A good TV is at the heart of your home theater set up. It's the single most important part of your viewing experience and you'll want to invest wisely in a screen that will give you the very best picture and sound and one that will fit perfectly into your space. Obviously, your budget will be an important factor in this decision, but if you're willing to splash the cash, then this small but perfectly formed collection of TCL TVs is for you.

The TVs we've listed below are exceptional, both in their size and their picture quality. All three are RGB-Mini LED screens – a revolutionary technology which TCL themselves introduced to the market. These screens add dedicated RGB (red, green, and blue) emitters into the TV's backlight, so that you get unmatched image brightness and colors that are breathtakingly accurate.

If getting the best picture possible is important to you, then these are the screens for you – and they're all available now from Best Buy.

Some Google TVs will soon receive a Gemini update that lets you adjust your TV settings using voice commands. However, the update is rolling out to specific TCL models first. It's disappointing news for owners of the best Google TVs.

Google announced the rollout today, but we got a preview of the update during CES 2026 back in January. The update lets you use the microphone button on your remote to adjust settings vocally.

In the announcement post, Google says you can adjust audio and video settings, troubleshoot picture and sound problems, optimize settings, or use it to find specific menus.

Gemini lets you use more "natural" language prompts like "the dialogue is lost" or "the screen is too dim" to make adjustments. Until we get some hands-on time, we won't know how in-depth the prompts get though.

Gemini update availability

Here's the catch, though: for now, this is a TCL exclusive and only for specific models. The update is coming to the QM9K, X11L, QM9L, QM8L, and RM9L. Additionally, your set needs to support Android TV OS 14 or later.

For people with different TCL models or manufacturers, apparently the exclusivity window is 60 days, per 9to5Google. Google does say that the update is rolling out over the next "few weeks." It's not currently clear if the 60 day window starts now or once the update has hit every compatible model.

Tom's Guide has reached out to TCL for clarity on the window.

On your TCL Google TV you can check for available system updates by going to Settings > System > About > System update.

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The TCL QM8L is a 2026 Mini-LED TV that leverages a new type of display technology (Super Quantum Dot) for brighter color. According to our tests, the QM8L's picture is bright, punchy and accurate, and it rounds out its impressive performance with a thorough collection of features.

The TCL QM9K, on the other hand, made its debut last year. It's one of the brightest Mini-LED TVs we've ever tested, but it's not equipped with TCL's Super Quantum Dot (SQD) technology, so it's not quite as colorful as the QM8L. However, as it's a 2025 TV, it can be bought for much less than the newer QM8L.

If you're in the market for a bright, high-performance Mini-LED TV this year, you may find yourself sizing up these two TCL TVs. Here's how they compare — from performance to features and price.

TCL QM8L vs QM9K: specs compared

Both of these TVs are available in screen sizes ranging from 65 to 98 inches. This means that people shopping for something smaller will have to shop other options. In addition, both sets support Dolby Vision and the royalty-free version of Dolby Vision, HDR10+.

Another nice bonus is that, regardless of whichever TV you opt for, you'll be getting ATSC 3.0 support as a key feature. ATSC 3.0 allows over-the-air broadcasts to arrive in their native 4K resolution via antenna. UHD broadcasts are still relatively hard to come by, but if you watch your fair share of over-the-air broadcasts via antenna, this is a nice feature to have in your back pocket.

One of the primary differences between these sets has to do with their connectivity options. The QM8L offers a full suite of HDMI 2.1 inputs, but on the QM9K, you'll only find two high-bandwidth, HDMI 2.1 inputs. The QM9K's remaining pair of ports is of the HDMI 2.0 variety. As a result, the QM8L is better equipped for folks who plan on connecting multiple gaming devices, as they won't have to worry about a console being relegated to a less-capable, HDMI 2.0 port.

Winner: TCL QM8L

TCL QM8L vs QM9K: design

Thanks in part to its display technology, the TCL QM8L (seen above) is bulkier than many LED-based sets. That said, its overall look is mostly refined.

The QM8L's chassis bulges out of the back of the panel, but not to an extreme degree. It rests on a heavy, pedestal-style stand that sits below the center of the screen. This design decision is helpful, as it allows people to place the QM8L on a narrower piece of furniture even if they opt for one of the larger screen sizes.

As you can see, the QM9K (seen above) is quite similar, despite the fact that it's not leveraging an SQD display Like the QM8L, it also makes use of a pedestal-style stand in the center of the screen.

Regardless of which TV you choose, you'll be getting a conveniently backlit remote control. It may sound ridiculous, but this is one of my favorite features on both models. You don't realize just how much you need a feature like this until you suddenly don't have it.

Given their near-identical designs, this category is too close to call. They're not ultra-thin like some of the slimmer OLED TVs we've seen in recent years, but both of sets are among the best-designed TCL TVs I've seen to date.

Winner: Draw

TCL QM8L vs QM9K: performance

Before we dig deeper into how these TVs look, let's compare their test results. (Both TVs were in their respective Filmmaker picture modes when these tests were taken.)

These are similar TVs, no doubt, but there are still some important points to consider about their performance.

According to our test results, the QM9K is slightly brighter than the QM8L during HDR content. However, this measurement involves highlight brightness (small areas rather than the entire picture), and I suspect that most viewers wouldn't be able to see much a difference outside of a side-by-side comparison.

The bigger difference here is color volume: Thanks in large part to its SQD-equipped panel, the QM8L comes in with richer, brighter color than the QM9K.

While it's true that the QM9K does a marginally better job dialing-in its color points in Filmmaker mode, the difference between a Delta-E of 3.7 and 1.8 isn't that significant, so you can expect a similar level of out-of-the-box accuracy across both TVs. A Delta-E of 3 is considered by many to be the threshold in which the human eye can perceive color error, and so 3.7 is a fine result.

The QM8L offers lower input latency, which dedicated gamers will surely appreciate. In fact, given the figures at play, I'd easily take the 9.5-millesecond measurement put forth by the QM8L over the QM9K's slightly better Delta-E measurement in Filmmaker mode. I'd likely notice the lower input lag before I clocked the added color error.

Taken as a whole, the QM8L's added color and lower input latency make for a better overall experience, but not by very much. These are bright, colorful TVs with terrific backlight control, decent upscaling and accurate presentations. The QM8L takes this category, but it's quite close.

Winner: TCL QM8L

TCL QM8L vs QM9K: smart platform and features

Both the TCL QM8L and the QM9K are built around the Google TV streaming platform. It's one of my preferred software suites available today, as it's quite snappy to navigate and its library of downloadable apps is massive.

The QM8L and QM9K both come with a similar set of out-of-the-box gaming features, too. Their toolkits include Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro (for smooth, artifact-free gaming), as well as TCL's Game Bar, a quick-access menu that lets users access the most relevant gaming features with the press of a button.

Each set supports 4K gaming at 120Hz, the highest 4K spec among current-generation consoles. If you're inclined to link up a gaming PC to your next TV, both the QM8L and QM9K are capable of showcasing 4K games at 144Hz with VRR.

It's important to remember, though, that the QM9K is rolling with just two HDMI 2.1-compatible inputs. In order to access the features outlined above, you've got to plug your devices into one of those ports. The QM8L, on the other hand, is outfitted with four high-bandwidth, HDMI 2.1-compatible inputs, so it's far more flexible.

However, we've already come to terms with this limitation when comparing these TVs' respective specs. In almost every other way that matters, they offer a nearly identical set of features.

Winner: Draw

TCL QM8L vs QM9K: outlook

If you're shopping for a new TV and you've got your eyes on a TCL-branded model, the QM8L and the QM9K are among the best you can buy right now. Regardless of whichever you choose, you're going to walk away with a bright, color picture and a heaping helping of added features.

The QM8L's SQD-powered picture is more colorful than the standard quantum-dot presentation you'll get with the QM9K. However, when it comes to overall brightness, both sets are working with a similar amount of nits. This means they're both totally fine for bright-room viewing.

Gamers ought to take a closer look at the QM8L on account of its full slate of HDMI 2.1 inputs. Depending on how many devices you own, this detail could be worth the extra cost.

Let's talk about price. The QM8L just launched at $2,499 for a 65-inch version, but it didn't take long to go on sale. Right now, you can get the 65-inch TCL QM8L for $1,799 at Best Buy. The 75-inch QM8L is just $1,999 at Best Buy at the time of publishing.

Having been on the shelves since last year, the QM9K is significantly cheaper. Right now, the 65-inch QM9K is just $1,299 at Best Buy, which is a full $500 less than the QM8L.

If you're not concerned about its limited HDMI 2.1 flexibility and its slightly less-voluminous color, the TCL QM9K could very well be the better pick for you and your budget.

More from Tom's Guide

• TCL QM8L review
• TCL QM9K review
• The RAM crisis came for computers first and now it's coming for TVs — here's why I recommend upgrading while you still can

The newest and best TVs of 2026 are coming in hot. And, while plenty of ink has been spilled about RGB LED TVs and the latest OLEDs, there’s one type of TV technology that hasn’t received as much attention: Super Quantum Dot.

Abbreviated ‘SQD,’ this enhanced version of a traditional quantum-dot display is quietly making a serious impression on my TV-testing colleagues and me. SQD TVs are similar to regular QLED TVs, but they're engineered to do take quantum dots to the next level.

If you’re in the market for a new TV this year — especially if you have an eye for picture quality — you ought to familiarize yourself with Super Quantum Dot technology.

What are Super Quantum Dot (SQD) TVs?

Making their global debut in 2026, SQD TVs are a new spin on the tried and true combination of Mini-LED backlighting and quantum dot color. Despite many similarities between QLEDs and SQD TVs, the latter promises — and, according to our test results, delivers — brighter, purer color than what you'll commonly get on a regular, quantum dot-enhanced LED TV.

Without going too far into the weeds, the Super Quantum Dot recipe is made up of a several ingredients: reformulated quantum dots, a new, advanced color filter to go along with said quantum dots and some algorithmic functions designed to keep the display's colors consistent.

TCL, the brand behind SQD technology, refers to that last bit as its Advanced Color Purity Algorithm. When taken as a whole, all of these elements form TCL's proprietary Deep Color System, engineered for eye-popping color.

But the real question is whether or not this technology works. We've had the luxury of getting up close and personal with two SQD TVs so far in 2026 —the TCL X11L and the TCL QM8L — and so far, the test results speak for themselves.

On the chart below you'll find both SQD TVs we've tested alongside a quantum dot-enhanced OLED TV (the Samsung S95F) that offered up some of the best color results we measured last year. For added context, I've included TCL's best-performing quantum-dot TV from 2025, the QM9K.

When it comes to color, not only do the pair of TCL SQD TVs outpace Samsung's QD-OLED by a hair, they blow right past TCL's best-performing Mini-LED TV from last year, the QM9K. All of the TCL TVs in the chart above make use of Mini-LED backlighting, but only the SQD TVs' enhanced hardware allows for QD-OLED-levels of color.

These SQD TVs lag behind the few RGB LED TVs we've tested ever so slightly (the Hisense UR9 RGB Mini-LED TV covers about 93% of the BT.2020 color space), but TCL's figures are nothing to scoff at.

In other words, if you're looking for the brightest, purest color money can buy in 2026, there are three types of TV that ought to be on your radar: quantum dot-enhanced OLED (QD-OLED), RGB LED, and now, SQD Mini-LED.

Should you buy an SQD TV?

If you're looking for a visually stunning TV for less than the price of what you'd end up paying for most QD-OLEDs or RGB LED TVs, Super Quantum Dot might be the way to go.

Currently, the only TV-maker selling SQD TVs is TCL. But the good news is that the brand is offering several different avenues for folks looking to get in on these souped-up QLEDs.

As mentioned, we tested TCL's top-tier SQD TV (the X11L) and walked away impressed. However, as TCL's best TV for 2026, the X11L doesn't quite have mass appeal. It's only available in 75-, 85- and 98-inch sizes, and the 75-inch TCL X11L is $3,923 at Best Buy at the time of publishing.

This is why I recommend taking a look at the TCL QM8L. This set is available in the ever-popular 65-inch screen size, and it starts at $1,799.

And, while we're still in the process of evaluating it, TCL is also rolling out an entry-level SQD TV: the TCL QM7L. This set is available at an even smaller size of 55 inches, and right now, the 55-inch TCL QM7L is just $999 at Best Buy.

Having not seen the QM7L in person yet, I still recommend the QM8L above it. That said, its wider range of sizes and friendlier price tag ought to suit budget-conscious shoppers who nonetheless wish to experience some cutting-edge TV tech.

More from Tom's Guide

• OLED is safe: I tested the Hisense UR9 RGB Mini-LED TV, and it's very good but falls short
• I tested TCL’s $8,000 SQD Mini-LED TV — here's my verdict
• TCL and Sony are joining forces to sell more TVs — but is that bad news for shoppers?

I love cheap TVs. No, really — I do.

As fun as it is to bask in the glory of a detail-rich, OLED-driven picture, or to park myself in front of the bright, borderline-psychedelic colors blasting out of an RGB LED TV, the best budget TVs offer tremendous performance. Regardless of whether you’re a sports fan, binge-watcher or competitive gamer, upgrading your leisure time without breaking the bank can be a massive win.

Unfortunately, at any given time, there are only a handful of models under the $500 mark that I feel super confident in recommending. The good news, though, is that cheap TVs have arguably never been better than they are right now. You just need to know how to shop for one.

1. Hisense U65QF

Recently, a pub-owner and dear friend of mine asked me for help buying a TV ahead of the 2026 World Cup. They didn’t want to spend too much, but they needed a bright-enough screen for the set to sit outside (weather permitting). The Hisense U65QF was my first pick.

Now, my bar-owning friend was in the market for something big — like 75 or 85 inches. It’ll come as no surprise that these sizes are above $500. But the 55-inch version clocks in at a cool $399, and it’s well worth a look.

You can get the full picture on this TV by checking out our Hisense U65QF review, but here's the most important bit to know: The U65QF offers better brightness than just almost everything in this price bracket.

This is in large part because the U65QF features Mini-LED backlighting. These super-small LEDs typically allow for better overall contrast than what you'll see on garden-variety, edge-lit LED TVs (which are quite prevalent at the sub-$500 price point).

Being the brightest TV in its class means that the U65QF is a great choice for people who watch a ton of TV during the day as well as folks with well-lit living spaces. According to our test results, the U65QF is also very accurate right out of the box in Filmmaker mode, which means eagle-eyed viewers don't need to worry about grossly inaccurate color.

Just a heads up: The U65QF comes with Amazon's Fire TV smart platform built right in. It's not my favorite software suite for streaming, but Amazon is rolling out updates for it this year that seek to improve its interface and overall performance. That said, if you're looking for a Google TV-equipped TV, take a look at my next pick.

2. TCL QM5K

The TCL QM5K is a Best Buy-exclusive model, so you won’t find it anywhere else. Like the U65QF, the QM5K is an entry-level Mini-LED TV. Unlike the Hisense's set, however, the QM5K is built around the Google TV smart platform, which is my second-favorite smart TV operating system behind Roku.

If all you’re looking for is an affordable smart TV that doesn’t scrape the bottom of the barrel, the QM5K is a good pick. The 55-inch version is about $50 more than the U65QF at the time of publishing, but you're still landing a Mini-LED TV for under $500.

Seeing as how the QM5K and U65QF are similar sets, I would recommend the TCL for people who want a smart platform with potentially less friction than the Fire TV experience. If brightness matters to you more than this, I recommend the Hisense.

(One more thing: I know it's technically above $500, but the 65-inch version of the TCL QM5K is just $549 at Best Buy if 55 inches isn't quite big enough for you.)

3. Roku Plus Series

The only 65-inch TV on this list isn't as bright as the Hisense U65QF, nor is it equipped with Google TV. That's OK with me, though, because the 65-inch Roku Plus Series is built around my all-time favorite smart platform.

In fact, I use an external Roku device as a daily driver on account of its straightforward interface and robust app support. The Roku Plus Series puts the entire Roku experience into the software of the TV itself — no box or stick required.

The Plus Series won't net you Mini-LED backlighting, but it does feature direct-LED backlighting with local dimming, which is the next-best option below Mini-LEDs. So it's got that goin' for it.

But the real star of the show is its software. I've been knee-deep in TV technology for over a decade, and Roku is my number-one pick for streaming. But I also feel comfortable recommending this TV to folks who typically find themselves annoyed at TVs on account of confusing software. Roku truly has that sort of crossover appeal.

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• Samsung just made its 2026 Mini-LED TV lineup official, but one popular TV won’t be returning this year
• Should you buy a new 2026 TV or save money on a 2025 model? Here's how to shop for a screen like an expert

On Monday we reported on the recently filed class action lawsuit against TCL and Roku. We’re still trying to get to the bottom of these allegations, but readers were quick to say that they, too, have had issues with their aging TCL Roku TVs.

In a poll conducted by Tom’s Guide that over 4,000 readers responded to, 2,600 users said that they have experienced issues with Roku TCL TV software updates in the past, while 390 readers said that they’ve experienced other issues with TCL TVs that have Roku on them.

It’s not completely one-sided, however. Nearly 1,130 of our readers say that they haven’t had issues with TCL Roku TVs and, admittedly, that’s been my experience with my now three-year-old TCL 5-Series Roku TV.

The article also has 46 comments and counting from Tom's Guide members keen to share their experiences and helpful advice. Here’s what readers are saying.

‘I just tossed a TCL Roku 43" … that just would not come back on after updates’

Before we dive into the comments, let me just say for the record that class action lawsuits are important tools that consumers can use to hold large companies responsible for large-scale wrongdoings.

But keep in mind that, right now, we’re only at the stage where the lawsuit makes allegations that have yet to be deemed true or false.

While the legal court battle still lays ahead (if it isn’t outright dismissed due to lack of evidence), the court of public opinion is in full session in the comments.

One of the most damning comments comes from reader Richard Scarborough who says, “I just tossed a TCL Roku 43" that was just over 3 years old from a guest bedroom that was used maybe a dozen times, that just would not come back on after updates, and I thought it was the TV, ugh.”

Given the age of the TV and infrequency of use, it’s well within the realm of possibility that Richard did really encounter some sort of update that bricked the TV.

Others described similar issues without giving the age of the TV in question, while some just took the opportunity to dogpile the brand with comments like “It's a cheap Chinese TV. Is anyone really surprised?” and “TCL is garbage, always has been.”

Is there any legitimacy to the lawsuit?

As a longtime TV journalist, I’ve seen a number of these lawsuits over the years. Some have real legitimacy, others…well, are just too broad to hold up in court. It’s my opinion that this is more the latter than the former.

What I know for sure at this point is that Roku has released several updates to its smart TV platform in the last few years. It does this for several reasons, but the biggest ones are to add functionality and patch security vulnerabilities.

Is it possible that the size and complexity of these updates overtaxed the processors of older TVs? Yeah, that’s certainly possible. But was this done maliciously in an attempt to ‘brick’ TVs and force users to upgrade to a new model? Almost certainly not.

Before writing this story I reached out to TCL for comment and a spokesperson for the company simply said “TCL doesn’t make comments on impending lawsuits” and that the company has “no comment” about the allegations at this time.

A Roku spokesperson also responded, saying "we believe the claims are meritless."

We'll be following up with users to hear more about their experiences with TCL Roku TVs as well as following up with both companies as the case proceeds.

Let us know in the comments if you have a Roku TV and have experienced issues with your set — be sure to include the model number, as well as the problems you've been having. Or, if you have a Roku set and it's working great, let us know that, too!

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I’m no stranger to the concept of a good ol’ fashioned street price. In the TV business, new models often launch at a set price only to see some small- to medium-sized discounts shortly thereafter. In many cases, the original MSRP remains on the page, and for folks clicking around on Best Buy, Amazon or a brand’s online store, the red-colored savings indicator can be enticing.

Hisense isn’t a stranger to this, either — I’d wager that the majority of Hisense TV launches I’ve covered over the last decade have dabbled in the art (perhaps science?) of the street price. But I’ve never seen anything like what’s happening with the Hisense UR9, the brand’s highly-touted, first-ever RGB LED TV.

After just a week and a half on shelves with an MSRP of $3,499, the 65-inch Hisense UR9 is already on sale for just $1,999 at Best Buy. The $1,500 discount is bigger than any street price-related reset I’ve ever seen. Here’s what this situation tells us about the state of the RGB LED TV market.

The UR9 faces fierce competition

While keeping in mind that I'm not working off inside information, here's my read on the Hisense UR9's sudden, steep drop in price: No one's going to undercut Hisense.

Since their surge in the North American TV market about a decade ago, Hisense has been a TV brand associated with value. Hisense representatives will be the first to tell you this, too; I've heard them proudly reference their reputation for over-delivering on reported performance specs, very often at lower price points than their competitors.

But with the biggest names in the TV industry launching their own cutting-edge RGB LED TVs in 2026, this narrative was about to shift.

As you can see in the chart below, the 65-inch UR9 was sitting on shelves next to a 65-inch Micro RGB TV from Samsung with a heftier price tag — $300 worth of additional heft, to be precise. As the only two TV-makers currently offering 65-inch RGB LED TVs, Samsung was poised to be the value-conscious pick at this popular size point.

Additionally, at the 75-inch size point, the UR9 was a whole $500 more than the Samsung R95H. That doesn't seem much like the Hisense that I know, the brand that over-delivers at a lower price point than its rivals.

With these new sale prices in effect, the 65-inch UR9 is now $1,200 less than the 65-inch R95H. The 75-inch version is $1,500 to $2,000 less than the 75-inch R95H and the 75-inch LG MRGB95. Perfectly balanced, as all things should be? If you're Hisense, maybe.

Bear in mind that we're almost sure to see some sale pricing for LG and Samsung Micro RGB TVs in the coming months. TCL — whose sole RGB Mini-LED TV is only confirmed to exist in three sizes at 85 inches and above — will likely drop in price throughout the year, too.

And then there are the step-down RGB LED-based models from Hisense and Samsung: the UR8 and R85H. We've yet to test these sets, but I'm interested to see how they stack up against their flagship-level counterparts. It seems logical that the steep sale pricing on the UR9 could potentially have ripple effects on the UR8, too.

Should you buy the Hisense UR9?

If you're looking for bright, sizzling performance, a ton of features and the satisfaction that comes with getting in on the ground floor of a brand-new display technology, the Hisense UR9 is officially the most affordable way to do so. If you were on the fence about splashing out on this TV a week ago, this newly minted street price is bound to be tantalizing.

However, if you need some excuse — anything at all — to persuade you away from buying a flashy new TV right now, I can certainly help with that.

Are RGB LED TVs worth it? Well, having spent some time with a few of them, I can say that their performance ranges from "pretty good (if not a little disappointing)" to "excellent." And, for what it's worth, that level of "excellent" is closer to being on par with some of the best quantum dot-equipped Mini-LED TVs I've ever seen, so your mileage may vary on whether you think that justifies these prices.

In our full Hisense UR9 review, my colleague Dylan Haas remarked that, while the UR9 fared well in our tests, its color performance during real-world use didn't seem to meet the impressive nature of the numbers. In other words, a classic case of looks good on paper.

Its 3.5-star review isn't indicative of a bad TV, though, and the UR9's bright performance sounds best suited for bright-room viewing. Maybe, with its new sale price attached, the UR9 can find a groove as the most-affordable flagship RGB LED TV rather than a potentially tough sell.

More from Tom's Guide

• OLED is safe: I tested the Hisense UR9 RGB Mini-LED TV, and it's very good but falls short
• Samsung just made its 2026 Mini-LED TV lineup official, but one popular TV won’t be returning this year
• Samsung's new Micro RGB TV is finally here — but I'd rather buy this OLED instead

Roku and TCL are being sued in a class action lawsuit that claims software updates released by the companies have been "repetitively defective," making TVs unusable.

Update: We reached out to Roku and a spokesperson said, "We believe the claims are meritless." We've also reached out to TCL and the company declined to comment.

Roku is most known for making some of the best streaming stick devices and its platform has been featured on some of the best TVs we've tested, while TCL makes a variety of televisions. The two companies have a partnership where Roku's OS powers the smart capabilities of many affordable TVs. TCL is one of Roku's biggest clients.

The complaint was filed in a federal court based out of southern California, where the companies were accused of releasing software updates that cause the smart TVs to freeze, restart over and over, not turn on at all or degrade the experience.

As seen by Top Class Actions, the plaintiff, Terri Elise, accuses the companies of knowingly releasing poor updates.

“Despite consumers’ persistent complaints of repeated system failures, often leaving their TVs completely inoperable, defendants offer no recourse,” the Roku class action lawsuit reads. “This is inconsistent with representations made in express warranties, which promise to repair, correct or otherwise remediate the software defect.”

The suit lists the Roku Select Series, Roku Plus Series, and the TCL 3, 4, 5, and 6-series models that run RokuOS.

The complaint demands a jury trial and requests declaratory and injunctive relief plus an award of actual and statutory damages and restitution for members of class action. The initial filing does not have a specific number, but that will come about as the case either settles or goes to trial.

What TCL owners are saying

There are several comments under the Top Class Actions post with people noting that they've experienced issues with Roku TCL sets.

"I was watching my TV and it just stopped showing pictures," one owner claimed. Another said they have the TCL QM8 which would get blacked out screens or just shut off after software issues.

On the Roku and TCL subreddits we were able to find multiple posts about software updates breaking TVs going back at least two years, which matches with the timeline presented in the lawsuit.

For example, this post from four months ago decries a forced firmware update that disabled connectivity features. Or this one from the Roku subreddit where the poster claimed their TCL TV refused to update its operating system.

This lawsuit is in its initial stages so it may be some months before a resolution or settlement is reached. We have reached out to TCL and Roku for comment and will update this article should we hear back.

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From the Nexus 7 to the iPad mini, I’ve always preferred smaller tablets you can hold in one hand and easily slip into a bag, which is why I was so surprised when I found myself reaching for an absolutely massive 14.3-inch slate instead.

Unlike other tablets where specs and sheer power are the main draw, the screen itself is why you’d choose a device like the TCL NXTPAPER 14 over something more conventional. Its specs are nothing to scoff at either though, with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and a whopping 10,000 mAh battery under the hood. However, the paper-like feel of its matte display and how you can go from a dedicated black and white ink mode to color paper mode with the push of a button is the kind of thing you truly have to see for yourself.

Although I tested out its smaller, more powerful sibling the TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus, it was the NXTPAPER 14 that first caught my eye. Even under harsh direct lighting, its larger screen remained completely glare and reflection-free. Now, I finally had a chance to use it in the real world and not just at a mall in Taiwan.

I’ve been using the NXTPAPER 14 for the past few months and while it may not end up being my daily driver, there’s certainly a place for larger tablets like this one — especially if you’d rather carry something more substantial under your arm.

From tablet to portfolio

One thing I immediately appreciated about the NXTPAPER 14 is how TCL provides you with everything you need right in the box. You get a folio-style case with a magnetic cover, a lengthy charging cable and more surprisingly, a pressure-sensitive, active stylus with a USB-C port on the side for charging.

Even with many of the best tablets, you often find yourself hunting for accessories like a case or screen protector after the fact. TCL takes the guesswork out of protecting and making full use of its NXTPAPER tablets, so you can instantly go from unboxing to enjoying them. And while there isn’t a screen protector in the box, I wouldn’t recommend using one since that would mean missing out on the paper-like feel of the NXTPAPER 14’s matte display.

I’m no digital artist but I like having a stylus on hand for scrolling and signing the occasional document. TCL’s T-Pen is quite capable too with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and around 100 hours of battery life on a single charge. What I like most about using it though is how the combination of its active tip and the matte texture of the NXTPAPER 14’s display feels. You don’t get that same drag when using a stylus like the Apple Pencil or the Surface Pen on a glass tablet.

