turned out that the Bravia 5 can extract significantly more from films than the “out of the box” impression suggested. Indeed, if we look at the graphs and compare them with the patterns, we can see that the beginning of the EOTF curve slightly deviates from the reference line. However, this is not so much a calibration error as it is a natural limitation of Mini-LED technology, which cannot be bypassed. Sony, instead of clinging to perfect black, prefers to prioritise the visibility of details – and in practice, it's hard to disagree with that. We would rather see the texture of the material on the screen than a pitch-black blob where all nuances are lost.

The calibration itself was truly beneficial. After about an hour spent on the settings, we felt that the image resembled that from the best cinema halls – of course on a home scale, but with the same sense of quality and refinement. And in such moments, we remember why we like Sony televisions: because when we fine-tune them, they can reward us with an image that captivates for long hours.

The tonal transitions on the tested television can be described in one word: perfect. Throughout the test sequence, where we played very dark gradients from the most difficult scenes known to us, there was no sign of any choppiness or separating layers. These impressive results testify to the high quality of the panel and the advanced image processing algorithms. Of course, the ideal experience is maintained as long as we watch the television straight on – at an angle, the dark shades can significantly stand out, which is discussed in detail in a dedicated paragraph. It is also worth noting that such a problem can be observed with lower quality materials, but this is not the fault of the television, rather the inferior quality of the source itself.

tonal transitions are nothing more than the way in which a television handles the blending of colours and shades – from light to dark, from saturated to pastel. If the device struggles with this, characteristic "steps" can be seen instead of smooth transitions, and the image loses its naturalness. It is during these moments that instead of getting absorbed in the film, we start glancing at the screen thinking, "hey, something's not right here." Fortunately, in the Sony Bravia 5, such situations are practically nonexistent. This is a huge advantage, as nothing distracts our attention from the plot or sporting emotions. The television performs best in bright scenes, where colour transitions are smooth, and the blending of colours is almost invisible. The effect is so good that sometimes one might feel as if the image has been painted in one brushstroke. Of course, there were a few minor hiccups. In darker scenes, certain imperfections can be noticed – slight stepping or minimal gradation issues. For this, the Bravia 5 received a few negative points from us. Nevertheless, in the vast majority of situations, the television performs excellently and comes through this test with flying colours.

Although the television is equipped with a feature for reducing posterisation called "Smooth Gradation," we did not notice a significant effect of its operation. Materials subjected to heavy compression, such as YouTube videos, still exhibited choppy, distinct tonal transitions, which did not look particularly favourable. While this is due to the material itself rather than the television, it would be good if there were a feature to mask these problems, similar to those found in displays from competing brands.

The image scaling, which is crucial when playing lower resolution content, is rated as average. Details are not overly blurred, and the image is not "smudged"; however, there is visible jaggedness on the edges of objects, such as branches, and a halo effect around figures and text. Although the television performs quite well, there is still room for improvement, especially in the context of displaying lower quality materials.

Bravia 5 carries within it the genes of Sony, which have remained untouched – and thank goodness for that, because we are talking about absolutely remarkable digital image processing. It is no coincidence that for years it has been believed that it is televisions of this brand that set the standard for how a screen should handle lower quality materials. If someone still watches classic television, old films or YouTube in lower resolutions, here they get equipment that can transform such content into an unexpectedly pleasant experience. On board, we find several tools worth activating. The first of these is "digital noise reduction". Set to a medium level, it works perfectly – smoothing tonal transitions, which usually cause the most trouble in low-quality materials, while not introducing any artificial artifacts. Importantly, it also does not remove the filmic character, meaning the natural grain that is intentionally present in many productions. Another advantage of the Bravia 5 is the upscaling capabilities of the XR processor. The image displayed after scaling is soft, yet at the same time sharp and clear. The contours of characters are clearly visible, while backgrounds retain their structure without excessive artificial sharpening. It’s hard to find a better television for watching lower quality materials – Bravia 5 only confirms why Sony is regarded as a benchmark in this field.

The television correctly accepts a 4K signal up to 144 Hz, allowing for very smooth images to be displayed in high resolution. When the resolution is limited to Full HD, the television is capable of handling even 240 Hz, but such a signal can only be obtained from a PC. Unfortunately, the use of this feature is limited by several factors.

First of all, the Full HD resolution on a large television screen may seem insufficient, which affects image quality. Furthermore, the response time of the panel in this model is not short enough to fully utilise the refresh rate of 240 Hz. As a result, at such a high refresh rate, significant overdrive occurs, causing noticeable smearing and so-called "ghosting" behind moving objects.

