TCL TVs Review

TCL is famous for delivering good quality TVs at competitive prices, making it a preferred choice for many consumers compared to other brands.

However, does affordability alone make TCL TVs a reliable and worthwhile option? Is this reason enough to overlook other brands and choose a TCL TV?

Here in the TCL TVs review, we’ll address all these questions and give you a clear answer.

Quick Summary: TCL TVs are known for their affordable pricing, and even with that, you get an appealing design, solid build, and great display quality for the price. For anyone looking for value-for-money TVs without spending much, TCL TVs are excellent options.

Pros

  • Affordable pricing
  • Solid build quality
  • Slim, modern design
  • Competitive display quality
  • Wide range of features
  • Great software experience
  • Good value for money

Cons

  • Average after-sales service
  • Inconsistent quality across budget models
  • Some software issues reported
  • Higher-end models can still be expensive


Build Quality and Design

Given the budget-friendly nature of TCL TVs, we initially had modest expectations regarding their build quality. However, even the more affordable models offer a pleasant surprise—despite their lower price point, they don’t feel cheap.

While TCL primarily uses plastic in its TV construction, the materials feel sturdy and give a somewhat premium impression. The plastic back is solid, with no noticeable creaking or flimsy areas, adding to the sense of durability.

As you move up to TCL’s mid-range and premium models, the build quality noticeably improves. These higher-end versions feature more refined materials and finishes, enhancing the overall feel of the product.

In terms of design, TCL has made significant strides. The days of bulky bezels are long gone, even on their budget models. Many TCL TVs now sport a sleek, nearly bezel-less design that looks both modern and high-end. This slim profile adds to their appeal and makes them stand out as premium-looking TVs, regardless of price.

Overall, when it comes to build quality and design, TCL TVs meet expectations and offer sturdy and stylish TVs.

Display Quality

In our Hisense vs. TCL TVs comparison, we highlighted that TCL TVs offer superior display quality. But how much better is it, exactly?

TCL TVs deliver enhanced color reproduction, higher brightness levels, and improved viewing angles, contributing to a more enjoyable visual experience. The colors strike a well-balanced saturation, providing vibrant hues without being overly intense, which enhances the overall appeal of the display.

When viewed from the sides, TCL TVs maintain color consistency without noticeable fading, ensuring a good viewing experience. However, on budget models, extreme angles can reveal some color shifting.

The sharpness and clarity largely depend on the specific model you choose, but even the budget-friendly options come with Full HD (FHD) resolution, ensuring decent clarity.

The screen sizes start at 32 inches and can go up to 98 inches. As a result, the viewing experience varies across models but is generally satisfying.

One drawback is that the premium models with 98-inch screens only offer 4K resolution. While this is still good, an 8K resolution would have been a better fit for such a large display. For budget to mid-range models, the resolution ranges from FHD to 2K.

It’s important to note that while TCL offers impressive display quality for its price point, it doesn’t match the industry-leading standards set by more expensive brands like Samsung, LG, or Sony. These brands offer higher-end display technologies at a premium cost.

Overall, TCL provides solid display quality for the price, but it shouldn’t be compared directly to the flagship models of more established brands.

Operating System

TCL TVs provide different software experiences depending on the region. In the USA, TCL TVs primarily run on Roku OS and Google TV, while in India, they come with either Google TV or Android TV.

Google TV emphasizes personalized content recommendations and seamless integration with Google Assistant, making it ideal for users who want a smart, curated viewing experience tailored to their preferences.

Android TV, on the other hand, offers a more traditional, app-centric interface with access to a vast app library via the Google Play Store, catering to tech enthusiasts who prefer a more customizable and feature-rich environment.

Roku TV focuses on simplicity, ease of use, and affordability. With its straightforward interface and broad app support, it’s an excellent choice for budget-conscious users who want reliable streaming without the complexity of additional smart features.

When comparing features, Google TV offers the most comprehensive set, but both Android TV and Roku OS also provide solid functionality for their respective target audiences.

Overall, TCL TVs deliver a good software experience, but the quality and features will vary depending on the operating system your TV uses.

Features

TCL TVs Features

Mid-range to premium TCL TVs come equipped with advanced features such as Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, HDR10+, a 120Hz refresh rate for gaming, multiple HDMI and USB ports, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, the AiPQ Pro Processor, T-SCREEN-PRO, a headphone output, and eye-care features.

It’s important to note that these features vary by model. For example, the 120Hz refresh rate is not available on all models—only select premium models offer this feature.

On the other hand, TCL’s budget TVs include standard features like a 60Hz refresh rate, a 178-degree wide viewing angle, the AiPQ Engine, HDR10, Micro Dimming, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a headphone jack, and a range of essential ports.

