Hisense has refreshed its affordable competitor to Samsung’s The Frame with the second generation of its popular Canvas TV, which is launching in the U.S. now. The new model is called the S7 CanvasTV 4K QLED Google TV, or S7SG, and is the successor to Hisense’s S7N TV, which made its debut two years ago in mid-2024.
Perhaps the biggest news is that the S7SG TV is available in a 50-inch size, alongside the 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch and 85-inch choices that were on offer with the original S7N. By offering the TV in a smaller size, Hisense clearly hopes to expand its audience with a model that can fit elegantly into smaller spaces.
Like Samsung’s iconic The Frame TV, the Canvas S7SG is based on the premise that the television shouldn’t dominate your living space when it’s not being used. Put it into standby on Art Mode and it will automatically transform itself into a digital work of art, displaying famous paintings or your own personal photos or pictures.
Hisense said the S7SG comes with a super-slim wall mount that enables it to sit more or less flush with the wall, which is the best place to install it. The bezel is designed to mimic the appearance of a picture frame, enhancing the overall aesthetic – so when Art Mode is activated, it’s much like you have a genuine picture hung on the wall.
The Hisense S7SG TV boasts some pretty solid specifications, too. Like the more recent versions of The Frame, it has a matte anti-glare display that blocks reflections, ensuring the picture on display is crystal clear. The panel itself is QLED, with 4K resolution and support for Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+.
Inside, the TV is powered by a MediaTek Pentonic 700 chip that uses AI processing algorithms to enhance colour, contrast and image quality. The Google TV platform is onboard, providing access to streaming apps. It’s also equipped with a 36-watt 2.0.2-channel surround sound system, which should pump out decent immersive audio. In terms of connectivity, you’ll find two HDMI 2.1 ports, a pair of HDMI 2.0 ports, two USB connectors, a LAN, an optical audio output and also one for a cable or antenna. Thanks to those HDMI 2.1 ports, the S7SG TV boasts gamer-friendly Variable Refresh Rates, Auto Low-Latency Mode and AMD’s FreeSync Premium, and the panel has a fast 144Hz refresh rate.
As far as the art goes, Hisense says its art store provides access to more than 1,000 artworks – including many classics from famous artists of yesteryear. Of course, Samsung still has Hisense beat in this department, with The Frame providing access to over 3,000 artworks in its store, mostly due to its multiyear headstart.
Hisense’s advantage is likely to be the price. It hasn’t disclosed the cost of the S7SG Canvas TV, but it will likely cost a bit more than the existing S7N, which starts at around $699 for the 55-inch option, rising to $2,199 for the largest 85-inch screen. There's no word on when the Hisense S7SG Canvas TV will come to the U.K., but we're confident that it will arrive on these shores sometime this year.
