TCL C855 vs Haier Q80FUX

Direct comparison

C855 / C85

Available screen sizes: 65”75”85”98”

Available screen sizes: 55”65”85”

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2024

Complete the survey to find out the result

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2025

Complete the survey to find out the result

Overall rating

7.6

5.8

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    7.5

    5.9

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    7.1

    5.6

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    6.7

    4.7

  • Gaming on console

    8.8

    6.7

  • TV as a computer monitor

    8.6

    6.0

  • Watching in bright light

    7.4

    4.8

  • Utility functions

    6.7

    5.6

  • Apps

    9.6

    9.6

  • Sound quality

    7.2

    5.5

Advantages

  • Very large number of built-in applications

  • High contrast and deep blacks

  • Very good HDR effect in bright scenes

  • Very high brightness - great TV for bright rooms

  • Image quality comparable to much more expensive televisions

  • Very good native contrast and decent black (thanks to the VA panel)

  • PFS / QLED Filter - Wide colour gamut (about 95% DCI-P3)

  • Remarkably low input lag (below 10 ms at 120Hz and about 12 ms at 60Hz), making it a great choice for fast-paced games.

  • Support for 120Hz at lower resolution (Full HD) and the presence of VRR and ALLM

  • Support for Dolby Vision

  • Well-functioning file player via USB

  • Presence of analogue headphone output (jack)

Disadvantages

No like
  • Poor viewing angles

  • Poor factory colour reproduction (can be improved with calibration)

  • The image is quite "blown out" in HDR

  • Google TV software is full of bugs, poor translations, and issues

  • Lacks any image enhancement features (noise reduction, gradient smoothing)

  • Average brightness

  • Flat, bass-less sound

  • High input lag in Dolby Vision mode for gaming

  • Weird and not very ergonomic remote

Our verdict

Once again, the manufacturer shows that despite being a relatively young player in Poland (but not globally) when it comes to the RTV market, it certainly cannot be said that it is a second-rate choice. The TCL C855 is an incredibly versatile device that performs well in various applications and excels in its price range. Thanks to Mini LED backlighting, the results for contrast and black levels are very solid, allowing for a deep and vivid image. It is worth noting that the television's algorithm effectively manages to maintain uniformity of blacks, and the blooming effect is rarely noticeable. This backlighting is also a strong point for the television in HDR content, although with some reservations. The TCL C855 can achieve brightness levels of up to 1800 nits, which is an impressive result; however, brightness can drastically drop, even to around 200 nits, when a bright but small element appears on the screen. Another drawback is the boosted mid-tones, which can lead to a loss of contrast and reduce the image's alignment with the director's vision. The television also performs excellently when connected to a console or a powerful PC. In this category, the TCL C855 truly shows its strength, offering extremely low latency and high-quality gameplay, thanks to the full implementation of HDMI 2.1 features. The Google TV operating system is another advantage, providing the user with nearly unlimited possibilities for installing applications, even those outside the official store, thanks to support for APK files.

In summary, the TCL C855 is the ideal choice for those who know what they expect from a television. It is a good, versatile piece of equipment that, although not perfect, offers great picture quality, low gaming latency, as well as a flexible and expanded operating system.

The Haier Q80FUX television is one of the most schizophrenic propositions we have had in our editorial office for a long time. On one hand, we have a solid piece of equipment: a VA panel guaranteeing deep blacks, as expected for this segment, and a QLED quantum filter that can indeed generate juicy, eye-catching colours. This is the foundation on which a truly competitive mid-range receiver could have been built. Unfortunately, all this potential of the matrix is systematically undermined by the software, which is a real anchor for this model. The biggest Achilles' heel of the Q80FUX is its total capitulation in dealing with HDR10 materials. The electronics seem to completely misunderstand how to interpret the signal, resulting in it consistently blowing out the brightest parts of the image, turning them into a flat, milky spot. Adding to this is the Google TV system, which – while functional – is unstable, full of bugs and annoying oversights, giving us an image of a raw product that clearly reveals the producer's lack of experience. Just when we were about to write this model off, we discovered its surprising niche. After connecting a console, the Q80FUX undergoes a transformation. It turns out that this television offers remarkably low input lag, fully supports VRR, and can handle a 120Hz signal in Full HD resolution. In the gaming world, where responsiveness is everything, these parameters put it in a very good light. So we are dealing with a device of very narrow specialization. It is not a universal living room television – it lacks stability and, above all, any correctness in handling films. It is rather a budget, large-format monitor for gamers, who can consciously forgive it all the software flaws in exchange for those few key attributes for console/PC at a relatively affordable price.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
4 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
Other inputs
RCA (Chinch)
RCA (Chinch)
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality
Premium
Average
Stand type
stand-type-
Central
Bezel color
Graphite
Graphite
Stand
Fixed
Accessories
Stand
Stand

