LG QNED93A / QNED90A vs Hisense E7Q PRO / E79Q PRO

Although the number of local dimming zones in the LG QNED93A has not directly translated to noticeably better contrast, it is hard to deny one thing about this model – it is brighter than its predecessor. In synthetic tests, we recorded values around 1400-1500 nits, and more importantly, these results are reflected in real film scenes. In full-screen sequences flooded with white or bright lights, the screen could maintain high luminance, which created a truly decent amazing HDR effect. Unfortunately, where the television could showcase true class, that is in scenes requiring precision, all the magic dissipates. The dimming algorithms, which we mentioned earlier, operate so aggressively that small bright objects – such as distant lights, stars, or the moon – can almost completely disappear. A glance at the test scenes from the film Pan or Sicario 2 (screens 2 and 4) shows how subtle details are dimmed to the limits of their visibility. It's a pity, as a greater number of zones could theoretically have led to significantly better results. Fortunately, there are also strengths. The QNED93A performs well in terms of colour gamut coverage, achieving around 96% of the DCI-P3 standard. As a result, colours in films appear vivid and full, and the picture does not lose intensity even in more demanding scenes. Therefore, one could say that the HDR in this model is solid, although the underdeveloped local dimming algorithms hinder its full potential.

When it comes to the quality of the HDR effect, the E7Q PRO is unfortunately not a television that can impress with brightness alone. In real film materials, we measured around 250–300 nits, which is simply too little for HDR to look spectacular. There is a lack of that "spark" in bright details, highlights, and light effects, and in many HDR scenes, it can resemble good SDR more than true cinematic HDR. The consolation in all this is the colours. We managed to confirm that the E7Q PRO is a PFS-type television, meaning it has an additional filter that improves colour gamut coverage. As a result, even if the brightness does not deliver, the colours in HDR content can be appropriately saturated and pleasing to the eye, without the feeling of a "washed-out" image.

In filmmaker mode, the colour reproduction on the QNED93A was relatively accurate, although there were some reservations. In SDR content, the white balance was shifted towards warmer tones, which gave the screen a slight yellowish tint overall. The gamma, in turn, led to a slight brightness increase, making the image appear somewhat less natural, especially in scenes requiring precise shading (this is clearly visible in the comparison photo). This is not a problem that immediately stands out to every viewer, but more discerning individuals may feel that the image deviates from the aesthetics intended by the filmmakers. In HDR materials, the situation was somewhat different. The white balance, in this case, was quite good, ensuring that the whites neither leaned towards pink nor unwanted green hues. However, managing brightness turned out to be an issue. An analysis of the EOTF curve revealed that at certain moments, the television could be noticeably too dark where it shouldn't be, losing some detail and lowering the realism of the scenes. This spoiled the reception of HDR effects, which were theoretically supposed to make the biggest impression. For this reason, we decided to carry out calibration.

In terms of colour reproduction, we tested the Hisense E7Q Pro in Movie mode, which turned out to be the best built-in preset without a doubt. This mode, unlike the Eco, Standard or Dynamic settings, offers the most natural colours straight out of the box. Although no factory mode is completely free of flaws, the E7Q Pro deserves high praise for its colour rendering in standard SDR content. The colour palette is very well tuned here, and the errors in the Color Checker tests often did not exceed a value of 3, which is an outstanding result rarely seen in such affordable televisions. The only drawback we noted in SDR is the tendency to darken some elements of the image, as indicated by the slightly raised gamma graph. The television performs slightly worse with colours in HDR mode. Here, colour errors become noticeable to the naked eye, mainly due to a lack of blue in the white balance. This causes the colours on the screen to be too warm, and for some viewers, they may even seem “too cinematic.” Of course, to improve these parameters, we proceeded with professional calibration.

After professional calibration, the Filmmaker mode on the QNED93A has improved primarily in areas that matter most on a daily basis. We managed to correct the white balance and eliminate the yellowish tint in SDR content, which is what we watch most often – television, streaming services, or standard quality films. As a result, the colours look natural and pleasant, making the overall experience much more comfortable. We also made adjustments in HDR mode, but here the biggest issue turned out to be the EOTF curve. Although LG offers some flexibility in the settings, the television still manages brightness on its own terms. It is evident that the local dimming algorithms are not fully refined and can ruin the viewing experience by darkening parts of the image at inappropriate times. Nevertheless, it is worth opting for calibration of this model, especially the mode intended for everyday viewing.

