Sharp GP7 vs Hisense A7NQ

In terms of HDR, Sharp GP7 can pleasantly surprise us. A maximum brightness of around 500 nits is the threshold at which the real benefits of high dynamic range become visible. During our tests, we achieved stable values between 430 and 500 nits, which translated to clearer differentiation of elements in both bright and slightly darker scenes. Additionally, the DCI-P3 colour space coverage was around 95%, allowing for vibrant, visually pleasing colours. Of course, this is not the highest league, but considering this price range – it’s a big plus.

We checked how the Hisense A7NQ performs with HDR, and there are no surprises here. The luminance graph showed a maximum brightness level of 370 nits. The result? Exactly what one could expect – average. At around 350 nits, HDR does not particularly stand out compared to SDR. Indeed, there is a subtle difference in more brightly lit scenes, but it is not an effect that leaves you stunned. As for the coverage of the wide colour gamut, the result was 92% for DCI-P3 and 70.2% for BT.2020. These are decent values for a TV in this class, which uses a PFS coating – the same one that is sometimes promoted as QLED. Colours look good, but we shouldn’t expect something that competes with the best screens on the market. HDR on the Hisense A7NQ is more of an addition than a "game changer." For those looking for solid image quality on a moderate budget – quite acceptable. However, if we expect full HDR capabilities, it is worth looking at models from the higher price range.

Upon removing it from the box, in movie mode, GP7 does not perform poorly at all. In HD materials, we noticed slight disturbances in white balance – drops in red and blue, which made the image have a somewhat greenish hue. This is evident, for example, on the faces of characters, which become less three-dimensional. The gamma is somewhat brightened in places, resulting in less deep blacks. In 4K HDR content, a cooler, bluish tone additionally comes to the fore, making the colours appear less natural. On the other hand, looking from the perspective of "straight out of the box," these settings are not bad – only minor adjustments are needed, and with the help of specific tools, we will try to improve them.

When testing the Hisense A7NQ in Filmmaker mode, we were hoping for compliance with the manufacturer's assumptions, but unfortunately, reality looks different. The main issue, as with most televisions, is white balance. In the case of the A7NQ, we noticed a clear dominance of blue, which affected both lower quality materials and 4K HDR content. The results of the Color Checker tests confirm this, and the comparative images speak for themselves – the leading actress in "factory" mode appears cool and pale. It looks as if she has been drained of life.

As for brightness characteristics, both gamma and the EOTF curve show that the image is excessively bright. As a result, everything appears flat, lacking depth and contrast. This state of affairs definitely does not work in favour of the A7NQ and makes the viewing experience in factory mode leave much to be desired. If we expect natural colour reproduction and appropriate image depth, the A7NQ in Filmmaker mode is unlikely to impress us. It is a television that requires considerable adjustment to bring out its potential.

Calibration really makes a difference in Sharp GP7. After making adjustments, we achieved a better white balance in HD content, and the colours began to appear much more natural, with minimal deviations and without a noticeable dominance of individual hues. In 4K HDR, the change is not as spectacular, but still noticeable. The gamma has been brought to a more neutral level, although there remains an issue with a slight boost in the brightest details on the screen. The lack of control over dynamic tone mapping limits our manoeuvrability, but nonetheless, it is a significant step forward compared to the factory settings.

Hisense A7NQ offers several tools that allow for improved image quality, so we decided to take matters into our own hands and "dig around" in the settings a bit. Thanks to professional tools and measurements, we managed to correct the white balance, eliminating the excessive dominance of blue colour in both HD and 4K materials. This is a significant step forward, as in the Color Checker test, the colour reproduction errors in lower quality content dropped to a much more acceptable level. Unfortunately, the 4K materials still fall short of perfection – the colour inaccuracies are considerable and stem from the limitations of the television.

As for the gamma, we managed to set it at the correct level, which significantly reduced the excessive brightening of the image. However, the issue with brightness characteristics in 4K content remains unresolved – the EOTF curve still shows excessive brightness across the entire screen. It’s possible that correct implementation of dynamic tone mapping could help here, but as we mentioned earlier, this feature in the Hisense A7NQ works rather poorly, rather than being helpful. Nevertheless, the calibration has significantly improved the overall image reception. The director's vision is now much better represented than in the factory settings, which will certainly be appreciated by more demanding viewers.

The television is quite capable of scaling lower quality content. Our test patterns were well reproduced, and although there was minimal banding on fine, delicate shapes (for example, thin branches), it still looked satisfactory. Additionally, Sharp GP7 offers a "10-bit colour reproduction" feature to smooth tonal transitions in poor quality materials. It is useful, but at the cost of some details, so we recommend turning it on only when we are truly watching something subpar.

The Hisense A7NQ impresses with the smoothness of tonal transitions in 4K content, but unfortunately, there is no feature here to improve this aspect in older materials of lower quality. In such cases, colour transitions become more visible, which can slightly detract from the overall image, especially in scenes with a lot of gradients.

When it comes to upscaling, the television performs surprisingly well. The image is noticeably improved, although there are some compromises. It can be seen that the television adds a bit of artificial sharpness, and background elements, such as branches, display slight "jaggies." However, these are details that will primarily catch the eye of those who pay attention to such nuances.

With a 60 Hz panel and an average response time, it’s hard to expect miraculous smoothness. In dynamic tests, such as the one with the “little green man”, it’s evident that the picture can stutter and occasionally lose sharpness. For watching films and series, this is acceptable, especially as you can make use of a motion smoother with three levels of adjustment. However, if we are keen on ultra-smooth sports broadcasts or super-responsive gaming, we may feel unsatisfied.

The Hisense A7NQ is equipped with a 60 Hz panel, which means that dynamic scenes – for example in sports or games – perform rather averagely here. This is standard for this class of equipment, but it must be acknowledged that watching more intense, fast-moving content can leave a lot to be desired. However, when it comes to films, the television offers a motion smoothing feature that operates on a 10-point scale. The "judder reduction" option allows you to tailor the smoothness of the image to your own preferences. At the lowest setting, we get a natural film frame rate, which will please cinema purists. Meanwhile, the maximum setting provides a very smooth, theatrical image that may appeal to those who prefer a more "smoothed" motion.

Let's not kid ourselves – GP7 Sharp is not a television for the most demanding console gamers. Yes, it has ALLM which automatically switches the TV to low latency mode, but it lacks VRR or G-Sync. We also won't find any advanced menu to assist in selecting settings during gameplay. Dolby Vision in games? It's there, but with such a high input lag that it's hard to speak of comfort. If we play occasionally and are not aiming for the highest standards, it can be managed, but fans of technological innovations will be disappointed.

Hisense A7NQ is a piece of equipment that can pleasantly surprise gamers, although it is not without its flaws. The fact that we have a 60 Hz panel here immediately suggests that the television is not designed for the most demanding gaming scenarios. The motion blur that we described earlier can also be an obstacle, especially in dynamic games.

However, there are a few things that are worth praising. The television supports ALLM (automatic game mode) and VRR (variable refresh rate), which is not always standard in this price range. The biggest surprise, however, is that the A7NQ can display images at 120 Hz – albeit only in Full HD resolution, but nevertheless, it's a significant nod to gamers. This provides the option to choose between smoothness and resolution, which is not obvious in televisions at this price.

A nice addition is the Game Bar, which is clear and practical – all the most important functions are at hand, without digging through the settings. However, it lacks support for HGiG, which may be a disappointment for gamers looking for perfect HDR in games.