TCL is doing its best to stay relevant in the premium TV category, launching a couple of feature-packed new 8K QLED and 8K Mini LED models at IFA 2019.
First the new TCL 8K QLED X Series, which as the name suggests offers full 8K resolution and uses artificial intelligence to improve picture quality. The TV also supports augmented reality content and features a “duo-display design” which enables viewers to “enjoy a mini-screen” independently of the main display. There’s also a retractable 4K wide-angle video camera that’s able to rise and then retract back into the TV’s chassis for video calling applications such as Skype.
On the audio side, there’s an integrated 2.2 Onkyo soundbar to pump up the volume with, plus support for Dolby Atmos sound. The TV also supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision for High Dynamic Range content, and runs on TCL’s customised version of the Android TV platform.
TCL 8K QLED X10 is available in 85, 75- and 65-inch models and will go on sale in Europe early next year, TCL said. And for those who can’t wait that long, the company is also launching 4K versions of what is otherwise the same TV, available in 75, 65 and 55-inch models. Those will go on sale in the fourth quarter of this year, TCL said. No prices were mentioned yet.
The other star of TCL’s IFA show is its latest Mini LED TV Series, with the premium model being its 75-inch 8K Mini LED TV that also features AI learning, the pop-out camera and augmented realty support.
The real difference of course is the display tech. Mini LED essentially means smaller LED zones which in turn translates to better contrast. With Mini LEDs, LCD TVs have better light control across the screen and the result is that the contrast ratios are close to what we see on OLED TVs, although still not quite as good.
TCL says its Mini LED TVs will come with 900 control zones and a peak brightness of about 1,200 nits, which is well above the UHD Alliance recommendation of 1,000 nits for HDR content. 900 control zones is also a big number that should lead to some impressive results.
As with the TCL 8K QLED X Series, the Mini LED Series also comes with the Onkyo soundbar and Dolby Atmos support.
TCL hasn’t set a price tag for 75-inch 8K Mini LED TV yet, but did say it will go on sale in the second quarter of 2020. The company also revealed there’ll be a 75-inch 4K version, and two 65-inch 4K versions of the same TV that will go on sale by the end of this year.
