Maciej Koper
When most manufacturers at CES 2026 focused on promises and vague announcements, TCL, as one of the few, laid their cards on the table. We walked through their booth in Las Vegas to see if the promised revolution in MiniLED is just numbers in tables or a real qualitative leap. And you know what? There’s plenty to write about because the Chinese giant is playing on two fronts this year that could really shake things up in living rooms.
Flagship X11L: 2cm thick and 20,000 dimming zones
The main highlight of the event was the successor to the top-end X11K – the X11L model. And here's the first surprise, as TCL has gone against the grain. While the industry has been swept away by Micro RGB (or MiniLED RGB) technology, the flagship has opted for something different: SQD technology, which is a new approach to quantum dots. Why? The reason is simple, but crucial for anyone who doesn't want a TV as thick as a wardrobe on their wall. Micro RGB requires space for the light to disperse. By choosing TVs with SQD technology, TCL has created a television that is just 0.8 inches thick, yet contains a monstrous 20,000 dimming zones (in the 98-inch version). We stood in front of this screen for a good several minutes, looking from extreme angles – the "halo" effect around bright objects is practically non-existent. It seems that this television can truly compete with organic matrices in terms of black levels and contrast. The only question is how the final product that will hit Europe will look? We will find out in March or April this year.
X11L: A powerful image that requires... a powerful lounge
Despite the admiration for the technology, the X11L has one key downside for many. Paradoxically, it's not about the price at all. The biggest barrier to owning this model will be its size. Everything suggests that, just like last year, our adventure with the flagship series will only begin from 85/98 inches. At this moment, there is nothing to indicate that TCL plans to offer smaller sizes for this particular model. We will once again see the 98-inch version, and the lineup will be capped off by an absolute giant – 115 inches. While the final price of these largest beasts is not yet known, one can safely assume that it won't be cheap. This is uncompromising equipment aimed at a specific PREMIUM viewer. However, if you have wall space and are looking for the absolute pinnacle of MiniLED technology in 2026, the X11L will be one of the strongest contenders for that title.
Wireless Surround Sound
TCL X11L also marks a return to the roots in terms of audio. Instead of hidden speakers "playing into the wall," we have an integrated soundbar with drivers aimed directly at the viewer. This is the result of collaboration with Bang & Olufsen, and you can really hear it. But the real hit could be the support for Dolby Atmos Flex Connect. This technology allows you to wirelessly add a subwoofer or additional speakers to the TV anywhere in the room. The system will automatically detect their location and calibrate the sound so that you are always in the centre of the action.
C9L: Completely different from its predecessor
However, if the slimness of the casing is not a priority for you, TCL has prepared the C9L model. This is where the Micro RGB technology has landed. The television is noticeably thicker than the flagship X11L, but in return, it offers a colour palette that nearly 100% covers the BT.2020 space. It’s a proposition for those who are looking for "reference" colour reproduction and are willing to sacrifice design for uncompromising colour saturation. It’s good to see that the manufacturer gives us a choice, instead of locking us into one technology.
C8L and C7L: A Launch Without Fireworks?
The situation with the C7L and C8L models at the trade show was unique. While for the flagship X11L and C9L the manufacturer was throwing around numbers like confetti, when it came to these "for the people" series, TCL suddenly became tight-lipped. Visually, both models closely resemble what we saw a year ago. The C8L still entices with its Zero Border design and slim bezel, while the C7L features a classic build with a noticeable black border at the edge of the display.
WHVA Matrix 2nd Generation
The most important information regarding the C7L and C8L series is the use of second generation WHVA matrices. This is the move we’ve been waiting for. It’s no secret that Mini-LED TVs – while very good in terms of contrast and brightness – usually suffered from weak viewing angles. Just sitting a bit off to the side would cause the image to lose saturation and wash out into greys. From what we saw at the booth, WHVA 2.0 effectively eliminates this problem. The image remains stable, and the colours do not fade as quickly as in older models from before 2025.
Dolby Vision 2.0 TCL confirms its support
Important news for fans of the highest quality image. TCL officially confirms the implementation of Dolby Vision 2.0 in its televisions for 2026. Interestingly, it is said that the new format may also be available through an update for selected models from 2025, although at this moment it has not yet been officially confirmed. We have prepared a separate material for you on Dolby Vision 2.0, where we break down this format as well as the topic of HDR into its components. Make sure to catch up:
Printed OLEDs: The Chinese Can Do It Too
In the end, TCL showcased something that goes far beyond the home lounge – printed OLEDs (IJP) straight from the CSOT factory. These are not just novelties for smartphones or 27-inch monitors. The manufacturer clearly indicates that this technology, due to its precision and clarity, could revolutionise the market for professional devices such as medical tools. However, the real highlight at the booth was the prototype of the car cockpit of the future. TCL demonstrated how their displays can be bent and stretched almost freely, adapting them to the curved shapes of a car's interior. Most importantly for us, the end-users: these panels have a classic subpixel arrangement. This means that whether we are looking at research results or navigation in the car, the text is sharp as a razor – without the annoying font jaggedness that some current OLED manufacturers still struggle with.
TCL is not taking prisoners
This year's TCL booth at CES 2026 demonstrated that the time for labelling this brand as a "budget alternative" is definitely over. The manufacturer is confidently entering the ultra-premium segment, focusing on gigantic screens and proprietary technologies like SQD, as well as presenting its printed OLEDs as a future alternative to Korean panels. Of course, trade show promises of 10,000 nits or perfect black should always be taken with a grain of salt, but the advancements in WHVA 2.0 panels, the use of new SQD quantum dots, or Mini-LED/Micro LED backlighting are real changes that we will feel. The year 2026 is shaping up to be the year of big diagonals and the battle for Mini-LED to finally stop feeling inferior to OLEDs.
