Hisense will challenge TCL's success with 98-inch 4K TVs by launching a slightly bigger 100-inch LCD TV with 4K resolution and miniLED zone dimming.
Update: The 100-inch is also coming to North America as the 100U8K (8 series) for $10,000.
The 100-inch – technically 99.5-inch but TV makers are allowed to round up – will be part of Hisense's U7KQ range in Europe starting this fall and cost around 3500 to 5000 Euro, depending on your country, which is comparable to last year's 98-inch C735 model from TCL.

There is a miniLED backlight with 1620 dimming zones behind the 120Hz VA LCD panel. It supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision but FlatpanelsHD has yet to see it in action so we cannot comment on its HDR picture quality. It features two HDMI 2.1 ports with VRR, ALLM and eARC.

 The size of the 99.5-inch Hisense 100U7KQ

The smaller U7KQ sizes are Hisense's first to feature MediaTek's Pentonic 700 chip so unless there is different hardware in the 100-inch version – which is not unheard of for the largest TV sizes – it too should support Dolby Vision gaming at up to 4K 120Hz.

Like other Hisense models in Europe, 100U7KQ comes with the company's homegrown Vidaa platform instead of Google TV. Some local streaming apps are missing on Vidaa but at least Apple users can make up for it by using AirPlay 2.


The very large LCD TVs
TCL kick-started the trend of large-sized 4K LCD TVs last year with the launch of relatively affordable 98-inch models. The 98-inch 4K models have proven a lot more popular with consumers than large-sized 8K models that remain prohibitively expensive.

Since then, Sony and Samsung have launched their own versions of a 98-inch 4K LCD TV with TCL's panel inside.

And now Hisense is joining the race, a company that we expect to compete aggressively on price putting further pressure on conventional movie projectors for the home. However, make sure that your TV furniture is sturdy, as Hisense's 100-inch weighs more than 70 kilograms, and that you have a good sound system to match, as the built-in 2.1 speakers will not get you far.

Hisense's 100U7KQ is expected to be available in Europe later in September or October.

Hisense U7KQ – specifications
 FlatpanelsHD