Hisense A7G 4K TV review

The Hisense A7G range is available in screen sizes from 43 inches to 85 inches, ranging in price from $899RRP to $3,499RRP. I was sent the 50-inch model for review, which has an RRP of $999 and whose pricing is reflected in the table below.

The Hisense A7G 4K TV comes with everything you need, including a TV stand, an optional VESA wall mount and there are also two included AAA batteries for the Hisense TV remote. At around 10kg without the stand, the 50-inch A7G model I was sent to review is light enough to be handled solo. I was even able to attach the TV unit stand without too much effort (note that two people are recommended for installation).

Even at an RRP of $999, the 50-inch version of the Hisense A7G is a great price for an entry-level 4K TV that has surprising features. Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos support are a great starting place but so too is the Wide Colour Gamut (great selection of on-screen colours), while Direct Lighting makes for a more uniform backlighting experience compared to edge-lit sets.

The A7G has inbuilt 4K upscaling for 2K content with admirable results. Despite a plasticky feel, I was impressed that the Hisense TV remote comes with voice support for both Alexa and Amazon Assistant. Not that you really need them: the Hisense TV remote itself has a great layout with generously sized buttons, easy navigation and dedicated shortcuts for Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Stan, ABC iView and Kayo Sports. It does make searching for content easier, though.

Alternatively, you can access these apps and more via the VIDAA U5 home screen interface. Still, while it’s easy enough to install an array of apps, there are some big ones missing here, including Disney Plus, Binge, Paramount Plus, Apple TV Plus and BritBox, a well as free-to-air companions 7Plus, 9Now and 10 Play. There’s seemingly no easy way to download new apps, customise the order of existing apps or uninstall the ones you don’t want.

Gamers will appreciate the inclusion of Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Automatic Low-Latency Mode (ALLM), which make gaming on the A7G feel both smooth and responsive. It’s worth flagging that despite some initial confusion, the A7G doesn’t sport the HDMI 2.1 ports required to reach 4K@120Hz (not that you’d expect it at this price point).

The other neat feature is the option to transform the A7G into a digital picture frame. While not all art is available in 4K resolution, VIDAA Art lets you choose from 370 million free DeviantArt options. Additionally, the 5.5-star rating means longer sessions, as art or in use, shouldn’t be too draining on the energy bill (certainly not compared to an OLED screen).

Below is a breakdown of the 50-inch model of the Hisense A7G 4K TV.

The Hisense A7G 4K TV is a budget-friendly set that feels like it’s built for those buying their first 4K TV or seeking a second tele option in the home. While the lack of an Android OS limits the versatility of its native app offerings, there’s an easy and cost-effective fix: Chromecast.

What’s trickier to fix out of the box is the lacklustre colour settings on offer, particularly from the presets. Even without a side-by-side comparison with my ageing LG C7 OLED 4K TV, while the resolution and image clarity are strong in 4K streaming tests, colours are overexposed and washed out. You can tweak this manually for a better image, but for those who prefer to plug in and play via presets, it’s a shame there’s not a go-to preset or two that pop.

The A7G excels at a consistent bright image, though, so bingeing and gaming at any time of day is easy to see, even in a well-lit room. Plugging in a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X made the A7G automatically detect the gaming consoles (though it named the PS5 input and not the XSX). If either of those consoles is the last thing you used before turning off the tele, it will power them back on next time you flick on the A7G.

This will either be a convenience or annoyance, depending on how many devices you have connected and how often you shuffle. Unfortunately, the A7G only has three HDMI ports, which you will absolutely notice if you want to connect all the current consoles and a Chromecast. Still, performance across Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5 and Chromecast tests were speedy, automatically configured (for the consoles) and impressive for the price point.

The tinny TV speakers are less impressive. Unlike other TVs I’ve tested over the years, the A7Gs do get loud sooner rather than later on the volume scale, and they can pump out the volume at higher settings, but there’s a distinct lack of bass, which detracts from the overall oomph. You absolutely want to pair the A7G with a compatible soundbar (via Bluetooth) or speaker system (via SPDIF).

When it comes to buying a 4K TV, you usually get what you pay for. This tends to translate to treating a high-fidelity tele as an investment rather than something to save bucks on, but the Hisense A7G is a 4K TV that’s offered at a great price and packs some impressive features.

While the operating system isn’t the speediest and its default streaming app offering isn’t as fully featured as I’d like, there are enough core entertainment options here, including Netflix, Stan and Prime Video. Only having three HDMI ports will prove to be an issue for those hoping to connect lots of devices, too.

The A7G isn’t going to blow you away if you’re used to dropping double or triple its RRP on a TV set. For everyone else, though, the Hisense A7G is a great 4K TV that offers good results at a very reasonable price.