Another thing I really enjoy about the NXTPAPER 14 is how it feels under my arm when carrying it from room to room around my house. With a screen slightly larger than your standard sheet of printer paper and an aluminum back, it really feels like I’m holding a clipboard folio that’s ready for any task.

Made to scroll

As someone who’s constantly checking the news, it almost feels like I scroll for a living when I’m not hammering away on my keyboard. With 7.9 inches from top to bottom horizontally or an even larger 11.9 inches vertically, the NXTPAPER 14 just feels great for scrolling. It’s almost like going from a budget laptop to one of the best laptops with a much larger trackpad.

TCL doesn’t let the NXTPAPER 14’s extra screen real estate go to waste either. Not only can you have two apps running side by side, but you can also have one app in floating window mode while another runs full-size behind it—great for having a calculator or a quick chat window just a tap away.

Going all the way back to your app drawer can be a hassle on a massive tablet like this one, which is why TCL added its Edge Bar feature. By swiping in from the edge and briefly holding, you bring up a customizable mini dock with useful shortcuts and tools, but you can also add your own apps to the mix.

As an avid reader, using the NXTPAPER 14 in portrait mode feels even better, at least for me. Whether I’m scrolling through a Google Doc or even the recently redesigned Tom’s Guide home page, I still can’t get over how much I can see at a time on this tablet’s larger display.

Though I covered this in more depth with the NXTPAPER 11 Plus, don’t forget that you aren’t limited to your standard reading modes here either. With a push of its namesake NXTPAPER Key, you can switch from the default Regular Mode to either Color Paper Mode or Ink Paper Mode. Both have their upsides, but I particularly like how using Ink Paper Mode on the NXTPAPER 14 extends its battery life significantly. There’s just something about seeing your remaining battery estimate jump from double to triple-digit hours with the push of a button.

If reading isn’t your thing, you’re still in luck because at 14.3 inches, the NXTPAPER 14 is around the same size as a portable monitor.

A smarter portable monitor

You won’t have any trouble running the respective apps for any of the best streaming services on the NXTPAPER 14. However, when I first used it to stream video content, I did so a bit differently. I was wrapping Christmas presents in the sitting room where we don’t have a TV and wanted to put on something in the background. Instead of Netflix, I opened the app for the Ugreen NAS I recently added to my home network and watched one of my favorite holiday movies to help deal with the fact that I’m terrible at wrapping presents.

As I recently had a chance to test out Genki’s new Covert Dock 3 with my Switch 2, I wanted to see if I could get some more demanding games running on the NXTPAPER 14. With its octa-core MediaTek MT8781 processor, you can play some simple games, but you won’t be playing the mobile version of Red Dead Redemption anytime soon. That’s where Genki’s ShadowCast 3 Pro comes in.

I hooked up the Covert Dock 3 under my desk, but instead of plugging in an HDMI cable to go out to my TV, I used the ShadowCast 3 Pro to get the video feed from my Switch 2 on the NXTPAPER 14. I did have to buy and download the Noir Pro: USB Camera app for $9, but that’s a small price to pay to play my Switch 2 on a tablet.

As I recently had a chance to test out Genki’s new Covert Dock 3 with my Switch 2, I wanted to see if I could get some more demanding games running on the NXTPAPER 14. With its octa-core MediaTek MT8781 processor, you can play some simple games, but you won’t be playing the mobile version of Red Dead Redemption anytime soon. That’s where Genki’s ShadowCast 3 Pro comes in.

I hooked up the Covert Dock 3 under my desk, but instead of plugging in an HDMI cable to go out to my TV, I used the ShadowCast 3 Pro to get the video feed from my Switch 2 on the NXTPAPER 14. I did have to buy and download the Noir Pro: USB Camera app for $9, but that’s a small price to pay to play my Switch 2 on a tablet.

Not quite prime real estate

The NXTPAPER 14 remains just as impressive after using it for several months now as it did when it literally stopped me in my tracks while walking through that mall in Taiwan. I always thought smaller was best when it comes to tablets, but after spending some quality time with its massive display, I now appreciate all that extra screen real estate.

Compared to more premium tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra or the iPad Pro, the NXTPAPER 14 does struggle at times with more demanding tasks. However, not only are you paying half or even a third less than those flagship prices, but you also don’t have to budget for the extra cost of accessories like a case or a stylus — TCL gives you the whole "clipboard folio" kit right in the box.

Given that TCL was kind enough to send over both the NXTPAPER 14 and the 11 Plus, I’m going to use the latter when I need portable power and the former when sheer screen size is most important. Still, you can’t go wrong with either of these more affordable tablets, especially as they pack in plenty of unique features you just won’t find anywhere else.

Who knows? Maybe TCL will go even larger with its next NXTPAPER tablet. Even if it doesn’t, though, I’d love to see a second-generation NXTPAPER 14 with just a bit more power under the hood to match its massive potential.

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In 2025, the TCL QM8K was one of the best TVs of the year. Its bright, quantum dot-bolstered picture and frequent discounts made it an attractive option for those looking for a bargain on a high-performing TV.

The TCL QM8L is a brand-new TV for 2026. Unlike its predecessor, the QM8L leverages a new type of Mini-LED display that TCL is calling Super Quantum Dot (SQD). It recently launched for a relatively high price tag, but just like the QM8K, it's on sale now.

If you're looking to upgrade your TV this year and you've got an eye for premium performance, there's a good chance you'll be choosing between these two sets. Here's how the QM8L and last-year's QM8K compare — from performance to features and price.

TCL QM8L vs QM8K: specs compared

Both sets come in screen sizes between 65 and 98 inches. Folks in the market for something smaller (like the ever-popular 55-inch screen size) will have to shop around. More similarities: Both TVs support Dolby Vision as well as the royalty-free version of Dolby Vision, HDR10+.

In addition, both of these TCL TVs conveniently come with ATSC 3.0 support. This feature allows over-the-air broadcasts to be piped-in at native 4K resolution via antenna. 4K over-the-air broadcasts are still few and far between, but for folks who watch TV via antenna, ATSC 3.0 is a very nice feature to have.

Both sets serve up HDMI 2.1-compatible inputs and support 4K gaming at 120Hz. This spec can be pushed to 4K/144Hz when a gaming PC is in play.

Crucially, though, only the QM8L offers a full suite of four HDMI 2.1 inputs. On the QM8K, you're only getting two high-bandwidth ports. For this reason, the QM8L is better suited for people with multiple gaming devices, as they won't have to worry about a console being plugged into a less-capable port.

Winner: TCL QM8L

TCL QM8L vs QM8K: design

The QM8L (seen above) is a thicker, heavier TV than many LED-based sets. Thankfully, the look doesn't cross over into something industrial.

From a profile view, the QM8L's panel-and-chassis combo is mostly uniform, which goes a long way towards preserving its non-industrial vibe. The whole package sits atop a heavy, pedestal-style stand positioned below the center of the screen.

The stand design is helpful if you intend to place the QM8L on a narrow credenza or media console. Were there wide-set feet straddling the corners of the screen instead, folks who opt for a larger-sized QM8L would need a wide-enough surface to accommodate the setup.

The QM8K (seen above) is nearly identical in its design approach. It, too, comes with a pedestal-style stand. Like its successor, the QM8K's thicker-than-average, Mini-LED display is also mostly uniform when viewed from the side.

Both TVs arrive with a similarly designed remote control, as well. I appreciate this quite a bit, as I find TCL's latest remote design to be both useful in its button layout and comfortable to hold. Best of all? These clickers are backlit, a feature whose convenience can't be understated whenever the lights are off.

Given their near-identical designs, this category is a draw. Both of these TCL TVs are among the best-designed sets in the brand's catalogue.

Winner: Draw

TCL QM8L vs QM8K: performance

Before we dive into which of these TVs is the better performer, let's compare their test results. (Both TVs were in their respective Filmmaker picture modes when these tests were taken.)

It's important to acknowledge just how similarly these TVs perform across all content — not just 4K, HDR-mastered movies and shows.

While the QM8L is undoubtedly the brighter of the two sets, most people would be hard-pressed to clock a difference in brightness during a side-by-side comparison. More importantly, both of these Mini-LED TVs do a fine job of minimizing light bloom whenever bright picture elements clash with dark backgrounds (though the QM8L is a bit better with its backlight control).

According to our test results, the year-old QM8K does a slightly better job dialing-in its color points in TCL's Filmmaker mode. However, the difference between a Delta-E of 2.7 and 3.7 isn't dramatic, so you can expect a comparable out-of-the-box experience on the newer QM8L.

Performance begins to diverge when we compare color volume. Thanks to TCL's SQD technology (a new spin on quantum-dot color), the QM8L covers a whopping 90% of the BT.2020 color space. The QM8K is no slouch, but its 80% figure is closer to what we measure on standard, non-SQD Mini-LED TVs.

Yes, both TVs are bright and colorful-enough to deliver a punchy, room-filling experience during HDR-mastered content. If you were to look at them side by side, however, there's a good chance you'd clock redder reds and brighter highlights on the QM8L.

It's tempting to dock the QM8L for its relatively high color error score in Filmmaker mode, but I must stress that these TVs are close enough in performance while set to their most-accurate picture modes that the average person won't need to worry about this.

When you take it all together, the QM8L's slightly higher brightness, added color and lower input latency make for superior performance — if only by a little.

Winner: TCL QM8L

TCL QM8L vs QM8K: smart platform and features

As is the case with picture quality, both of these TVs are quite similar when it comes to their streaming- and gaming-related features.

Both the TCL QM8L and the QM8K are built around the Google TV smart platform. Pound for pound, I prefer Google TV over every smart platform not named "Roku," as its interface is easier to navigate than LG's webOS and Samsung's Smart Hub.

Yes, there are ads all over Google TV. But I don't often find that the ads are getting in the way of my navigation, which happens often when I'm using rival software suites. Google TV is also connected to a vast library of downloadable apps, so it's more than capable of being a daily driver.

The QM8L and QM8K both come with a similar set of gaming features. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, which ensure artifact-free performance when games get fast paced. TCL's Game Bar — a quick-access menu that puts gaming-related settings on your screen immediately — is represented on both models, too.

As mentioned, in order to access the QM8K's full set of features, a device must be plugged into one of its two only HDMI 2.1 inputs. The QM8L, on the other hand, is outfitted with four high-bandwidth inputs.

We've already come to terms with this difference in HDMI hardware when comparing these TVs' specs. As far as features go, they're almost the same TV.

Winner: Draw

TCL QM8L vs QM8K: outlook

The QM8L and QM8K are nearly carbon copies. The QM8L delivers better performance (thanks to slightly higher brightness, better color volume and lower input latency), but it's up to you to determine if those marginal benefits are worth the added price.

The QM8L just launched at $2,499 for a 65-inch version, but it didn't take long to go on sale. Right now, you can get the 65-inch TCL QM8L for $1,799 at Best Buy. The 75-inch QM8L is just $1,999 at Best Buy at the time of publishing.

The QM8K, on the other hand, is much more affordable. You can nab the 65-inch QM8K at Amazon for just $997. The 75-inch QM8K is $1,447 at Best Buy.

If I happened to be choosing between these two TVs, I'd likely spring for the newer QM8L — but not because of its slightly superior picture. The inclusion of two extra HDMI 2.1-compatible inputs is hugely helpful, as someone who does a fair amount of gaming across multiple devices.

If this sounds like you, the QM8L's added cost might be justified. You'll also be getting a more-colorful presentation.

For everyone else, I recommend saving as much money as possible by opting for the QM8K. The QM8L's price will likely continue to fall throughout the year, but as a 2025 release, the QM8K's stock won't last much longer.

More from Tom's Guide

• TCL QM8L review
• TCL QM8K review
• The RAM crisis came for computers first and now it's coming for TVs — here's why I recommend upgrading while you still can

The C6 OLED is LG's newest, mid-range OLED for 2026. It's the latest in a long line of massively popular, award-winning OLEDs that sit in the sweet spot between value-forward pricing and incredible performance.

The TCL QM8L is also a brand-new TV, but it leverages a new type of Mini-LED display that TCL is calling Super Quantum Dot (SQD). It recently launched for a relatively high price tag, but you can already find it on sale for a lower price than the LG C6.

If you're looking to upgrade your TV this year and you've got an eye for premium performance, there's a good chance you'll be choosing between these two sets. Here's how the C6 and QM8L compare — from performance to features and price.

LG C6 vs TCL QM8L: specs compared

Let's start with size availability between the C6 and QM8L. The QM8L is available in all of the most-popular sizes for an LED TV except 55 inches. We've tested the 75-inch version of the QM8L, and the smallest size in the series is 65 inches.

The C6 is also available in 77- and 83-inch versions, but these sizes are classified as an altogether different model: the LG C6H. If you want a 77- or 83-inch C6, you're technically buying the C6H OLED.

We should point out here that, while haven't tested the C6H in our labs yet, LG promises better performance on these sets as they're equipped with LG Display's newest RGB Tandem OLED. The 42- to 65-inch versions of the C6, on the other hand, leverage a standard WOLED display. That's not such a bad thing, as the numbers below will prove to you, but it's worth knowing what you're paying for.

Both TVs support Dolby Vision, but the QM8L also supports the royalty-free version of Dolby Vision, HDR10+. Of the two, Dolby Vision remains the most popular among streaming platforms and physical media.

Like all LG OLEDs, the C6 does not support ATSC 3.0 support. The QM8L does. This feature allows over-the-air broadcasts to be piped-in at native 4K resolution via antenna. 4K, over-the-air broadcasts are still few and far between, but for folks who watch TV via antenna, ATSC 3.0 is a very nice feature to have.

Both sets serve up four HDMI 2.1-compatible inputs and support 4K gaming at 120Hz. With a gaming PC linked up, 4K games can be pushed up to 165Hz on the C6 and 144Hz on the QM8L.

Winner: LG C6

LG C6 vs TCL QM8L: design

The C6 (seen above) follows the design approach of its predecessor, the LG C5. Its wedge-shaped stand attaches itself to the TV's chassis, and the stand's shape keeps the C6's screen relatively close to its surface. It's an elegant look, but you folks with tall soundbars should make sure that there's enough clearance. (I also appreciate the marble-like finish on the back of the panel even though it's less likely to be seen.)

Thanks to the nifty, narrow nature of OLED displays, the C6's panel is super-thin across most of its form. Its chassis bulges out around the panel's midsection, but even with this compartment, the C6 is a slim customer.

The C6 arrives with the newest version of LG's Magic Remote, which can be used to point and click at the screen. The remote also comes with a directional pad and scrolling wheel if you decide to forgo its Wiimote-like functionality.

While the C6 is a wafer-thin screen with a modest chassis attached to it, the QM8L (seen above) is more along the lines of a heavy, thick slab. TCL's latest take on a Mini-LED display leads to a beefier panel than what we typically see on QLED TVs.

I wouldn't call the QM8L's look distracting, but for folks after a TV that quietly blends in with its surroundings will almost certainly appreciate the look and feel of the C6 more. Though, for what it's worth, I find the crosshatched etching on the back of the QM8L to be a nice touch.

Unlike the C6's motion-activated remote, the QM8L arrives with a slim, standard remote with a sensible selection of buttons on its face. I prefer the QM8L's backlit buttons over the C6's motion controls, but your mileage may vary.

Both sets feature thoughtful designs. But as much as I appreciate a backlit remote control, the LG C6 strikes a better pose.

Winner: LG C6

LG C6 vs TCL QM8L: performance

Before we dive into which of these TVs is the better performer, let's compare their test results. (Both TVs were in their respective Filmmaker picture modes when these tests were taken.)

There's a lot to unpack here. The first thing that ought to jump out at you is brightness. Despite offering slightly brighter highlights during SDR content, the C6 is nowhere near as bright as the QM8L. In fact, during regular, everyday content, the QM8L's average picture brightness (that is, the luminance of the entire picture) is much higher than that of the C6.

During HDR content, the QM8L delivers intense, room-filling brightness, too. Specular highlights (like a glint of sunlight reflecting off a sword) are nearly three times brighter on the QM8L than the C6.

The advantages associated with added brightness carry over into the QM8L's color performance. Thanks to TCL's SQD technology (a new spin on quantum-dot color), the QM8L covers a whopping 90% of the BT.2020 color space. Were you to view the C6 and the QM8L side by side, there's a good chance you'd notice the latter's punchier color first.

This all points in one direction: From a purely performance-related standpoint, the QM8L is an all-around better choice for people with sun-soaked living spaces, or for folks who just want their next TV to provide a bright and bold cinematic picture.

But there's a very good argument to be made that the C6 is the better-performing TV. Its OLED-driven picture results in perfect black levels and pixel-level dimming. Despite its lower brightness ceiling and relatively limited color palette compared to the QM8L, the advantages of OLED display technology are massive.

Since specular highlights can be controlled with razor-like precision, HDR highlights on the C6 tend to stand out more. This allows for a deeper, detail-rich picture — a presentation that, at times, looks more realistic.

In addition, in its most-accurate picture mode, the C6 is much more dialed-in in its out-of-the-box state. You can see this in our test results, as the C6's Delta-E (a figure that describes color error) is lower than the QM8L's.

The ever-important performance category is a draw. The QM8L is a brighter, more-colorful TV that will stand up better during daytime viewing, but the C6 is a much better option for A/V enthusiasts who value reference accuracy.

Winner: Draw

LG C6 vs TCL QM8L: smart platform and features

The C6 arrives with the newest version of LG's webOS right out of the box. It's a similar experience to last year's version of webOS, but LG has also added some new, AI-based features this year. Unfortunately, my colleague Dylan Haas referred to them as "meaningless" if you don't already incorporate AI into your daily life (and I'm inclined to agree).

As far as smart platform software goes, LG's webOS isn't my first choice. I find its interface to be cluttered and navigation to slow down occasionally. That said, most users will see no problem using it as their daily driver, should they decide to forgo a dedicated streaming device.

You're getting a full spread of HDMI 2.1-compatible inputs on both TVs, which is good news for dedicated gamers. On LG's side, the C6 arrives with almost every gaming-related feature under the sun, including support for 4K gaming at 120Hz (and up to 165Hz), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and AMD FreeSync Premium.

One of its best gaming-related features is the inclusion of LG's Game Optimizer mode. This dedicated gaming menu puts all of your most-important settings all in one place, and it automatically appears when accessing the primary settings menu during gameplay.

The TCL QM8L is built around the Google TV smart platform. Pound for pound, I prefer Google TV over LG's webOS software suite, as its interface is easier to navigate. Along with Roku, Google TV is one of my top picks for built-in streaming.

For gaming, the QM8L is loaded with upside, though it's not quite as complete an experience as the C6. It, too, arrives with VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro and support for 4K gaming at 120Hz, but while the C6 stretches all the way up to 165Hz during PC gaming, the QM8L tops out at 144Hz. Fortunately, this will only be relevant for a small slice of shoppers.

Having used it for a while, I can say that LG's Game Optimizer mode is quite nice to have in one's back pocket. The C6 has the edge here, but if you're not a gamer, there's a higher likelihood that the QM8L's inclusion of Google TV will be better for you in the long run than the C6's reliance on webOS.

Winner: LG C6

LG C6 vs TCL QM8L: outlook

Setting aside price, the C6 is an all-around better choice for home theater enthusiasts, picture purists and gamers. It's not as bright as the QM8L (nor as colorful), but if your goal is to splash out on an impressive, accurate picture, the C6 is the superior pick. (And, while we've yet to test this, I suspect that the above is especially true for the 77- and 83-inch versions of the C6H, which purportedly offers better brightness and color.)

The QM8L is a safer pick for people who watch a ton of TV during the day, or for folks who just want a bright, visually arresting picture when the lights are off. As a Mini-LED TV, its ability to control contrast isn't nearly as impressive as the C6, though it is packed with nearly the same set of gaming features.

If you still can't choose between the two, perhaps you'll be swayed by their respective price tags. Today, you can spring for a 65-inch C6 for $2,699 on Amazon. The 55-inch LG C6 can be had for $1,999.

The QM8L just launched at $2,499 for a 65-inch version, but it didn't take long to go on sale. Right now, you can get the 65-inch TCL QM8L for $1,799 at Best Buy. The 75-inch QM8L is just $1,999 at Best Buy at the time of publishing — the same price as the 55-inch C6.

In the coming months, both TVs will likely drop in price. For a brighter, more-affordable experience, the QM8L will remain the better option. For a more precise picture with better gaming features, the C6 will continue to be the way to go.

More from Tom's Guide

• LG C6 OLED review
• TCL QM8L TV review: SQD-Mini LED delivers big color, high brightness
• The RAM crisis came for computers first and now it's coming for TVs — here's why I recommend upgrading while you still can

Everyone wants to save money, but nobody wants to buy something that ends up being too cheap. This is especially true when it comes to TVs, as ultra-affordable sets often come with such poor performance that they don't even seem worth the sale price.

This is why I recommend shopping strategically — especially when shopping for a big screen. Need an example? The 75-inch TCL QM5K is just $549 at Best Buy right now. This TV already represented one of the most affordable ways to lock down Mini-LED backlighting in an extra-large size point, but this deal catapults it near the top of my list of best TV deals of the year.

What sets the QM5K apart from other affordable options? Its nifty display hardware. Take it from someone who's been testing and reviewing TVs for over a decade: If you're planning on putting a 75-inch screen in your home, you absolutely want Mini-LED backlighting instead of direct- or edge-lit LEDs.

Although the QM5K's array of Mini-LEDs isn't as advanced as what you'll find on higher-end Mini-LED TVs, it still makes a noticeable difference. Compared to garden-variety LEDs, Mini-LEDs typically result in better contrast and higher overall brightness.

75-inch TVs don't go on sale for $549 very often, and 75-inch Mini-LED TVs very rarely get this cheap. This is one of the reasons why I've been recommending this TV to people who want to save money, but who also want to avoid buying a so-so model.

The QM5K is also ready to take on your daily streaming duties, since it comes with the Google TV software suite built right in. Along with Roku, Google TV is one of my preferred smart platforms right now. It offers a relatively easy experience (thanks to a straightforward interface) as well as a ton of downloadable apps.

Having a reliable, built-in smart platform is especially important for the QM5K, too, because it's only equipped with three HDMI ports. With a reliable platform in tow, you won't have to burn one of these ports on a dedicated streaming device.

If you're trying to save money on a new, big-screen TV but don't want to get stuck with a lousy set, I recommend that you avoid scraping the bottom of the barrel for one that doesn't offer Mini-LED backlighting. The QM5K won't blow you away, but it's better than most of the alternatives under $600.

More from Tom's Guide

• Sony just handed its TV business to TCL — here’s what it means for you
• I tested TCL’s $8,000 SQD Mini-LED TV — here's my verdict
• TCL finally added this key feature to its 2025 TVs — here's why you should use it

TCL, makers of a wide range of QLEDs and Mini-LED TVs, is offering an impressive slate of top-shelf options in 2026. As is the case with every major TV brand, the best TCL TVs you can buy right now are a blend of last-year's top TVs and the newest high-end models.

The TCL X11L is the brand's most-premium offering in 2026; the TCL QM9K, on the other hand, is the top-performing TCL TV from 2025. Right now, they occupy the same shelf space.

Both sets leverage Mini-LED backlighting for a bright, punchy picture. But these two TCL TVs diverge when it comes to performance, features and price. Here's what you need to know before shopping.

TCL X11L vs TCL QM9K: specs compared

These are similarly spec'd TVs, but there a few noteworthy differences to highlight here. For one thing, the QM9K is the only one to come in a 65-inch variant. The X11L starts at 75 inches. If you want a screen below the 75-inch size point, the QM9K is the set that'll get you there.

Secondly, the QM9K only offers a pair of HDMI 2.1-compatible ports — the remaining pair is limited to HDMI 2.0. The X11L, meanwhile, features HDMI 2.1 compatibility across all four of its inputs.

This distinction is especially relevant for gamers. While both sets support 4K gaming at 120Hz (and up to 144Hz with a gaming PC linked up), only the X11L supports this functionality across every single HDMI input. With the QM9K, you're limited to just two of these high-bandwidth inputs. The lesser, HDMI 2.0-based inputs are limited to 4K content at up to 60Hz.

Everything else comes out in a wash. Dolby Vision support is in represented on both of these TVs, as well as HDR10+. Additionally, both the X11L and the QM9K come with ATSC 3.0 support. This allows over-the-air broadcasts to be piped-in at native 4K resolution when available. 4K broadcasts aren't very common, but this feature is nevertheless nice to have.

That said, the addition of two extra HDMI 2.1 inputs fills out the X11L's spec sheet. It's the full package.

Winner: TCL X11L

TCL X11L vs TCL QM9K: design

The TCL X11L (seen above) is packing some heavy-duty technology (which I'll get into shortly). It's also only available in 75-, 85- and 98-inch sizes. This combination means that its overall design needs to accommodate heavy hardware across big screens.

As a result, the X11L is a bit of a chonkster. While its panel isn't exactly thick, the chassis connected to the bottom of the panel's backside is pretty deep for a high end Mini-LED TVs. The TV's Bang & Olufsen-branded internal speakers creates a thick band at the bottom of the screen which adds to the X11L's larger-than-life appearance.

Its beefed-up chassis sits gingerly on a pair of narrow, wide-set feet. The juxtaposition of the big, honkin' screen and the slim, scaled-down feet is eye-catching, but you'll need an extra-wide credenza or media console if you're planning on plopping down a 75- or 85-inch X11L.

By contrast, the QM9K (seen above) relies on a pedestal-style stand. The heavy, wedge-shaped piece sits below the center of the screen, and because of this placement, the QM9K doesn't need as wide of a surface to sit on.

And although the QM9K isn't quite as slim as the X11L at its narrowest point, its profile appears more svelte since it doesn't bulge out as much as the X11L.

As far as contemporary TVs go, both of these sets feature good-looking designs. However, the QM9K is undoubtedly an easier-to-manage setup due to its pedestal-style stand.

Winner: TCL QM9K

TCL X11L vs TCL QM9K: performance

Before we dive into which of these TVs is the better performer, let's compare their test results. (Both TVs were in their respective Filmmaker picture mode when these tests were taken.)

First, let's talk about brightness. Along with its gobsmacking color, brightness is the X11L's bread and butter. However, the X11L comes with several settings that throttle its blistering brightness by default. We measured a sensational 2,679 nits of HDR highlight brightness on the X11L, but it's worth noting that this set is capable of getting much, much brighter with its backlight completely cranked up.

This is especially true when measuring even smaller highlights on the X11L than the 10% window reported above. Indeed, the X11L is capable of brightness levels well above 6,000 nits, and despite the QM9K's 4,000+ nits of HDR highlight brightness, I'd wager that the X11L is the brighter TV during HDR-mastered content.

Brightness isn't the whole story, either. TCL refers to the X11L as a Super Quantum Dot (SQD) TV. This souped-up quantum-dot technology is engineered to squeeze as much color as it can out of a standard, Mini-LED-backed picture, and the numbers bear this out.

TCL's top-of-the-line SQD TV covers more of the BT.2020 color gamut than any Mini-LED TV we've measured to date. It even matches the high-water mark set by some quantum dot-enhanced OLED TVs we've measured in recent years.

This doesn't mean the QM9K isn't impressive. As mentioned, it deploys a sensational level of HDR brightness and manages all of that horsepower responsibly with a well-engineered backlight system.

Colors, too, are a wonder to behold on the QM9K. While it can't quite reach the dizzying, psychedelic heights of the X11L, it nevertheless saturates about 80% of the BT.2020 color gamut.

Both TCL TVs come with an accurate, dialed-in presentation in Filmmaker mode. Both offer so-so input latency. But the X11L is the more colorful of the two, and despite our reported HDR highlight brightness in the table above, the X11L is capable of one of the brightest pictures money can buy — just as long as you tinker with the settings.