Contrast and black detail

8.6/10

6.3/10

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 1344 (48 x 28)

Local dimming function: No

Contrast:

Review TCL C855 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review TCL C855 Contrast and black detail

Result

176,000:1

Review TCL C855 Contrast and black detail

Result

54,000:1

Review TCL C855 Contrast and black detail

Result

30,500:1

Review TCL C855 Contrast and black detail

Result

13,700:1

Review Haier Q80FUX Contrast and black detail

Result

5,200:1

Review Haier Q80FUX Contrast and black detail

Result

7,400:1

Review Haier Q80FUX Contrast and black detail

Result

7,550:1

Review Haier Q80FUX Contrast and black detail

Result

7,300:1

Review Haier Q80FUX Contrast and black detail

Result

6,450:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

Review TCL C855 Contrast and black detail
Review Haier Q80FUX Contrast and black detail

TCL C855 uses a high-contrast VA panel. The ANSI contrast (without dimming) reached a very respectable 5238:1, which allows for at least very good black levels. Additionally, the panel is equipped with multi-zone Mini LED backlighting, which is divided into 1344 independent dimming zones for the 65-inch model. This number allows for very good results in our tests. It is worth noting that TCL, as one of the few manufacturers, offers such a panel specification without spending excessively, unlike the classic big four manufacturers. As you can see, in the vast majority of scenes we've prepared, the results are impressive, particularly in the first three scenes, as even in the third, with a result of 54,000:1, it cannot be said that the black levels and contrast are weak, as they are more than satisfactory. These worsen in two scenarios: scenes with film strips and when there are many elements surrounded by black on the screen. And just as the last of the test scenes still has excellent contrast, in the final tested scenario, a slight blooming of blacks can be noticed. The frame from the film "Oblivion" performed excellently on TCL C855, and the level of black can even be compared to OLED screens, which is no small feat. It is also worth noting the good separation of lights, which is not an easy thing to achieve. Our flagship scene from "Sicario 2" also performed well in terms of contrast, but it is evident that details are lost in the blacks on the first, second, and third planes. The operation of the backlight control algorithm, which minimizes halo/blooming effects to an absolute minimum, deserves praise as well. However, it is worth noting that very small elements, such as stars, can sometimes be completely dimmed by the TCL C855.

I must admit that approaching a TV in this price range, one instinctively crosses their fingers, hoping that at least the black won't be a grey blotch. Meanwhile, the Haier Q80FUX, specifically the 55-inch unit we have in our office, can pleasantly surprise in this regard. Its secret lies in the use of a VA panel, which tends to generate high contrast by nature. And these are not empty promises. During screenings, in the majority of film scenes, the contrast reported itself at levels ranging from 5000:1 with commendable regularity, often reaching as high as 8000:1. These are really strong results, considering the fact that this TV has no, not even minimal, form of local dimming. Translating this into couch-side experiences: for its price point, the Q80FUX offers solid black levels. Of course, it isn’t that perfectly velvety depth that makes the screen disappear into darkness. When we conduct a viewing in total light isolation, we can see that in the darkest parts of the image, the black betrays its budget origins, subtly shifting towards a bluish glow. However, this is a defect that is easy to mask – just a bit of light from a lamp in the corner of the room is enough for this nuance to become invisible, and the image regains a satisfying depth.

HDR effect quality

6.6/10

4.9/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 97.0%, Bt.2020: 79.0%
DCI P3: 94.6%, Bt.2020: 74.4%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review TCL C855 Brightness measurement

Result

1472 nit

Review TCL C855 Brightness measurement

Result

445 nit

Review TCL C855 Brightness measurement

Result

754 nit

Review TCL C855 Brightness measurement

Result

237 nit

Review TCL C855 Brightness measurement

Result

1820 nit

Review Haier Q80FUX Brightness measurement

Result

308 nit

Review Haier Q80FUX Brightness measurement

Result

327 nit

Review Haier Q80FUX Brightness measurement

Result

352 nit

Review Haier Q80FUX Brightness measurement

Result

330 nit

Review Haier Q80FUX Brightness measurement

Result

344 nit

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Review TCL C855 HDR effect quality
Review Haier Q80FUX HDR effect quality

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

Review TCL C855 HDR effect quality
Review Haier Q80FUX HDR effect quality

Static HDR10

Review TCL C855 HDR effect quality
Review Haier Q80FUX HDR effect quality

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Review TCL C855 HDR effect quality
Review Haier Q80FUX HDR effect quality