It is also worth noting the motion smoothing function in the television, which operates up to 120 Hz. This is especially useful when watching sports and films, where smooth motion is crucial. The television provides stable operation of this function, minimising the amount of generated artifacts. Motion smoothness can be adjusted using two sliders – one for film smoothness and the other for reducing smearing in sports content.

In summary, although the television Hisense U7KQ offers impressive capabilities in terms of image refresh rates, limitations related to the response time of the panel and appropriate resolution may impact the actual benefits of these features. Nevertheless, the motion smoothing function works very well, improving the experience of watching dynamic content.

Bravia 5 received a 120 Hz panel, which in itself sounds like an invitation to watch sports, fast matches, or spectacular action films. However, the real magic begins when MotionFlow – Sony's proprietary smoothness technology – comes into play. Thanks to it, we can adjust the character of the image to our own preferences. The "smoothness" slider allows you to transition from a cinematic feel with a slight "jitter" of the film frame to a nearly theatrical fluidity, where every ball in the match glides across the screen as if on a string. The higher the value, the smoother and more fluid it is; the lower it is, the more cinematic and natural it feels. In the options, we will also find an additional setting that Sony has called "clarity". This is nothing more than the BFI function (i.e., inserting black frames), which is meant to improve motion sharpness. It sounds great in theory, but in practice, one must use it with great caution. Why? Because all higher settings cause brightness drops of up to half, and in some cases, contour doubling also appears. Therefore, if we wish to use it, we recommend the lowest possible level – "1" out of the available ten. This way, we gain a bit better motion clarity without risking a loss of half the image brightness.

The Hisense U7KQ television supports all the key features for gamers that users of Xbox or PlayStation consoles may expect. These features include, among others, support for high refresh rates, low input lag, and a game bar. Generally speaking, most of these features work correctly, providing a satisfying gaming experience.

However, the VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology does not function optimally. When VRR is activated, the television disables the local dimming feature, which significantly reduces image quality. In VRR mode, there is a lack of good contrast and high brightness in HDR mode, resulting in unsatisfactory image quality. In practice, this means that the VRR mode may be rarely used by gamers due to these limitations.

Additionally, the television does not support the HGIG (HDR Gaming Interest Group) mode, which is designed to optimise HDR image quality in games. The absence of this mode leads to issues with double tone mapping – once in the television and once in the console. As a result, the quality of HDR games is lower, which may affect the overall gaming experience.

In summary, although the Hisense U7KQ offers many features for gamers, certain key aspects, such as the optimal functioning of VRR and support for HGIG, may not meet the expectations of more demanding users. Nonetheless, the television still provides good support for most standard gaming features, making it a suitable choice for a wide range of gamers.

In the Bravia 5, there is a significant improvement compared to the X90L model from two years ago. The television offers literally everything its predecessor had, but this time the issues that could frustrate gamers have been fixed. The problems with setting variable refresh rate (VRR) have disappeared, and there are no longer any issues with configuring HDR content in HGiG mode. In short: we get hardware that simply works as it should, without any fuss. Therefore, the Bravia 5 has everything you could expect from a modern gaming television – and it can be reasonably advertised with the slogan “ready for PS5.” This is a statement we couldn't make about the X90L model. Well done, Sony!

It’s just a shame that this relatively high-priced model lacks a full set of four HDMI 2.1 ports. In everyday use, this won’t be a problem for most people, but if someone has a console, soundbar, and additional equipment hooked up via HDMI, at some point there will be a need to choose or juggle the cables.

The television Hisense U7KQ is characterised by very low input lag in all picture modes, which is important for gamers requiring quick screen response. Regardless of the type of signal – whether it's 4K, Full HD, 60 Hz or 120 Hz – the delays remain below 20 ms. Such a result is excellent and ensures that even the most demanding gamers will not experience any lags during gameplay. As a result, this television deserves the highest rating in terms of gaming performance.

When it comes to input lag, the Bravia 5 deserves a round of applause. Results around 7 ms at 120 Hz content are nothing short of spectacular – it’s hard to imagine a player complaining about such responsiveness. Even at 60 Hz, where the lag increases to around 15 ms, we’re still talking about values that absolutely do not spoil the fun and are not noticeable in practice. Moreover, Sony has finally tamed the Dolby Vision mode. In the X90L, it was practically unplayable – delays rose to levels of even 150 ms. Meanwhile, in the Bravia 5, the input lag remains at the same low level as with other content. This is a huge improvement and further proof that this television can truly be called “gamer-friendly.”

The Hisense U7KQ television works excellently with a PC, thanks to several key features. Firstly, it supports chroma 4:4:4, which is essential for displaying text and images in the highest quality without losing detail. As a result, images and text are clear and sharp, which is particularly important for users who use the television as a monitor for work or gaming.