Each of these sets looks phenomenal on its own. In a side-by-side comparison, you'd almost certainly see the benefits of the X11L's SQD-driven picture. It's one of the best-performing TVs TCL has ever made.

Winner: TCL X11L

TCL X11L vs TCL QM9K: smart platform and features

Both the X11L and the QM9K are built around the Google TV software suite, and it's a handy smart platform to have in your back pocket if you intend to do most of your streaming on your TV instead of an external streaming device.

I love how snappy Google TV feels to use. The user interface is relatively straightforward, and the overall performance of the software is fantastic on both the QM9K and the X11L.

As mentioned, the X11L is the only one of these two sets to come with four HDMI 2.1 inputs, so dedicated gamers with multiple devices will have a less-complicated relationship with the X11L than the QM9K.

But beyond their HDMI inputs, you're looking at two equally capable gaming TVs. The X11L and QM9K each come with Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

As mentioned, Dolby Vision support is available on both TVs, as is ATSC 3.0 support. They each come with built-in sound systems branded by Bang & Olufsen (though I find the audio experience on the X11L to be fuller).

Winner: Draw

TCL X11L vs TCL QM9K: outlook

On paper and in person, there's no denying that the TCL X11L is a better-performing, more-accommodating TV for anyone shopping at the high-end level. But there's one critical factor that ought to be considered if you truly are trying to choose between them: price.

Right now, you can order the 75-inch TCL X11L for $6,999 at Amazon. That's a lot of money for any TV, and the bigger sizes in the series are even pricier.

Meanwhile, you can grab the 75-inch TCL QM9K for just $1,799 at Best Buy. That's a staggering $5,200 less than the similarly sized X11L. This is before you take into account the fact that the QM9K is available in a 65-inch version. The 65-inch QM9K is on sale for $1,599 at Best Buy.

As a new model, the price of the TCL X11L will almost certainly fall throughout the year. But here's the thing: So will the price of the QM9K.

All told, the X11L is a better-performing TV that offers gamers more flexibility. But I can assure you that it's also not $4,000 to $5,000 more impressive than the QM9K. For most people, the QM9K is the better pick. It comes in a 65-inch variant, its design is better suited for smaller living spaces and it's substantially cheaper than the X11L.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tested TCL’s $8,000 SQD Mini-LED TV — here's my verdict
• I tested the TCL QM9K Mini-LED TV and it’s incredibly bright — but not the best value
• The RAM crisis came for computers first and now it's coming for TVs — here's why I recommend upgrading while you still can

TCL introduced a raft of complex display technologies earlier this year, but reserved them for its rather expensive X11L line (one of this year’s best TVs).

Now those technologies have made their way down to the cheaper (though not cheap) QM8L models. They include upgraded Mini-LED backlighting and smaller nanoscale color filters that have brought LED-LCD TVs up to par with OLED in a number of categories. The result is a new TV line with impressive picture quality — especially its deep blacks with fine detail, powerful dynamic range, and impressive brightness that holds up in well-lit rooms.

The QM8L compares favorably to the best 75-inch TVs available in stores right now, and while it might not be the cheapest Mini-LED on the market this year, I still recommend it for folks who want the latest in cutting-edge TV tech.

TCL QM8L review: Pricing and availability

The QM8L sits just below the flagship TCL X11L line, but comes at a significant price decrease. The 75-inch version we evaluated lists for $2,999; a 65-inch version (the most-popular size for households buying a new set) has a $2,499 price tag.

All things considered, that's a big discount from the 75-inch X11L's $7,000 price tag, but if three grand is too much for you (perfectly understandable) you can find still-impressive quality in cheaper 75-inch models from 2025, such as TCL's own 75QM6K (under $1000), or the Hisense 75U8QG (around $1600).

To get better black levels, however, you might have to move into OLED models with pricing similar to the QM8L's, such as the excellent LG C5. The 77-inch C5 originally listed for $3,699 but can now be had for less than $2000.

Like the C5 mentioned above, expect the QM8L to drop in price later this year; If that’s not something you can wait for, TCL is also launching another new TV line, the QM7L, which incorporates similar — though less high-end — screen technologies at lower prices. That 75-inch model will be available for $1,999, while a 65-inch will only set you back $1,499. We opted to test the QM8L first, but will shortly call in the QM7L for review.

TCL QM8L review: Design

This TV is not especially skinny by modern standards, at two inches thick; but that's the reasonable trade-off for its sophisticated full-array LED backlighting behind the screen. The QM8L also leaves room for a speaker system, with mid-bass speakers for deeper tones.

As with most flat panels today, the QM8L's bezel is of negligible thickness, leaving essentially all screen and just the letters "TCL" at the bottom.

The screen sits on a central pedestal, allowing you to place it on a smaller table. (Cheaper TVs tend to have feet close to each end of the screen.) That's especially useful for the 75-inch model that measures nearly five-and-a-half feet wide.

TCL QM8L review: Ports

The QM8L TV has a full array of connectivity. It starts with four HDMI ports, all supporting the 2.1 standard that allows input up to 4K at 144Hz (the panel's max refresh rate). Most video sources top out at 120Hz, although some high-end gaming rigs do go up to 144Hz. Pair that with the 9.5ms input lag (one of the fastest we've measured), and you have a cutting-edge gaming screen.

One HDMI port features eARC, providing Dolby Atmos and DTS Premium Sound digital audio output to a soundbar or home-theater system. The QM8L also has optical S/PDIF audio output for legacy systems, however. In addition, this TV offers a range of wireless speaker options (more about them below).

The set sports a pair of USB ports. One supports the 2.0 standard, with adequate power (0.5 amp) for the best streaming sticks, such as those from Amazon and Roku (providing an option if you don't like the Google TV interface). The other supports USB 3.0, with up to 0.9 amp — generally enough to power a small external hard drive and with the bandwidth to smoothly deliver large video files from it.

There is a LAN networking port (pretty much a vestigial organ in the era of fast Wi-Fi), and the RF input attaches to a tuner supporting the latest ATSC 3.0 standard for higher-quality broadcast TV features, such as high dynamic range (HDR). It has no bearing on content from online streaming or cable-TV boxes.

Aside from the power-cable input on the right, all ports cluster on the left side of the TV, when viewed from behind.

How we test

We follow a standard testing protocol for every TV we review at Tom’s Guide. Our benchmarks include a series of technical and subjective tests designed to rate the set’s performance.

For our technical tests, we set the TV to Filmmaker Mode (usually the most accurate out of the box) and take measurements using a Jeti spectraval 1501-HiRes spectroradiometer, a Klein K10-A colorimeter, a Murideo 8K-SIX-G Metal pattern generator, and Portrait Displays’s Calman TV-calibration software. We also use a Leo Bodnar 4K Video Signal Lag Tester for determining the TV’s gaming prowess.

Subjective tests vary based on the reviewer but usually include anecdotes from a diverse selection of movies, TV shows, and other content reflecting the types of things you may actually want to watch on the TV. For a more detailed look at what we do and how we do it, check out our “How we test TVs” page.

TCL QM8L review: Performance

Image quality from the QM8L is generally excellent, with some minor caveats. Deep blacks and wide dynamic range are undisputed strengths. TCL emphasizes that this LCD-based screen is not an "OLED Killer," but it's pretty darn close. The claims for color reproduction are equally grand compared to the brand-new LG C6 OLED, though the test results are mixed.

The QM8L leverages a full-array LED backlight, with 2,584 illumination zones behind the 75-inch screen, each zone tunable to over 67 million (26-bit) discrete brightness levels. (The 75-inch X11L is more expensive in part because it has even more zones, although TCL declined to specify how many.)

That fine degree of control is combined with other features, such as microlenses to concentrate the backlight and an LCD panel that TCL says better blocks light from bleeding through. The result is amazingly dark blacks, which could appear next to extremely bright items with none of the "blooming" or ghostly halos around them. We saw this in a photo of a brilliant blue neon sign against a deep-black background. Even the brightest, overexposed parts of the sign had distinct boundaries, with no gray zones around them.

Deep black is of little value if a TV can't also retain detail in the slightly less-than-black areas. The QM8L accomplishes that task. In a photo of a woman wearing a black straw hat, for instance, the details of the weave were clearly visible, as were the strands and shading in her dark brown hair. Yet the brighter elements also shined, without being washed out.

We saw the same in a digital restoration of "8½," Federico Fellini's 1963 black-and-white fever dream of a movie. One scene, set in a dim bedroom, shows details equally fine in people's dark clothing and a brilliant white sheet. A later scene in a sun-drenched garden achieves equal fidelity across the range of shades.

Both extremes were a bit overpowering in Standard Mode, however. The film had more subtle elegance in the TV’s Movie mode. While Filmmaker mode is meant to be the most accurate setting (and the benchmark for instrument testing), I tend to find it a bit dreary on all TVs: too warm and muted. For dark room viewing, I found the slightly livelier Movie mode more enjoyable.

The QM8L leverages its technology with newer high-dynamic range material, such as Chapter 4 in the Blu-ray of "Spiderman: No Way Home." Details are perfectly clear and luminous in the firelit conversation between Peter Parker and Dr. Strange, as well as the later scene in which Strange weaves his ill-fated fiery spell in a nearly black room.

I enjoyed the broad yet subdued range of hues in "Bridgerton" (Season 1, Ep 3, 17:00-19:00), especially the riot of colorful sundresses in a glittering outdoor scene. The QM8L also captured detail well in highlights, such as strong sunlight glinting off a woman's forehead. Like this Netflix series, the QM8L supports Dolby Vision, which embeds extra data to ensure that the TV more faithfully reproduces the content. I found the nearly identical Dolby Vision Light and Dolby Vision IQ best for preserving detail for faces that were shaded in an indoor party scene. Colors in our test photos were also pleasing, such as the muted-orange ribbon on the woman's hat.

TCL QM8L review: Test results

*As measured in Filmmaker Mode

Lab tests back up these results: an astronomical HDR brightness of 3,719 nits (measured in the 10% window method). That's one of the highest we've recorded (the top TV being over 5,000 nits) and about twice the average for TVs tested in 2025 and 2026. These results were recorded in the set's Filmmaker mode, the benchmark setting for our tests of all TVs, although it was an equally impressive 3772 nits in Standard Mode, the default setting that many people will likely watch the TV in.

Color is a more nuanced story: TCL certainly packs the technology, which it dubs SQD-Mini LED. Instead of generating light from blue LEDs as many TVs do — or a pricey trio of red, green, and blue LEDs — this TV starts with white light. It passes through a quantum-dot layer (common in modern TVs), with crystals that re-emit deeper reds and greens, before reaching the color filters in each pixel. TCL went higher-end in these aspects, as well.

The company claims that its quantum-dot crystals are engineered to produce richer shades, and that the smaller nanoparticles in its color filters (just 5nm across) can dial in better hues at the pixel level. TCL puts a number on this technology, claiming it covers 100% of the massive BT.2020 color gamut.

In our lab tests, however, we measured a bit less, at 90.34% in Filmmaker mode, which is the most color-accurate mode on this and generally all other TVs. The results were virtually identical in the Standard, Movie, and Vivid modes. It's worth noting, however, that little or no content is made to fill this color space, so the stat is more for theoretical bragging rights.

While the QM8L has big color guns, it doesn't aim them as accurately as other TVs: We saw that in Delta-E, a measure of how far a screen's colors differ from how they should appear, in which a lower number is better. In Filmmaker mode, the QM8L posted a Delta-E of 3.7. That's one of the worst in a field with a lowest measure of just 1.1 (essentially perfect) and an average of 2.5.

Few people watch TV with a colorimeter in hand, however, and the 3.7 measured in Filmmaker mode is just on the edge of perceptibility for a casual viewer. Instruments aside, the real-life experience of watching the QM8L is quite pleasant.

TCL QM8L review: Audio

TCL also claims bragging rights for the QM8L's sound system, provided by big-name audio company Bang & Olufsen. It's labeled as "2.2-channel" sound, indicating a pair of mini-subwoofers for deeper tones. However TCL describes these as mid-base drivers, not true subwoofers. The company did not respond to our request to clarify, nor to specify the wattage of the speakers.

In practice, I found performance to be on the higher-end of built-in speaker systems, but not radically better than other TVs I've heard. For instance, the Hisense QD7 (about $500 for the 65-inch model I tested or around $550 for a 75-inch) produces rumbling bass from its 30-watt stereo system.

I found the Movie audio mode to be the best in all respects. Versus Standard, it produced a clearer and richer sound in the deep, soulful voiceover of the "Stranger Things: Part 3" trailer, for instance. (That clip also showed brilliant HDR detail, too.) The aforementioned conversation was a bit crisper in "Spiderman," as well.

The difference was less dramatic in music from the "K-Pop Demon Hunters Sing Along" trailer, however. It still sounded better in Movie mode, but not by much, over Standard and Intelligent modes. Music mode also didn't yield the improvement one might expect. In fact, I scarcely noticed a difference between Standard and Intelligent modes with anything I listened to. Perhaps Intelligent was a bit clearer, but it's hard to say.

The QM8L also supports both the Dolby Atmos and DTS Premium Sound formats for enveloping spatial audio: either virtualized using the built-in speakers or in full effect with a surround sound system. The set also supports Dolby's new FlexConnect 4.1.4 system for attaching up to four wireless speakers (in addition to a wireless subwoofer) to provide true Dolby Atmos surround sound.

TCL QM8L review: Interface and remote

Navigating the QM8L's Google TV interface is a mixed experience. On the plus side, accessing device settings is as simple and intuitive as I've seen. Simply press the three-line "hamburger"-icon in the upper right of the remote to pull up a ribbon of settings at the bottom of the screen. These include brightness, picture mode, sound mode, and display & soundsettings. Tapping any one of these brings up the full set of controls for the category.

If you’re someone who’s concerned about personal data collection, I recommend going to Settings > Privacy and poking around. If you have signed in with your Google account, the TV will be collecting a lot of information on you. You can limit that by turning off location tracking, for instance, or deleting your Advertiser ID. Also take a look at what apps may be accessing other information, such as your calendar or email.

In the future, you may be able to put the remote down to do some of this. TCL plans to roll out new Google TV capabilities that allow Gemini to make adjustments based on natural language voice prompts such as, "my screen is too dark." Those features were not enabled when I tested the QM8L, however.

But I could take advantage of the current ability to ask Gemini for content recommendations, and it's up for the challenge. For instance, my colleague asked Gemini: "Can you suggest a romantic comedy that's also an action movie that's also a racing movie that also has Brad Pitt in it." Gemini suggested the 2025 film "F1," probably the best possible answer to that ridiculous request.

Although it’s not something I’ve seen reported elsewhere, I had issues initially getting Google TV set up: The Google TV app either failed to realize that I was trying to set up a TV, or it failed to transfer the wireless network settings from my phone. Signing into my Google account was also hit or miss. What's more: Setup often timed out as I was dealing with these glitches, forcing me to start all over again.

Issues aside, the Google TV interface is attractive, easy to navigate and responsive. I’m not sure if I’d say it’s better than Samsung’s Tizen or LG’s webOS platform, but those aren’t without their own set of flaws, either.

TCL QM8L review: Verdict

TCL's X11L and now its QM8L TV lines show how far LCD technology can be pushed into OLED territory. It may not quite reach perfect black-level performance, but it's getting closer. Its elegant, local-dimming white LED technology achieves far higher brightness levels than OLEDs. That huge brightness range can help blacks appear deeper than they actually are and achieve impressive high dynamic range.

Lab results for color are a bit mixed, with lackluster Delta-E in the Filmmaker mode — but the real-world effect is less significant than the numbers might indicate. The QM8L is a relatively strong performer on color fidelity in the other modes, such as Standard.

Then there's the price. It's reasonable for the cutting-edge tech and OLED-adjacent performance, but it's your call if bleeding-edge tech is worth bleeding your wallet. If not, you have two options: Select a still-good, cheaper top 75-inch TV or wait six months to a year for the price to drop. Either way, the QM8L proves SQD is here to stay.

While Black Friday is widely known as one of the best times of the year to find good TV deals, fewer people will tell you about the benefits of shopping for a TV in early spring. As we speak, many of the most popular models from last year are on sale for wildly low prices, as brands are busy launching their newest lineups.

Such is the case for one of my favorite entry-level Mini-LED TVs, the TCL QM6K. Right now, you can get a 55-inch TCL QM6K for just $449 at Best Buy. It's a full $350 off one of the only affordable Mini-LED TVs I'd actually buy with my own money.

What makes the TCL QM6K such a good value proposition is its Mini-LED backlighting. If you spent even less on a cheaper TV, there's a good chance you'd end up with a set that doesn't offer Mini-LEDs.

Thanks to this more-sophisticated type of display, the QM6K delivers higher brightness and better overall contrast than most direct- or edge-lit LED TVs. Mini-LEDs allow for a punchier, more-cinematic picture compared to bog standard LED TVs.

In his TCL QM6K review, my colleague Malcolm McMillan described being "blown away by the picture quality." Mini-LEDs are to thank for that.

For its price, the QM6K also offers a better-than-average array of features for streaming and gaming. This TV supports 4K gaming at 120Hz across two of its HDMI inputs, which is super useful for console gamers, as this is the highest 4K spec for current-gen consoles.

If you're constantly streaming shows and movies, you'll be pleased to learn that the QM6K's built-in streaming software is reliable enough for everyday use. The QM6K is built around Google TV, which is one of my favorite streaming platforms. Google TV combines an easy-to-use interface with a huge selection of downloadable apps, making it the perfect companion if you'd rather not shell out for an external streaming device.

At its original price, the 55-inch QM6K was a pretty good deal. At $449, it's a downright smart way to spend money on a budget-friendly, 4K upgrade.

More from Tom's Guide

• I test TVs for a living — 5 signs it's time to replace your TV
• I’ve set up hundreds of TVs in my career — here are 6 mistakes people make when setting up a new TV
• 5 TCL TV settings to change for the best possible picture

In 2026, nearly every major TV brand — including TCL — is rolling out a whole new type of TV: RGB LED. But TCL wasn't satisfied to simply follow the rest of the industry and call it a day. In addition to launching its own RGB LED TVs in the coming months, TCL is also busy debuting a new type of quantum-dot TV, too.

Dubbed Super Quantum Dot (or SQD for short), the TCL QM8L and QM7L are souped-up Mini-LED TVs that shake up the tried and true formula for quantum-dot color. These sets will live alongside the RM9L as an alternative to TCL's RGB Mini-LED TV this year.

Recently, we put the flagship-level QM8L through its paces in our test lab, and there's one aspect of its performance that truly surprised me: its color.

The TCL QM8L delivers incredible color

If you're looking for the brightest, purest color money can buy in 2026, there are three types of TV that ought to be on your radar: quantum dot-enhanced OLED (QD-OLED), RGB LED, and now, SQD Mini-LED.

We got our first taste of SQD Mini-LED earlier this year when we tested and reviewed the TCL X11L, the top TV to tap this cutting-edge technology this year. The X11L's gobsmackingly good color immediately made an impression, setting the stage for how this display type might perform on a more-affordable model like the QM8L.

We'll publish a full list of the TCL QM8L's test results soon, but for now, let's take a look at how its color volume compares to its both its predecessor and some of the most colorful TVs we've ever reviewed.

The QM8L delivers significantly brighter, purer color than its predecessor, the TCL QM8K. The QM8K is a Mini-LED TV that leverages quantum dots the good ol' fashioned way, so this gives us a pretty clear indication that color volume has improved quite a bit year over year.

The Samsung S95F is a quantum dot-OLED TV that has set the bar for color within the entire OLED class. According to our tests, the QM8L just barely edges out the S95F when it comes to color volume. That's nothing to sneeze at.

Most impressive is how close the QM8L's color result is to the wildly expensive TCL X11L, a TV whose color is at the very center of its own marketing campaign. The QM8L starts at $2,499 for the 65-inch model, while the 75-inch X11L starts at a whopping $6,999. If you're looking for a similar presentation at a lower cost, the QM8L could be your best bet this year.

The power of Super Quantum Dot color

The Super Quantum Dot recipe is made up of a few ingredients: reformulated quantum dots, a new color filter for said quantum dots and some algorithmic tweaking (which TCL is calling its Advanced Color Purity Algorithm) designed to keep colors consistent.

Together, all of these elements make up TCL's all-new Deep Color System. To date, the X11L, QM8L and QM7L are the only three SQD Mini-LED TVs slated for 2026.

As mentioned, the QM8L starts at $2,499 for a 65-inch model. A 75-inch version will set you back $2,999, and an 85-inch QM8L is available for $3,999.

I expect the step-down QM7L to be a popular choice for A/V enthusiasts on the hunt for a good deal, as this version is available in a smaller, 55-inch screen size and costs less than the QM8L. The 55-inch QM7L starts at $1,199, and the 65-inch version comes in at $1,499.

TCL QM8L SQD Mini-LED TV: outlook

There are a ton of TVs hitting shelves this year that promise bright, captivating color, and the QM8L is right in the mix. We've only just begun to measure some of the recently released RGB LED TVs from Samsung and Hisense, but from what we've seen so far, their red-, green- and blue-colored backlights appear to have a slight edge over TCL's reformulated quantum-dot display.

Nevertheless, it's exciting to see some of the biggest names in the TV industry upping the ante in the LED space. For a while now, QD-OLED TVs have been the top option for viewers looking for the most-colorful experience, but there seems to be a worldwide effort at work to rewrite the script.

More from Tom's Guide

• TCL’s “Super QLED” TV is the new king of color — here’s what our test results say
• I tested TCL’s $8,000 SQD Mini-LED TV — here's my verdict
• TCL and Sony are joining forces to sell more TVs — but is that bad news for shoppers?

The TCL QM9K is a great TV and one that I actually quite like, with a panel so bright it’s tailor-made for rooms with lots of windows and ambient light. However, its unfortunate release timing really hurt its chances of becoming the best TV of 2025. It launched at the last-minute and followed on the coattails of the ultra-popular (and more affordable) TCL QM8K.

These days the QM9K bumps up against other carryovers from 2025 like the Hisense U8QG and the Samsung QN90F, two of the best TVs from last year when it comes to show-stopping Mini-LED screens. It’s also around the same price as the LG C5 OLED, the only TV to be awarded a perfect score from our editorial team in 2025.

Given its current price of $1,499 and its above-average performance, it’s certainly still a compelling buy in the face of new 2026 models that are priced much higher (see: the $6,999 TCL X11L) but the QM9K’s biggest mistake is that it’s a casualty of circumstance: There’s better value below it and better performance above it, plus new models that leverage Mini-RGB technology right around the corner.

TCL QM9K review: Price and release date

The TCL QM9K is the ultimate TCL Mini-LED from 2025. It launched back in September in 65-, 75-, 85- and 98-inch screen sizes.

Here are the current sale prices for the TCL QM9K:

• 65-inch 65QM9K: $1,999 at launch | $1,499 on sale
• 75-inch 75QM9K: $3,499 at launch | $1,999 on sale
• 85-inch 85QM9K: $2,999 at launch | $2,499 on sale
• 98-inch 98QM9K: $5,999 at launch | $3,999 on sale

If you’re looking to buy the QM9K, I think the 75-inch model is the best bang for your buck. You’ll get all the performance and features of a flagship TV at a slightly more affordable price.

If $2,000 is more than you wanted to spend — and I certainly wouldn’t blame you — you can find both the 65-inch QM8K and 75-inch QM7K for just under $1,000. You’re losing out on some specular highlights and better on-board audio by buying one of the two cheaper TCL Mini-LED TVs, but I wouldn’t let that stop you.

TCL QM9K review: Design

For review, Tom’s Guide was sent the 75-inch version of the QM9K. All models use a QD-Mini-LED backlight and color system with Full Array Local Dimming, but larger sizes come with more dimming zones (up to 6,000). The 75-inch model, as the middle child between the 65- and 85-inch models, offers a nice compromise between the upper and lower limits.

All models in the lineup except the 98-inch version use a central pedestal stand that allows you to place them on smaller tables. It’s not something I’d recommend, as TVs with pedestal designs are easier to tip thanks to a higher center of gravity — but not everyone has to worry about an overly curious one-and-a-half year old toddling around their office.

Should you decide to hang it on the wall, the 75-inch model is compatible with a standard 400mm x 400mm VESA mount.

Wall-mounting is going to be slightly problematic, however. The QM9K isn’t exactly slim at roughly two inches thick and, even without the stand, you’re looking at lifting around 63 pounds. It’s definitely a two or three person job.

For what it’s worth, though, I do like the limited brushed aluminum bezel that beautifully frames the glossy, perhaps-slightly-too-reflective screen.

TCL QM9K review: Ports

On the TCL QM9K you’ve got four full HDMI 2.1 ports — two more HDMI 2.1 ports than you’ll find on the more affordable QM8K and QM7K. Most folks probably won’t need all four of them right now in 2026, but it’s good to be prepared for the future.

In addition to the HDMI port selection, you’ve got USB ports to pick from (one of which is 3.0 compliant), an ethernet port, optical audio out and a coaxial port for an HD TV antenna.

Inside the TV is a tuner that supports ATSC 3.0 for 4K over-the-air broadcasts (these are location-dependent so be sure to check before buying it based on this one spec alone) and Wi-Fi 6. There’s also support for Dolby Atmos FlexConnect in addition to standard Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast Built-in. FlexConnect, Dolby’s latest technology that allows you to place speakers anywhere in your living room and get calibrated spatial audio sound tuned to wherever you want to sit, is one of the biggest advancements in audio in the last five years, so it’s great to see it included here.

TCL QM9K review: Performance

Under the glass, the QM9K has a lot going on. According to TCL, the QM9K has more than 6,000 local dimming zones in the largest screen sizes that are all powered by the AIPQ Pro Processor and WHVA panel.

Wide High-vertical alignment (WHVA) panels are TCL’s advanced version of the industry-standard VA panels that, in theory, offer better off-axis viewing angles and wider color gamut. Our test results do show a small boost in color saturation, and anecdotally, this is one of the best LED-based TVs for off-axis viewing I’ve ever seen as color almost never desaturated no matter where I moved in the room.

On top of all that, the additional local dimming zones do create better overall contrast with less bleed. “Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse” is chock full of scenes where bright, ultra-vivid colors sit directly next to inky blacks and dark greys — and they look phenomenal on the QM9K. I actually might like the look of this movie on the QM9K more than on the much more expensive Samsung QD-OLED I own.

Sports and darker content like “The Batman” both looked decent on the QM9K, but not earth-shatteringly better than on other Mini-LED TVs I saw in 2025. Scenes with lots of dark details could sometimes get lost due to some light black level crushing and motion artefacting cropped up a few times while watching MLS on Apple TV+.

Are the latter points absolute deal-breakers for me? No, especially considering how much vibrancy the QM9K retained when viewed off-axis and its blinding (in a good way) levels of peak brightness. They’re just small flies in what is otherwise excellent ointment.

To test its gaming chops, I played a few hours of Final Fantasy XVI on PS5. The game’s fast-motion action sequences looked great at 4K/60 — and keep in mind that it’s possible for the QM9K to hit refresh speeds of 144Hz when connected to a gaming PC. The downside is that its input latency (the time it takes for a signal to come in, be processed and reach the screen) is a bit high at 13ms.

I mostly play single-player games where input latency really doesn’t affect the gameplay, but gamers who want to shave every millisecond off their reaction times might want to go for an OLED instead.

How we test TVs

We follow a standard testing protocol for every TV we review at Tom’s Guide. Our benchmarks include a series of technical and subject tests designed to rate the set’s performance.

For our technical tests, we use a Jeti spectraval 1501-HiRes spectroradiometer, a Klein K10-A colorimeter, a Murideo 8K-SIX-G Metal pattern generator, and Portrait Displays’ Calman TV-calibration software to take measurements. We also use a Leo Bodnar 4K Input Lag Tester for determining the TV’s gaming prowess.