HDR luminance chart:

Haier Q80FUX

HDR luminance

TCL C855

HDR luminance

TCL C855 delivers a highly varied HDR effect. On one hand, the television truly shines, while on the other, it resembles a lower model with FALD backlighting. Such a state of affairs is regularly observed with this brand, so it was not a surprise for us. The first and last scene, which has large light elements, looks phenomenal, "shining" with brightness levels of 1470 and 1820 nits respectively. Such effects will certainly make many people squint, while simultaneously feeling the extraordinary dynamism of the scene itself. You can truly feel as if you were inside the movie. The situation drastically changes when small or minor elements with high luminance surrounded by black appear on the screen. The TCL C855, to avoid the halo effect, significantly reduces brightness to a level of even 240 nits, which is a disappointing outcome, causing the film to not look like it was shot in HDR. The HDR effect in TCL C855 makes watching dynamic scenes more engaging, and the viewer can feel like they are part of the action. Even with smaller elements of high luminance, the television manages to maintain details without excessive dimming. Moreover, the TCL C855 test shows that the brightness of the image is adapted to scenes with a large amount of detail, increasing viewing comfort.

Alright, let's move on to the topic that really sparks discussions, which is the capabilities of the TV in HDR mode. Let's be clear from the start: the Haier Q80FUX is certainly not a brightness demon. The panel of this set can generate about 350 nits at peak, which in today's reality is an absolute minimum to even talk about the presence of HDR expanded dynamic range. On the plus side, this brightness is at least stable – regardless of the test pattern or film scene we used, measurements consistently hovered around 300-350 nits. These are at best adequate results, definitely far from the dazzling display of capabilities that we know from more expensive models. Fortunately, there is one aspect where the Q80FUX makes up for these shortcomings and does so considerably. We are talking about a QLED TV (or more precisely PFS LED), which means that thanks to the quantum dot filter used on the panel, it can generate truly juicy, vibrant colours. These are not empty promises – covering nearly 95% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut is an impressive result and directly translates into very pleasant, saturated colours for the eye.

Factory color reproduction

5.2/10

4/10

Review TCL C855 Factory color reproduction
Review Haier Q80FUX Factory color reproduction

Factory Mode

After calibration

The best factory mode for the TCL C855 is "Film," and it is on this mode that we conducted all our tests. However, like every mode predefined by the manufacturer, it had flaws that are worth correcting to achieve an image that is as close as possible to what the film producer intended. We will look at the colour characteristics in both SDR and HDR materials. Taking the former into account, we see a clear dominance of green in the white balance, which, as you might guess, gave an unpleasant greenish tint to the entire image. Examining a very important gamma chart, responsible for the contrast of the image, we see a significant deviation from the reference line marked at 2.4. From the left, we can observe a strong spike in the measured value, which at this point caused contrast exaggeration and blending of details into a dark blob. This state of affairs persisted for quite a while, up to 20% of the chart’s value, before then diving below the reference. This, in turn, meant that the image was brightened and contrast decreased significantly. The factory mode performed somewhat better in HDR materials, as the white balance looked quite good, except for the second half, where green again took over. Looking at the EOTF curve, which, unlike gamma, shows the rate of brightness increase, we see primarily two errors: the darkest scenes were too dark, and the brightest ones were overexposed. This, by the way, could be observed in the scene from the film "Pan" in the check paragraph for the TV's HDR.

Factory settings for movie mode are seldom perfect, but in the case of the Q80FUX, we encountered a noticeable imbalance. In SDR content, the image was definitely too warm, due to an excessive amount of red in the white balance, giving the overall picture a slight sepia tone. Conversely, in HDR materials, the television fell into the other extreme – an excess of blue caused an unnatural, cool effect in perception. However, it wasn't the fickle white balance that was the biggest issue with this TV. The real culprit, responsible for the previously described problems, was hiding deeper. It turned out that the Q80FUX has completely miscalibrated gamma values and, crucial for HDR, a poorly executed EOTF curve. It was these erroneous factory settings that caused the notorious clipping of the brightest parts of the image, imposing that characteristic milky filter over them. Thus, we found the source of the problem. This situation led to general, significant colour inaccuracies that were easy to catch even for an untrained eye. Like every television we tested, we decided to calibrate this model as well, and you can find the results of these adjustments in the next paragraph.

