Haier, known for home appliances, recently unveiled a new range of smart TVs in India. Among them is the Haier C11, a premium 55-inch smart TV with an OLED screen.
I have used it to watch content and livestream IPL 2024 for over three weeks now, and here is my detailed review.
The look
The smart TV is as thin as a five rupee coin (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
Most modern smart TVs, on the front, are nothing more than display panels, and look almost the same. The Haier C11 is different. With its integrated speaker bar and oval-shaped stand, this one looks premium.
Since it is an OLED TV, which means it doesn’t require backlighting, the C11 is barely as thin as a coin. The bottom bit, however, is chunkier; it packs the computing hardware and a woofer system.
It has a distraction-free design. Those who appreciate a minimal aesthetic will certainly like who the C11 looks, even when it is turned off. The small Haier logo on the speaker grill adds to its sophistication.
The view
4K HDR content looks fantastic on this smart TV (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
I have tested many smart TVs over the last few years, ranging from budget units to high-end products, but never an OLED. The C11 is the first OLED smart TV, and the difference between this and a QLED or an LCD smart TV is as stark as night and day.
This one delivers true blacks, excellent contrast and great colour reproduction. With its certifications for modern content such as Dolby Vision IQ and HDR 10+, it offers the best possible content streaming experience on platforms like Netflix and Prime Video.
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I loved streaming movies like Oppenheimer, Aavesham, and Manjummel Boys on this TV. The latest season of Doctor Who looked vibrant and detailed on the Haier C11.
Unlike non-OLED smart TVs with light bleeding around the bezels, and a sudden reduction of brightness while playing dark scenes, especially in movies like Bramayugam, Haier’s offering shines like a bright star.
I also thoroughly enjoyed watching the India Premier League (IPL) 2024 matches in 4K resolution. Do note that Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation (MEMC) is enabled by default on this TV. This makes the scenes look a lot smoother. Unless you are watching sports or playing games, I suggest this option be turned off. On the brighter side, Haier offers granular control over MEMC with low, medium and high motion compensation settings.
The sound
The Harmon/Kardon speakers support Dolby Atmos (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
The integrated 50W Harman Kardon-certified speakers, with Dolby Atmos support, complements the display. Most televisions of this class require a dedicated sound bar for the best experience, but the C11 is self-sufficient.
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The audio output is loud and offers plenty of punch, including thumping bass and clear mids.
The software
Google TV OS is well-optimised (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
The Haier C11 is a Google-certified smart TV with 3GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage. While the RAM/ROM combination is not impressive on paper, especially when we compare it to a smartphone, it is more than enough for a smart TV. In fact, when I used it, the TV kept up to three apps in memory. I was able to switch between JioCinema, YouTube and Prime Video, and all the apps in the memory.
Unlike other Google TV-powered smart TVs, the Play Store is hidden, and it can be accessed using voice search. We can also install apps from a phone with the same Google account.
Depending on the OTT services you have access to, Google TV recommends content on the home screen. The TV also supports multiple profiles for added privacy.
The gaming
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The C11 is a 120Hz smart TV. Pairing it with a PC or a gaming console (PS5 or Xbox Series X) will enable a smooth gaming experience. When you connect a console or a PC, it automatically enables the gaming mode.
I paired my gaming laptop with the TV, and was quite blown away by the life-like gaming experience. Besides the high refresh rate, things like fast response time (0.1 ms) also help with the gaming experience.
The remote
This is a smart Bluetooth remote (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
In a world of cluttered and minimal remote controls, Haier found a sweet middle spot. The C11 remote is not too simple or too confusing.
It has an adequate number of buttons with good tactile feedback. It has dedicated hotkeys for Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and YouTube Music. The side-mounted volume and mute keys are exceptionally functional.
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It is a Bluetooth remote that will work regardless of how you hold it, as long as it is in range. The silver finish makes it easy to spot it.
The verdict
An excellent television for 4K content consumption and gaming (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
For its asking price of Rs 1,58,990, the Haier C11 OLED 55-inch smart TV is certainly not the most affordable, but it is not the most expensive either.
If you are looking for a new OLED smart TV for both gaming and content consumption, the Haier C11 OLED 55-inch smart TV is a solid choice in 2024. Cherry on top is the 24 months of warranty Haier offers.