Subjective tests vary based on the reviewer, but usually feature anecdotes from a diverse selection of movies, TV shows, and other content reflecting the types of things you may actually want to watch on the TV.

TCL QM9K review: Test results

When it comes to Mini-LED TVs, the QM9K is really the pinnacle of performance. It’s bright in SDR (4,802 nits in Vivid mode) and even brighter in HDR (5,413 in Standard). Comparable models from Hisense and Samsung have a hard time keeping up here.

Now, I should note that the QM9K doesn’t produce a wall of light every time you turn it on. What our tests look for is the peak brightness in a 10% window — basically one small portion of the screen that could represent, say, a sunrise or an explosion. The only real competition the QM9K has in that category right now is the $8,000 TCL X11L that we measured at over 6,000 nits.

While peak brightness is the real highlight here (pun absolutely intended), the color volume and color accuracy of this TV — measured by the Gamut Coverage percentages and Delta-E score, respectively — are also top-notch. The QM9K’s Delta-E score of 1.82 is the lowest of any Mini-LED TV we tested in 2025. It doesn’t beat the LG C5 OLED’s nearly perfect score of 1.25, but it’s still incredibly impressive. (Keep in mind, of course, that any score under 3.0 is almost imperceptible to the human eye.)

But — and you knew this was coming — 2026 models are nearly here and they’re both brighter and more colorful than what we’re seeing with the QM9K. The newest Mini-LED TVs like the Samsung MR95F, LG MRGB95 and Hisense UR9/UR8 use Mini-RGB backlighting systems that simply produce purer colors and have Rec2020 scores in the 90% and up range and actually output 8,000 nits (again only in small portions of the screen). The QM9K still offers flagship performance… just at a very inconvenient time.

TCL QM9K review: Audio

To make the QM9K sound the best it can, TCL teamed up with Bang & Olufsen. The result is a multi-channel Dolby Atmos that sounds pretty good … under most circumstances. Calmer scenes, like ones with ongoing dialog between two characters, or action sequences without any dialog in it all, sound totally fine.

But the QM9K’s audio performance takes a hit when there’s a lot of audio overlapping. Take, for instance, the fight with Spot near Miles’ school in “Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse.” Spider-Man is tussling with a villain, so we’ve got the sound of two teleporting around plus the dialog between the characters. While that’s happening, Miles’ father is chasing them on the street, which has its own set of sounds — traffic noise, footsteps pounding on the pavement and his dad’s reactionary dialog — while chaos ensues all around him. Scenes with this much happening struggle to separate all the different sounds. Dialog might make it through OK, but the rest of what’s happening blends together in an amalgamation of noise.

The good news? The TCL QM9K is one of the only TVs that currently supports Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, which allows you to place compatible speakers anywhere in your room and get calibrated spatial audio sound tuned to wherever you want to sit. I wasn’t able to get a pair of TCL’s new FlexConnect home speakers to try it out for this review, but I’m currently testing the LG H7 FlexConnect Soundbar in a different room of the house and it’s great.

TCL QM9K review: Interface and apps

The QM9K uses the latest version of Google TV with Gemini. It’s one of the first TVs to host Google’s AI agent and while I didn’t find it all that helpful on a day-to-day basis, I could see it being handy to have down the road as AI continues to integrate into our everyday lives.

Google TV works supremely well here. Everything loads quickly and there’s no real negatives to speak of. It’s one of the best smart TV platforms for a reason. It’s well-stocked with all the major streaming services and, thanks to the Play Store integration, there’s even a few game streaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now and Boosteroid. (Sadly, Google TV doesn’t have Xbox integration yet, but that’s likely to appear at some point in the future.)

The only real issue I have with it is that the QM9K has a built-in microphone for voice support. There’s a physical switch at the bottom of the TV to turn it off — which I really appreciate — but I know some folks are adamantly (and rightfully) against having a microphone built into their TV.

TCL QM9K review: Remote

There’s nothing to dislike, aesthetically, about the QM9K’s silver-and-black remote. It looks premium when it’s sitting on the table and feels weighty in the hand.

Practically, however, there are a few places for improvement. For starters, the remote has a lot of empty space that could’ve been used to include more quick access buttons. You’ve got three of the main players there — Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video — as well as the company’s own TCL TV channel, but it wouldn’t have hurt to have buttons for Hulu/Disney+ or Max… or even Peacock and Paramount+. You’ve got the space, you may as well use it.

The other issue I have here is that the remote is still using regular batteries instead of rechargeable ones. Not every remote needs to be equipped with a rear solar panel like Samsung’s SolarCell remotes, but having USB-C rechargeable batteries seems like a more sensible, planet-friendly option.

TCL QM9K review: Verdict

The TCL QM9K is under siege from all sides. There’s TCL’s own QM7K and QM8K models from 2025 that aren’t quite as bright but deliver most of the same performance for almost half the price, and new models that use Mini-RGB tech arriving shortly. There’s also the LG C5 OLED to consider — it’s Tom’s Guide’s 2025 TV of the Year for a reason.

With all that in mind, there’s still a case to be made for the QM9K. It’s incredibly bright with wonderful specular highlights that help to make it a better fit for rooms with lots of ambient light. Its four HDMI 2.1 ports mean that it’s well-equipped for the future, and its Google TV smart platform runs effortlessly thanks to the TV’s advanced processor. It’s simultaneously smooth and sharp when it comes to performance, and that’s not something I say about a TV very often.

It’s going to be up against some tough competition throughout the rest of the year, but if you’re someone who wants an ultra-bright screen for a sun-drenched living room at a decent discount, you’ll find something special with the QM9K.

Broadly speaking, the two best times to shop for a TV are as follows: Black Friday weekend and right now. Many of the most popular TV brands and the biggest retailers are slashing prices on inventory ahead of the release of new models. This is why I've been recommending folks shop for a TV in early spring for my entire career.

For folks on the hunt for a bright, impressive-looking TV that won't cost an arm and a leg, I've yet to see a better deal this week than this: The 65-inch TCL QM7K is just $777 at Amazon. The limited-time deal brings this bright, vibrant Mini-LED TV down to its all-time lowest price.

While ultra-affordable TVs typically make use of basic LED backlighting, the QM7K uses Mini-LEDs. These are smaller-sized LEDs that offer better backlight control due to their tiny size. But improved backlight control is only part of the story. Mini-LEDs are also why the QM7K delivers a bright, cinematic picture.

According to the performance tests we conducted for our TCL QM7K review, this set can deliver over 1,700 nits of highlight brightness in HDR. For context, TCL's entry-level model — the TCL QM6K — tops out at around 700 nits.

Its bright, colorful picture is supported by an impressive slate of features. The QM7K comes with Google TV's robust, easy-to-use smart platform pre-installed. Google TV is my second-favorite smart platform (behind Roku), and most people will feel comfortable using it as a daily driver.

Gamers stand to wring even more value out of the QM7K due to its thorough array of gaming features. It comes with a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K gaming up to 144Hz, which means the QM7K can take full advantage of newer titles on the Xbox Series X and PS5 Pro.

When this TV made its debut, you had to shell out a full $1,499 for the 65-inch model. This deal drops that price all the way down to $777. I wouldn't sleep on it, though — Amazon has slapped its limited-time deal label on this listing.

More from Tom's Guide

• TCL QM7K QD-Mini LED TV review
• I saw Sony's True RGB up close — and the downfall of OLED TVs might come sooner than expected
• Are flagship Mini-LED TVs on their way out? Here’s how RGB LED technology is already reshaping the industry

When I found out that Best Buy was holding its Tech Fest Sale this weekend, I didn’t check the sale prices of the fanciest TVs first. Instead, I looked up the sale prices on the models that were already affordable to begin with. Oftentimes, the best TV deals during a sales event are the discounts on entry-level TVs.

Case in point? The 75-inch TCL QM5K is just $649 at Best Buy this weekend. This particular model was already one of the most affordable ways to lock down Mini-LED backlighting in an extra-large size point, but with Best Buy’s deal factored in, the value is off the charts. (For more deals, check out our guide to the best March Madness TV sales).

The QM5K's best feature is its display hardware. Take it from a TV expert: At the 75-inch size point, you definitely want Mini-LED backlighting instead of regular ol' LEDs.

Sure, the QM5K leverages a more modest array of Mini-LEDs when you compare it to higher-end Mini-LED TVs (like the TCL QM7K), but it's still a gamechanger. This type of backlighting typically results in better contrast and higher brightness, and it's not exactly easy to come by in the QM5K's price range.

In other words, you're likely to enjoy a brighter, higher-contrast presentation on the QM5K than what you'll get with a similarly priced edge-lit TV. This is one of the reasons why I've been recommending this TV to folks whose number-one priority is saving money, but whose second priority is not ending up with a lousy picture.

The QM5K isn't exactly flush with features, but that's OK, as it's not really trying to be a the type of TV that would satisfy hardcore A/V enthusiasts. It comes with the Google TV software suite built right in, which is one of my preferred smart platforms.

Google TV offers a relatively easy experience in addition to a boat-load of downloadable apps. Its inclusion here is especially appreciated because the QM5K only comes with three HDMI inputs instead of the standard set of four. Google TV makes up for that omission by being a reliable platform for everyday use.

If you're trying to save some cash on a new 4K TV, I recommend that you avoid scraping the bottom of the barrel for an ultra-cheap, big-screen TV that doesn't offer Mini-LED backlighting. I also recommend that you jump on this deal before Best Buy's Tech Fest Sale ends this Sunday.

More from Tom's Guide

• Sony just handed its TV business to TCL — here’s what it means for you
• TCL TV lineup 2026: new SQD Mini-LED enhancement, Mini-LED TVs, and an RGB Mini-LED TV
• TCL finally added this key feature to its 2025 TVs — here's why you should use it

Spring has sprung, and so have some sensational, seasonal TV sales. As a matter of fact, it’s one of the best times of the year to shop for a new TV, since most of the biggest brands in the business are gearing up to release their newest models. This means that many of the best sets you can buy are falling in price.

Look no further than the TCL QM6K, one of my favorite affordable Mini-LED TVs. Right now, you can get the 55-inch QM6K for just $478 at Best Buy during the store’s Tech Fest sales event. It’s one of the best entry-level Mini-LED TVs you can buy right now, as it blends an excellent set of features with terrific performance for the price.

The key to the QM6K's success is its Mini-LED backlighting. If you were to spend just a bit less on a cheaper TV, you’d probably end up with one that doesn’t offer Mini-LED. This would be a mistake.

With Mini-LEDs in tow, the QM6K delivers higher brightness and better overall contrast than most garden-variety LED TVs. This array of teeny-tiny LEDs allows for a more cinematic presentation, and it's the main reason why my colleague, Malcolm McMillan, described being "blown away by the picture quality" in his TCL QM6K review.

The QM6K also arrives with a nifty set of features for streaming and gaming. It supports 4K gaming at 120Hz across two of its HDMI inputs, which is the highest 4K spec for current-gen consoles. With a gaming PC linked up, the QM6K supports 4K/144Hz performance. This gaming support is about as good as you'll find in the QM6K's price bracket.

Folks who do their fair share of streaming will appreciate the fact that the QM6K is built around Google TV. It's one of my favorite streaming platforms, as it combines an easy-to-use interface with a vast selection of downloadable apps.

Best Buy's Tech Fest Sale comes to an end this Sunday, March 22. If you're ready to upgrade to a new 4K TV and you'd rather not spend an arm and a leg, the QM6K is a terrific pick.

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• I’ve set up hundreds of TVs in my career — here are 6 mistakes people make when setting up a new TV
• 5 TCL TV settings to change for the best possible picture

Display tech is a major focus for brands at MWC 2026. Samsung just introduced its new Privacy Display feature on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, while Lenovo has unveiled its expandable Legion Go Fold Concept here on the show floor in Barcelona.

TCL, however, takes a different route compared to most brands. Instead of chasing higher brightness or refresh rates, the company has focused on making displays easier on the eyes with its NXTPAPER tech.

I've personally been interested in NXTPAPER for a while, especially since my screen-on time keeps increasing and doesn't seem to be going down anytime soon. That said, I've never fully considered switching to a TCL phone because the overall hardware and specs didn't quite match up with competitors.

At MWC 2026, TCL has introduced the NXTPAPER 70 Pro, a new smartphone that not only brings the latest version of its eye-friendly display but also comes with hardware that finally feels competitive. It might just be the first TCL phone that makes me seriously consider switching.

The NXTPAPER 70 Pro is available now in Asia, Europe, and Latin America, starting at €299. It isn't currently available in the US, but TCL says it will arrive sometime in April 2026, so the wait should not be too long.

The NXTPAPER 70 Pro features a large 6.9-inch display, which uses the company's NXTPAPER 4.0 tech. The moment you pick up the phone and touch the screen, you immediately feel the difference compared to other smartphones. It doesn't feel like a typical glossy glass panel. Instead, it has a matte surface, using a nano-textured finish that mimics paper.

TCL says the NXTPAPER tech on the 70 Pro reduces eye fatigue by minimizing exposure to blue light, while the textured display also helps cut down glare. It isn't the brightest display I've seen on a smartphone, but it still supports a 120Hz refresh rate, so you don't feel like you are sacrificing much compared to other Android phones.

The real magic sits on the side of the phone. The NXTPAPER 70 Pro includes a dedicated slide key that switches the display into NXTPAPER mode. It's basically a switch to transform your phone into a Kindle or Kobo on demand.

TCL offers three NXTPAPER modes: Max Ink Mode, Ink Paper Mode, and Color Paper Mode. The Color Paper Mode retains some color while applying a softer paper-like finish that is much easier on the eyes. What really impressed me about this mode is that the phone still functions like a "full" Android device with smooth animations and all features available, but with the added comfort of a matte, paper-style display.

The Ink Paper Mode switches the display to a black-and-white interface, while Max Ink Mode essentially transforms the device into an e-reader built for long reading sessions. TCL claims the phone can deliver up to seven days of reading time and up to 26 days on standby in this mode.

What's even more impressive is that you can use the device as a note-taking tool on the go, as it supports TCL's T-Pen stylus. There isn't any slot on the phone to store the stylus, though, so you'd have to carry that separately.

Apart from the paper-like display, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro seems like a solid mid-range phone as well. It runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor and is backed by a sizeable 5,200mAh battery.

There is support for up to 30W wired fast charging, although if you primarily use the phone in NXTPAPER mode, you probably will not need to charge it that often. It comes with 8GB of RAM, and thankfully starts with 256GB of storage on the base variant.

The phone runs on Android 16 out of the box with TCL's own Android skin on top, which I found smooth and fluid to navigate. TCL has also integrated several AI features into its software, like photo editing and text summary/generation tools, plus you get access to Google's Gemini as well.

On the camera side, you get a 50MP primary sensor paired with an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 32MP front camera for selfies and video calls. We didn't get enough time to properly test the camera during our short hands-on session at the TCL booth, though I'd keep expectations on the lower side in this area, given the budget nature of this phone.

If you're someone who wants to cut down on screen time, or make what screen time you do have better, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro could be an excellent choice. But if you'd rather have something a little more eccentric as your next device, then check out the other stuff we've covered during MWC 2026, and what we've nominated MWC 2026 Best in Show.

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• 5 TCL TV settings to change for the best possible picture
• I tried the TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus and this budget tablet is easily my iPad killer
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OLED is already the gold standard for smartphone displays. The brightness, color accuracy and power efficiency over LCD has meant it's rare to find any new phone with something other than OLED. And AMOLED (made by Samsung Display) is basically as good as it gets.

However, AMOLED isn't always easy on the eyes, which is why TCL is combining it with its paper-like display tech to develop a screen that's not only bright and colorful, but doesn't put a strain on your when reading. TCL put this new tech on display at MWC 2026 with the new Nxtpaper AMOLED.

Apart from the boost in brightness, the biggest improvement is the display's anti-glare properties. Anti-reflective displays are becoming more common on tech today, such as the nano-texture screens on the Apple MacBook Pro or iPad Pro.

By contrast, TCL's screen tech tries to match natural light via "circular polarization." This severely reduces glare by effectively rotating the light as it passes through the layers of a display, meaning it can't just shine back out and spoil what the screen's actually trying to show you.

Blue light emission is also something that TCL's been working on. That dastardly part of the spectrum that can cause sleep disruption or even damage to your eyes is a problem smartphone makers have been trying to address for years. TCL claims that Nxtpaper AMOLED can reduce over 97% of blue light emitted by a regular display.

A pillar of Nxtpaper's appeal is its benefits when reading, and just like the existing version, the AMOLED edition can be switched into full greyscale mode. But grey isn't always purely grey, because TCL gives this display adjustable warmth and brightness depending on the time of day and surrounding light conditions. Apparently things can go as dim as 1 nit according to TCL's figures, hopefully avoiding headaches when reading in the dark.

Despite all of these tweaks to the AMOLED formula, TCL promises these displays are still color accurate with full P3 color gamut coverage (read: all the color you'd expect a premium display to offer). The company's also promising the smooth 120Hz refresh rate you'd expect from a new smartphone display, and a peak brightness of 3,200 nits. Considering how easy it was to read these displays while under full-on expo hall lighting, I see no reason to doubt these figures,.

Although the Nxtpaper 70 Pro is on its way to store shelves right now, Nxtpaper AMOLED remains a concept. But it's a concept you can literally see works, and I hope we do see this on actual products in the near future. Or at least at next MWC.

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• Galaxy S26 Ultra lab tests show that it's dimmer than S25 Ultra — even with Privacy Display turned off
• I took 200 photos on the Leica Leitzphone and the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL to see which is better — and it’s not even close

Google TV is one of the most popular smart platforms. These days, TVs made by Hisense, Sony and TCL all arrive with Google’s streaming software built right into the experience right out of the box.

If you don’t want to sign up for a Google Account or you’d rather not connect your TV to the internet at all, Google TV offers a way for you to bypass the experience altogether, leaving your TV free to pipe in pictures the old-fashioned way: from a cable box, satellite, indoor antenna, or physical media player.

To enable Basic Mode, you need to do so during the TV's initial setup. This means that if you've previously set up Google TV, you'll need to perform a factory reset on your TV. If you're setting up Google TV for the first time, skip to step #2.

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As someone who reviews TVs for a living, I don’t often see a downside to recommending older models. Take, for example, the 2025 LG C5 OLED. It’s one of the best TVs we’ve ever tested, sure, but the 2024 LG C4 OLED is still an incredible TV that, to most folks, would look great.

However, sometimes there’s such a leap in performance between one year and the next, that it becomes hard to recommend buying a previous year’s model.

That’s exactly how I feel about the TCL QM9K — the brand’s flagship Mini-LED TV from 2025 that is, by all accounts, a very good-looking screen, but one that just pales in comparison to the new TCL X11L SQD Mini-LED and the upcoming 2026 Mini-RGB TVs from Samsung, Hisense and LG. Here’s why.

Not enough color where it counts

When we talk about color on TVs, we’re talking about two distinct metrics — color volume and color accuracy. To make your favorite movies and shows look their best, you need both.

The QM9K has rock-solid color accuracy. In our lab tests, the QM9K was incredibly accurate with a Delta-E score of 1.8 (the lower the score, the more accurate it is). That rivals most OLED TVs. But its color vibrancy is comparatively lacking — it only covers 97% of the DCI-P3 color space and 79% of the more-advanced Rec.2020 spectrum.

Five years ago, these numbers would’ve blown my mind. Even last year, these numbers were relatively good. But in 2026, the year that we’re getting Mini-RGB and TCL's own SQD TVs, these numbers just aren’t as impressive as they once were.

So why aren’t they good enough? Well, the QM9K has been superseded by the TCL X11L, the brand’s first SQD TV and its flagship model for 2026. In our lab tests, the X11L not only had a similar Delta-E score of 1.8, but it covered a lot more of the DCI-P3 and Rec.2020 color spaces (97.82% and 91.77%, respectively). That’s a lot of extra color.

We’re still awaiting the new Mini-RGB TVs from Hisense, Samsung and LG, but each claim that their Rec.2020 coverage will all be in the 90% range or better.

But brightness in spades

While color isn’t exactly a strong suit for the QM9K, it’s very good at combating ambient light thanks to its high peak brightness stats. In our lab tests, we measured the QM9K’s peak brightness at 4,207 nits in a 10% window in Standard mode — and we probably could’ve pushed that number even further had we played around with more of the settings.

To help combat potential haloing from this ultra-bright backlight, the QM9K uses TCL’s new Halo Control system that includes 5,000 contrast control zones. I haven’t seen any haloing in my time with the TV so far, so that’s incredibly impressive.

I’ve been watching it in a room with a side-facing window that just lets light in like you wouldn’t believe. Again, the QM9K isn’t phased by it.

The jury is still out on how bright these new Mini-RGB TVs will be — but I don’t think we’ll see a precipitous drop off in peak brightness once they arrive in our test labs later this year. As it stands, the aforementioned X11L can reach upwards of 6,000 nits in the same settings without breaking a sweat, thanks to its Super Quantum Dot (SQD) display. Ambient light, watch out.

How good is good enough?

This is the question that’s delayed my review of the TCL QM9K. It’s a good TV — and for a 2025 model I’d even say it’s great. But I keep coming back to the issue with its color saturation. It’s good enough for now, but it pales in comparison to what’s coming.

The problem, however, is that those TVs could come at untenable prices. The X11L, for example, starts at $6,999 for the 75-inch model. Conversely, the 75-inch QM9K can be purchased for $2,299 at Best Buy.

Should we give up the pursuit of vibrant color for a lower sticker price? I'm not sure. As a reviewer, it's something I'm still grappling with.

What I do know is that, after seeing them in-person, Mini RGB TVs are at the top of my wish list for 2026 and the QM9K... well, probably won't be.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tested TCL’s $8,000 SQD Mini-LED TV — here's my verdict
• LG G5 OLED TV review
• The RAM crisis came for computers first and now it's coming for TVs — here's why I recommend upgrading while you still can

There are high-end TVs, and then there are extremely high-end TVs. Right now, folks who are looking to splurge on a mind-blowingly good TV have their pick of both.

In one corner is the LG G5, which is not only one of the best OLED TVs you can buy, it’s easily one of the best LG TVs ever made, period. If you’ve been considering a high-performance OLED TV, the G5 is likely near the top of your list of options.

In the other corner is the all-new TCL X11L. While the G5 iterates on traditional OLED technology, the X11L is a complete refresh on a quantum dot-enhanced Mini-LED TV. Thanks in part to TCL’s new Super Quantum Dot (SQD) display tech, the X11L is currently over twice as expensive as the G5. The question, then, is this: If you’ve got the money to spend on either option, which should you choose?

TCL X11L vs LG G5: specs compared

These are similarly spec'd TVs, but let's talk about a few noteworthy differences. The G5 supports 4K gaming at 165Hz, but the X11L is capped at 144Hz. You don't need to worry about this unless you're planning on using one of these TVs with a gaming PC, because current-generation consoles top out at 120Hz for 4K games.

Dolby Vision support is in represented on both of these TVs, though HDR10+ is absent on the LG G5. This isn't that big of a deal, however, as Dolby Vision is the more popular format across various streaming platforms today, but credit where credit is due: The X11L supports every major HDR version including HDR10+.

It's also worth calling out the X11L's ATSC 3.0 support. This allows over-the-air broadcasts to be piped-in at native 4K resolution when available. 4K broadcasts aren't particularly common, but this feature is nevertheless nice to have, especially given the X11L's price tag.

The most important thing to consider when looking at this chart is screen size availability. The TCL X11L is only available in three sizes and the smallest option is 75 inches. The G5, meanwhile, has a much more accommodating slate of size options.

TCL X11L vs LG G5: design

Last year, LG included a stand with 55- and 65-inch versions of its G Series OLED. The G5, on the other hand, doesn't come with a stand at any size point. LG believes that most people shopping the G Series plan on taking advantage of the TV's gap-free, wall-mounted design.

You can check out the G5's separately sold stand in the photo above. It's a relatively heavy, pedestal-style stand that screws into the back of the panel, and I've never had any issues with it.

When the G5 is wall-mounted, few TVs come close to topping its striking, elegant design. When it's sitting on a credenza with its pedestal-style stand, the G5 is still a fancy-looking customer, but much of the design's visual appeal is lost.

The X11L (seen above) includes a pair of svelte, minimalistic feet that straddle the screen close to the bottom edges of the panel. This makes the X11L a more accommodating, out-of-the-box choice than the G5 for folks who don't intend on wall-mounting their next TV, but I find the G5's design better looking than the X11L whether it's on or off a wall.

My reasoning for this comes down to the sheer bulk of the X11L's panel. It's a hefty customer, and visually speaking, it carries a similar weight. I appreciate that the X11L's chassis is mostly uniform in size, but it's quite slab-like in its overall vibe.

Still, the fact that you have to shell out for the G5's separately sold stand is a pretty significant ding against its design. This one is a draw.

Winner: Draw

TCL X11L vs LG G5: performance

Before we dive into which of these TVs is the better performer, let's compare their test results. (Both TVs were in their respective Filmmaker picture mode when these tests were taken.)

First, let's talk about brightness. Along with its showstopping color, brightness is the X11L's bread and butter. We measured a sizzling 2,679 nits of HDR highlight brightness on the X11L, but it's worth noting that this set is capable of getting much, much brighter with its backlight completely cranked up.

This is especially true when measuring even smaller highlights on the X11L than the 10% window reported above. Indeed, the X11L is capable of brightness levels well above 6,000 nits.

So, how does that stack up to the G5? Thanks to the 4th-generation OLED panel from LG Display, the G5 is one of the brightest OLEDs we've ever tested, rivaling quantum dot-enhanced OLEDs from Sony and Samsung.

And, although the G5's HDR highlight brightness in Filmmaker mode is comparable to what you'll see on the X11L while the latter's backlight is kept at or around its default setting, its ceiling is nowhere near as high as the X11L's.

The X11L's added brightness is especially noticeable if you measure the luminance of the entire picture during everyday content. For people with brightly lit homes, the X11L is a much safer bet.

That said, like all OLED TVs, the G5 is capable of perfect black levels and pixel-level dimming. When you factor-in this ability, the G5's contrast-related advantages really come into focus. The X11L does a remarkably good job at minimizing haloing and light bloom (especially given its brightness), but it can't quite replicate the depth and clarity of a searingly bright OLED panel. For this reason, I find the G5's contrast to be far more appealing.

Contrast isn't the whole story. The X11L and its unique, souped-up quantum-dot panel are engineered to squeeze as much color out of a Mini-LED-backed picture than ever before.

TCL's top-of-the-line TV for 2026 covers more of the Rec. 2020 color gamut than any Mini-LED TV we've measured to date. It even surpasses some QD-OLED TVs in this category, too.

Were you to place these TVs side by side, you would almost certainly notice brighter, bolder colors on the X11L. However, without a reference, viewers' jaws will still be on the floor for the G5's bright, well-calibrated color palette, too.

Both of these TVs deliver an incredible picture worthy of a flagship-level price tag. If you're looking for the brightest possible presentation — bright enough that colors are downright psychedelic — the X11L has a considerable edge.

For my money, though, there's no better mix than the pure, true black levels of an OLED display capable of cracking 2,000 nits. For as remarkable as TCL's SQD panel truly is, the G5 has all of the built-in benefits of an OLED panel, and that seals the deal.

Winner: LG G5

TCL X11L vs LG G5: smart platform and features

The X11L is built around the Google TV software suite, and it's a great smart platform to hang your hat on if you intend to do most of your streaming on your TV rather than an external streaming device.

I love how zippy Google TV is, and the user interface is relatively straightforward, which I suspect most people will appreciate if they don't want to fumble their way through various tabs and submenus.

