The Hisense 98QD5QG is one of the few ultra-large 98-inch TVs on the market. It delivers an impressive screen size at a much lower cost than many competing models, thanks to its QLED panel and native 144 Hz refresh rate. That said, size isn’t everything — this TV comes with some compromises. Based on lab testing and user feedback, here’s a breakdown of what works, what doesn’t, and whether it’s a smart buy in 2025.
Hisense 98QD5QG TV Review
Key Specifications
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Panel / Type: 98″ LED (QLED)
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Resolution: 4K (3840 × 2160)
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Native Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
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Backlight: Direct-lit (no local dimming)
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Smart Platform: Google TV
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Gaming Features: 2× HDMI 2.1, FreeSync Premium, VRR, ALLM
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Other Features: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, MEMC (motion interpolation)
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Price (Retail): ~$999.99 (Best Buy listing)
Hisense 98QD5QG TV Review Overview
Picture Quality & Brightness
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The TV’s SDR brightness is modest, making it just bright enough for moderately lit rooms, but in very bright environments it may struggle to compete with glare.
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In HDR mode, the brightness is underwhelming: highlights don’t pop, which limits the impact of HDR content.
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Without local dimming, black levels are weak — blacks tend to look gray, which diminishes contrast and depth.
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Color accuracy is decent out of the box in both SDR and HDR, but the weak contrast holds back the overall visual impact.
Motion & Gaming
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The pixel response time is slow, which introduces noticeable motion blur in fast-moving scenes and gaming.
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Thanks to its 144Hz panel and two HDMI 2.1 ports, the TV supports high-frame-rate gaming with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and low input lag.
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However, even in game mode, the motion blur and slow transitions reduce clarity when gaming or watching sports.
Viewing Experience
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The matte screen coating helps reduce reflections, and the TV handles direct light well.
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Viewing angles are relatively wide, which is beneficial given the massive size — many viewers can see the screen clearly from off-center seats.
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Uniformity and grey-scale consistency are not perfect: there is some “dirty screen effect,” and darker corners are visible in some test patterns.
Smart Features & Usability
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Google TV powers the smart experience: you get access to a broad app library, voice control, and casting capabilities.
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There is support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+, improving compatibility with modern HDR sources.
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For gaming, the Game Bar and low latency of HDMI 2.1 make this TV appealing for console and PC gamers — when performance is not limited by blur.
Strengths
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Massive screen size at a relatively affordable price compared to other 98-inch TVs
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144 Hz panel and modern HDMI 2.1 ports make it future-ready for gaming
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Wide viewing angles thanks to its IPS / wide-angle-friendly panel
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Good color accuracy out of the box in both SDR and HDR
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Reflection handling is solid due to the matte screen finish
Drawbacks
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Very poor contrast and black uniformity — not ideal for dark room or cinematic viewing
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HDR brightness is low, so highlights don’t feel impactful
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Slow pixel transitions lead to motion blur, especially in gaming or sports
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No local dimming, which limits its dynamic range and HDR impact
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Large size makes placement and mounting difficult; it’s also very heavy, according to customer reviews
User Feedback & Real-World Sentiment
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According to Best Buy customer reviews, many users love the huge screen and visual impact, but some mention that the unit is very heavy, making mounting or wall installation more challenging.
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On Reddit, several users warn about quality assurance issues and motion handling problems in the QD5 series, suggesting that not all units are consistent in performance.
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There are also reports of scaling problems when gaming on smaller consoles, indicating that the TV’s processing may struggle with certain inputs.
Who Should Consider the Hisense 98QD5QG?
Good fit for:
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Viewers who want a very large screen for movies, sports, or watching with a group
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Gamers with modern consoles who will take advantage of 4K @ 144 Hz and HDMI 2.1
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Buyers who prioritize size per dollar and don’t need perfect blacks
Not ideal for:
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Dedicated home theater users who demand deep black levels and strong HDR contrast
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Users sensitive to motion blur in fast-paced content
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People who are bad with large, heavy TVs — the 98″ form factor is not easy to mount or relocate
Final Verdict
The Hisense 98QD5QG is a bold offering — it delivers a truly massive 4K screen and modern gaming capabilities at a price that undercuts many other ultra-large TVs. For casual viewing in well-lit environments or gaming where input lag matters more than contrast, it’s a compelling value.
But if you’re after a premium cinematic experience with high contrast and flawless HDR, there are better (albeit more expensive) options out there. This TV shines when you want size and features, but compromises when it comes to picture depth.
