You’ve seen the aesthetic. A slim, matte screen sitting flush against the wall, displaying a Van Gogh or a moody landscape photography piece, completely fooling anyone who walks into the room. For years, Samsung basically owned this "lifestyle TV" niche with The Frame. But honestly, the Hisense CanvasTV 65 inch has finally showed up to the party, and it’s making a lot of people realize they don't have to spend two grand to get a TV that looks like a painting. It’s a 4K QLED display that doubles as a digital art gallery. It works. It looks sharp. And most importantly, it doesn’t scream "I am a giant black rectangle of plastic" when you aren’t watching Netflix.
The 65-inch model is the sweet spot.
Too small, and it looks like a dinky photo frame. Too big, and the illusion of it being "art" starts to crumble because, let’s be real, nobody hangs an 85-inch oil painting in their suburban living room. This specific Hisense model, officially known as the Hisense S7N, is clearly aimed at the person who wants a high-end interior design look but also cares about things like a 144Hz refresh rate and not going broke.
The Matte Screen is the Secret Sauce
If you take a standard TV and put a picture of a painting on it, it looks like a TV playing a picture. You get that harsh, purple-tinted glare from your windows. You see the reflection of your own face staring back at you during dark scenes. The Hisense CanvasTV 65 inch uses a specialized Hi-Matte anti-glare coating. It’s a game-changer.
When the light hits the screen, it scatters. It doesn't bounce back. This gives the digital art a texture that genuinely mimics canvas or paper. If you’ve ever touched one of these screens, it feels almost like vellum. It’s weird, but in a good way. Critics like Caleb Denison from Digital Trends have noted that Hisense’s matte finish is surprisingly competitive with Samsung’s 2024 matte tech, which was the gold standard for a long time.
You’ve got to be careful with fingerprints, though. Matte screens are notorious for holding onto skin oils, and cleaning them is a bit more of a chore than just wiping down a glossy glass panel. Use a dry microfiber cloth. Avoid liquids unless you want to ruin the finish.
Art Mode and the "ArtSide" Button
The whole point of the Hisense CanvasTV 65 inch is Art Mode. Hisense calls their version "ArtSide." There is a literal button on the remote that toggles between being a TV and being a masterpiece. It’s fast. You aren't sitting there waiting for a menu to load while your guests wonder what you're doing.
The TV comes pre-loaded with a bunch of free art—abstracts, classics, the usual suspects. But you can also upload your own photos. If you’re a photographer or just have high-res family shots, seeing them at 65 inches with a matte finish is actually pretty emotional. It’s better than a slideshow on a laptop.
A huge detail that people overlook is the motion sensor. You don’t want this thing running all night while you’re asleep, wasting electricity and burning out the LEDs. The Hisense has a sensor that detects when someone enters the room. Walk in? The art appears. Leave? It shuts off. It’s smart. It’s subtle.
It’s Actually a Stealth Gaming Beast
Most lifestyle TVs sacrifice performance for looks. They assume if you care about "decor," you probably don't care about frame rates. Hisense ignored that assumption. The Hisense CanvasTV 65 inch packs a 144Hz native refresh rate. That is massive.
If you hook up a PS5 or an Xbox Series X, you’re getting VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Basically, the TV realizes you’re gaming and cuts out the processing lag. It’s smooth. Real smooth. Most people buying this for their living room might not even realize they’re getting a high-tier gaming monitor hidden inside a picture frame.
The color comes from Quantum Dots (the "Q" in QLED). It’s vibrant. It isn’t OLED-level black—you won’t get those "infinite" blacks because there is still a backlight—but for a lifestyle display, the contrast is punchy enough to make movies look cinematic.
Let’s Talk About the Frame Itself
The TV comes with a teak-finish bezel in the box. It’s magnetic. You literally just snap it onto the edges. No screws, no frustration, no calling a handyman because you stripped a bolt.
- The teak looks surprisingly real from three feet away.
- They offer other colors like white or walnut if you want to swap them out later.
- The "UltraSlim" wall mount is included.
That last point is key. Usually, companies charge you an extra $100 for the special mount that lets the TV sit flush against the wall. Hisense just gives it to you. It’s a refreshing move in an industry that loves to nickel-and-dimed customers for "accessories."
Where It Falls Short (Because Nothing Is Perfect)
I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s the best TV ever made. It’s not. If you are a hardcore cinephile who watches movies in a pitch-black basement, you should buy an OLED. The Hisense CanvasTV 65 inch is an edge-lit or global dimming display, meaning it can’t turn off individual pixels. In a dark room, the "black" parts of the screen will look slightly grey.
Also, the Google TV interface is great for apps, but it can occasionally feel a little heavy. Sometimes there's a split-second lag when moving through menus. It’s not a dealbreaker, but if you’re used to an Apple TV 4K box, you’ll notice it.
The sound is... fine. It has a multi-channel 2.0.2 surround system built in. It’s clear, and voices sound good, but it lacks the "thump" you’d want for an action movie. But then again, if you’re buying a TV to look like art, you probably don't want a massive, ugly soundbar hanging underneath it. It’s a trade-off.
✨ Don't miss: Finding AirDrop on Your iPhone: Where It Went and How to Fix It
Setting It Up Right
If you want the Hisense CanvasTV 65 inch to actually look like art, you have to hide the wires. This is the part everyone messes up. If there is a black cord dangling down your white wall, the illusion is dead.
You have two real options here. First, you can have an electrician install a recessed "clock outlet" behind the TV. This allows the plug to sit inside the wall so the TV can stay flush. Second, you can use an in-wall cable management kit. It’s worth the extra Saturday afternoon of work.
Also, pay attention to the height. People tend to hang TVs way too high—the "TV over the fireplace" trope is a nightmare for your neck. Since this is "art," hang it at eye level. When you’re sitting on your couch, your eyes should be roughly level with the center of the screen.
The Competitive Landscape
When you compare this to the Samsung Frame, the price difference is the elephant in the room. You're often saving several hundred dollars with Hisense. Does the Samsung have a slightly more polished "Art Store" subscription? Yeah, probably. Does it matter to the average person who just wants a nice-looking home? Not really.
The Hisense S7N brings a level of competition that was desperately needed. For a long time, if you wanted this look, you had one choice. Now, you have a choice that includes a better refresh rate for gaming and a magnetic bezel included in the price.
Practical Steps for Your Living Room
- Measure your wall space. A 65-inch TV is roughly 57 inches wide. Ensure you have enough "white space" around it so it doesn't look cramped.
- Check your lighting. Matte screens are great for glare, but they still look best if they aren't directly opposite a massive south-facing window.
- Plan the "In-Wall" setup. Order a recessed media box at the same time you order the TV.
- Curate your art. Find high-resolution (4K) JPEG images of your favorite paintings or family portraits. Put them on a thumb drive.
- Calibrate the sensor. Once it’s installed, go into the settings and adjust the motion sensor sensitivity so it doesn't turn off while you're sitting perfectly still reading a book.
The Hisense CanvasTV 65 inch is a solid piece of tech. It bridges the gap between a high-performance display and a piece of furniture. It’s not just a TV; it’s a vibe. If you want your house to look like those Pinterest boards without spending a fortune, this is the way to do it. Just remember to hide the wires. Seriously. Hide the wires.