The G5, on the other hand, is built around webOS 25, the newest version of LG's proprietary smart platform. It's fussier than Google TV and offers a less-streamlined experience, but you can get away with using it as a daily driver.

As far as gaming features go, these are similar sets. Each offers HDMI 2.1-compatibility across all four inputs, which frees you up from thinking about which port any given device should use. Both TVs also arrive with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and some variation of AMD FreeSync Premium for smooth, artifact-free gameplay.

Sure, the G5 supports 4K gaming at 165Hz and the X11L tops out at 144Hz. I just can't bring myself to invest too much in this difference, though, as it won't matter to the vast majority of shoppers — even the folks shopping in this price range.

For the vast majority of viewers, these sets are basically the same when it comes to features. They both offer a top-shelf gaming experience and come with a thorough slate of A/V-related enhancements. The X11L's Google TV experience is my preferred choice between the two (and TCL includes HDR10+ support), but that's not enough for it to take this category.

Winner: Draw

TCL X11L vs LG G5: outlook

Upon tallying up their report card points, it's plainly obvious that these are close competitors that perform at the highest possible level. For most people, the rubber meets the road when peeking at their respective price tags.

The TCL X11L is a brand-new TV just making its way to shelves. This is merely one reason why it's priced higher than the LG G5, which was released last year.

The primary reason why the TCL X11L is priced higher than the G5 is — to put it simply — because it's just really, really expensive. Right now, you can order the 75-inch TCL X11L for $6,999 at Amazon. Meanwhile, the 85-inch X11L is $7,999 at Best Buy.

For comparison's sake, the 77-inch G5 was $4,399 at launch. As a year-old model, it's even cheaper today. You can grab the 77-inch LG G5 for $3,499 at Best Buy right now — half the price of the 75-inch X11L.

The G5 is also available in 55- and 65-inch models, which is something you can't say for the X11L. For people in the market for a smaller-sized, high-performance TV, the 55-inch G5 being available for $1,449 at Amazon will make this decision an open-shut case.

Still, there's no denying that the TCL X11L is one of the year's best TVs. It's also proof that there are still ways to eke more performance gains out of Mini-LED display tech. Given its high price, I suspect it will be a tough sell for most people until it goes on sale.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tested TCL’s $8,000 SQD Mini-LED TV — here's my verdict
• LG G5 OLED TV review
• The RAM crisis came for computers first and now it's coming for TVs — here's why I recommend upgrading while you still can

As many of the biggest brands in the TV industry gear up to launch their newest QLEDs, OLEDs and RGB LED TVs, one question is on the minds of people hoping to upgrade their living room in 2026: Will the ongoing RAM crisis affect the price of a new TV this year?

While we haven’t seen much in the way of confirmed pricing for 2026 TVs, many analysts are predicting higher TV prices this spring as the demand rapidly increases for DRAM and RAM. I’m one of the experts sounding the alarm, and if I were in the market for a new TV, I’d be looking to buy one as soon as possible.

With this in mind, I’ve corralled several of the best deals you can currently get on TVs that are actually worth buying. We won’t know how these prices compare to newer models until brands begin rolling out their 2026 TVs, but they’re already massively discounted and worth your consideration.

1. TCL QM5K

TCL's most-affordable Mini-LED TV is the QM5K, a Best Buy-exclusive model that prioritizes value above all else. Over the last several months, I've been recommending this TV for people who just want an affordable, 4K smart TV that doesn't scrape the bottom of the proverbial barrel. Given its ultra-low price, I suspect I'll be recommending it even more in the coming months in the face of RAM-related price hikes.

The QM5K's modest array of Mini-LED backlights are better to have at your disposal than the low-contrast, edge-lit panels that budget-friendly TVs typically use. You'll appreciate having Mini-LEDs whether you're streaming shows during the day or dimming the lights for movie night.

The QM5K also comes with Google TV built right into the software. If you're hoping to rely on your TV's smart platform for all of your usual streaming needs, Google TV is an excellent software suite to hang your hat on. Right now, the 55-inch version is well under $400.

2. Hisense U65QF

If you want something a bit more performance-oriented than the QM5K but still want to keep costs down, consider the 55-inch Hisense U65QF. It comes with a brighter picture than any set we've tested in its entry-level class, which makes it a great choice for folks who watch a ton of TV during the day.

The 55-inch version of the U65QF costs about $100 more than the 55-inch QM5K, but the U65QF's price is still remarkably low for a TV of its type.

Hisense will almost certainly launch a new entry-level Mini-LED TV sometime in the coming months, but it's almost guaranteed to cost more than the U65QF currently costs on sale. If you're hoping to get out in front of the RAM crisis' downstream effect on TV pricing, this is a great TV to go for.

3. TCL QM6K

If a 65-inch TV is what you seek but you're not looking to spend more than $550 on a screen of this size, I recommend taking advantage of Best Buy's current deal on the TCL QM6K. It features a better Mini-LED display than that of the QM5K, and right now, the QM6K is heavily discounted.

Another benefit that the QM6K has over the aforementioned QM5K is that it supports 4K gaming at 120Hz or 144Hz across two of its HDMI inputs. This makes it a better pick for casual and dedicated gamers.

TCL has been relatively tight-lipped about the release dates and prices for its mainline series of 2026 TVs, but you can reasonably expect this 2025 model to undercut new models by a few hundred dollars.

4. Roku Pro Series

If you've had an opportunity to use a Roku device before, you probably understand the appeal. The software's clean-looking interface is easy to warm up to, while Roku's library of downloadable apps is vast.

But the Roku Pro Series' best feature is its display, which blends Mini-LED backlighting with quantum dot-enhanced color. It's truly an impressive TV for movies and shows, and the fact that it comes with my favorite smart platform is an excellent bonus.

Not much is known about Roku's plans for 2026, but if you're already shopping for a well-engineered TV that simplifies streaming, I'd put the Pro Series at the top of the list of candidates. Right now, the 65-inch version is $300 off at Best Buy.

5. TCL QM7K

Much like the Roku Pro Series, the TCL QM7K offers a much punchier picture than what you'll find on entry-level sets like the QM5K and QM6K. This TV is pricier than those models because, in many cases, it gets at least twice as bright.

In addition, the QM7K's thorough collection of gaming features is one of the reasons I've been recommending it to people for several months now.

Its current sale price brings it down to a relatively low price when compared to higher-end Mini-LED TVs, and it's also a safe bet to assume that this deal will look even better when 2026 TVs begin to reach the market.

6. LG C5

If you've spent several years yearning for one of LG's award-winning C Series OLED TVs, take note: This might be your last opportunity to get a good deal on the LG C5. There's a very good chance that the upcoming LG C6 will debut at a higher price than its predecessor.

All of the benefits of OLED technology are accounted for, including perfect black levels, ultra-wide viewing angles and pixel-level dimming. Right now, the 65-inch version is about 48% off its original price, and stock is sure to shrink as the year moves along.

The LG C5 is one of my favorite TVs in recent years, and while I'm excited to see what the C6 brings to the table in the coming months, I will find it much harder to recommend the C6 if its price is, indeed, affected by the ongoing RAM crisis.

7. Samsung S95F

If you're comfortable splurging on a top-of-the-line OLED TV but you're nonetheless nervous about how current economic forces might impact TV prices, I recommend choosing one of last year's best OLED TVs, the Samsung S95F.

Like the LG C5, the S95F is capable of perfect black levels and pixel-level dimming. However, Samsung's flagship OLED delivers quantum dot-enhanced color for brighter colors and highlights. Unsurprisingly, this incredible, flagship-level OLED comes with plenty of streaming- and gaming-related features.

Samsung is one of the only TV makers that's been transparent about the possible impact of the RAM shortage on the newest models, and I'm inclined to take them at their word. There's no guarantee that the S95H will ever be as affordable as the S95F currently is.

More to consider

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• I test TVs for a living — 5 signs it's time to replace your TV
• I’ve set up hundreds of TVs in my career — here are 6 mistakes people make when setting up a new TV
• Best OLED TVs in 2026 tested: Our top picks from LG, Samsung and more

We review dozens of the most popular TVs every year, but only a handful are good enough to take home our coveted four- or five-star rating. Some are ultra-affordable, entry-level sets overwhelming with value, while others are high-end marvels with incredible picture quality.

In the spirit of awards season, I put together a list of some of the newest TVs to earn a four-to-five-star rating in our test lab. As it happens, all of these TVs are currently on sale, too.

Everything is covered — from affordable QLEDs to eye-popping OLEDs. They’re among the best TVs we’ve seen in recent months.

1. Hisense U65QF

Hisense's most-affordable QLED to feature Mini-LED backlighting is the U65QF, one of the most bang-for-your-buck sets you can find on shelves right now. It's available in 55-, 65-, 75-, 85- and 100-inch sizes.

Why we love it: As we noted in our Hisense U65QF review, this TV packs a brighter picture than any set in the entry-level, Mini-LED TV class. That makes it a fantastic choice for folks who watch a good amount of TV during the day or in an otherwise well-lit room. In its most-accurate picture mode, it also looks very sharp right out of the box.

If that weren't enough to earn its four-and-a-half-star rating, the U65QF also comes with more features than most TVs in its price range, too. These features include a pair of HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K gaming at 120Hz or 144Hz.

2. TCL QM6K

Like the Hisense TV mentioned above, TCL's entry-level Mini-LED TV is also packed to the gills with value. It's available in 55-, 65-, 75-, 85- and 98-inch screen sizes.

Why we love it: While not as bright as the U65QF, the TCL QM6K is bright enough for impactful HDR performance, be it a TV show, movie or game. If you were to spend just a bit less on a cheaper TV, you’d probably end up with one that doesn’t offer Mini-LED backlighting. This feature is the primary reason why my colleague, Malcolm McMillan, described being "blown away by the picture quality."

In addition, the QM6K supports 4K gaming at 120Hz or 144Hz across two of its HDMI inputs. It also arrives with Google TV built right in, which I much prefer over the Hisense U65QF's Fire TV software.

3. TCL QM7K

If you want a little more oomph on a screen that's still fairly affordable, consider the TCL QM7K, a higher-end sibling to the QM6K. It's also available in 55-, 65-, 75-, 85- and 98-inch screen sizes.

Why we love it: Like the QM6K, the TCL QM7K also blends quantum dot-color with Mini-LED backlighting. However, the Mini-LEDs on the QM7K are much brighter, more bountiful and feature all-around better backlight control. It's a great choice for folks who want better performance and more features than what they'll get on the QM6K or the Hisense U65QF.

In our TCL QM7K review, we awarded this TV four stars in large part because of its implementation of Google TV and its thorough array of features for gamers. When you get right down to it, though, this TV is pricier than entry-level models because it gets at least twice as bright as many of those sets.

4. LG C5

We've arrived at the only TV on this list to have received a perfect, five-star rating. It's a mid-range OLED TV with a ridiculous amount of value, and it's available in 42-, 48-, 55-, 65-, 77- and 83-inch sizes.

Why we love it: In our LG C5 review, we heaped praise onto this value-packed OLED for its sensational performance, its class-leading selection of features and its approachable price. (It's 50% off its debut price right now, too, which definitely adds to its value.)

All of the benefits of OLED technology are on display here: perfect black levels, ultra-wide viewing angles and a sharp, detail-rich picture. It's also one of the best gaming TVs money can buy. How's that for earning its five-star rating?

5. Samsung S95F

The LG C5 may be the best-rated OLED TV on this list, but the Samsung S95F is easily the best-performing OLED TV on this list. You can find this incredible TV in 55-, 65-, 77- and 83-inch sizes, though the 83-inch model lacks the quantum dot-enhanced panel we marveled at in our four-and-a-half-star Samsung S95F review.

Why we love it: Like the LG C5 (and all OLED displays), the S95F is capable of perfect black levels and pixel-level contrast control. Unlike the C5, Samsung's flagship OLED delivers quantum dot-enhanced color for brighter, purer hues and higher HDR highlight brightness. The result is a deep, visually arresting picture that needs to be seen to do it any sort of justice.

We also appreciated the screen's matte finish, which does a remarkable job at blunting direct glare from nearby windows or light sources. As expected, the S95F comes with a laundry list of features and enhancements. It's just as powerful a gaming machine as the LG C5, but like all Samsung TVs, the S95F doesn't come with Dolby Vision support.

More from Tom's Guide

• I test TVs for a living — 5 signs it's time to replace your TV
• LG OLED TVs are getting a free update that fixes a huge Dolby Vision problem
• I’ve set up hundreds of TVs in my career — here are 6 mistakes people make when setting up a new TV

The TCL X11L SQD Mini-LED TV is the brand’s most ambitious yet. It’s aimed squarely at premium competitors, bringing major color improvements to LED TVs without jumping to the RGB backlight approach that’s starting to take over the TV market.

SQD (Super Quantum Dot) Mini-LED is essentially TCL’s way of improving QD Mini-LED performance both in hardware and software. With SQD, you’re getting more local dimming zones, higher brightness potential and an improved color filter designed to maintain richer color even at high luminance levels — all controlled by a new “color purity algorithm.”

The SQD looks to solve one of Mini-LED’s long-standing challenges: keeping colors looking natural when brightness ramps up. Many of the best TVs can hit impressive peak brightness numbers, but colors often wash out in real scenes. Based on a combination of our lab benchmarking and my anecdotal testing for this TCL X11L SQD Mini-LED TV review, this one manages to stay vibrant even in full-screen bright content. No seriously, we’ve officially crowned it the new king of color.

And perhaps the best part is that TCL isn’t keeping SQD exclusive to this ultra-premium set. The company is bringing the technology to more affordable Google TV models, so buyers who aren’t in a rush might want to wait and compare options. This is a TV that starts at $6,999, after all. Still, my time with the X11L offered a look at what the future of flagship LED TVs is starting to look like.

TCL X11L 4K SQD Mini-LED TV: Price and sizes

The TCL X11L is among the priciest sets to ever hit the Tom’s Guide testing bench. It starts at $6,999 for the smallest 75-inch size. I tested the 85-inch size priced at $8,000, with the third option being 98 inches for $9,999.

• 98-inch TCL X11L SQD Mini-LED TV (98X11L): $9,999
• 85-inch TCL X11L SQD Mini-LED TV (85X11L): $7,999
• 75-inch TCL X11L SQD Mini-LED TV (75X11L): $6,999

TCL is no stranger to the large TV market, in fact it was the first brand to make the best 85-inch TVs and bigger, somewhat affordable. That said, if these options are not suitable for your budget or space (according to our guide on what size TV to buy) you may want to consider the upcoming TCL QM8L and QM7L from TCL’s 2026 offerings instead. Neither are available yet at the time of this writing, but these SQD Mini-LED configurations are set to offer TCL’s newest tech at lower prices and more sizes.

TCL X11L 4K SQD Mini-LED TV review: Ports and connectivity

The TCL X11L’s connectivity is as solid and future-proof as I’d hope for a TV of this caliber. Not only does it feature an ATSC 3.0 tuner for 4K over-the-air broadcasts, but you also get four HDMI 2.1 ports (4K @ 144Hz,) with one supporting eARC for connecting a soundbar or receiver. That gives you enough bandwidth for multiple next-gen consoles, gaming PCs and streaming devices without constant cable swapping.

For me, the only physical annoyance comes from the TV’s wide-set feet. They require a very large stand, so many buyers will likely opt for 600 x 400 VESA wall mounting instead. See our guide to the best TV wall mounts for recommendations.

TCL X11L 4K SQD Mini-LED TV review: Performance

In day-to-day viewing, the X11L made an immediate impression with brightness. Whether watching sports during the day or HDR movies at night, the TV punches through ambient light easily while still maintaining strong contrast.

What stood out most is how well the TV holds color in bright scenes. Reds and greens remain saturated rather than bleaching out, and HDR content looks punchy without feeling artificial. Watching animated films like “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” the punch of comic book-inspired colors were a visual treat.

Blooming, or the halo effect sometimes seen around bright objects, was another concern going in, but in real viewing it’s barely noticeable. Blacks also stay impressively clean for an LCD-based display. When the Excelsior launches to confront Galactus in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” I enjoy the complex, bright colors of the rocket’s flames without losing the darker details of the cityscape and ship itself.

The only area of performance that felt slightly weaker was motion. Fast action scenes occasionally showed some smearing. Simply put, I found motion handling doesn’t quite match how strong the rest of the picture looks. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s the one area where the X11L perhaps feels less dominant.

How we test TVs

We follow a standard testing protocol for every TV we review at Tom’s Guide. Our benchmarks include a series of technical and subject tests designed to rate the set’s performance.

For our technical tests, we use a Jeti Spectraval 1501-HiRes spectroradiometer, a Klein K10-A colorimeter, a Murideo 8K-SIX-G Metal pattern generator, and Portrait Displays’ Calman TV-calibration software to take measurements. We also use a Leo Bodnar 4K Input Lag Tester for determining whether it’s one of the best gaming TVs.

Read more about our TV testing process here.

TCL X11L 4K SQD Mini-LED TV: Test Results

TCL made some bold claims about the X11L’s color and brightness capabilities, and while our testing doesn’t quite meet those claims, it still paints a very positive picture about this TV’s performance.

For the most part, the X11L outperforms or at least keeps up with premium Mini-LED TVs from brands like Samsung and Sony. In fact, the X11L is on par with the Sony Bravia 9 in terms of HDR brightness in a 10% window, and beats Sony’s flagship on Rec. 2020 coverage with 91.77% vs. 78.02%.

TCL did claim 100% coverage of the HDR color guide, but that’s something essentially no consumer TV achieves. Most TVs struggle to exceed the high-70% to low-80% range, so this result shows the effectiveness of TCL’s new color approach even without newer RGB backlight systems. The only other TVs that join the X11L in the over-90% tier are the best OLED TVs, further demonstrating the gap closing between OLED vs. Mini-LED picture abilities.

TCL X11L 4K SQD Mini-LED TV review: Audio

With such a large chassis, TCL has room for powerful built-in speakers, and the result is better than typical TV audio. The Bang & Olufsen-tuned system delivers strong volume and decent clarity, and I rarely say this, but many buyers could easily live without adding one of the best soundbars to their setup.

Still, if you’re investing this much in a TV, adding external audio usually makes sense. TCL’s Dolby Atmos FlexConnect ecosystem offers a relatively easy path to building surround sound without complicated wiring, making it worth considering for larger room setups.

TCL X11L 4K SQD Mini-LED TV review: Interface

The X11L runs Google TV, which is one of the easiest smart TV platforms to live with for most people.

As long as you have a Google account — yes, the same as your Gmail — setup is quick and you can download the best streaming services through the app selection. Of course, YouTube is deeply integrated, making this a good choice if you subscribe to YouTube TV’s live TV streaming service.

Navigation feels responsive, and content recommendations are generally useful rather than intrusive. There’s even screensaver settings if you prefer to display photos and art on the TV when you’re not watching anything.

And because you have full HDMI 2.1 support, you can always connect devices like an Apple TV 4K or game consoles if you prefer a different interface.

TCL X11L 4K SQD Mini-LED TV review: Remote

TCL’s remote continues to be one of the better ones included with any TV. It feels premium, includes useful shortcut buttons, is rechargeable via USB-C and features a backlight for easier use in dark rooms.

The standout addition is a dedicated brightness rocker, allowing you to quickly dim or brighten the screen without diving into menus. It’s a small feature, but one that proved surprisingly useful to me for late-night viewing.

For comparison, Sony’s Bravia remote still sets a high bar with its compact layout and motion-activated backlighting, but TCL’s approach feels equally thoughtful.

TCL X11L 4K SQD Mini-LED TV review: Verdict

If you want one of the brightest, cleanest-looking Mini-LED TVs available right now, the TCL X11L SQD Mini-LED TV has a lot of appeal. So long you have the space and budget for it, that is.

Picture quality is outstanding, blooming is minimal, color is class-leading and features are thoroughly premium. This is the first time in my many years testing TCL TVs that it feels like the brand is pioneering in high-end territory rather than competing on value.

That said, I’ll be watching TCL’s plans to bring this same SQD technology to cheaper models later this year closely. If you’re after maximum value or don’t need a TV immediately, waiting could make sense. If you can’t wait, and you need a big-screen TV ASAP, TCL’s 98-inch QM8K from 2025 delivers high levels of brightness for half the price ($3,999).

So, you missed all of the weekend’s best Presidents’ Day sales and you’ve got nothing to show for it. Well, if you’re in the market for a new 4K TV, I’ve got some good news: Best Buy has extended a deep discount on one of the most affordable Mini-LED TVs you can buy.

Today, you can land the 55-inch TCL QM5K for just $379 at Best Buy. That’s $320 off its original price, and easily one of the most affordable ways to bring Mini-LED backlighting into your home. (For more deals, check out our guide to this week's best TV deals).

The QM5K is a Best Buy-exclusive model, so you won’t find it anywhere else. If all you’re looking for is an affordable smart TV that doesn’t scrape the bottom of the barrel, the QM5K is a good pick — especially at this price.

The QM5K's best feature is its hardware. It's not easy to find Mini-LED backlighting at this price point, and it truly makes a difference.

The QM5K makes use of a more modest array of Mini-LEDs when compared to higher-end Mini-LED TVs (like the TCL QM7K and the TCL QM8K). Still, it's better to have Mini-LEDs than a garden-variety, edge-lit LED display, as it typically results in better contrast and higher brightness.

If you're hoping to lean on your next TV's built-in smart features for all of your streaming needs, the QM5K is a reliable pick. It arrives with the Google TV software suite right out of the box, which is one of my preferred smart platforms in 2026 due to its relatively straightforward interface and vast library of downloadable apps.

The QM5K isn't going to blow you away with its performance, but it's a much better option than most 55-inch LED TVs in its price range based on its Mini-LED backlighting alone. It's an especially good pick for people who are upgrading to 4K for the first time.

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So the biggest televised sporting event of the year is mere hours away and you’ve suddenly been struck with the overwhelming desire to upgrade your living room with a flashy new TV. Perhaps you’ve also decided to be a savvy spender rather than to throw a stupendously large amount of cash at a high-end, ultra-premium TV.

If you’re about to grab your keys and high-tail it out the door to Best Buy, Walmart or any other brick-and-mortar store for a last-minute deal on a brand-new TV, let me bend your ear for a second about one of my favorite affordable TVs on shelves right now: The TCL QM7K is a popular, mid-range Mini-LED TV that I’ve been suggesting to friends, family and acquaintances for months now, and as luck would have it, it’s on sale in every one of its screen sizes.

You can get the 55-inch TCL QM7K for just $599 at Best Buy today, and that’s a full $700 off its original price. This is a TV whose bright, colorful picture will not only do the big game justice, but it’ll serve you well for future games, movie nights and afternoon TV binges. Let me tell you why you should keep your eye out for it when you’re browsing the TV section.

While ultra-affordable, entry-level TVs typically leverage simplistic LED backlighting, the mid-range QM7K makes use of Mini-LEDs. This is its best feature, and one of the reasons I've been recommending it to sports fans for a while now.

As the name suggests, Mini-LEDs are smaller-sized LEDs that usually deliver better backlight control due to their size. Better backlight control not only allows for better overall contrast, it's the primary reason why the QM7K delivers a bright enough picture for watching daytime sports.

And when it comes to brightness, it's worth noting that the QM7K has more horsepower under the hood than entry-level LED TVs, as well. According to the tests we carried out for our TCL QM7K review, this TV is capable of over 1,700 nits of highlight brightness in HDR.

For context, the QM7K's little sibling — the entry-level TCL QM6K — tops out at around 700 nits. If you're hosting a Super Bowl watch party and you've got a relatively bright living space, you'll definitely appreciate the QM7K's added brightness.

If you're streaming the Super Bowl this year, the QM7K will get you there in a smooth, fuss-free style. It comes with Google TV's easy-to-use smart platform pre-installed. It's my second-favorite smart platform behind Roku, and its robust app support and friendly interface makes it a superb daily driver.

Those planning on doing some gaming in the months and years ahead stand to squeeze even more value out of the QM7K due to its fantastic array of gaming features for this mid-range price point. It comes with a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K gaming up to 144Hz. This means the QM7K can take full advantage of the Xbox Series X and PS5 Pro.

In the last week alone I've recommended the QM7K to two people in my personal life. Neither of them were looking to upgrade specifically for a Super Bowl watch party, but in both cases, the QM7K proved versatile enough to earn my recommendation.

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Last month at CES, while nearly every major TV brand was showcasing tantalizing RGB LED TVs featuring exciting new display technology, TCL was putting the X11L SQD Mini-LED TV on its highest pedestal. Unlike the parade of RGB LED TVs (which make use of an all-new type of display technology), the X11L — named after TCL’s Super Quantum Dot technology — is built around a souped-up, refined version of a classic Mini-LED screen.

We’re still weeks away from getting our grubby paws on an RGB LED TV from Samsung, LG or Hisense, but we have had a chance to test drive the TCL X11L. And, while our official review is still being prepared, I can give you a sneak-peek.

TCL has boasted about the X11L’s color, and I can see why. The question now is whether or not these incoming RGB LED TVs can give the X11L a run for its money.

TCL X11L color: how does it stack up?

I'll let our upcoming TCL X11L review speak for itself in the coming weeks, but I wanted to highlight one of the TV's color metrics for a few reasons. First, color volume has been an area of performance where Mini-LED TVs (like the X11L) have lagged behind quantum dot-enhanced OLED TVs in recent years.

Secondly, color is at the heart of what TCL's new TV is all about. This so-called Super QLED leverages TCL's all-new Deep Color System, which I'll explain shortly.

So, while we don't yet have data from any competing RGB LED TVs, we can see how the X11L stacks up to the Hisense U8QG (a Mini-LED TV with excellent color volume) and two quantum dot-enhanced OLED TVs that feature some of the best color we've ever measured.

Here's a quick refresher: BT.2020 (also known as Rec.2020) is an international color space standard for newer displays. The percentages describe how much of that color space these TVs are capable of covering.

As you can see, the Sony Bravia 8 II and the Samsung S95F — two QD-OLEDs that previously put up some of the best BT.2020 measurements we've ever measured — are a hair behind the X11L.

The X11L is significantly ahead of the Hisense U8QG, another quantum dot-enhanced Mini-LED TV that specializes in bright, punchy color. In other words, the bar for Mini-LED-based color was just raised — all the way above QD-OLED.

To be fair, with the right content and the best picture mode, all of these TVs look absolutely stunning. They're bright, high-contrast screens backed by powerful picture processing algorithms. There's a good chance that, from a color perspective, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between these sets unless they were set up side by side.

Nevertheless, what we have here is a proof of concept. TCL just demonstrated that a Mini-LED display can be pushed into the color realms we've come to expect from premium, quantum dot-enhanced OLEDs, provided you have access to TCL's engineering.

Now, all we have to do is wait and see how RGB LED TVs from Samsung, LG and Hisense stack up. These brands, too, have promised big performance numbers when it comes to RGB LED's color capabilities.

Super Quantum Dot vs RGB LED: what's the difference?

The TCL X11L's secret sauce is made up of a few ingredients: reformulated quantum dots (now dubbed "Super Quantum Dots"), a new color filter for said quantum dots and some algorithmic tweaking designed to keep colors consistent (which TCL is calling its Advanced Color Purity Algorithm). Together, these elements define TCL's Deep Color System.

It's all very familiar in the world of traditional Mini-LED displays, albeit upgraded and refined. RGB LED, meanwhile, is a whole different story.

Like the best Mini-LED TVs, RGB LED displays leverage an array of ultra-small LEDs that can be broken up into dimmable zones. This goes a long way towards enhancing contrast and brightness in TVs like the TCL X11L.

Unlike the X11L, however, RGB LED TVs have a secret weapon: Their LEDs are red-, green- and blue-tinted. While the white light of Mini-LEDs like the X11L rely on a color filter, RGB LEDs do not.

