Looking for a Big Screen Without Breaking the Bank? The Hisense E6N Could Be Your Answer.
Gone are the days when you had to spend a fortune to own a large TV. Nowadays, you can get a 50- to 55-inch screen offering a decent viewing experience and features for under Rs. 40,000. Hisense has earned a reputation for delivering quality smart TVs in the budget segment, a market with numerous competitors. We recently reviewed the Hisense E6N 55-inch smart TV, a new model launched in India, and were impressed by its value proposition. This LED smart TV, equipped with a VA panel and available in three sizes, all boast 4K UHD resolution.
The 55-inch Hisense E6N retails for Rs. 39,999 online. Does this price tag justify the viewing experience? What features can you expect at this price point? Read on to discover our findings.
Hisense E6N Smart TV Design: Modern and Slim
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 1233×716×80 (without stand)
- Weight: 10.9 kg (without stand)
- Color: Black
Hisense has opted for a sleek and minimalist design that appears premium. Slim bezels grace the sides, top, and a slightly thicker chin at the bottom. The Hisense logo sits discreetly on the bottom left edge, while the transparent power switch and indicator light are centered.
From the side, the E6N continues to impress with its slim profile and modern aesthetic. While the entire build is made of plastic (except for the seemingly metal frame), this is understandable considering the budget price point. Two sturdy plastic stands support the TV, making setup a breeze. It took us just five minutes, although we did notice a slight tilt backward when resting on the stands. Despite the plastic construction, the TV feels robust overall, and a wall-mount option with VESA mount screws is included in the box for flexibility.
The back is equally minimalist, showcasing the power outlet on one side and all the I/O ports on the other. You have three HDMI ports (supporting eARC and 4K at 60Hz), an AV input, an RF input, an Optical audio out, dual USB ports, an Ethernet (RJ45) connector, and a 3.5mm headphone port.
Hisense E6N Smart TV Display and Sound: Good for the Price
Key Features:
- Size: Up to 65-inch
- Resolution: 3840X2160 pixels
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
Our review unit was the 55-inch variant, showcasing a VA panel offering 4K UHD resolution at a 60Hz refresh rate. The E6N is also available in 43 and 65-inch screen sizes. This panel boasts 8-bit color depth, support for HDR10 and HLG, variable refresh rate (VRR), auto low latency mode (ALLM), an HEVC decoder, and 4K AI upscaling. The panel claims to deliver 300 nits of brightness, a native contrast ratio of 5000:1, and a 178-degree viewing angle.
In terms of color reproduction and HDR, the panel performs decently, offering decent color output and contrast. However, you’ll encounter some over-brightening in HDR videos, which isn’t surprising at this price point. The viewing angle is also pretty good, with colors and blacks remaining acceptable even when viewed from the sides. The display gets bright enough for indoor use, but direct light sources can make it difficult to view darker content.
For sound, the Smart TV is equipped with a 24W dual speaker setup, facing downward. The speakers can get loud, and mids and highs are clear, but they lack bass. Dolby Audio DTS Virtual X is supported, and several sound modes are available to enhance the overall experience. An AI Sports Mode aims to enhance commentator’s voices and game sounds, creating an immersive experience. While it does work to some extent, for true immersion, a surround sound system or a Dolby Atmos soundbar is recommended.
Hisense E6N Smart TV Software, Features, and Remote: Enough Options
Key Features:
- OS: Google TV (Android 12)
- Screen mirroring: DLNA / Chromecast / Miracast / AirPlay
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3
Like most budget smart TVs, the Hisense E6N runs Google TV out of the box. The operating system is Android 12, offering the familiar Google TV UI and navigation. Google Assistant voice search is supported, and access to the Play Store allows you to download compatible apps. Amazon’s Alexa is also supported. Essential streaming apps like Prime Video, Netflix, etc., are pre-installed, and the lack of bloatware is a welcome feature.
Several modes for sound and video are available, including Filmmaker and Cinema modes, which are excellent for movie viewing. AI super-resolution is another feature, effectively sharpening object edges. While this works well in most cases, images can sometimes appear over-sharpened. A 4K AI upscaler feature is also present, doing a decent job at upscaling content.
The TV comes with built-in Chromecast, enabling you to stream videos and photos from apps like Google Photos, YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, and more. You can even stream from iOS devices as the TV supports Apple AirPlay and Apple Homekit. DLNA and Miracast are also supported, allowing you to cast from compatible devices. As a Google TV, you can control the E6N using your Android phone via the Google TV app.
The remote has a D-pad, hotkeys for Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Hotstar, and Sony Liv, plus a customizable key that can be assigned to an app or action. A Menu button quickly launches the Settings anywhere in the UI, and a Google Assistant button facilitates voice search. Overall, it’s a well-designed remote that operates smoothly.
Hisense E6N Smart TV Performance: Does the Job
Key Features:
- Processor: Quad-core MediaTek MT9630
- RAM: 2GB
- Storage: 8GB (5.6GB usable)
The MediaTek MT9630 processor featured in the Hisense E6N is a tried-and-tested choice, a quad-core chipset commonly used in budget smart TVs. It effectively handles the tasks at hand. As expected for this price range, the TV comes with 2GB RAM and 8GB storage (of which only 5.6GB is usable). However, this should be enough to install all your preferred apps.
Performance-wise, we observed some lag when launching apps, switching between them, scrubbing through videos, and switching inputs. It was swift initially, but the UI seemed to become slightly sluggish over time. While it doesn’t hinder the usability of the TV, it’s noticeable and can be frustrating at times. Installing fewer apps and regularly clearing the cache can help minimize this lag.
The Hisense E6N boasts a Game Mode Plus, aiming to deliver a smooth gaming experience. It automatically activates when a gaming console is connected. We tested this by connecting a Sony PlayStation 5 and playing a few games. While the gameplay felt responsive, some lag was observed when accessing the Settings menu. The TV offers a variable refresh rate and low latency MEMC, designed to enhance gaming performance. The panel still refreshes at a maximum of 60Hz, with the variable refresh rate switching between 48 and 60Hz. HDR performance in this mode is not ideal. However, considering the price, it’s still an acceptable experience.
Hisense E6N Smart TV Verdict
The Hisense E6N Smart TV is a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking decent value. It boasts a modern design with remarkably thin bezels, good software that generally works well, a decent VA panel that holds up well indoors, and loud speakers. The remote is also noteworthy. While the picture quality could be better, it’s still a great package overall. The Rs. 39,999 price tag for the 55-inch variant is fair, but waiting for discounts or sales could yield a better deal.