Additionally, the Hisense U7KQ boasts very low input lag in PC mode, meaning minimal delays between actions performed on the computer and the image displayed. This is crucial for gamers who need quick screen response to gain an advantage in fast-paced games. Low input lag ensures that every action is instantly reflected on the screen, enhancing the overall user experience.

Despite using a BGR pixel layout instead of the more traditional RGB layout, the readability of fonts on the screen is at a good level. BGR (Blue-Green-Red) is a configuration where subpixels are arranged in a different order than in standard RGB. This can sometimes affect text quality, depending on the operating system settings.

In summary, the Hisense U7KQ is a good choice for PC users, offering support for chroma 4:4:4, low input lag, and good text readability, making it a versatile device for both work and entertainment.

In this category, the Bravia 5 deserves a commendable rating. The ideal readability of fonts thanks to the 4:4:4 chroma support makes working with a computer on this television a pure pleasure. Whether we are opening Excel, browsing documents, or just surfing the web – the text is sharp, clear, and devoid of that characteristic "haze" that can effectively detract from the enjoyment of use on many televisions. The letters look as they should: distinct, sharp, and readable even up close.

We also have good news for PC gamers. The Bravia 5 has no issues handling 120 Hz, working with both Nvidia and AMD graphics cards, supporting G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro technologies. The result is that the image is not only smooth but also free of tearing or micro-stuttering that can ruin the experience even in the best-optimised games. One can confidently connect a powerful computer and enjoy gaming on a large screen – without compromises, without frustration, and with complete comfort. The only thing we could criticise is the lack of additional modes for gamers with higher refresh rates.

The screen features a VA matrix, which unfortunately has its limitations regarding viewing angles. Unlike some competing models, Hisense U7KQ does not have any coatings that improve this aspect, meaning that the image quality significantly decreases when viewed from an angle.

With a minimal deviation from the central axis, it becomes apparent that the image contrast starts to deteriorate. Details in the dark parts of the image become excessively pronounced, and colour saturation decreases. These effects are typical for VA matrices and in practice, this means that the best viewing experience can only be achieved when sitting directly in front of the screen.

For users who plan to watch television from different spots in the room, this can be a significant limitation. Reduced image quality at an angle may impact overall satisfaction with use, especially when watching films or programmes with a larger group.

Bravia 5 uses a classic VA panel, which means one thing – the viewing angles are not its strong point. For owners of smaller sizes, this will not be an issue, as sitting directly in front, the picture looks superb. However, with larger sizes, especially at 85 inches, the situation becomes less comfortable. It is enough to sit slightly off-centre on the sofa to notice minor imperfections: the picture begins to lose saturation, the contrast weakens, and black takes on unwanted greys. It is a pity that Sony did not choose to implement additional coatings, which in the case of VA panels can bring their performance closer to that of IPS panels. Such solutions exist, and some competitors make use of them. However, they are missing here, so one must consider that Bravia 5 best shows its advantages when viewed head-on.

Hisense U7KQ does not have the best anti-reflective properties, as its panel is equipped with a satin finish that is not as effective in reducing glare as the matte coatings used in some other televisions, nor does it maintain as deep a black as glossy panels. It is somewhere between these two effects. Light reflections may be visible, particularly in brightly lit rooms, which can affect viewing comfort.

However, the high peak brightness values that this model achieves effectively compensate for these limitations. Thanks to this brightness, the image remains well visible even in sunny rooms. This makes the television perform quite well in challenging lighting conditions, where other models might struggle to provide adequate image quality.

Bravia 5 is a piece of equipment that really performs well in challenging lighting conditions. The high brightness ensures that even in the middle of the day, with the curtains wide open and sunlight streaming through the windows, the picture remains clear and sharp. There is no impression that we are watching a 'washed-out' screen. The satin coating of the panel also plays a significant role, effectively suppressing light reflections. Indeed, some reflections do appear, but they are not strong enough to interfere with viewing. These are more like subtle glows that can be noticed when we consciously look for them, rather than a real everyday problem. As a result, the Bravia 5 is suitable not only for the evening in a dimly lit room but also in bright living rooms, where other televisions might falter. Therefore, it can be said that this is a 'universally light' model – it is suitable for both evening screenings and watching news or sports in full sunlight.

Hisense uses the VIDAA operating system, which is a proprietary solution from this brand. Although it does not offer as much expansion and the number of applications as the popular Android TV, it has its advantages. The VIDAA system operates quickly and stably, meaning that users do not have to worry about glitches or long loading times for applications.