Color reproduction after calibration

6.9/10

6.1/10

Review TCL C855 Color reproduction after calibration
Review Haier Q80FUX Color reproduction after calibration
Review TCL C855 Color reproduction after calibration
Review Haier Q80FUX Color reproduction after calibration

TCL, just like the vast majority of manufacturers, provides advanced calibration tools in its televisions. Here we find 2- and 20-point grey scale adjustments as well as an advanced colour management system. The results, as you can see, are very good and in SDR materials we have significantly approached the reference image. We eliminated both the green tint and the gamma issue, although there is still a slight "kink" at the very beginning. It went a bit worse with HDR materials, which the television ChooseTV C855 did not allow us to model properly. We only managed to slightly adjust the EOTF curve and significantly improve the colours themselves.

The results of our calibration procedures must, unfortunately, be regarded as twofold. Generally speaking, the picture is undeniably better than before the adjustments; however, the biggest winner of this process has been SDR content. It is precisely here, after correcting the gamma curves and white balance, that we achieved results that can safely be called very good. Once set up, the Q80FUX truly shines in standard dynamic range, displaying only slight errors in the most challenging skin tones. Unfortunately, the weakest link remains HDR content. And here's the paradox: even though we managed to calibrate the white balance to near perfection, the overall colour errors still remain at quite a high level. The reason is that the television still interprets the static HDR10 metadata "in its own way," stubbornly enforcing that unfortunate image clipping effect, which inevitably leads to significant distortions. Although we successfully eliminated the factory excess of blue, due to this electronic interference, the screen can still veer into somewhat too cool tones. That’s just how this television is.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

9.2/10

7.5/10

Review TCL C855 Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Haier Q80FUX Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review TCL C855 Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Haier Q80FUX Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review TCL C855 Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Haier Q80FUX Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review TCL C855 Smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Haier Q80FUX Smoothness of tonal transitions

Nevertheless, an important aspect in assessing image quality are tonal transitions. To achieve a clear image free from posterisation effects, the television must demonstrate very good algorithms for smoothing out colour gradation. We must admit that the applied feature in TCL C855 called "Gradual Smoothing" is one of the better ones we have had the opportunity to test. Practically every scene performs very well here, and nothing can be faulted. The best example of this is the scene from "The Green Knight", which is the most demanding due to the vast number of fine and subtle transitions in the fog. The C855 effectively smooths everything present in the scene and allows the viewer to experience its entire suspense. The only moment where a slight posterisation can be noticed is in a frame from the film "The Green Knight", where the reds in the top left section of the screen contrast against each other.

Analysing the ability of the television to handle subtle tonal transitions, or "banding", leads us to some interesting conclusions. The Haier Q80FUX seamlessly blends adjacent colours in most scenes, creating a smooth, cohesive image. However, this process is not without its flaws. During our tests, we noticed minor issues and imperfections in each of the test scenes we used. These may not be errors that aggressively jump out and ruin the viewing experience, yet their presence is worth noting. Interestingly, this receiver does not exhibit any particular weaknesses or strengths in this regard – it handles this challenge in exactly the same way, regardless of whether it is displaying delicate gradients of a bright sky or dark transitions in shadows.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

5.5/10

4/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
OK
OK
Smooth transition function
No
No

Smooth transition function

Review TCL C855 Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Haier Q80FUX Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Image without overscan on the SD signal

Review TCL C855 Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
Review Haier Q80FUX Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Once again, we will look at the function of smoothing tonal transitions, but this time also image scaling. The latter is particularly important when watching materials of lower quality, such as some TV programs or older films. We will focus on the function responsible for tonal transitions. Interestingly, just like in the scenes in the previous test, it performed splendidly and smoothed out practically all the choppiness, but here it had problems. Using the menu responsible for the operation of this function, we found that none - not even the strongest - setting helped.

The image scaling in TCL C855 is characterised as one of the best we have had the opportunity to test so far. The image is sharp, but in a way that could be described as natural to our eye. Even small, fine branches do not have jagged contours, and there is no white halo around figures, which is characteristic of weaker scaling systems.

If there's one area where Haier clearly shows it still has a lot to catch up on compared to the market leaders, it's digital image processing. The upscaling, well... it's just okay. And that's really all that can be said about it. It does what it's supposed to do: ensures that lower resolution signals don't scare you with harsh pixelation on the screen and don't look like a forcibly enlarged postage stamp. However, it's far from the finesse and "intelligent" sharpening that more experienced players in this market have developed over the years. The biggest issue with the Q80FUX software is the almost complete lack of additional "cleaning" and smoothing features for the image. The receiver offers no noise reduction mechanisms or gradient enhancement. This means that with older or highly compressed materials, we simply have to accept that all the imperfections in tonal transitions or colour blending, which we mentioned earlier, will constantly accompany us during viewing.

