In this episode of You Asked, we tackle TV reliability, break down what QLED Plus actually means, and decide if the ultra-bright Hisense U9 is worth the price. Plus, we clear up the confusion around Mini LED vs edge-lit TVs so you know exactly what you’re buying.
When TVs fail too soon
@RatchetDuck asks: My TCL burnt out after 3 years and I’m trying to find a replacement that isn’t bankrupting but I need reliability, will this (TCL QM6K) also burn out after only 3 years?
So… Mr. Duck… it should not. The TCL QM6K is a solid Mini LED TV, among the better models that TCL makes. Personally, I’d be curious to know which specific model burnt out on you and whether or not it was one of the really budget TVs.
And that kinda goes across the board. I really try not to come off as a TV snob on this channel because I’m definitely NOT a TV snob in real life. And you don’t need to be to find a great TV these days, especially with options TCL QM6K, which now starts at less than 500 dollars.
But it is worth noting that you do get what you pay for. So if you choose to go the really budget friendly route for some of the lower tier edge lit TVs that DON’T have the newer, improved processors and backlight systems, you may get a TV that’s just not up to par with what else is available. And it may not last as long if you drive it hard.
Like… 15 dollar cross-trainers aren’t gonna hold up on a rocky trail like 150 dollar hiking boots.
So regardless of brand… Samsung, LG, TCL… whoever… a lot of them make really inexpensive models, but wouldn’t expect any of them to hold up as long as some of the higher priced options.
Also… it’s electronics and things happen and parts fail all the time. TVs, phones, vehicles, cameras, home appliances… that’s life.
So yes I think the TCL QM6K is a good buy, especially at its discounted price. But if you do want a brand change in the same price range, the Hisense U65QF is another solid pick.
What is QLED+?
@theplayernkc asks: What’s up with QLED+?
So that is something that Philips uses to describe its QLED TVs and separate them from the competition with a few improvements.
What you typically find in those QLED+ models is more heat-resistant materials, sometimes panels that do a better job handling glare, and specific gaming upgrades like a 144 hertz refresh rate.
If that doesn’t sound super special to you… well… it’s probably because some of those things are also found in the TCL, Hisense, Samsung, Sony and LG TVs we discuss a lot on this channel as well.
Kinda like how Hisense calls their QLED TVs “ULED.” It’s more of a change with processing and specific panel differences than it being definitively better than another Mini LED TV.
Do with that what you will. But don’t assume you’re necessarily getting a huge improvement over the competition because there’s a “plus” at the end of the name.
Is the Hisense U9 worth it right now?
@mattgriesbachhh406 asks: Is the u9 75 inch worth buying at its current price point $1388?
With the next question Matt asks… Is the 75-inch Hisense U9 worth buying at its current price of 1,388 dollars?
I think it is. It’s certainly not lacking for brightness hitting up to 6500 nits. So if you’re in a bright room like all the other people that have asked about a good TV for such situations, the U9 should be on your short list.
My main reservation is… do you need it? The Hisense U8QG gives you a lot of what this TV does, including the ability to hit 5000 nits peak brightness, which is still more than most people need. So you could save a little money going with the U8 instead of the U9.
It’s not a ton of money right now. I think you’d only save 100 bucks or so, but it’s nice to see this TV slide into the significant price and performance gap between the U8QG and the rest of the 2025 lineup that includes a 25 thousand dollar 116 inch RGB backlit TV and even more expensive Micro LED option.
In any case, keep an eye out for sales. Hisense has lots of them right now, and it seems like they’re changing by the day as they try to clear out their 2025 stock. If you’re looking for a new TV, it’s a good time to be weighing your options.
Can a Mini LED TV be edge lit?
@trebleclefjones4899 asks: I see an LG that says it’s edge lit and mini LED? Does that sound right? Its the: LG 75-Inch Class QNED evo AI QNED85A Series Mini LED 4K Smart TV. Spec sheet says edge lit???
Lots of you have had this question. And it’s confusing. And to rant just for like 15 seconds… I think a big part of what TV manufacturers are doing in terms of the new ways to improve panels and picture quality is really cool. Technology is being used in ways we didn’t know it could.
But for every new tech label or acronym… QNED… QLED… SQD… ULED… etc… there are always still a few models that muddy the waters and hope you don’t notice a difference, all in the name of selling a TV for more than they should.
Case and point… this QNED 85A, which isn’t alone in creating a TV that’s both edge lit and Mini LEDs. The trick is… those smaller LEDs are placed around the edge of the TV where the backlight is, which does provide more dimming zones, but it’s still not nearly as effective as full-array local dimming. That’s what you expect to find in a Mini LED TV, a dimming system that provides zones throughout the entire panel, not just in certain parts.
And the results, as you’d expect, tell the story. That QNED 85A isn’t giving you great contrast, and it’s not going to get bright enough for the HDR experience you’d get out of a TV with full-array local dimming.
On Best Buy’s site, they list the backlight type as Edge Lit. RTINGS, which does very thorough testing, knows this to be an Edge Lit TV. But on LG’s site, no mention of it being Edge Lit. They prefer to just highlight its Mini LED capability and not go into more specifics.
What I’d say is… if you can view the TV in person or view it next to a Mini LED TV with full-array local dimming, do that and see if one stands out or one bothers you. Try not to take it from just online advice.
But also… I wouldn’t pay what they’re asking for that TV. Not when you can get much more bang for your buck with other brands whose TVs come with full-array local dimming and cost less.
