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Hisense is pushing big-screen boundaries again at CES 2025, building on the momentum from its impressive showings in prior years. In 2024, the manufacturer highlighted its NBA Championship Edition TV with groundbreaking brightness and numerous dimming zones, setting a high bar for this year’s lineup. That much is clear from its focus on Mini LED, Micro LED, AI-driven advancements, and updated audio systems. The brand has poured years into expanding its presence in the ultra-large screen category, and it’s moving forward with a level of determination that continues to intensify its position among the top premium TV makers. The new series spans from an RGB Local Dimming behemoth measuring 116 inches—known officially as the 116UX—to a massive Micro LED at 136 inches called the 136MX to an upgraded ultra-short-throw laser projector that can stretch from 100 inches up to 150 inches. Alongside these, Hisense is rolling out a new wireless home theater system designed to match bright visuals and bold contrast with equally immersive audio. Each device is built on deeper chipset integration and AI-driven enhancements, a stance that places the brand in a prime spot to challenge well-established rivals.

Designer: Hisense

Hisense’s 2024 growth numbers underscore why it steps into 2025 with such confidence. People inside the organization point to expanded color accuracy and AI upscaling as core factors in its recent jump to the number two global share position for premium TV. That progression came after surpassing brands like Samsung and LG; its presence in the US market for screens 87 inches and larger soared as well. That focus on big sizes has been a constant for Hisense, with a 150% year-over-year increase in unit share for 75-inch sets. While countless companies stick with the typical 55- or 65-inch range, Hisense has made an aggressive leap toward screens that let a home theater dominate the entire room. Its argument is that it can offer more accessible routes to advanced display technologies, unlike competitors that reserve such innovations for their most exclusive products.

Beyond pushing size boundaries, Hisense is heightening brightness across its new displays. With a peak luminance of 10,000 nits, the flagship models show the brand’s commitment to HDR performance. Reaching those brightness levels, even if briefly for highlights, requires advanced backlighting. That’s where the company insists it’s differentiating itself. In 2024, Hisense released a 110-inch “NBA Championship Edition” that achieved 10,000 nits and 40,000 dimming zones. Now, in 2025, the brand is taking Mini LED another step forward with an RGB backlight containing tens of thousands of miniaturized LEDs. Rather than stick with the usual white or blue LED approach, each module packs red, green, and blue chips inside an optical lens. Hisense says this approach increases color control and reduces harmful blue light output.

The 116-inch ULED with TriChroma LED Technology

The 116UX, which is the manufacturer’s official name for its 116-inch TriChroma LED TV, stands as a bold achievement in RGB Local Dimming Technology. It’s the only consumer TV on the market with this approach, and Hisense claims it covers about 97% of the BT.2020 color space. Unlike traditional Mini LED systems that rely on filtered white or blue backlights, RGB Local Dimming units use separate red, green, and blue diodes to generate color directly. This results in richer reds, deeper greens, and vibrant blues without the brightness loss that conventional filters can introduce.

Tens of thousands of these RGB optical lenses operate as independently controlled clusters, handling multi-level dimming at both the LED and cluster levels. This design supports brightness accuracy and color reproduction while reducing blooming. By generating color directly, the television avoids the efficiency issues often tied to filtered systems, delivering a peak brightness of up to 10,000 nits. It also reduces harmful blue light by nearly 40%, making longer viewing sessions more comfortable.

Driving these feats is the Hi-View AI Engine X, which analyzes each frame through AI-driven features like AI Peak Brightness, AI RGB Local Dimming, and AI Banding Smoother. This platform makes real-time adjustments to contrast, brightness, and color, bringing lifelike depth to every scene. Audio gets a boost from a 6.2.2 channel surround system that includes Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual X. AI Sound Optimization tailors the audio on the fly, so dialogue stands out and effects fill the room.

The 116UX also includes an ultra-low glare panel and low-reflection engineering, giving a sharp image even when ambient light creeps in. The wide viewing angle keeps color and detail consistent from every seat. At under 40 mm thick, it remains relatively sleek despite its huge footprint. This model ships with Google TV, so streaming apps and voice-activated controls are built right in. Owners can use Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit for further smart home integration. The set also supports IMAX Enhanced modes, giving home cinema buffs extra flexibility for specialized content.

