Hisense R8 Series ULED 4K TVs with Roku OS kick Android TV to the curb
For the past few years, Hisense has been a big supporter of the Android TV platform, but with the company’s latest announcement, things are changing. The new Hisense R8 Series of TVs featuring the company’s ULED 4K panels will run on Roku’s smart TV platform. While Roku OS isn’t nearly as powerful as Android TV, the platform is significantly faster, delivering a more fluid experience for users. Hisense has also done a bit of extra work to ensure that the new R8 Series TVs feature Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa integration.
“At Hisense, we understand that what matters most to viewers is the experience they have while watching TV,” said David Gold, Hisense USA Vice President, Consumer Electronics. “By partnering with Roku, we’ve combined our superior performance and quality with a world of content. The result is the R8F, which delivers an immersive viewing experience that’s perfect for relaxing with the family, enjoying a game, or experiencing your favorite movie or TV series.”
On the hardware front, the Hisense R8 Series TVs will be available in 55″ and 65″ models, both sporting ULED 4K panels with >90% DCI-P3 Wide Color Gamut support, 700 nits peak brightness, Full Array Local Dimming, Dolby Atmos audio, and Dolby Vision™ High Dynamic Range support.
Hisense may not be one of the most recognizable names for TVs these days, but the company’s commitment to quality and low prices have resulted in sales growth in the U.S. market of 102% since last year with 2-times the growth rate of its closest competitor. If the new $499.99 MSRP (55”) and $699.99 MSRP (65”) Hisense R8 TVs live up to expectations, the company could see its growth trend continue into 2020 as well. Hisense plans to have the new models available in mid-December, just in time for those last-minute holiday shopping sprees.