In the case of materials with a standard dynamic range (SDR), our actions in Filmmaker mode turned out to be largely cosmetic 😉. We mainly focused on a subtle adjustment of the white balance and equalising the gamma curve, which allowed us to recover details in the darker areas of the image that previously tended to get lost. However, it is worth noting that the E7Q Pro unit we tested was exceptionally well-made at the factory. We remind you that these parameters depend on the specific unit – with mass production, factory calibration can be random, so your unit may require slightly different intervention. The biggest beneficiary of professional calibration was undoubtedly HDR mode. This is where we did the most work, which brought spectacular results. We managed to effectively tame the excessive warmth of the image, caused by a factory deficiency in blue colour. After calibration, the colour errors were reduced to a significantly lower level, which will certainly please those who watch a lot of streaming content in HDR format, expecting faithful reproduction.

The LG QNED93A proves to be a very solid television for everyday use. Its image processor handles scaling extremely well, which means even older films or terrestrial television benefit from increased sharpness and detail. During the screening of "The Godfather," it is clearly visible how upscaling retrieves additional details from the image – the faces of the characters and the texture of their clothing appear much clearer than in the original material.

The digital image processing also deserves praise. The television is equipped with a function for reducing unwanted colour banding and screen irregularities. It works best in the "Medium" setting – subtly smoothing tonal transitions without excessively interfering with the image. As a result, the natural film grain is preserved, and the screen does not appear artificially smooth. It is possible that in some scenes slight colour banding can still be observed, but in practice, the effect is more beneficial than with a stronger intervention from the algorithm.

When it comes to upscaling and digital image processing, the E7Q PRO deserves praise. The scaling performs really well and does not dramatically fall behind much more expensive, advanced televisions. Lower-quality materials can look clean and sensible, without the impression that the image is artificially "enhanced." However, the smoothing function presents a bit worse. Indeed, it can be effective and improve tonal transitions in poor quality materials, but at the same time, it can introduce undesirable effects. It sometimes removes grain or adds unwanted artefacts, giving the image a more "digital" character. Therefore, we mainly recommend it to those who prefer a smoother, less cinematic style of image.

The LG QNED93A is equipped with a 144 Hz panel. This is primarily a nod to gamers, but the fact that higher refresh rates are increasingly making their way into televisions can be viewed positively. In everyday viewing, 120 Hz remains key, and in this respect, the QNED93A performs well. The manufacturer also provides the option to adjust the picture using the TruMotion system – the De-Judder and De-Blur sliders allow you to choose between a cinematic motion character with visible frames and a complete smoothing with theatrical motion.

In the category of smearing and motion fluidity, the E7Q PRO has one very strong argument. At this price, Hisense has included a 120 Hz panel, and in PC mode, it can even operate at 144 Hz. This immediately provides greater possibilities in motion settings, as the menu offers more options for smoothing the image. Among other things, we have frame interpolation options, which allow us to adjust the fluidity for sports or films, depending on whether we prefer a more cinematic character or a "theatrical" smoothness.

LG QNED93A is a television that has undoubtedly been prepared with gamers in mind. Right from the outset, we get a complete set – all four HDMI ports operate in standard 2.1, so regardless of whether we connect a console, PC or amplifier, we can be assured of full compatibility. This is important, as many manufacturers still limit themselves to two ports, and here nothing hinders the entire equipment from having maximum capabilities. There is also an automatic game mode (ALLM), which automatically switches the television to the appropriate settings when the console is turned on, as well as variable refresh rate (VRR). This ensures the picture doesn't stutter or jerk, even when the frame rate drops – whether in dynamic shooters or during races.

The 144 Hz panel gives an additional advantage in computer games. While 120 Hz is sufficient for consoles, in the case of PCs, the QNED93A allows for even more – every movement, every glance to the side is refreshed faster, and this makes a difference, especially in e-sports. The manufacturer also considered HDR in gaming – the television supports the HGiG mode, which are guidelines to ensure that the lighting effects are exactly as the game developers intended. To top it off, we get Game Bar – a special information bar that appears on the screen, showing parameters in real-time. You can monitor the frame rate, active VRR functions, or the level of input lag. This solution is useful not only for settings enthusiasts but for anyone who wants to quickly check what mode the television is operating in and whether everything is working as it should.

The E7Q PRO is a phenomenal screen for gamers. Aside from the typical "ache" of Hisense, which is the lack of support for the HGiG format due to permanently active tone mapping, we get practically everything one can expect from a television that is to have a gaming label. There are two HDMI 2.1 ports, along with a full set of key features. We have variable refresh rates, automatic switching to game mode, and support for 4K at 120 Hz. Additionally, all the most important settings are at hand in a clear Game Bar. This tool not only looks modern but also has a typically "gaming" edge and truly makes life easier while gaming.