TCL is gunning for the premium TV throne with its latest announcement, and from where I’m standing, the company’s making a compelling case. TCL’s latest television, the QM6K is bright, vivid, and—what will make most consumers happy—relatively affordable. The 55-inch version of the TV will cost $749, with the 98-inch behemoth topping out at $3,499. Which, when you look at some of its competitors, is an absolute deal.
Budget-friendly pricing aside, the QM6K is a beauty boasting eye-popping color, deep blacks, and excellent detail. I got up close and personal with the massive television during CES 2025 and learned some facts about how TCL is stepping up its game to become known as a legitimate contender for the premium TV throne.
©Photo: Charles Anthony Davis/DreamSmith LLC
It starts with QD-Mini-LED, a hybrid technology that utilizes Quantum Dot and Mini-LED technology. The result is a screen that’s 53% brighter than the previous model as well as 10% more light efficient. For those unfamiliar with either technology, Mini-LEDs are smaller than regular OLED pixels, allowing TCL to fit in more of the light-emitting diodes for an overall brighter end result. Meanwhile, the Quantum Dots are there to produce the tantalizing vivid colors. Together, the QD-Mini-LED will give your OLED favorites a run for their money. But unlike OLED, the threat of burnt-in images is virtually eliminated.
Something else to note, since TCL makes everything in-house, including the screen, the production prices aren’t as high as competing systems, allowing the company to pass on those savings to the consumer.
The QM6K supports several technologies, including Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR+. And in case you’re watching something that’s in SD (standard definition), the QM6K has upscaling technology to bring it closer to a modern look. It’s something that I’m eager to see in action, as I watch a lot of the older “Forensic Files” episodes in my spare time. As for audio, the QM6K has Onyko speakers built-in. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to hear the television during the demo, but if it’s anywhere as good as the display, we’ve got a certified winner on our hands.
©Photo: Charles Anthony Davis/ DreamSmith LLC
The only thing the QM6K doesn’t have is the newly announced HDMI 2.2 port that offers increased bandwidth and Latency Indication Protocol (LIP), which cuts down on lip-sync latency. However, since it’s a spanking-new technology, I imagine many televisions won’t have this compatibility until later down the line.
Overall, TCL is making a compelling case for why it should take that prized spot on your living room wall or credenza. The QM6K delivers stellar, captivating views without making consumers fork over too much of their hard-earned case. I’m typically an LG, Sony Bravia kind of lady, but I’m eager to take the QM6K for a test drive in the near future.
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