Like TCL's Super QLED TV, the primary purported benefit of RGB LED TVs is color, and in some reported cases, brands are reporting that their RGB LED TVs are capable of reaching up to 100% of BT.2020.

Here's the thing: In a TCL X11L press release, TCL also claims that SQD TV can reach "100% of BT.2020 color." We, of course, only measured 91%.

Crucially, they add the following footnote: "Actual results may vary based on specific units, environmental conditions, source material, and testing equipment." This qualifier makes sense, too — TV-testing is a finnicky process.

TCL 2026 TVs: outlook

The TCL X11L SQD Mini-LED TV will be available in 75-, 85- and 98-inch sizes, so if you were hoping to buy a new 55- or 65-inch TV in 2026, the extra-large nature of the X11L may not be for you.

The good news is that the 2026 TCL TV lineup will also feature two new TVs that are reported to make use of the brand's SQD technology: the QM7L and the QM8L. They're new versions of the TCL QM7K and the QM8K, two quantum dot-enhanced Mini-LED TVs that have proven quite popular. I'm eager to see how their performance compares to the ultra-premium X11L.

TCL is also launching an RGB LED TV of its own. Not much is currently known about the TCL RM9L, but so far, it's been announced exclusively in big-screen sizes: 85, 98 and 115 inches.

It may not be a matter of if these TVs make our list of the best TVs, but a matter of when.

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The biggest televised sporting event of the year is less than a week away, and if you’re in the market for a big screen on a budget, listen up: The 75-inch TCL QM5K is just $599 at Best Buy right now. It’s the best deal I’ve seen on a 75-inch TV ahead of the Super Bowl.

As a Best Buy exclusive, you’re not going to find this deal available at any other retailer. The QM5K is a better pick than most ultra-affordable 75-inch TVs, too, thanks to its Mini-LED backlighting. Here's what you need to know. (For more deals, check out our full Super Bowl TV deals guide).

Take it from someone who's been testing and reviewing TVs for over a decade: At the 75-inch size point, you definitely want Mini-LED backlighting.

The QM5K taps a more modest array of Mini-LEDs relative to higher-end Mini-LED TVs (like the TCL QM7K and the TCL QM8K), but it still makes a world of difference when compared to a garden-variety, direct- or edge-lit LED display.

Mini-LED backlighting typically results in better contrast and higher brightness. You'll almost certainly enjoy a richer picture with the QM5K than what you'll see on a cheap, edge-lit TV, and that's a big plus if you're planning on entertaining a room full of people next Sunday.

The QM5K also comes with the Google TV software suite built right in, which is one of my preferred smart platforms in 2026. I mention this because the QM5K only has three HDMI inputs rather than the typical four. Google TV takes some of the sting out of this situation, as it's easy-to-use interface and terrific app support makes it a viable daily driver.

Unlike some bottom-of-the-barrel options in this price range, the QM5K delivers decent hardware and software. It's a fantastic fit for folks favoring a bigger screen size over high-end performance.

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• TCL finally added this key feature to its 2025 TVs — here's why you should use it

It’s not every day I’m walking through a mall and end up stopping in my tracks to play with a tablet, but that’s exactly what happened last summer in Taiwan.

After a week of checking out the latest gadgets at Computex, I headed to Taipei’s legendary electronics market, Guang Hua Digital Plaza for some last-minute sightseeing. While I usually prefer smaller tablets like the iPad mini or the Lenovo Legion Tab 3, the TCL NXTPAPER 14 immediately stood out. Maybe it was the massive 14.3-inch screen or the chance to finally see and feel TCL’s innovative NXTPAPER tech in person, but I was hooked.

Late last year, TCL sent over that same tablet along with its smaller, more powerful NXTPAPER 11 Plus and even a smartphone with the same paper-like display for me to test out at home. While its larger sibling hooked me initially, the NXTPAPER 11 Plus quickly became my go-to device. Its 11.5-inch screen makes it easy to slip into a bag and it’s also the perfect size for reading.

Unlike with other tablets I’ve tried in the past, I didn’t feel compelled to put a screen protector on this one and I’m glad I didn’t, as doing so would ruin my favorite thing about it: the paper-like feel of its matte display. I also didn’t have to worry about finding a case for the NXTPAPER 11 Plus since TCL includes one in the box along with a fully equipped stylus.

Here’s what it’s been like using TCL’s NXTPAPER tech for the past two months and why the NXTPAPER 11 Plus is easily one of the best tablets on a budget, especially if you’ve flirted with the idea of picking up a reMarkable Paper Pro over a standard Android tablet.

Surprisingly equipped right out of the box

At a time when you’re lucky to get a USB-C cable in the box, I was instantly impressed by everything TCL manages to cram into the box with both the NXTPAPER 14 and the NXTPAPER 14 Plus.

Unlike with one of the best iPads, it can be hard finding a case or other accessories for some Android tablets. TCL takes the guesswork out with its tablets so instead of shopping for the right case, you can get right to using your new device.

I really like the included folio case for a couple of reasons. For starters, it’s magnetic and instantly turns off your tablet’s screen when closed. However, there are also plastic feet on the bottom side that, in addition to turning the case into a very sturdy stand, provide you with a place to store the included stylus.

I’m no digital artist by any means but I’m quite partial to having a stylus for each of my tablets. I find using a stylus makes it a lot easier to scroll through the news each morning without accidentally opening stories I wasn’t planning on reading. The same goes for poking around a device’s settings menu and quickly making changes like not having new apps added to my home screen for instance.

I also really like how this is an active stylus that’s pre-paired with the NXTPAPER 11 Plus. After powering it on, I was able to start using it right away and surprisingly, I haven’t even had to charge it yet, though it does get up to 100 hours of use on a single charge. There are also two up and down keys on the stylus that you can program to do things like instantly take you back to the home screen or open TCL’s Sidebar.

Speaking of which, the Sidebar is a collection of customizable shortcuts that you can access by swiping with your finger (or the stylus) to go back and holding it there for an extra second or so. You can add actions like taking a screenshot as well as shortcuts to your favorite apps. I found this feature to be both pretty clever and well implemented.

The included case and stylus are useful extras but it’s the display itself and TCL’s proprietary screen technology that kept me going back to the NXTPAPER 11 Plus again and again.

An almost instant transformation

The NXTPAPER 11 Plus has your standard USB-C port on the side as well as a power button and volume rocker up top. However, across from those two buttons is the device's namesake NXTPAPER Key. This is where the device’s magic happens and on this newer tablet, it’s also equipped with a backlight that you can turn on or off. When enabled, the light “breathes,” perhaps to help you remember that a total display transformation is just a button press away.

The NXTPAPER Key is also customizable and you can choose what a single press, double press and long press does. By default, a single press lets you switch between its three different modes: Regular Mode, Color Paper Mode and Ink Paper Mode. The animation that accompanies this switch is pretty neat too, especially when going from the black and white Ink Paper Mode back to the full color Regular Mode and vice versa.

After owning a Kindle for years now to read ebooks, I was really taken aback by how closely TCL’s NXTPAPER is able to mimic ePaper even though it uses an LCD display. This gives you the best of both worlds since you have that easier to read black and white look but with the much faster refresh rates of LCD over ePaper.

My favorite part of using either of the non-standard NXTPAPER modes though is that your entire device along with all of the apps you use are instantly transformed. Whether I was scrolling through Google News or browsing Reddit, everything – including pictures – was either in black and white Ink Paper or Color Paper.

There are plenty of health benefits like reduced eye strain and less blue light when using a tablet equipped with TCL’s NXTPAPER, but I found the matte display — technically nano-matrix lithography etching — was the most useful for me day to day as someone that can’t stand the glare of a glossy display, especially when taking pictures.

Glare-free versatility

Although most of my time testing the NXTPAPER 11 Plus was spent in the comfort of my own home, I decided to bring the tablet with me to a doctor’s appointment followed by a trip to IKEA to see how it handled the real world.

Right from the get-go, I was impressed by how usable it remained even in direct sunlight. Most tablets struggle in this situation, but thanks to that matte display, I wasn’t squinting just to make out what was on the screen.

Even outside on a table, the NXTPAPER 11 Plus was just as functional in the great outdoors as it was at home. This is the kind of device you can comfortably use while sitting in the grass — say, on a college campus — and since the case has a built-in stand, you really don't need to pack anything else.

Once my appointment was over, I headed to IKEA and, after polishing off some Swedish meatballs, I spent a few minutes using the tablet in the food court. At first glance, you might think I was just reading an ebook on a normal tablet. However, I actually had Ink Paper Mode enabled, which really made the text pop. Since the display isn’t working as hard to render a full spectrum of colors in this mode, switching to black and white is a clever way to stretch its already impressive 8,000 mAh battery even further during long days out.

Then, when it was time to check out IKEA’s new smart home accessories — namely its Matter-equipped buttons — I just closed the folio case and slid the tablet back into my backpack, knowing it would be perfectly safe without an extra sleeve.

Although the NXTPAPER 14 wowed me initially, I’ve found that 11.5 inches is the perfect middle ground for both portability and screen real estate. It’s a large enough screen to multitask with two apps side-by-side, yet in portrait mode, it’s ideal for reading both books and news articles.

Since this tablet is only $370 full price and is often found for under $300 on sale, it’s the kind of device you can take everywhere without constant worry. If I were using an iPad Pro or a premium Samsung tablet, I might be tempted to leave it at home to keep it safe. With the NXTPAPER 11 Plus, however, I wouldn’t think twice before throwing it in my bag for a weekend trip or a long flight.

Consider me in-matte-uated

I have to admit, what initially enticed me about TCL’s NXTPAPER was how photogenic this display tech is. As part of my job, I often have to snap pics of a particular app or service running on a smartphone or tablet. While direct sunlight pretty much always looks great in photos, glare absolutely doesn’t. Back at that mall in Taipei, I wondered what it would be like having a device I could easily photograph even in less than ideal conditions and those few quick pics I took in IKEA prove that TCL’s NXTPAPER is perfect for this.

Glare-free photos did draw me in at first, but I wasn’t expecting to love the way a matte touchscreen felt on my fingertips. That little bit of resistance you get from a non-glossy screen really makes simple actions like swiping or scrolling feel a whole lot more premium. Add to this how I can instantly switch between full color or black and white system-wide while still running what is essentially stock Android, and I couldn’t be happier with both of the tablets and the smartphone TCL sent over.

After getting a taste of the all-matte life with these devices, I found myself wondering if TCL would ever bring its NXTPAPER tech to one of the best monitors or even one of the company’s TVs. Swiping my finger up and down or even using the included stylus felt entirely different than it normally does. Not because TCL is also partial to matte screens, but because a display like that is required for the company's NXTPAPER to work its magic.

I don’t plan on putting down the NXTPAPER 11 Plus anytime soon, but the jury is still out on whether or not I’d be willing to switch to one of TCL’s smartphones to have this same premium-feeling sensation whenever I take my phone out of my pocket. I guess only time will tell.

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Earlier this week, news broke that rocked the TV industry. Sony is spinning out its TV business and TCL — once a major competitor — will take on a 51% interest in the new company. The details of the deal are still being worked out, with the company eyeing April 2027 as its target operational date.

The Sony and TCL news comes at a time when competition in the TV industry is heating up. Both brands (as well as Hisense, LG and Samsung) are on the cusp of launching RGB LED TVs that are among the first of their kind. Separately, they’re the makers of some of the best TVs you can buy — but for mostly different reasons.

While all TV-makers share the goal of selling TVs, they operate with different philosophies. These differences between Sony and TCL are apparent in their hardware, software, pricing — the sum of their strengths and weaknesses. The question now is this: With a majority of the stake, will TCL squeeze the “Sony” out of Sony TVs?

A tale of two TV-makers

Sony’s primary Bravia TV lineup is typically composed of an array of finely designed, thoughtfully engineered TVs. Even lower-end Sony TVs that make use of simplistic display hardware often make up for their expected, performance-related shortcomings with excellent picture processing.

The brand’s higher-end TVs — like the incredible Sony Bravia 9 — blend this savvy attention to detail with premium hardware, like Mini-LEDs and OLED displays. Mid-range offerings split the difference in performance, but like the company’s entry-level and flagship models, mid-range Sony TVs also deliver superb picture processing and a ton of software-based features.

But an excellent attention to detail, a long list of enhancements and thoughtful engineering isn’t the only constant across Sony’s main TV lineup. These TVs are priced higher than just about everything else in their respective class, something that has historically saddled Sony with a pricey reputation.

How will TCL affect the 'Sony tax'?

TCL is the maker of some of the most value-forward Mini-LED TVs on the market. From a performance and price standpoint, its mid-range Mini-LED TVs in particular are fiercely competitive — they frequently deliver a terrific performance-to-cost ratio.

The brand’s top-shelf TVs are nothing to sneeze at, either. The recently released TCL QM8K is one of the brightest Mini-LED TVs we’ve ever tested, and in 2026, the company is launching the X11L SQD Mini-LED TV, the only TV to leverage something TCL is calling Super Quantum Dot technology.

Crucially, TCL’s main TV lineup is chock full of sets that are cheaper than their Sony-branded counterparts. The 65-inch version of the QM8K — which is, for all intents and purposes, a direct competitor of the Sony Bravia 9 — is currently about $1,000 less than its rival.

In this TV expert’s opinion, however, the Bravia 9 offers better picture processing (and overall performance) than TCL’s most recent flagship. The QM8K doesn’t come with as many customizable settings, nor do I find its overall design as pleasing as the Bravia 9’s, either.

I’m sure you can see where I’m going with this. When the time comes — likely in 2027 — for the first batch of Sony and TCL TVs to hit shelves, will there be room for both Sony's attention to detail and TCL's competitive pricing?

There are only so many ways this can go

One way this could play out is that Sony’s Bravia branding is eventually tied to this joint company’s top-of-the-line models. TCL-branded models, meanwhile, could continue to compete with the more budget-friendly TVs from Hisense, Roku and Amazon.

In this scenario, I imagine that everything a Sony Bravia TV has come to represent — the exacting processing, the premium hardware and the professional-grade calibration — would be reserved for high-end sets.

That said, it would be massively disappointing (and ultimately bad for shoppers) if TCL’s 51% interest in this joint company eventually results in the flattening-out of Sony’s identity.

Sony TVs may be pricier than their competitors, but they’re also my go-to recommendation for A/V enthusiasts and folks building dedicated home theaters. They’re the brand that prioritizes reference accuracy above all else, and the TV-maker that shoves the most amount of picture- and audio-related settings into their TVs. (Seriously, though — have you seen the amount of options in a Sony TV?)

We've a long way to go before we have a clearer understanding of the joint company's business strategy in the coming years. My hope is that there's room for both of these brand identities to exist alongside one another, with TCL's panel-manufacturing capabilities ultimately leading to more affordable TVs across the board.

One thing is certain: New TVs from both of these brands are on their way in 2026, and it's likely the last time they'll compete with one another.

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If you’ve been toying with the idea of upgrading to a bigger screen ahead of the Super Bowl, you won’t hear me trying to talk you out of it. That’s because the slice of time between the holidays and spring is a great time to find TV sales. Brands are gearing up to launch their latest models, but until they arrive, many of their best sets are deeply discounted.

Case in point: The 75-inch TCL QM5K fell to just $599 at Best Buy. It was already one of the most affordable Mini-LED TVs on shelves ahead of this 50% price drop, but now it’s one of the best deals around on a 75-inch TV. It's a Best Buy exclusive, so you won't see it anywhere else.

While the QM5K isn’t one of the best-performing 75-inch TVs on shelves, it comes with one key feature that sets it apart from ultra-cheap 75-inch TVs: Mini-LED backlighting.

The QM5K leverages a more modest array of Mini-LEDs relative to higher-end TVs, but trust me: This is a feature you definitely want, especially at this extra-large screen size. This type of backlighting typically results in better contrast when compared to TVs that tap garden-variety, edge-lit panels. (Though I’d still hesitate to recommend the QM5K to folks with sun-soaked living rooms.)

It’s worth noting that the QM5K is outfitted with just three HDMI inputs — one fewer than what most TVs offer. Fortunately, the QM5K comes with Google TV built right in, and the software is good enough for daily use. The interface is easy to navigate, and the app support is robust.

If you’re looking to prioritize screen size over performance ahead of the Super Bowl, but you still want to avoid buying a TV that scrapes the bottom of the barrel, the QM5K is currently one of the best options available.

More from Tom's Guide

• Sony just handed its TV business to TCL — here’s what it means for you
• TCL TV lineup 2026: new SQD Mini-LED enhancement, Mini-LED TVs, and an RGB Mini-LED TV
• TCL finally added this key feature to its 2025 TVs — here's why you should use it

The holiday season is behind us, and while you might think that TV discounts have dried up along with the needles on a Christmas tree, there are still plenty of savings to be had on some affordable sets that are actually worth buying.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a big screen ahead of the NFL postseason, I’ve got good news: Five of my favorite budget-friendly TVs are available in 75-inch options for under $1,000.

There are three elements that make these 75-inch sets worth buying: dependable hardware, useful features and, of course, a price tag that won't make you throw a yellow flag on the play. (For more discounts, check out our roundup of today's best TV deals).

1. Samsung Q7F

Samsung's entry-level QLED TV for 2025 doesn't deliver the contrast and color brightness you'll find on some of the Mini-LED options listed below, but the 75-inch version is worth spotlighting for folks who are dead-set on shopping for an affordable, Samsung-branded TV.

The 75-inch Q7F comes with some essential streaming features and decent out-of-the-box performance (though I recommend that picture purists take a gander at some of the Mini-LED TVs on this list before committing to the Q7F).

I'm still in the process of reviewing the Q7F formally, but I can confirm that its accurate picture and basic, direct-LED display is a notch above what you'll find on bottom-of-the-barrel sets. That makes it worth a look if you're trying to save as much money as possible, and it's an especially noteworthy option for football fans shopping for a Samsung TV.

2. TCL QM5K

The TCL QM5K is one of the cheapest Mini-LED TVs that debuted in 2025, and it’s a great fit for football fans who want to save money but would rather not scrape the bottom of the barrel for an ultra-cheap TV that won't look good on game day.

Most cheap TVs at or around the QM5K's low price point don't come with smaller, brighter Mini-LEDs, opting instead for garden-variety LEDs. This is the biggest difference between the QM5K and the aforementioned Samsung Q7F.

It's worth highlighting that the QM5K features three HDMI inputs rather than the usual four, but thankfully, the inclusion of Google TV somewhat makes up for its missing port. Google TV is one of my preferred smart platforms due to its easy-to-navigate interface and it's huge library of downloadable apps.

3. TCL QM6K

If you want something brighter and more colorful than the 75-inch QM5K, consider its higher-end sibling, the TCL QM6K. Like the QM5K, the QM6K offers Mini-LED backlighting, but crucially, it also offers a punchier picture than the QM5K.

Its modest array of Mini-LEDs is why the QM6K delivers higher brightness and better overall contrast than TVs with more rudimentary display types (like the aforementioned Samsung Q7F). The added cost over the more-affordable QM5K nets you a brighter picture with better overall contrast. If you do most of your sports-watching during the day, I'd say that the bump in price is entirely worth it.

Right now, the 75-inch QM6K is just a hundred bucks more than the QM5K. That's a tantalizing proposition for savvy football fans looking to maximize their dollar.

4. Sony Bravia 2 II

Sony's most affordable QLED TV is pricier than most options in its class, but the 75-inch version is currently on sale for around $799. I recommend the Bravia 2 II for sports fans who seek a clean, accurate presentation, as Sony's excellent picture processing is this Bravia TV's best feature.

The compromise here is that the Bravia 2 II (which we're still in the process of reviewing) doesn't get as bright as some of the Mini-LED based options I've included in this list, particularly when compared with the soon-to-be-mentioned Hisense U65QF.

Nevertheless, Sony's superb engineering and thorough attention to detail make the 75-inch Bravia 2 II an interesting candidate for viewers who want a decent viewing experience once game day is over and movie night begins. It's an especially good choice for viewers who watch movies, shows and sports in a controlled, home theater-like environment, since it shines more with the lights dimmed.

5. Hisense U65QF

If you're looking for the brightest possible picture on a 75-inch TV for under $1,000, Hisense's latest entry-level Mini-LED TV ought to be close to the top of your list of options. Of the five TVs on this list, the Hisense U65QF is the one I'd recommend to football fans with brighter-than-average living spaces.

In our U65QF review, we noted that this TV nearly doubles the brightness you'll find on its direct competitors, including the QM6K. This is why the U65QF is a great choice for budget-conscious shoppers with sunny living rooms.

Just remember: This TV is built around Amazon's Fire TV smart platform, which isn't the best software suite on the market. Hopefully, you'll appreciate its Alexa integration more than we appreciated the software's clunky interface, but it's also worth noting that Amazon recently announced major upgrades to Fire TV OS in the coming months.

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CES 2026 is well underway, and the talk of the show for TV fans has been RGB Mini-LED TVs. TCL is taking things a bit differently with a new subset of Mini-LED models called its SQD (Super Quantum Dot) Mini-LED series, which offer enhanced dimming zones and broader color coverage for superior picture performance.

At the forefront of its 2026 TV lineup is the TCL X11L SQD Mini-LED TV, one of its most advanced sets of the year and the first of its kind. It's equipped with up to 20,000 dimming zones and a purported 10,000 nits of peak brightness, according to TCL. The X11 isn't alone, as TCL will also be launching the QM8L and QM7L SQD Mini-LED TVs.

TCL also announced a new RM9L RGB Mini-LED TV that will use similar technology to other models in the market with the X11L's UltraColor filter. Pricing and an official release date are still to be determined.

TCL 2026 TVs: X11L SQD Mini-LED TV

The TCL X11L SQD Mini-LED is a jaw-dropping display that boasts serious upgrades over its primary competition, including Mini-LED and QLED models. Think of the X11L as a step above Mini-LED TVs, offering 20,000 local dimming zones, up to 10,000 nits of peak brightness, and 100% coverage of the BT.2020 gamut.

We'll have to wait and see just how accurate those numbers are once we get the X11L in our labs, but the star of the show is the so-called "Super QLED Crystals," for which Super Quantum Dots (SQD) gets its name. Essentially, the X11L uses highly advanced quantum dots to deliver superior color.

Here are the prices and available sizes for the TCL X11L SQD Mini-LED series:

• TCL X11L 75-inch: $6,999
• TCL X11L 85-inch: $7,999
• TCL X11L 98-inch: $9,999

Note that the 75-inch model will be introduced at a later date, while the 85-inch and 98-inch models launch in January. You can already pre-order the TCL X11L SQD Mini-LED TV at TCL's web store.

Several standout features also make the cut on the X11L, unlike several of its competitors, including Dolby Vision 2 Max. This is thanks to the advanced TSR AI processor, which supports Super Resolution, which also gives the X11L access to HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG.

Any concerns about blooming are also put to bed as the X11L features TCL's Deep Color System that combines its UltraColor Filter and Advanced Color Purity algorithm to get as close to life-like accuracy as is possible. It also aims to diminish color crosstalk, otherwise known as blooming, so the image keeps its fullness even with bright whites and darker scenes take up the screen.

There's a lot to love about the new TCL X11L. It's a promising look at the future of Mini-LED TV technology, but it's still too early to tell how well it fares against the more premium RGB Mini-LED sets also debuting at CES. The X11L isn't the only SQD Mini-LED TV set to launch this year, as it is also bringing to market the QM8L and QM7L.

TCL 2026 TVs: QM8L & QM7L SQD Mini-LED TVs

TCL is launching two additional SQD Mini-LED TVs in 2026, which include the QM8L and QM7L, which will also act as successors to the TCL QM8K and TCL QM7K from last year's lineup. It will also be debuting a budget Mini-LED model in the QM6L that takes up from the 2025 TCL QM6K, one of our favorite budget Mini-LED TVs.

There's precious little extra information available about these sets at this time, as TCL has focused primarily on the X11L for CES 2026. We can expect more details, including release dates and pricing, to be unveiled later this year, potentially in March or April.

TCL 2026 TVs: RM9L RGB Mini-LED TV

Like many of its counterparts, TCL is also bringing to markets its own RGB Mini-LED TV, but decided against showing it at CES. Called the TCL RM9L RGB Mini-LED TV, the advanced display is riddled with mystery. TCL has thus far only announced the name of its new RGB Mini-LED TV, offering minimal additional details about pricing, sizes, and specs.

However, TCL did note that the RM9L features the same UltraColor Filter found on the TCL X11L, which should give it a hefty leg up with enhanced accuracy and contrast, as well as diminished blooming. That's about all we know about the RM9L at this time, but keep your eyes peeled for more information as it's unveiled later this year.

TCL 2026 TVs: outlook

As others tout their advanced technologies, noting the enhanced colors and picture performance available in RGB Mini-LED TVs, TCL decided to take a step back for CES this year. The TCL X11L is an excellent starting point for TCL's 2026 strategy, offering a small glimpse into what can be expected from the brand beyond where the industry as a whole is moving.

However, we still know very little about its main Mini-LED lineup, which could be some of the best TVs to come out in 2026. The TCL QM6K Mini-LED TV remains one of our favorite budget models, and the QM6L could be yet another go-to budget gaming set that offers enhanced features over its predecessor.

Similarly, the TCL QM8L and TCL QM7L could give Hisense a run for its money. This is where the real battle will take place for TCL, noting the leaps and bounds its SQD Mini-LED TVs offer against prime competition, particularly against Hisense's U8 and U7 series TVs.

It's challenging to delineate where the new RM9L RGB Mini-LED TV lands in the ever-growing pool of similar models, as information about the model is currently sparse. We'll have to wait and see what else TCL is cooking up for the rest of 2026.

More from Tom's Guide

• CES 2026 LIVE: All the biggest tech and gadget news as it happens
• Samsung TV lineup 2026: new OLEDs, Micro RGB TVs and Neo QLEDs announced at CES
• I went hands-on with TCL’s first SQD Mini-LED TV — and it made me forget about RGB TVs

We’re live on the scene from CES 2026 this week, where the biggest brands in the TV industry have been busy spotlighting their newest screens and innovations. Yes, there are tons of TVs on display, but there are a handful in particular that have caught our eye.

From upgraded OLEDs to all-new Micro RGB TVs, here’s a round-up of the best sets we’ve seen so far — the TVs that are poised to make a big splash in the coming months.

Samsung R95H

For most of the major TV-makers, CES 2026 has been all about one thing: RGB-based backlighting.

These teeny-tiny LEDs are smaller than garden-variety Mini-LEDs and create their own red-, green- and blue-colored light instead of relying on a color filter. The result is gobsmackingly gorgeous color — hues that are much brighter and purer than what we’ve come to expect from even the best Mini-LED TVs on the market.

Samsung has dubbed its take on the technology RGB Micro LED, and the Samsung R95H is the brand’s latest flagship to flaunt it. Nick Pino, managing editor of TV and AV for Tom’s Guide, was lucky enough to go hands-on with the Samsung R95H and walked away impressed.

“Samsung's R95H is as bright as any Mini-LED TV I’ve seen,” Nick says, noting that the R95H features “a slightly larger color volume” than those Mini-LED-based TVs. He added: “Scenes from ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ I watched on my Samsung S95D OLED looked significantly brighter and richer on the R95H.”

As mentioned, the R95H is far from the only TV tapping this tantalizing tech on the showroom floor, but given Samsung's pedigree (including its superb track record for picture processing), it's quickly becoming one of our most-anticipated.

Hisense UR9 and UR8

Hisense ain’t messing around this year. After another successful year of selling some of the most competitively priced and value-packed TVs on shelves, the TV-maker has spent the week showcasing its own RGB-based sets — except Hisense is calling its version RGB Mini-LED.

