TCL’s latest TV is big, bold and beautiful, and I want it now

TCL is aiming for the premium TV throne with its latest announcement, and from where I’m standing, the company is making a compelling case. TCL’s latest TV, the QM6K, is bright, vivid and – which will make most users happy – relatively affordable. The 55-inch version of the TV will cost $749, with the 98-inch behemoth costing $3,499. Which, when you look at some of its competitors, is an absolute bargain.

Budget price aside, the QM6K is a beauty that boasts stunning color, deep blacks and excellent detail. I got up close and personal with the massive TV during CES 2025 and learned some facts about how TCL is stepping up its game to establish itself as a legitimate contender for the premium TV throne.

It starts with QD-Mini-LED, a hybrid technology that uses Quantum Dot and Mini-LED technology. The result is a screen that is 53% brighter than the previous model, as well as 10% more efficient than light. 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 bright colors. Together, the QD-Mini-LED will give your favorite OLEDs a run for their money. But unlike OLED, the threat of image burn-in is virtually eliminated.

Something else to note, since TCL manufactures everything in-house, including the screen, the manufacturing costs aren’t as high as competing systems, allowing the company to pass those savings on 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 I can’t wait to see in action, as I watch a lot of the older episodes of “Court Files” in my spare time. As for audio, the QM6K has built-in Onyko speakers. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to hear the TV during the demo, but if it’s anywhere near as good as the display, we’ve got a certified winner.

The only thing the QM6K doesn’t have is the recently announced HDMI 2.2 port, which offers increased bandwidth and Latency Indication Protocol (LIP), which reduces lip-sync latency. However, since this is extremely new technology, I’m guessing that many TVs won’t have this compatibility until later.

All in all, the TCL makes a compelling case for why it should occupy that valuable space on the living room wall or credenza. The QM6K delivers stellar, captivating views without forcing users to fork over too much of their hard-earned case. I’m usually an LG, Sony Bravia lady, but I can’t wait to take the QM6K for a test drive in the near future.