Dolby Vision 2 Debuts On These 2026 Hisense TVs With Free Update

Dolby Vision 2 is finally moving beyond trade show demonstrations and into consumer living rooms. Dolby Laboratories and Hisense announced that the next-generation high dynamic range (HDR) format is officially rolling out to select 2026 Hisense televisions via a free over-the-air firmware update, which will arrive over the coming weeks across North America, Europe, and APAC.

The release marks the first time Dolby Vision 2 has hit actual retail hardware since Dolby initially teased the updated standard late last year, and is the first phase of what Dolby Laboratories promises will be a broader rollout, presumably to more brands, as well as other Hisense models.

For the first phase of the rollout, Dolby Laboratories partnered with Hisense to support select 2026 Hisense TVs running either Google TV or VIDAA OS. The first wave of supported models include Hisense's flagship UX series, as well as its UR9, UR8, and U7 (sold as the U7 Pro in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Central and South America).

The update apparently will skip older-generation models released before 2026. According to the companies, Dolby Vision 2 relies on updated processing silicon and picture engines built specifically into the newest hardware platforms.

As for HDR content, unlike standard format rollouts that require brand-new mastered visuals before viewers notice a difference, Dolby Vision 2 applies upgraded tone mapping and image processing to existing Dolby Vision libraries.

In addition to refined picture accuracy and expanded color handling, the update introduces new user controls, including a dedicated "intensity slider" that lets viewers adjust tone-mapping curves directly rather than relying solely on fixed picture presets.

Dolby Laboratories is also splitting its newest HDR format into two tiers: Dolby Vision 2 and Dolby Vision 2 Max. The latter is a higher-tier specification designed for flagship displays. It requires an ambient light sensor and high peak brightness to dynamically adapt content mastering to room lighting conditions.

"Hisense customers expect the best, and Dolby Vision 2 delivers on that promise," said Sonny Ming, General Manager of TV Product Marketing Department, Hisense. "The moment users turn on their Hisense TV, they’re immersed in lifelike visuals—delivering the vivid, true-to-life viewing experience Hisense displays are designed for."

Based on the information in the announcement, these models will support the new HDR format once the updated firmware arrives:

• Hisense UR9 RGB Mini LED Google TV (2026): starting at $2,199.99
• Hisense UR8 RGB Mini LED Google TV (2026): starting at $1,499.99 (on sale)
• Hisense U7 Mini LED Google TV (2026): $649.99 (on sale)