Enter the UR9 and UR8. We don’t know much about these sets just yet (and trust me: I’ve been dying to learn more), but if Hisense’s track record is any indication, there’s a good chance that they’ll be aggressively priced. That’s potentially very good news for shoppers who might be flirting with this cutting-edge display type at some point in 2026.

While showing off the Hisense 2026 TV lineup, the brand confirmed that, between the UR9 and UR8, screen sizes between 55 and 100 inches will be represented. Given the razzle-dazzle prevalence of RGB-based TVs above 110 inches, it’s reassuring to hear that there’s a roadmap to popular size points for these exciting new TVs.

LG C6

It oughtn’t come as a surprise that LG’s latest C Series OLED is on our most-anticipated TV list as we spring into 2026. After all, its predecessor — the LG C5 OLED — was the only TV we bestowed a five-star rating on last year.

LG's C Series sets have been a perennial pick for parsimonious people seeking high-level performance, and the LG C6 is shaping up to play the same role.

Despite its years of success, I’ve longed for a major shake-up to the C Series formula, and this year, we’re getting one — at least for some of the sizes in the series.

The 77- and 83-inch versions of the LG C6 feature LG Display’s marvelous Tandem OLED panel featuring Hyper Radiant Color technology. That’s a heaping helping of technical jargon that essentially means that the two largest sizes in the series will offer better brightness and color volume than the rest of the sizes in the series.

In Nick Pino’s hands-on LG C6 review, he notes the impact of this upgrade, reporting that the 77-inch C6 features color “as deep here as on any TV [he’s] seen so far at CES.”

Color me excited.

Samsung S95H

The S95H is the follow-up to the best OLED TV Samsung has ever made: the Samsung S95F. This alone makes it one of the most exciting TVs of 2026.

Like its predecessor, the S95H is sporting a matte screen that nearly eliminates direct glare. It’s certainly not for everyone as the finish can’t help but lift black levels in well-lit rooms, but it’s hard not to go ga-ga over it when viewed in a controlled, home theater-like setting.

New this year is a swanky, metal bezel and custom wall-mount. This gives the S95H a unique look compared to many of the other wall-mountable OLEDs we’ve come across on the showroom floor this year.

LG Wallpaper TV (W6)

LG’s ultra-thin, artful OLED TV is back after a several-year hiatus, and we couldn’t be happier to see it return. In his LG Wallpaper TV hands-on review, Nick Pino got up close and personal with one of LG’s thinnest OLED TVs to date, noting the set’s surprisingly affordable, yet-to-be-confirmed price.

Also known as the W6, LG's Wallpaper TV is set to take on the lifestyle TV competitors with the not-so-secret weapon of OLED display technology — something we've not seen much of in this popular subcategory of TV.

If the W6 proves successful, we could be seeing a new wave of artful, design-forward TVs with OLED-based displays.

TCL X11L

While brands like Hisense and Samsung are zigging toward an RGB-based future, TCL has chosen to zag. The TCL X11L is a complete reimagining of what it means to be a quantum dot-equipped Mini-LED TV, and my colleague Kate Kozuch is already sold.

In her TCL X11L hands-on review, Kate reported that this set features incredible clarity. "Bright whites popped hard against deep blacks without washing out surrounding colors," she said. "Greens, yellows and neon reds looked intensely saturated but controlled, not smeared or glowing past their edges."

According to its engineers, TCL has reformulated quantum dots entirely and slapped a new color filter and processing algorithm onto the X11L, resulting in its sensational highlights and deep, realistic color.

TCL claims that this TV reaches an eye-popping 10,000 nits of brightness and covers 100% of the BT.2020 color space. That's nuts.

You'll have to shell out a good amount of dough for this one, though. The smallest version of the X11L — a 77-inch version — will reportedly start at $6,999. The 85- and 98-inch versions will be even pricier.

More from Tom's Guide

• CES 2026 LIVE: All the biggest gadget and tech news as it happens
• I saw Samsung’s 2026 flagship OLED and Micro RGB TVs side by side — here's the one I like more
• We just went hands on with the LG Wallpaper OLED TV — and it's amazingly thin, wireless and actually affordable

TV processors are basically the brain of your TV. They're similar in nature to your computer's CPU, and they handle speed, multitasking, and overall performance.

While TV manufacturers have been better about advertising the processor, most people don't know what a TV's processor is actually for. There are plenty of tasks that TV processors take care of, but not all of those tasks will have much of an impact on your day-to-day experience with your TV. Here's why you need to pay attention to them when shopping for a new TV.

What does a processor do exactly?

Whether you're buying the best OLED or a budget TV, a TV's processor is the microchip that handles all computational tasks on your smart TV. It runs the TV's operating system, processes commands from your remote or voice assistant, runs streaming apps, upscales and improves content to look better on the screen, and coordinates all the smart features you'd expect from a modern TV.

The processor also manages energy efficiency. More advanced processors often deliver better performance while using less power, which means a lower energy bill at the end of the month. High-end processors are designed to balance processing power with energy efficiency, preventing overheating during intensive tasks like 4K streaming or gaming while keeping everything responsive.

Perhaps the most obvious use for a TV's processor is in its handling of built-in software. A TV's processor has a huge impact on software performance — and if it's doing its job well, you won't notice it at all.

When you open Netflix, YouTube, or any other streaming app, the processor determines how quickly it loads and how smoothly it runs. A more powerful processor can shave several seconds off load times and make navigation feel more responsive. If your TV feels slow right out of the box, that means that it probably has an underperforming processor.

Voice control features put additional demands on processors. Features like Google's Gemini or Alexa integration require significant processing power to quickly recognize, interpret, and act on voice commands. Lower-end processors may result in delayed responses or reduced accuracy.

The difference between budget and premium processors is most apparent during multitasking — when your TV is running background processes while you navigate menus, or when you're switching between multiple apps. Budget processors might struggle, causing noticeable stuttering. Premium chips handle these tasks smoothly.

How do processors affect picture performance?

Perhaps even more important than how a TV's processor handles software is how it handles image processing.

Upscaling is one of the more important jobs of a modern high-end TV processor. When you're watching content at a lower resolution than your TV's native display, like watching 1080p content on a 4K screen, the processor has to intelligently add pixels to fill the screen.

Premium processors can analyze content in real-time, enhancing details while minimizing artifacts, resulting in sharper, more natural-looking images that look like they were actually shot in 4K. That's especially important when watching older broadcasts, DVDs, or non-4K streaming content.

If you primarily watch 4K content, that doesn't mean your TV's processor is inactive though. Motion processing is another area where processor capabilities directly impact viewing quality. During fast-moving scenes in sports or action movies, less capable processors may produce motion blur or judder.

Advanced processors use sophisticated algorithms to analyze movement and insert additional frames where needed, resulting in smoother motion without the artificial "soap opera effect" that plagued earlier motion-smoothing technologies.

Processors also handle color management, contrast enhancement, and noise reduction — all of which contribute to the perceived sharpness and clarity of the image. The panel technology (OLED, QLED, etc.) establishes the baseline capabilities of a display, but it's the processor that determines how effectively those capabilities are utilized.

Gamers also have a reason to care about the processor

For gamers, a TV's processor has a significant impact on the overall gaming experience.

Input lag, for example, can be a concern. Input lag is the delay between pressing a button on your controller and seeing the action on screen. That lag is directly influenced by how quickly the processor can handle incoming signals. Premium processors can reduce this lag to under 10 milliseconds in game mode on some top TVs.

Modern gaming-focused processors also support advanced features like 120Hz refresh rates and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technology.

These features ensure smooth gameplay by syncing the TV's refresh rate with the game console's output, preventing screen tearing and stuttering during graphically intense sequences. Samsung's Quantum Processor 4K that's used by the S95F OLED, for example, has been specifically optimized to support these gaming-centric features.

And, advanced processors can also better handle HDR gaming content, which requires real-time tone mapping to display the extended brightness range correctly. This ensures that games with HDR support display with appropriate contrast and color accuracy, revealing details in both shadows and highlights that might otherwise be lost.

So which TVs have the best processors?

Modern TV processors range from dual-core chips in budget models to octa-core (eight-core) processors in premium displays. More cores generally allow for better multitasking, with different cores handling separate functions simultaneously — for example, one core might manage the user interface while another handles video processing and a third monitors network connectivity.

Several TV manufacturers have developed proprietary processors that showcase their particular strengths. Sony's X1 processors on its Bravia 8 II OLED and Bravia 9 TV use AI to process content the way humans see and hear, focusing on the focal points that naturally draw human attention.

LG's Alpha 11 AI processor on the new LG G5 OLED excels at upscaling and HDR tone mapping, while TCL's AiPQ processor found on the TCL QM8K and QM7K delivers impressive AI-driven picture enhancements at more accessible price points.

In general, budget TVs have processors that can handle basic smart TV functions but may struggle with complex tasks. Mid-range TV processors deliver solid performance for most viewers. High-end TV processors offer premium features like advanced AI processing, superior upscaling, and enhanced gaming support.

In other words, if you're spending the cash on a high-end TV, expect great performance. And, if you're shopping on a budget, at least be aware that the software may not be quite as fast, or be willing to buy an external streamer like the Apple TV 4K.

More from Tom's Guide

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• I'm a TV expert and this is the one picture mode you should avoid at all costs

As 2025 comes to a close and folks share their year-end, best-of lists, I thought it'd be a good opportunity to do the same for my favorite cheap TVs of the year. After all, as exciting as the priciest, best TVs often are, the vast majority of us still shop for slam-dunk deals rather than top-shelf models.

To be an affordable TV that doesn't suck, it helps to have three things: dependable hardware, useful features and, of course, a better price than most options in its class. This is not a list of the cheapest TVs you can buy. This is a list of one TV expert's favorite cheap TVs that are actually worth buying.

1. TCL QM5K

The TCL QM5K is one of the cheapest Mini-LED TVs on shelves this year, and it’s a great fit for folks whose number-one priority is saving money, but who’d rather not scrape the bottom of the barrel for a cheap TV.

Most cheap TVs at or around the QM5K's price don't come with smaller, brighter Mini-LEDs, but that's why I've been recommending it to budget-shoppers throughout the year.

It features three HDMI inputs rather than the usual four, but thankfully, its built-in smart platform, Google TV, makes up for its missing port. Google TV is one of my preferred smart platforms due to its easy-to-navigate interface and sensational app support.

2. Hisense U65QF

If you're looking for something brighter than the TCL QM5K but still don't want to climb above the $450 mark, the 55-inch Hisense U65QF is absolutely worth a look.

In our U65QF review, we noted that this TV nearly doubles the brightness you'll find on its direct competitors. This makes it a dependable choice for budget-conscious shoppers with sunny living rooms. Simply put, it's one of the brightest TVs in the affordable TV tier. It also comes with a handful of useful gaming features, like a couple of HDMI 2.1 inputs for 4K gaming up to 144Hz.

Fair warning, though: This TV is built around Amazon's Fire TV smart platform. Hopefully, you'll appreciate its Alexa integration more than we appreciated the software's clunky interface. If you don't mind Fire TV, I'd recommend the U65QF over the previously mentioned TCL QM5K.

3. Samsung Q7F

Samsung's entry-level QLED TV for 2025 doesn't deliver the contrast and color brightness you'll find on the Mini-LED TVs I've gathered here, but I'm including it because it's wildly affordable at several size points. I'll be real with you: I wouldn't go much cheaper than this when shopping for a 65-inch TV.

For a cool $499, the 65-inch Q7F comes with some essential streaming features and decent out-of-the-box performance. I'm still in the process of formally evaluating the Q7F, but I can tell you that its accurate picture and basic, direct-LED display is a notch above what you'll find on bottom-of-the-barrel sets. That makes it worth a look if you're trying to save as much money as possible.

4. TCL QM6K

If you want something brighter, more colorful and packed with more features than TCL's QM5K, consider its higher-end sibling, the QM6K. This Mini-LED TV offers a punchier picture than the QM5K and has crashed in price at the end of the year.

I'm partial to the 65-inch QM6K, which is currently $547 at Amazon, but if you're looking for a smaller-sized screen, the 55-inch QM6K is just $449 at Best Buy. That's a certified good deal, too.

Its modest array of Mini-LEDs is why the QM6K delivers higher brightness and better overall contrast than TVs with more rudimentary display types (like the aforementioned Samsung Q7F).

It also arrives with a handful of useful gaming features, including support for 4K gaming at 120Hz or 144Hz. You can read more about these features in our full TCL QM6K review, but here's the basic gist: These gaming enhancements can be hard to track down in affordable price ranges.

5. Roku Pro Series

It used to be that if you wanted a TV with Roku built in, you had to settle for one that didn’t offer much in the way of picture quality. But in the last few years, Roku TVs have greatly improved, and the 2025 Roku Pro Series is my favorite affordable Roku TV ever.

The version I'm choosing to highlight is the 75-inch model (on sale for just $799), but the 55-inch Roku Pro Series is just $499 at Amazon right now. Both size options are among the best all-around deals you'll find on a Roku TV right now.

The Pro Series TV blends quantum dot-color with Mini-LED backlighting. Quantum dots make for better color volume, while the extra-small Mini-LEDs allow for better backlight control and better highlight brightness. This hardware is especially important at the 75-inch size point, as a screen that large ought to have a handle on contrast.

If you've ever used a Roku streaming device before, you probably understand its appeal. The software's bold, clean interface is easy to navigate, while its app support is among the best in the industry.

$799 isn't exactly cheap in a vacuum, but it's very cheap for an above-average, Mini-LED TV. This is the one to get if you want a big, cheap TV with easy-to-use features.

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After years of testing the best smart glasses, I’ve grown a thicker skin than others when it comes to wearing obviously tech-looking devices on my face. But even by that standard, the vibes are way off with TCL’s RayNeo X3 Pro AR Smart Glasses.

The good news is that the tech is impressive. The binocular micro-LED displays run nice and bright at up to 6,000 nits and present a nice shared view across both eyes. Google Gemini offers an impressive multi-modal AI bedrock to RayNeo’s intuitive AIOS, which is itself really easy to use.

The app support is, actually, pretty great here, with the likes of TikTok, Instagram and WhatsApp forming an in-window perspective without staring down at your phone, and turn-by-turn directions forming a nice HUD so you never look lost.

But…look at them…just look at them. They’re comfortable to wear, a lot smaller than the X2 Pro (and slightly thinner than the Meta Ray-Ban display glasses), but the aesthetics aren’t there.

They still scream “prototype” and are a big indicator that the challenge of making advanced smart glasses look good is going to be a lot harder than we all thought. Maybe Google’s Android XR and the company’s partnerships with Warby Parker and Gentle Monsters are the answer, but TCL’s shown it's a tough pill to swallow.

If you’re brave enough to wear them, this is a glimpse into the future of what smart wearables can truly be. But at $1,099 for the early bird price, and with looks that scream more “Dexter’s Laboratory” than literally any character wearing glasses in “Dexter,” it’s a tough sell.

TCL RayNeo X3 Pro: Cheat Sheet

• What is it? These are display smart glasses — the next generation of merging AR and AI glasses together.
• Who is it for? These are for the serious tech enthusiasts with deep pockets. Those who want the cutting edge, no matter the cost and design.
• What does it cost? Early bird pricing starts at $1,099.
• What do we like? They are lightweight and comfortable to wear, while also being packed to the gills with tech, including mightily impressive micro-LED dual displays, an intuitive OS and Google Gemini for smarter smarts than you can get with the Ray-Ban Metas.
• What don’t we like? Battery life is on the lower end (to be expected), but that downside just pales in comparison to how dramatically unsubtle they look when worn in public.

TCL RayNeo X3 Pro: Specs

TCL RayNeo X3 Pro: The ups

Looking past the awkward optics (we’ll get to that in a bit), putting these on showed me we’re taking a decisive step toward the future of smart glasses I see developing over the next 10 years.

Comfortable wearability

The X2 Pro definitely felt more like a prototype with its gargantuan size and weight really pushing down on the top of your ears.

However, the X3 Pro feels more refined with a smaller, more utilitarian design that mimics a more traditional pair of wayfarers. And in terms of wearability, they are slightly bigger and heavier than the biggest players in the game (currently) in the Meta Ray-Ban Display specs. But with better weight distribution, they feel more comfortable.

Not only that, but they’re much lighter, too, at less than 3 ounces. Pair that with a nice arch around the ears and lovely cushioned nose pads, and you’ve got something that feels comfortable to wear all day long.

But the design is still a problem. The camera in the middle will draw that classic double-take look of confusion you’d get when wearing your standard pair of AR glasses.

Smart glasses the way they should work

Bar a complicated setup process (I’ll get into detail on that in a bit), once you’re off to the races, you see the vision of exactly how smart glasses should work. The dual diffractive micro-LED displays overlay the world around you nicely with information, while still being visible in bright surroundings thanks to that 6,000-nit peak brightness.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking full Jarvis from “Iron Man” here, but the UI is sleek, and the app selection offers the full suite of usability that can replace some of the small essential phone tasks that glasses were set to take.

Tap and scroll on the temple to move over the range of apps available here, from setting to do lists with your voice, AI recording/translation, listening to music, and directing yourself to destinations with a nice, subtle UI.

The OS itself is easy to navigate around either with the touchpad on the glasses or via your phone, and establishing quick tasks is a cinch. There’s even a couple of games that offer a little bit of fun, paired with solid on-device speakers with good clarity in all the tunes I threw at them, and the microphone picks up your voice great in calls.

Then there’s the option to sideload apps. Given these are based on a fork of Android, there is a small app store at the moment, but you could sideload the likes of TikTok onto here too if you wanted to doom scroll on the bus! And that Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chipset is capable of handling these basic tasks without slowing down dramatically.

Using the 12MP camera, you can get shots that are a little on the overly-warm side (fine for social media), but the detail is crispy, and it makes it ideal for quick snaps on-the-go and unlocking some of the great AI features. Speaking of…

Solid AI smarts

Then comes the key to bringing AR glasses intelligence, there’s live AI under the hood here — operating off Google Gemini. What this means is you get Gemini Live, which does serve some good uses when paired with the camera.

Stuck on what to cook one night, I just peered into my fridge, had a back and forth about what I could cook, expanded my options by opening my pantry and spice cupboard to land on jerk chicken, rice and peas.

Of course, there are a lot of other AI niceties you can get too, such as real-time translation of spoken word and real world signs, and audio recording and transcription/summary generation. The helpfulness is clear.

At the moment, this real-time AI assistance doesn’t talk to other apps yet. I can ask it for the best nearby coffee shops, but I’m met with a swift “I can’t do that” when asking to direct me (even though the X3 Pro does do that in the Maps app).

However, this joining up looks set to happen in an upcoming software update, and at the moment, it is useful even in its own silo.

TCL RayNeo X3 Pro: The downs

For all the good things the RayNeo X3 Pro can do, there are two big problems here.

Battery life is a big old “yikes”

From the demos way back at MWC, battery life made me nervous. And in practice, that much is the case. One 15-minute walk with map directions can take the battery down from 100% to 74%. Plus, to control them when out and about, you’ll need to hotspot your phone, which is an additional drain on another device too.

Of course, under super limited use, you can get these to last a few hours on one charge. But if you’ve spent over $1,000 on a pair of smart glasses, you don’t want to feel like you have to ration just how much you can use them.

Well…they’re goofy-looking

For all technology, design is important. For something as visible as glasses, it’s super critical, and while the Wayfarer-esque styling is a little more subtle here, the oversized presence and obvious tech are the biggest pain points plaguing the X3 Pros.

The first time I wore them out to meet my friends at the pub, the reaction was a swift dagger to my self-confidence — from confused double takes to quick snickers. And eventually, my more techie friend, who knows the meme verbiage, said what I feared: “You look like a glasshole.”

I give TCL credit for being able to pack this much gadgetry into something as comfortable as this. But the looks are quite far off where they need to be for widespread adoption.

TCL RayNeo X3 Pro: Verdict

While it’s true that the RayNeo X3 Pro glasses feel a lot less prototypical and more like an actual next step in smart glasses, the looks are hard to get by when taken out of the realm of techie friends and into the general public.

It’s amazing tech, and kudos to TCL for nailing a lot of what I envision display smart glasses doing when paired with AI. But to get there, we have a few too many hurdles for me to recommend this to anyone other than those with bulletproof social confidence — who live on the bleeding edge of gadgetry.

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As Senior TV Editor, I saw more TVs in 2025 than I can count. Everything from entry-level QLEDs to the best OLEDs were accounted for, many of which were engineered by some of the biggest names in the industry: Hisense, LG, Samsung, Sony and TCL.

But as we close the book on 2025, I once again find myself thinking about the TVs that offered the most value this year. They’re not necessarily top-of-the-line TVs — they’re the sets that make you feel like you’ve gotten away with something because you spent far less than you expected based on performance and features.

So, in the spirit of end-of-year lists, I submit to you my best bang-for-your-buck TVs of 2025. In the spirit of holiday deal-hunting, you’ll find something for every budget.

1. LG B5

LG's most affordable OLED in 2025 is one of the top-value TVs of the year for two reasons: It offers OLED-level contrast and comes with nearly all of the niftiest features you'd otherwise get on a higher-end OLED TV.

Is the B5 as bright or colorful as the flashier OLED TVs you'll find from LG, Samsung and Sony this year? It's not. But if you just want the type of performance-related benefits OLED TVs are known for and you'd rather not pay an arm and a leg for the privilege, the B5 is a great compromise.

As long as you're not setting this TV up in a sun-soaked room, the picture will hold up. You can read more about its performance profile in our LG B5 review.

It supports 4K gaming at 120Hz, which is the highest 4K spec you'll find on current-gen consoles. It comes with webOS and LG's Game Optimizer mode, too. In many ways, it's a near-identical experience to LG's mid-range OLED, the C5 (which I'll cover shortly).

All sizes in this series represent a great value, but I'd like to highlight the Best Buy-exclusive, 48-inch version, as it's the best bang-for-your-buck proposition of them all: just $649 at the time of publishing.

2. TCL QM6K

In a year of value-packed Mini-LED TVs, the TCL QM6K might offer the most value of all. This TV brings Mini-LED backlighting down to a budget-friendly price point, and it comes with a bunch of useful features, too.

Let's take a look at the 55-inch QM6K, on sale for $529 at Best Buy. If you were to spend just a little bit less on a cheaper TV, you’d probably end up with one that doesn’t offer Mini-LED backlighting. This is, by far, the QM6K’s best feature. This TV's modest array of Mini-LEDs is why the QM6K delivers higher brightness and better overall contrast than TVs with more rudimentary display types.

You can read more about its selection of features in our full TCL QM6K review, but here's the basic gist: The QM6K supports 4K gaming at 120Hz or 144Hz across two of its HDMI inputs and arrives with Google TV built right in. That makes it one of the best options in its class for gaming and streaming.

Several sizes in the QM6K series have seen some end-of-year discounts of late, but the 55-inch model is a particularly good deal. You won't find too many 55-inch Mini-LED TVs for under $550.

3. Hisense U75QG

If the TCL QM6K is one of the top-value entry-level Mini-LED TVs of 2025, the Hisense U75QG is certainly in the running for the best bang-for-your-buck mid-range option.

Like the QM6K, the U75QG harnesses Mini-LED backlighting for better brightness and overall contrast than what you'll find on garden-variety LED TVs. While the aforementioned LG B5 and QM6K might struggle to hold up in brighter-than-average living spaces, the U75QG brings enough raw horsepower to standup to sunlight. In fact, it's one of the brightest TVs in its class this year.

But what puts the U75QG over the top in terms of value is its thorough toolkit of gaming features. Console-owners will appreciate that the U75QG supports 4K gaming at 120Hz, while PC gamers get even more upside thanks to 4K/165Hz support. The U75QG also supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) for ultra-smooth gameplay.

4. Samsung S84F

The Samsung S84F is sort of like the Waluigi to the LG B5's Luigi. That's a dorky way of saying that they're both entry-level OLED TVs belonging to competing brands.

Being a B5 rival, the Samsung S84F is a value-packed TV for many of the same reasons. It comes with all of the benefits we've come to expect from OLED TVs, like perfect black levels, pixel-level dimming and wide viewing angles.

And, like LG's entry-level OLED, the S84F is stuffed to the brim with the sort of gaming features you'd expect to see on a pricier, higher-end OLED TV. (This includes support for 4K gaming at 120Hz across all of its HDMI inputs.) There's no Dolby Vision support on the S84F, though. If that's important to you, I recommend sticking with the B5.

The 65-inch version of this TV was one of the most popular TV deals I tracked on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and I'm pleased to report that its sale price is still in play: just $899.

5. LG C5

The 65-inch LG C5 packed a ton of value at its debut price of $2,699. Now that the year's almost over, you can get the 65-inch LG C5 for just $1,396 at Amazon. This explains why you might've been hearing a lot about this TV from friends, family members and other folks in your life who recently upgraded to this five-star marvel.

The C5 comes from a long line of LG's C Series OLEDs, but this year's iteration might be the most value-packed version yet. Everything (and I mean everything) looks impressive on this TV, and while you might not be getting the dazzling brightness of a flagship-level OLED with the C5, you're not getting the sky-high price associated with those TVs, either.

If that's not enough bang for your buck, consider the C5's laundry list of bells and whistles: Dolby Vision support, the ability to showcase 4K games at 120Hz across four HDMI 2.1 inputs, LG's Game Optimizer Mode and an accurate picture right out of the box.

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Black Friday and Cyber Monday are behind us, but if you know where to look, there are still some sensational TV deals flying under the radar ahead of the holidays. If you’re in the market for a big-screen TV and didn’t manage to find a match during the biggest shopping day of the year, you’re in luck today.

The 85-inch TCL QM5K is just $849 at Best Buy, and it’s one of the best deals you’ll see on a big-screen TV between now and the end of the year. This Best Buy-exclusive model is one of the first I’d recommend to anyone looking to save money on an 85-inch TV.

When it comes to performance, the QM5K isn’t one of the best 85-inch TVs money can buy, but there’s one feature here that sets it apart from ultra-cheap, bottom-of-the-barrel 85-inch TVs: Mini-LED backlighting.

The QM5K leverages a modest array of Mini-LEDs compared to higher-end models, but trust me: You definitely want Mini-LEDs. If you’re trying to avoid buying an edge-lit TV (which I recommend you do, especially at the 85-inch size point), the QM5K is a terrific option.

The QM5K comes with just three HDMI inputs rather than the usual four, but thankfully, its built-in smart platform is robust enough to forgo the use of a dedicated streaming device. It arrives with Google TV, which is one of my preferred smart platforms due to its easy-to-navigate interface and sensational app support.

It's not a fully-fledged gaming machine (especially compared to higher-end Mini-LED TVs), but it supports 4K gaming up to 60Hz. That's pretty much par for the course in this price range.

The QM5K won't blow you away, but if you’re looking for a reliable 4K TV for everyday use, the QM5K is a better choice than most of the the super-cheap, 85-inch TVs on sale right now.

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The Hisense U6QF Mini-LED TV and the TCL QM6K Mini-LED TV are among the cheapest Mini-LED TVs released in 2025. Despite their affordable pricing, they're still packed with tons of features for cinephiles and gamers, plus they look great to boot.

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals well behind us, you might be wondering which of these two inexpensive Mini-LED TVs is the right buy. That's why we're putting them head-to-head in a battle to see which is the best budget TV money can buy.

Hisense U65QG vs TCL QM6K: Specs compared

Hisense U75QG vs TCL QM7K: Design

Both Mini-LED models are particularly sleek with thin bezels. They're basically identical in terms of size and weight, with the U65QF measuring 3 inches in depth and weighing 42lbs while the TCL QM6K measures 2.2 inches in depth and weighs 37lbs. If anything, the QM6K is slimmer by a hair, but you wouldn't see a noticeable difference between the two.