Nevertheless, VIDAA does have certain limitations. There are quite a few applications available, but unfortunately, there is a lack of music apps such as Spotify or Tidal. Nevertheless, VIDAA supports most standard features that may be needed, such as screen mirroring, voice search in Polish, the ability to connect a keyboard and mouse, and Bluetooth headphones.

The television also supports many other features that are important to users, such as the ability to record programmes to USB and schedule recordings. However, it lacks more specific features like teletext or "Audio Only" mode, which allows users to listen to audio with the screen turned off.

In summary, the VIDAA system, although less well-known and having certain limitations compared to Android TV, offers stable and fast performance and supports most features that users may need. It is a solid solution for those looking for a simple and effective operating system in their television.

GoogleTV and SmartTV Features

Sony Bravia 5 operates on Google TV, and it must be acknowledged that this is one of the best-optimised systems from this brand. The interface runs smoothly, there are no irritating bugs or strange translations, and navigating through the menu doesn't feel like walking through a minefield. Admittedly, there are moments when it experiences a slight hiccup – as if the system has its "weaker moments" – but these are rare enough not to spoil the overall impression. We have full support for AirPlay, voice search with the help of Google AI assistant, and the ability to download practically any app that comes to mind. The only drawback in the tests turned out to be the screen mirroring function, which theoretically should work with laptops and phones, yet in practice proved to be nearly useless – on Windows and Android, stable image transmission could not be achieved.

Usability Features

From the perspective of classic features, Bravia 5 performs solidly and practically. A significant advantage is the presence of two remote controls – one is a sleek, modern smart remote, and the other, while operating via infrared, has a classic numerical keypad. This allows us to always choose which remote fits the situation better. The EPG, or electronic programme guide, is clear and allows you to programme recordings onto a USB drive – a solution that seems simple but is incredibly useful. Additionally, the television supports various device connections: from an amplifier or soundbar via HDMI eARC to headphones and other wireless accessories via Bluetooth. This is a setup that makes the television not just a screen but a well-thought-out home entertainment hub.

The built-in media player in the Hisense U7KQ television performs well with most popular video formats; however, there may occasionally be issues with loading subtitles, which can be frustrating for users who prefer watching films with text.

It is worth noting some limitations regarding support for less popular codecs, such as AV1 and H266. Although these codecs are not yet widely used, their lack of support could pose a problem in the future as they become more common. However, for the time being, most users will not feel their absence.

Strange behaviour has been observed when playing photos – some files in certain resolutions may not load properly. This can be problematic for individuals who wish to browse their photographs directly from a USB drive. For this reason, viewing photos on this television may be limited, as some files may not load at all.

In summary, although the built-in media player of the Hisense U7KQ handles most standard video formats well, users may encounter certain limitations related to loading subtitles and photos in specific resolutions. Issues with support for less popular codecs are currently minimal but may become more significant in the future.

Bravia 5 handles multimedia playback from USB quite efficiently. In practice, almost everything works – films, music, photos – although of course we encountered some minor issues. Some subtitles can cause problems, as can exotic photo formats, which were not always recognised correctly. However, this is standard in the world of televisions, and it's hard to take serious offence at it. A significant advantage is the fact that thanks to Android, we are not solely reliant on the system player. It's enough to install an external application, such as VLC, and all limitations disappear. This is the strength of this system – the manufacturer does not confine us to their ecosystem but allows freedom of choice.

The Hisense U7KQ television offers satisfactory sound quality that is adequate for most everyday applications. The sound system of this model is characterised by good volume and clarity, making dialogues and sound effects clear. However, the television may not provide the full audio experience that can be obtained from dedicated audio systems or soundbars. One of the main audio advantages of the U7KQ is its ability to reproduce sound with minimal distortion at higher volume levels reaching up to 83dB, as well as support for Dolby Atmos and DTS.

Bravia 5 positively surprises in terms of audio. The sound is pleasant, with a slightly noticeable bass thanks to the proprietary Bass Reflex speakers. Overall, it plays loudly, clearly, and definitely above average for a television – 40 W of power in a 2.2 configuration is an impressive result in this class. The placement of the speakers on the sides of the casing also plays a significant role, making the sound spread throughout the room and providing a sense of space. However, one should not be overly optimistic. It is still not on the level of even the simplest soundbar. Bravia 5 performs excellently in everyday use, but for those who enjoy strong sound and a cinematic effect, additional audio equipment will be essential – as is the case with nine out of ten televisions available today on the market.

Hisense U7KQ vs Sony BRAVIA 5 (XR5)

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

Daytime performance

Panel details

TV features

Classic features:

Smart features:

GoogleTV and SmartTV Features

Usability Features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound

Acoustic Measurements