A major theme for Hisense is “mini LED excellence.” Over the last year, the brand has rolled out Mini LED across its flagship models and plans to keep expanding. Company figures show that this approach has already helped it grab a huge share of the large-screen market. While many manufacturers treat Mini LED as a pricey add-on, Hisense believes it can push it at broader price levels. The 116UX is a prime example of that direction.

The 136-inch Micro LED

Side by side with the 116UX, Hisense is unveiling a 136MX Micro LED that takes self-emissive technology even bigger. Micro LED’s core idea is that each pixel is made of microscopic red, green, and blue clusters. The 136MX uses over 24.88 million sub-LEDs in total to create 4K resolution with perfect black levels and minimal halo effects. This approach avoids the burn-in risk seen in OLED, and it can reach 10,000 nits, just like top LCD-based HDR sets.

Hisense also specifies that the 136MX achieves a contrast ratio near a million to one, partly due to a special nano-crystal black coating on each panel segment. Reflectivity is much lower than what standard LCD or glass-based displays encounter, so the picture stays clear even in bright conditions. According to the manufacturer, color coverage is around 95% of BT.2020. This set relies on the same Hi-View AI Engine X platform for pixel-level adjustments, analyzing each scene to enhance clarity and color transitions. Because the 136MX is self-emissive and inorganic, the brand sees it as a durable alternative to OLED. While cost has long been an obstacle, Hisense is investing in manufacturing and vertical integration to find ways of narrowing that gap. Unlike the 116UX, the 136-inch model runs on the VIDAA OS platform, which is the company’s in-house interface.

The L9 Cube TriChroma Laser TV

Not everyone wants a 100-plus-inch panel, so Hisense is covering another angle with the L9 Cube TriChroma Laser TV that can go from 100 inches up to 150 inches. This new model adds flexible focus, making it easier to match the displayed size to your space. The brand provides ALR screens at multiple diagonals, giving the owner a range of options. The L9 Cube’s brightness can reach 4,000 lumens, around 33% higher than last year’s version, and contrast is up to about 3,000:1. The triple-laser engine covers 110% of BT 2020, and it uses an automatic alignment process once the screen is mounted, taking much of the hassle out of calibration.

The audio has been upgraded to a 6.2.2 channel system that puts out more than 116 watts, tuned by Harman Kardon for a broader theater-like experience. Because of its ultra-short-throw design, the projector can sit close to the wall, producing a massive image without swallowing your living room. Like many of Hisense’s premium releases, this model comes with Google TV. People who want a projector but don’t want typical clutter or fuss might find it appealing.

The HT Saturn Wireless Home Theater Audio System

If the integrated audio in the L9 Cube or in the giant TVs isn’t enough, Hisense has a new wireless speaker system named HT Saturn. It consists of four speakers and a subwoofer that all connect wirelessly to the TV via a small central hub. Each speaker only needs power, so you don’t need to run wires under carpets or through walls. Once they’re in place, the system emits tones and calibrates for your seating arrangement. Dolby Atmos and DTS-X support places sounds above or behind you, and the brand includes a feature called Hi-Concerto to merge the TV’s built-in drivers with the HT Saturn. This approach can widen the overall soundstage, especially if the television includes additional speakers.

Hisense sees a strong market for an easy-to-set-up, multi-channel audio solution that doesn’t require extensive home installation. The HT Saturn system seems like a logical partner for either the 116UX, 136MX, or even the L9 Cube. It’s a way to move beyond soundbars without resorting to old-school wiring or external receivers.

Vertical Integration and the Hi-View AI Engine

Hisense’s drive toward deeper vertical integration continues in 2025. The company now offers three tiers of its chipset technology—Hi-View AI Engine, Hi-View AI Engine Pro, and Hi-View AI Engine X—and the top-tier version powers its premium sets. This integration fuels faster, more capable processing for local dimming, motion smoothing, upscaling, and AI-driven color enhancements. The brand points out small performance gains of around 1.4% to 2.2% in CPU, GPU, and neural processing this year. Even if that sounds minor, the company says those improvements help with minute on-the-fly adjustments that keep fast-paced scenes looking sharp. AI features under the Hi-View umbrella handle picture, sound, scenario detection, and energy management.