The QM6K and U65QF are equipped with two V-shaped legs that are easily attachable, however they don't look as good as pedestal stands or prove as practical, making it harder to fit on top of smaller furniture. That said, you can also wall mount either set using their VESA patterns; the QM6K is 300 x 300mm, and the U65QF is 400 x 400mm, both for the 65-inch models.

TCL and Hisense are known for delivering remarkable brightness metrics in their Mini-LED sets, and that's no different with these models. While this is often more than enough to handle glare, some sets will offer anti-glare coating on the panel. However, only the TCL model has it with a special matte HVA panel.

Don't expect wall-thumping sound from either TV. Given the sticker price for both models, you won't walk away with an immersive soundstage. The 65-inch Hisense U65QF is equipped with just 40W of output on a 2.1-channel system, and the QM6K is identical but offers a built-in subwoofer. While you get Dolby Atmos support on both TVs, you'll need one of the best soundbars for the full experience.

Note that the speaker configurations will vary across sizes, so you could eke out a bit more power and additional channels on 75-inch and 85-inch models. However, you'll still get a more immersive experience from a dedicated audio system or soundbar, which is recommended.

As for remotes, I like Hisense's more than TCL's. Hisense remotes offer backlit buttons on a lightweight design and a silver chrome finish, which stands out. The QM6K is a bit rudimentary, but slightly more ergonomic. It's painted fully black and is much smaller than the Hisense remote.

It's hard to draw a conclusive victor for design, given the similarities between the Mini-LED TVs in audio and build quality. I'm going to give the win to the TCL QM6K due to its slightly thinner design, but both TVs are practically identical.

Winner: TCL QM6K

Hisense U65QF vs TCL QM6K: Performance

Before diving into their individual performance, here's a look at how these two Mini-LED TVs performed in our lab tests.

As you can see, neither the Hisense U65QF nor the TCL QM6K deliver show stopping performance. You get what you pay for, and while they might be rich with features, they aren't exactly the cream of the crop when it comes to their metrics.

However, both TVs are largely neck and neck in color performance. They share similar values across the board, whether we're discussing color accuracy or color coverage. You can see this in both their UHDA-P3 gamut and Rec 2020 gamut coverage, which is borderline identical in value.

It's also represented in their respective Delta-E scores, a measurement of their color accuracy. The lower this score is, the better the color accuracy, which means the Hisense model technically wins this bout with a score of 1.8 over the QM6K's 2.3. However, it would be nearly impossible to tell any major differences between them, as most of the scores are largely negligible.

However, their luminance is another thing entirely. The U65QF offers far better brightness in both SDR and HDR, which is great, given it supports the full range of HDR formats and is equipped with an ATSC 3.0 tuner. This means you get good brightness control in general TV broadcasts as well as in HDR content, which isn't true for the QM6K.

At 968 nits in HDR, the U65QF outshines the TCL QM6K. Even in Filmmaker mode (which we recommend above all other modes), the Hisense model still topples the QM6K by offering 946 nits against 559 nits. The same is true in SDR, as well.

Speaking from experience, TV tester Matthew Murray, who reviewed the Hisense U65QG, noted how "More conventionally lit and brighter movies had no trouble at all" on the set. He also highlighted that "although glare and reflections on the screen were noticeable with the U65QF, they weren't bad enough to be disruptive."

The same can't be said of the TCL QM6K, which was negatively impacted by glare despite having a special screen to counter it. The major takeaway is that the QM6K "shines in Filmmaker mode," as Malcolm McMillan reports in his review; however, the format isn't available for every occasion. He adds that the QM6K produces exceptional picture quality, "So long as you use the right picture settings," which doesn't bode well for most users.

Overall, both TVs offer great picture quality, but lack hardware improvements that make experiencing movies and shows even better. This comes with the territory for most inexpensive Mini-LED models, with blooming, poor off-angle viewing, and glare being the most common culprits, which is true for both sets.

However, since the QM6QF handles glare with improved precision and offers far better performance metrics, it takes the win in performance.

Winner: Hisense U65QF

Hisense U65QF vs TCL QM6K: Smart platform and features

Here's the other major difference: Although the TCL QM6K runs Google TV, the Hisense U65QF Mini-LED TV is actually built on Fire TV. This sets it apart from the TCL model (and even other Hisense Mini-LEDs) giving it a slight variance in app support and integrations, with a standout feature being Alexa Plus support.

That said, the Hisense U6QF is one of the few 2025 TVs with Alexa Plus access outside of a few select Panasonic sets and Amazon models. That means you can try special features with Prime Video and some automated smart home functionality, including the recently launched scene jumping feature.

Similar to Google TV, Fire TV also offers a bunch of free content. It also gets access to all of the best streaming services, so you won't miss out on your favorite shows and movies. Beyond streaming content, Fire TV is also home to some of the best cloud gaming services, including Xbox Game Pass, GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna.

Still, Google TV is no slouch and it's routinely called out as one of the best smart platforms. It's quick and snappy, offers one of the best search functionalities in the industry, and is home to its own slew of free channels and content. You really can't go wrong with the platform, but there's no doubt it is missing several key features that Fire TV offers.

Following in the footsteps of the TCL QM7K, the cheaper QM6K is also without an ATSC 3.0 tuner, while the Hisense U65QG is equipped with one. This gives the Hisense model a broader range of coverage for free OTA channels with Nextgen TV access and 4K broadcasts. You'll still have to wait a while for 4K broadcasts to be more widely available, but it doesn't hurt to have the future-proofed spec available.

Another standout feature of the Hisense U65QF is its support for Wi-Fi 6 versus Wi-Fi 5, offered by the TCL model. You may experience slightly better Wi-Fi speeds and improved stability on the U65QF, but these enhancements will be negligible for the most part. Additionally, I recommend hard-wiring your TV to the router for optimal performance when streaming content, whether it's cloud gaming or general entertainment.

Although we tend to side with Google TV for its reliability and slew of features, I think Fire TV is the better choice in this faceoff. Plus, the Hisense U65QF offers slightly better hardware upgrades over its rival, giving it an edge in the competition.

Winner: Hisense U65QF

Hisense U65QF vs TCL QM6K: Outlook

In all fairness, you can't go wrong with either of these inexpensive Mini-LED TVs, but if I were deciding which model to pick, I'd go for the Hisense U65QF. Some of the standout features that make it a worthy choice over its opposition include serviceable glare mitigation, Wi-Fi 6 support, access to Alexa Plus, and better performance.

When it comes to sticker price, the U65QF still comes out on top. At the time of writing, the 65-inch Hisense U65QF is $547 at Amazon, while the 65-inch TCL QM6K is $649 at Best Buy. That's a $100 premium for a TV that might show slightly better motion processing performance.

My money is still on the Hisense U6QF. It's a great value, offering a suite of features for gamers and movie lovers alike, all built on top of an excellent platform.

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Samsung and Sony make some of the best TVs money can buy. Their 2025 portfolios include superb OLED and Mini-LED TVs while both brands are positioning themselves for the future with the development of RGB Mini-LED technology.

Yes, it’s a great time to be a prospective Samsung or Sony TV-owner, and the future looks rosy, too. But for the last couple of years, I’ve had a front row seat for Hisense and TCL's rapid advancement.

These competitive brands are making inroads in an all-important category: affordable TVs. If Samsung and Sony are to compete in this space, 2026 is a good time to start.

The Hisense and TCL advantage

To be clear, it’s not that Samsung and Sony’s affordable, mid-range models aren’t worth buying. It’s just that, in recent years, similarly priced sets from Hisense and TCL tend to offer more bang for the buck.

In fact, when a major sales event rolls around — Prime Day, Black Friday or Cyber Monday — I find myself recommending entry-level and mid-range TVs from Hisense and TCL more often than I recommend comparable sets from Samsung and Sony. The primary reason for this has to do with display hardware.

On the display front, Hisense and TCL have been aggressively pushing Mini-LED backlighting into mid-range and even entry-level models. The TCL QM6K is a prime example of this. As an entry-level model, this TV currently hovers in the $500 to $600 price range for a 55-inch model, but has fallen as low as $450 during sales events. We gave the QM6K a four-star rating, commending it for — among other things — its Mini-LED backlighting.

Hisense also offers an affordable Mini-LED TV in the U65QF. The 55-inch U65QF is currently just $399 at Best Buy — that’s a price that would have been unheard of for a Mini-LED TV just a few years ago.

For comparison, Samsung’s most affordable Mini-LED TV this year, the QN70F, is currently $699 for a 55-inch model. The Samsung TVs whose price aligns the closest to these competing sets — the Samsung Q7F and Q8F — don’t come with Mini-LEDs, and their 55-inch models cost $399 and $599 respectively.

Sony’s most affordable Mini-LED of 2025, the Sony Bravia 5, is even pricier. Right now, you can get a 55-inch Bravia 5 on sale for $899 at Best Buy. From a price standpoint, the Sony TV that most closely competes with TCL QM6K is the Bravia 2 II. It costs $499 and doesn’t tap Mini-LEDs.

This raises a question: Just how important is Mini-LED backlighting, anyway? Well, it’s pretty important — even in its cheapest, most rudimentary form.

The smaller LED size and relatively tighter dimming zones associated with Mini-LED displays typically allow for brighter highlights and better overall contrast than direct-LED or edge-lit displays, especially those without local dimming.

In a vacuum, I’d rather have the QM6K’s basic Mini-LED display than the direct-LED display that arrives with the Bravia 2 II. While I haven’t formally tested the latter, I’ve been around the business long enough to know that local dimming — a feature that the Bravia 2 II doesn’t offer — is quite important to overall picture quality.

It’s worth noting, however, that display technology isn’t the only thing that contributes to picture quality. For some shoppers, Samsung and Sony might be a better fit.

The Samsung and Sony advantage

Samsung and Sony make polished, well-engineered TVs with excellent attention to detail. When it comes to the little things — physical design, menu software and picture processing — Samsung and Sony are among the best. Hisense and TCL, while very respectable, can’t quite compete around these margins unless you compare one of their higher-end TVs to lower-end sets from competing brands.

For my money, picture processing represents the largest gap between affordable TVs from Samsung and Sony and those of Hisense and TCL. When it comes to models like the Samsung Q7F and the Sony Bravia 2 II, their superb picture processing somewhat makes up for their lack of Mini-LEDs with local dimming.

Hisense and TCL also don’t sell incredible, award-winning OLED TVs, while Samsung and Sony make some of the best OLED TVs on the market. Not only that, but Samsung is one of the few brands making affordable OLED TVs, too, like the entry-level S84F, one of the most popular TVs during Black Friday.

Of course, some of this is just a matter of perspective. It would be just as valid for me to pen an op-ed proclaiming that Hisense and TCL ought to toss their hat into the OLED ring.

Hisense, Samsung, Sony and TCL: 2026 outlook

If Samsung and Sony decide that their business outlooks are more promising without releasing pure, entry-level Mini-LED TVs that can compete with the likes of Hisense and TCL, we’re probably looking at another year like this one; Hisense and TCL will continue to push Mini-LEDs further down in price while Samsung and Sony save their Mini-LED offerings for their upper-mid-range tier.

If that’s how the market pans out, I will once again spend Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday extolling the virtue of affordable Mini-LEDs. The affordable TV landscape will once again be overtaken by budget-friendly sets from Hisense and TCL, while Samsung and Sony will own their fair share of the higher-performance landscape.

In that scenario, your TV-buying decision-making will be the same in 2026: Do you want to spend more on a Samsung/Sony LED TV with superior picture processing or save money on a Hisense/TCL TV with Mini-LEDs?

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It’s been a banner year for the TV industry: We witnessed the unveiling of some of the best TVs ever produced, Mini-LEDs and OLEDs continued to trickle down in price, and several brands unveiled the next generation of display technology in RGB Mini-LED.

In taking stock of 2025, I couldn’t help but look back on my favorite TVs of the year. While I didn’t personally review every mainline TV release from every major brand, I’ve become deeply familiar with all of them.

So, in the spirit of sharing year-end lists, here are my three favorite TVs of 2025. With any luck, 2026 will bring an even better collection of finalists.

1. LG C5

If I was in the market for a new TV, the first I'd consider is the LG C5, our best-reviewed TV of 2025. There are three reasons why this is one of my top TVs of the year: performance, pedigree and value.

First, let's take a look at the C5's performance. It boasts all of the benefits of OLED technology (perfect black levels, pixel-level dimming and ultra-wide viewing angles, just to name a few) all while offering better highlight brightness than what you'll find on cheaper, entry-level OLED TVs. It's nearly twice as bright as my current TV, the LG C1, so the C Series has come a long way in four years.

Don't get me wrong: I love the amount of value that entry-level OLEDs like the LG B5 bring to the table. However, given my number-one hobby as a movie enthusiast, I need a little extra brightness and color for when I watch HDR movies and shows. The C5 is a better fit in that regard.

Next, let's talk about pedigree. As mentioned, the C5 is the latest in a long line of LG C Series OLED TVs, and I've been paying attention to every single one of them. I know that this line of TVs is reliable over the long term.

Lastly, the C5 is overflowing with value, especially once you factor in end-of-year sale prices. This is one of the best TVs you can buy for movies and gaming, but it's priced far lower than its higher-end competition.

2. TCL QM7K

My next favorite TV of 2025 is one that I recommended to more friends, family members and acquaintances than any other model: the TCL QM7K. It doesn't deliver OLED-level picture quality, but if you ask me, it's the best-looking Mini-LED TV under $1,000.

The QM7K is a fantastic compromise if you can't justify shelling out for something pricier like the LG C5. I've been recommending it most often to folks who want to save money on a TV but still have fun buying something impressive and entertaining.

Here's what I love about the QM7K: it's plenty bright to hold up during daytime viewing and its backlight control is excellent for its class. This means everything from daytime baseball to movie night will look great. Plus, there are enough gaming features in tow to make the most out of current-generation consoles, and Google TV is a robust-enough streaming platform to act as your daily driver.

The QM7K was at its lowest price ever earlier this week for Cyber Monday. Fortunately, its current price is still heavily discounted.

3. Sony Bravia 8 II

My third favorite TV of 2025 is not an ideal fit for everyone. It's not as bright as some of its rivals. It doesn't come with as many features as those sets, and it's one of the priciest TVs of the year. I'm referring to the Sony Bravia 8 II, an OLED TV that's better suited for hardcore A/V enthusiasts than the average shopper.

Like high-end Sony OLEDs that came before it, the Bravia 8 II marries OLED display technology with quantum dot-color. These days, a handful of competing OLEDs from Samsung take a similar approach. But what sets the Bravia 8 II apart from those competitors is Sony's incredible attention to detail.

If you're a fan of reference standards — accurate color, clean upscaling and dialed-in calibration — the Bravia 8 II is a tailor-made TV. As mentioned, it doesn't get as bright as some of the other flagship OLEDs we've tested this year, but it's basically like having a big-screen, professional reference monitor in your living room.

The Bravia 8 II is not as much of a crowd-pleaser as something like the LG C5 thanks to the latter's better collection of gaming features. In addition, the Bravia 8 II isn't as punchy during bright-room viewing as some of the brighter OLEDs we've tested this year. But Sony's masterful picture processing shines on the Bravia 8 II. Its presentation is downright immaculate, especially while upscaling sub-4K content.

For a better value, I recommend sticking with the LG C5. But if you were to give me free rein to buy any TV of the year, I would most likely pounce on the Bravia 8 II.

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As a TV expert, one of the points I’m always trying to get through to people is that it’s completely possible to overspend on a super-affordable TV. In other words, don’t spend $450 on a not-so-great TV when you can spend $500 on a TV that, in many ways, is better than its price would indicate.

With just under a few weeks to go until Black Friday weekend, exciting, value-packed TVs are falling in price — closer to the price level of boring, basic-looking TVs. The TCL QM6K is one such set.

Seemingly overnight, the 65-inch TCL QM6K fell to just $497 at Amazon. It’s the lowest price I’ve seen this TV hit since it launched earlier this year. If you want to learn a bit more, stick around and I’ll explain why I’ve been recommending this TV to friends and readers for months.

If you were to spend just a little bit less on a different TV, you’d probably end up with one that doesn’t offer Mini-LED backlighting. This is, by far, the QM6K’s best attribute.

Its modest array of Mini-LEDs is why the QM6K delivers higher brightness and better overall contrast than TVs with more rudimentary display types. Like I said: You can spend less on a TV with a low-level, edge-lit display, or you can shell out a bit more on something like the QM6K. This TV was already one of the most affordable ways you could lock down Mini-LEDs in 2025, but this deal makes it even more of a no-brainer.

If you want your next TV to act as your daily portal to the streaming realm, the QM6K is a good candidate, too. It comes with the straightforward, easy-to-use Google TV smart platform built right in. (I still prefer Roku, but Google TV is my #2.)

The QM6K also arrives with a handful of useful gaming features, including support for 4K gaming at 120Hz or 144Hz. You can read more about these features in our full TCL QM6K review.

Let’s recap: For just under $500, this is a 65-inch Mini-LED TV with a pretty reliable smart platform and better-than-average gaming features. Let’s compare that to a TV I don’t like: the Samsung Q7F.

The Q7F doesn’t come with Mini-LEDs. Its edge-lit display is its biggest weakness. Its built-in smart platform isn’t as easy to use as Google TV, and it doesn’t come with HDMI 2.1 inputs. Right now, the 65-inch Samsung Q7F is $497 at Amazon — the exact same price as the QM6K. Let's just say I know which one I would buy.

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I've been covering Black Friday TV deals for the better part of 10 years now, so when I saw that there was a 98-inch TCL TV on sale for $998 at Walmart after an $800 discount, I was skeptical.

But it's real, it's one of the best TV deals on a 98-inch TV we're going to see in 2025 and, for a limited time, Walmart is even tacking on free installation. I'd be shocked if this deal is still available next week. In fact, it's set to expire at the end of this weekend along with the other batch of early Walmart Black Friday deals.

• shop all Walmart Black Friday deals

Here's what I like about this TV. First off, it's not an edge-lit model. At this screen size, edge-lit lighting systems are a non-starter for me. Instead, it's got a direct-lit backlight that will provide better contrast (though not quite as much as an OLED or Mini-LED).

In terms of refresh rates, you're looking at a native 144Hz and support for VRR. If you've never gamed on a TV this size, you're in for a treat.

I also like that it comes with support for all that major HDR formats including Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG. In addition, there's support for Dolby Atmos Audio, which means you're also getting the best audio experience when you connect a compatible soundbar or sound system.

I like that it uses Google TV (my personal favorite smart TV platform) and comes with Chromecast Built-in. With a screen this big, everyone's going to want to share their favorite videos, and Chromecast will make that effortless.

While the 98-inch Q5 is the biggest and cheapest TV deal I've seen so far, it's not the only one out there. We've seen a number of awesome 75-inch Black Friday TV deals in the past week, and I'm expecting to see 85-inch TVs follow suit ahead of November 28.

Stay tuned as we approach Black Friday and we'll be sure you're the first to know about all the best deals.

The Hisense U75QG Mini-LED TV and the TCL QM7K Mini-LED TV are two of the best mid-range Mini-LED TVs we've seen in 2025. They're exceptionally priced and full of awesome features that will please both gamers and cinephiles alike.

With Black Friday quickly approaching there's no better time to figure out which of these mid-range marvels is worth your hard-earned dollars.

That's why we're putting them head-to-head in a battle for mid-range supremacy.

Hisense U75QG vs TCL QM7K: Specs compared

Hisense U75QG vs TCL QM7K: Design

Both sets are very similar in design and, by LED-LCD standards, are also rather thin, evidenced by the 3 inches and 2.2 inches of depth on the U75QG and QM7K, respectively.

You can either set them up on the included stands, which are a bit cheap-feeling for both models, or use a wall mount via their individual VESA configurations. The 65-inch QM7K might be a better option for wall mounting, as it's slightly less heavy. For reference, the QM7K weighs 39.6 lbs without the stand, while the U75QG weighs 47 lbs.

While you can expect some serious brightness from both sets to help in stamping out glare, their panels are also equipped with glossy anti-reflective coating. Despite that, they still showed some reflections in brighter environments.

Both TVs offer middling speaker systems that vary slightly depending on the screen size: Most models in the QM7K series have a 2.2-channel system on a 60W output, but the 115-inch model uses a 100W 4.2.2 system. The Hisense U75QG speakers similarly differ across sizes, with 55-inch to 85-inch models featuring a 2.1.2 system on a 50W output, and 100-inch and 115-inch models using a 6.2.2 system at 60W of output.

The remotes across both TVs are very different. The TCL QM7K is noticeably smaller than the U75QG's version and comes in black, whereas the Hisense remote is longer and is chrome silver. Personally, I like the TCL version a bit more, but the Hisense remote offers backlit buttons, which I do like for nighttime viewing.

Although the TCL QM7K is a bit less weighty and has a slightly better speaker system, both TVs are very similar in design. We're going to have to call this one a tie.

Winner: Draw

Hisense U75QG vs TCL QM7K: Performance

Before diving into their individual performance, here's a look at how these two Mini-LED TVs performed in our lab tests.

The reason you're shelling out for a mid-range model is better performance over a budget TV. And both TVs deliver the goods here, particularly when it comes to brightness and color volume.

When it comes to luminance, the Hisense Mini-LED TV laps the QM7K by a wide margin. Our test results show the U75QG hitting over 2,200 nits in SDR and over 3,300 nits in HDR, which is remarkable, especially against the QM7K.

Color coverage is very similar across both TVs, with the differences favoring the QM7K. Despite the TCL Mini-LED TV covering slightly more of both the UHDA-P3 and the Rec2020 gamut, the differences here will largely be imperceptible to most people.

The most notable difference is color accuracy, where the QM7K excels, with a remarkably low Delta-E score of 1.4 — roughly half that of the U75QG. Lower is better when it comes to color variance (Delta-E) with lower scores being more accurate to the director's intent.

Speaking of directors, the Hisense U7QG wowed me in movies like "Oppenheimer" and "The Batman," both of which looked incredible on this screen, particularly in Filmmaker mode. Our QM7K reviewer, Matthew Murray, said the same thing about that set and he particularly enjoyed the heavily shadowed and black-and-white scenes that pop up in "Dune: Part Two".

For gamers, the U75QG also offers stellar input latency at 9.8ms, just under the 10ms we like to see for most TVs, whereas the TCL QM7K comes in at a slightly higher 13.1ms. While this is probably fine for most users, competitive gamers will probably want the screen with the lowest input latency.

Despite having anti-reflective screens, both TVs still struggle in bright room performance. My living room gets particularly sunny in the day, and the Hisense U75QG struggled, especially with darker movies and shows. The same is true for the TCL QM7K.

Despite a number of similarities in the performance department, the Hisense U7QG is the better pick, offering eye-watering brightness over 3,000 nits.

Winner: Hisense U75QG

Hisense U75QG vs TCL QM7K: Smart platform and features

The similarities don't just extend to design, as the TCL QM7K and Hisense U75QG both use Google TV as their main interface. This means the general user experience and functionality will be the same, with menus and settings largely identical.

Google TV is one of our favorite interfaces, given its slew of features and free content. It stands out from the likes of Roku and Fire TV due to Google's robust app catalog and integrated smart features, like Google Home.

Both are serious winners for gamers, too. The QM7K offers a refresh rate up to 144Hz for PC gamers, while the Hisense U75QG reaches 165Hz. Console players will also be more than happy with their individual VRR features, but the U75QG offers four HDMI 2.1 ports versus just two on the TCL model.

Another setback on the QM7K is the absence of an ATSC 3.0 tuner. The Hisense U75QG comes equipped with the spec, offering viewers free OTA channels via Nextgen TV. While 4K broadcasts are still relatively sparse, having the future-proofed spec is definitely better than not.

The Hisense U75QG also supports Wi-Fi 6E, whereas the TCL QM7K is simply equipped with Wi-Fi 5. The main difference here is that the Hisense model will offer improved speeds and stability, though this will also depend on your router.

Given its gaming performance and better specifications, the Hisense U75QG is definitely a more feature-rich Mini-LED TV.

Winner: Hisense U75QG

Hisense U75QG vs TCL QM7K: Outlook

The Hisense U75QG and TCL QM7K two similar Mini-LED TVs, but I do think one is far superior to the other despite their similar flaws.

The Hisense U75QG simply offers far more for its worth. Gamers get a well-equipped screen that's also lightning fast, thanks to its low input latency. It might not have the higher color coverage and accuracy, but you probably wouldn't notice the differences even if these two TVs were set up next to each other.

However, if price is a concern and you'd rather save on a great display than get the most robust set of features, you can't go wrong with the QM7K. Right now, the 65-inch TCL QM7K is just $947 on Amazon, while the 65-inch Hisense U75QG is currently $1,043 on Amazon. For an extra $100, it's worth going for the Hisense, but we wouldn't blame you if you stuck with the TCL to save money.

Overall, I think you can't go wrong with either TV, but gamers and general cinephiles might like the broader features, picture performance, and improved brightness on the Hisense model, especially if you're paying around $1,000 for a new TV upgrade.

More from Tom's Guide

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It’s an exciting time for smart glasses. As I keep saying, my dream device brings the best of AR specs like the Xreal One Pro’s display quality and squishes it together with the standalone AI smarts of the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2. And we’re actually starting to see this happen…but boy does the end result look goofy right now.

I mean, look at these — the RayNeo X3 Pro. Technologically, a stellar pair of specs that realizes the smart glasses future I’ve been waiting for, but I look like the most obvious spy blended with Jimmy Neutron. Not even Dexter from Dexter’s Laboratory would want to be seen in them.

And even when it comes to brands with bigger budgets to work with those more fashion-minded, you get the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses. Again, crazy good tech to make it a reality, but like all the more advanced smart glasses in 2025, they fall victim to being weirdly larger than life. Let me explain what’s going on here.

A lot of tech to cram into glasses

When building any gadget, companies need four things: a chip to do stuff, a battery to power it, a way to interact with it and a way to know what you’re doing (be that a speaker or a display). In something like a pair of glasses, companies are finding out that’s difficult to do while not making them look strange.

To get a display on your face, traditionally, it was about popping prisms in front of your eyes, like the Viture Luma Pro and projecting an image through them.

Obviously, that has its drawbacks in terms of remaining inconspicuous, which is why they’ve found a home in many a tech arsenal as an ultraportable big screen experience for entertainment on long journeys.

The usual Wayfarer-esque design does hide the tech pretty effectively on long-haul flights, so you’re just that weirdo who wears sunglasses indoors instead, with a USB cord running out the back of them (with no battery, this is the only way they run).

But now, we’re moving ever closer to the true smart glasses era — cutting the cord from any device with a built-in battery and adopting a new waveguide display tech. Instead of prisms, there’s now a pattern etched into the actual lenses of the glasses themselves, and the image is projected in from the side.

It certainly does the job of removing the obstacles in front of your eyes, but to pull it off, the frames themselves have to get noticeably bigger. In any gadgets that you can put in your pocket or backpack, that’s something we’re used to. But when it’s on your face, the size is so much more obvious — and not in a “fashion statement” kind of way.

The phase will end, but you have to be patient

But fear not, because this moment will pass. The whole tech industry is throwing everything and the kitchen sink at doing this right. Meta and Snap have been at it for years, Android XR in AR glasses is just around the corner, and Apple is reportedly hellbent on it with a hard pivot away from the Vision Pro.

And if you read the tea leaves in what tech we see around us so far, you can see what direction this all goes in. Chips manufactured on a 2nm process will allow companies to do more with less and make something smaller.

Silicon-carbon batteries in phones could be brought over to glasses to offer more life in a small package. Then there’s the display tech itself, which, as I’ve seen when looking into the future of smart glasses, is getting equally smaller and higher in quality.

Over time, smart glasses will start to look a whole lot more like actual glasses, but we’re a ways off at the moment.

There are workarounds for now

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