So overall, TCL TVs come packed with essential features across all models, while the mid-range to premium models offer more advanced capabilities for enhanced viewing and gaming experiences.

TCL TV Pricing and Value for Money

TCL TVs are well-known for their competitive pricing, with models starting at around $120 in the USA, £130 in the UK, and Rs 10,000 in India. At this budget price point, consumers may not expect much, but TCL often exceeds expectations, making these TVs excellent value-for-money products.

However, it’s important to note that TCL’s high-end flagship TVs can cost up to $6,000 in the USA and Rs 4,50,000 in India, which certainly isn’t budget-friendly. That said, the advanced features offered by these premium models typically come at a higher price from other leading brands.

In general, TCL TVs tend to be around 15% cheaper than similarly known brands and up to 40% less expensive than many premium competitors.

Given this pricing advantage, it’s clear that TCL TVs offer a strong value proposition for consumers seeking good quality at an affordable price.

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User Reviews and Feedback

The average rating for TCL TVs is 4.2 stars in the USA and 4 stars in India. While the ratings vary by model, these averages represent the overall user feedback for TCL TVs.

Both ratings are considered strong, though we have observed that other brands’ TVs often average around 4.3 stars, indicating slightly higher user satisfaction.

Why is the average rating for TCL TVs a bit lower?

The primary reason is that while TCL TVs offer great quality, they aren’t always the best—especially in the budget models. On these lower-end models, users may not experience the top-tier color accuracy or optimal viewing angles found in higher-priced TVs.

As mentioned earlier, TCL TVs are priced at least 15% lower than some competitors, and this price reduction can sometimes be reflected in the viewing experience. Additionally, a few users have reported software-related issues, such as occasional slowdowns over time.

That said, these issues are relatively rare, and the majority of users express satisfaction with their TCL TV purchases.

So overall, despite some minor issues with specific models, user feedback on TCL TVs remains largely positive.

Customer Support and After-Sales Service

Let’s be honest—TCL’s after-sales service is generally average.

While we personally haven’t encountered any issues, many users have reported mixed experiences.

Some customers praised the quick and helpful support, particularly through live chat and phone services. However, others have faced delays or unsatisfactory resolutions, especially when it comes to hardware or warranty-related concerns.

Hardware issues, in particular, can be more challenging to resolve on your own compared to software problems. Unfortunately, TCL’s support in these situations tends to fall short of expectations.

TCL offers a standard one-year warranty on most of its TVs, but the process of filing and completing warranty claims can sometimes be slow. Additionally, service centers may not be as widespread in certain regions, which can lead to extended repair times.

Overall, while the service experience may depend on your location, TCL’s after-sales support is generally considered average and doesn’t quite match the level of service provided by more established brands.

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Conclusion and Pros & Cons

So, are TCL TVs worth buying?

Well, yes—TCL TVs are worth considering. While they may not be the absolute best on the market, they outperform many models from lesser-known brands.

Moreover, they effectively compete with and often surpass certain aspects of similarly known brands.

If you are in the market for a TV that offers good value for money, along with a solid overall feature set and a satisfying viewing experience, then TCL TVs are a great choice.

Pros

  • Affordable pricing
  • Solid build quality
  • Slim, modern design
  • Competitive display quality
  • Wide range of features
  • Great software experience
  • Good value for money

Cons

  • Average after-sales service
  • Inconsistent quality across budget models
  • Some software issues reported
  • Higher-end models can still be expensive

FAQs

1. Is TCL TV a good brand?

Yes, TCL is generally considered a good brand, especially in the budget and mid-range television market. They offer a solid combination of features, affordability, good build quality, and competitive display performance.

2. Is TCL TV Chinese?

Yes, TCL is a Chinese brand. It was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Huizhou, Guangdong, China.

3. What is the full form of TCL?

Telephone Communication Limited.

4. Does TCL TV last long?

TCL TVs generally have a good lifespan, often lasting around 5 to 7 years with regular use, similar to many other brands in the budget and mid-range categories. Please note that factors like usage habits, care, and maintenance can influence the longevity of any television.

5. Are TCL smart TVs safe?

TCL smart TVs are generally considered safe to use. They come equipped with standard security features to protect user data and privacy. However, as with any internet-connected device, it’s important to follow best practices, such as keeping the software updated, using strong passwords, and being cautious about the apps you install.

That concludes our TCL TVs review. If still you have any questions, please feel free to ask us in the comments section.

We also welcome your thoughts. Let us know if you agree or disagree with the points mentioned here.

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