Hisense Slashes Price on UR9 Model

The Hisense UR9, the first RGB LED TV to hit the market this year, is now available at significantly reduced prices. The 65-inch model is priced at $1,999, the 75-inch at $2,999, and the 85-inch at $3,999, offering discounts ranging from $1,500 to $2,000 depending on the size. (The price for the 100-inch model hasn’t been updated yet.)

When I first reviewed the UR9, my main concern was its initial price tag of $3,500 for the 65-inch version. At that price, both the LG G6 and Samsung S95H — top-tier OLED TVs — were cheaper, and OLED technology still outshines what I’ve experienced with RGB LEDs. Just two days after my review went live, Samsung announced pricing for its own high-end R95H RGB LED TV, which came in $300 lower than the Hisense. It seems likely that this price adjustment from Hisense is a response to Samsung’s announcement.

Currently, Hisense and Samsung are the only brands offering a 65-inch version of their premium RGB models. LG’s MRGB95 starts at 75 inches, while TCL’s smallest RM9L is 85 inches, both of which are now priced higher than the offerings from Samsung and Hisense. We’re still waiting for more information on Sony’s True RGB models expected later this year.

Typically, TV manufacturers lower prices as models age, and Hisense and TCL have a history of slashing prices by a few hundred dollars a month or two after launch. For instance, TCL reduced the price of its 65-inch QM8L from $2,500 to $1,800 within a week. However, a $1,500 price drop on launch day is a bold move from Hisense.

The Hisense UR9 is a bright, color-rich TV now available at a much more appealing price point. Its main rival is the TCL QM8L, which utilizes a blue LED backlight and SQD technology, similar to the X11L, instead of the RGB LEDs. While the TCL may offer comparable performance — I’ll be reviewing it soon — for those eager to embrace the new RGB LED technology, this price reduction makes the UR9 an even more attractive choice.