TV purchases in India have significantly evolved. Earlier, getting a big 4K screen was often enough, but today, people expect much more from their TVs. From better picture quality and sound to OTT, gaming, connectivity and smart features, the TV has become a crucial part of the modern living space. The Hisense E8S seems to follow this shift.

I reviewed the 65-inch model that comes with a price tag of ₹76,990. It is positioned as a premium, value-driven Mini-LED TV with features such as a 144 Hz display, Full Array Local Dimming, Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos and a built-in subwoofer. I have been using the TV to see how it performs when watching movies, streaming everyday content and even gaming.

Here’s what my experience has been so far.

The Hisense E8S follows a clean and modern design that fits well in a stylish living room. The slim unibody design keeps the TV looking neat, while the thin bezels help put more focus on the screen.

The E8S also gets a semi-matte, anti-reflective panel, which I found useful in a room with some ambient light. It does not completely eliminate reflections, but it does a good job of reducing them when compared to a conventional glossy screen.

The TV comes with two feet for the stand, and the overall setup is fairly straightforward. The stand itself is simple, but it does the job well and keeps the TV stable once installed.

In terms of connectivity, you get four HDMI ports, including HDMI 2.1 support, along with two USB 2.0 ports, an antenna connector, a satellite connector, a LAN port and optical audio output. This gives you enough flexibility to connect your gaming console, PC, sound system and other devices without constantly having to switch cables.

The biggest reason to consider the E8S is its display. It combines Mini-LED technology with Quantum Dot Colour and Full Array Local Dimming to deliver better contrast and deeper blacks.

The series comes with up to 608 local dimming zones and up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness. During my use, the contrast is what stood out the most. Low-light scenes have strong depth, while brighter parts of the picture remain vivid without making the overall image look flat.

The Hi-QLED colour technology and Pantone Validation also help produce rich colours. Whether I was watching movies, sports or regular streaming content, the picture looked lively without feeling unnecessarily overprocessed.

The Hi-View AI Engine is another useful addition. It works in the background to optimise the picture, while features such as AI 4K Upscaler and AI Smooth Motion are designed to improve lower-resolution content and motion.

There is also Filmmaker Mode, HDR10+ Adaptive and Dolby Vision IQ, giving you plenty of options depending on what you are watching. Compared with some of the more established brands such as Samsung and LG, Hisense is clearly trying to compete by bringing several premium picture features at a more value-driven price.

Hisense has also paid attention to sound. The E8S comes with a built-in subwoofer tuned by Devialet and supports Dolby Atmos and WiSA SoundSend.

The built-in subwoofer gives the audio more depth than I would normally expect from a TV. Dialogue remains clear, while movies and games get a stronger bass.

Of course, a dedicated soundbar or home theatre system will still offer a more immersive experience, but I don’t think you immediately need one with the E8S. For everyday viewing, the built-in speakers are capable enough.

The E8S runs on Hisense’s VIDAA Smart OS. I found the interface straightforward, with the important settings and apps easy to access.

You also get multiple voice assistants, including Google Assistant, Alexa Built-in and VIDAA Voice. Hands-free voice control makes it easier to search for content or control certain functions without reaching for the remote.

The TV also supports Share to TV, Wi-Fi 5 and smart-home connectivity, making it a fairly complete smart TV package.

One thing I did find odd, especially considering the size and positioning of this TV, is its 1-star energy rating. For a premium 65-inch Mini-LED TV that can potentially remain switched on for several hours every day, I would have liked to see a better energy rating.

The Hisense E8S is a well-rounded Mini-LED TV that reflects how TV expectations in India have changed. The display, gaming features, built-in sound and smart connectivity mean that you are getting more than just a large screen. The Mini-LED panel with Quantum Dot Colour and local dimming delivers an engaging viewing experience, while the 144 Hz refresh rate, Game Mode Pro and HDMI 2.1 support make it equally interesting for gamers. The Devialet-tuned subwoofer is another feature that adds value to the overall package.

There are a few areas where I would have liked to see more, with the 1-star energy rating being one of them. However, if your expectation from a TV is to handle movies, OTT content, gaming and everyday entertainment without needing to add too many extras, the E8S makes a convincing case. Samsung and LG may still have stronger brand familiarity among Indian buyers, but Hisense is offering a feature-rich alternative here.