Face recognition algorithms keep skin tones from looking unnatural while banding smoother eliminates streaks in gradients. Noise reduction is handled separately to minimize streaming artifacts while retaining detail. On the audio side, AI Sound lifts voices above the background noise and adjusts EQ for a more balanced output. Game modes reduce latency and tweak brightness or shadow detail to help players spot what’s lurking in dark corners. AI Energy reads ambient lighting and dims the backlight where possible, saving power and easing eye fatigue.

Hisense sees this AI integration as a big step because it simplifies operations. Instead of burying menus, the sets adapt automatically. Another new feature is “Customized Picture Mode,” which shows you a series of images and asks which you prefer. The TV then determines your color and brightness preferences and applies them. Less fussing with manual settings might appeal to mainstream viewers.

Design, Setup, and Audio Ecosystem

Hisense is mindful that a 116-inch or 136-inch display can dominate a space. The 116UX has been slimmed to under 40 mm thick. The Micro LED panels skip extra glass layers, which cuts reflection. The L9 Cube appeals to those who prefer a projector in a low console instead of a massive black rectangle on the wall. Every set includes some version of a built-in streaming platform, but the 116UX and L9 run on Google TV, while the 136MX relies on VIDAA OS. Either way, Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ come preloaded.

The manufacturer hasn’t forgotten about sound. The big 116-inch TriChroma includes a robust 6.2.2 channel setup, while the L9 Cube’s internal system has expanded power output. The new HT Saturn system goes further for those who want a bigger soundstage without permanent wiring. It wirelessly coordinates four satellites and a sub, then integrates them with the TV. Each speaker is measured with a calibration tone so the system can adjust levels and timing automatically.

A Deeper Look at AI Upgrades

Hisense insists it’s doing more than tossing in marketing buzzwords. AI-based backlight control, local dimming, and color smoothing rely on real-time machine learning, scanning each scene and each cluster of LEDs or pixels. Faces get an extra pass for skin tone accuracy and detail. Color banding in skies or water scenes is smoothed out, and compression artifacts common on streaming platforms are minimized, though not entirely erased. Motion smoothing blends with black frame insertion for those who want an extra-fluid look, and the television can dial that down if you switch to Filmmaker Mode.

The same approach applies to AI audio, scanning the audio feed to pick out dialogue and separate it from background noise or intense music. The brand’s gaming features make adjustments for latency, brightness, and color profiles. AI Energy tracks ambient light so the set can keep HDR brightness when necessary but conserve power when scenes or rooms go darker.

Implications for the TV Market

Hisense doesn’t hide its premium ambitions. Its jump from 14% to 24% of the global premium TV market over the past year shows the payoff of its broad-based Mini LED strategy. By covering Mini LED, Micro LED, and laser projection, the brand aims to attract a broad range of big-screen enthusiasts. Now it adds a multi-channel wireless audio system, tying together the whole home cinema picture. If it can keep costs below rivals, the new lineup might reshape consumer expectations for large-format TVs.

Still, distributing displays 100 inches or larger isn’t simple. Hisense must handle advanced manufacturing and complex shipping logistics. Competition with established high-end names will be intense, and image critics may question motion, black levels, color uniformity, and build quality. The company, though, hopes its vertical integration—especially in chip design and backlight engineering—gives it an edge. It’s gambling that simpler user experiences and AI-driven refinements will satisfy even demanding buyers.

Looking Past CES

CES 2025 is the grand stage for these show-stopping introductions, but the real challenge comes once the final prices hit the market. The 116UX might disrupt the segment if it matches or beats the cost of smaller OLED sets. The 136MX could raise the bar for self-emissive displays, assuming Hisense reins in the typical Micro LED price premium. The L9 Cube depends on how well the auto-calibration features adjust to average living rooms and whether viewers embrace a short-throw system over a traditional TV. If the HT Saturn setup truly delivers easy, immersive audio without cable clutter, it might attract those who’ve been stuck with soundbars.

Hisense’s unified Hi-View AI Engine and expanded wireless features shape a more interconnected 2025 product line. Tighter integration should enable better reliability and smoother updates across different models. With a solid year behind it, the brand seems positioned to continue its rise. Whether that path leads to more aggressive pricing or alternative sizing options remains to be seen. For now, at CES, Hisense is betting on bigger screens, deeper color accuracy, and user-friendly extras. If the prototypes live up to the hype in the real world, it could mark a turning point for how many people view premium home entertainment.

The post Hisense Showcases 136-inch Micro LED Breakthrough, Advanced Sound System, AI, and Chipset Innovations at CES 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.