Blur and motion smoothness

8/10

4.5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
144Hz
60Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
OK
No
BFI function 60Hz
Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
No
BFI function 120Hz
Yes, 120Hz
No
Brightness drop with BFI
51%
-%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

The maximum refresh rate that we can set on TCL C855 is 144 Hz. Naturally, this is only possible when connecting the TCL C855 TV to a very powerful PC. Otherwise, we will operate at a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz, which is recommended if we primarily want to watch sports or content with a high level of motion dynamics. For those who require high fluidity of image, the manufacturer has implemented a multi-level motion smoother. It has been divided into two separate sliders that adjust the sharpness of moving images (Blur Reduction) and judder (Judder Reduction). Both sliders can be set in the range of 0 to 10, with each level affecting the degree of smoothing, so everyone can find their sweet spot. We present a setting that allows for slight smoothness without the soap opera effect.

The panel of TCL C855 features a very good response time. This is especially important, as VA panels often have issues with so-called ghosting, which is the effect where a black halo can be noticed behind a fast-moving object.

The issue of motion fluidity and blurring is largely predetermined by the use of a 60Hz panel, which naturally makes it difficult to recommend this receiver to enthusiasts of very dynamic content. Fortunately, in the Q80FUX, we find a few options (although, as will soon become clear, really just one) intended to enhance the experience with older film productions. There is a "De-Judder" slider available, which indeed affects motion fluidity and allows us to adjust it to our preferences: from raw, cinematic frame rates to a more theatrical, smoothed presentation. However, a true surprise awaits us right next to it in the menu. There is also a second slider, supposedly dedicated to removing blur – this is a feature we typically encounter in 120Hz panels, aimed at combating blurring in sports. As we expected, recalling memories from testing the K85F model, here too this slider is merely a façade. Its adjustment contributes absolutely nothing to the picture and simply seems to be an oversight by the product engineers who left a non-functional option in the software for this type of panel.

Console compatibility and gaming features

9.8/10

5.6/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    48 - 144Hz
    48 - 120Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    Yes
    Warning Yes, high input lag
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    Yes
    No
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    Yes
    No
  • 4K@120Hz
    Yes
    No
  • Game bar
    Yes
    No

The TCL C855 television is equipped with full HDMI 2.1 ports with a bandwidth of 48 Gb/s. During our tests, we confirmed the seamless operation of all functions that come with this standard. As you can see, all the checkboxes light up green, which will certainly be appreciated by gamers, both console and those using the television as a computer monitor. Additionally, the TCL C855 supports both AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA's G-Sync, which can be easily activated in the graphics card settings. Users with very powerful setups can provide a 144 Hz signal to the C855, which the television handles effortlessly. It's also worth mentioning the implementation of the HGIG mode, which, due to the shortcomings of the "Game" mode, is overly bright, making it difficult to configure properly on-screen. Fortunately, the television performs excellently with the Dolby Vision format.

The TCL C855, as one of the first manufacturers, has equipped its televisions with a special GameBar feature that allows extensive setting changes on the fly, without the need to exit the game. It includes functions such as an additional crosshair grid, black level correction, and settings for individuals with disabilities. In the photo, we see the next generation of this solution.

In summary, the TCL C855 television will be an ideal solution for those looking for a screen for any kind of electronic gaming. With all the features supporting such entertainment, it is incredibly engaging. It should also be emphasized that it has very low input lag, regardless of the selected settings, including with the Dolby Vision HDR format.

Entering the realm of gaming, the Haier Q80FUX proves to be quite a good companion for the "casual gamer." It is equipped with some highly sought-after features today such as VRR (variable refresh rate) and ALLM (automatic low latency mode). However, the biggest surprise is something else. Even though we don't have a 4K@120Hz panel here, the television can accept and display a 120Hz signal at a lower resolution (Full HD). This is a very useful feature, allowing you to consciously switch the console to a lower resolution mode in exchange for significantly higher fluidity, which is a perfectly acceptable compromise in the gaming world.

We won't particularly complain about the lack of additions like the "Game Bar," as it's just a nice extra. However, the most concerning issues arise when we enter the world of HDR in gaming. Due to the fact that the television continuously adapts the signal "in its own way," setting the brightness on the console according to the HGIG standard is almost impossible to accomplish according to the instructions. Worse still, in Dolby Vision mode for gaming, the input lag increases to around 50 ms, which is a high enough value that essentially makes this mode unusable. Generally speaking, we still wouldn't recommend gaming on this television in HDR mode, so these aren't that serious shortcomings. What’s most pleasing is the presence of 120Hz in Full HD, making the Q80FUX quite a cool television for the occasional gamer.

Input lag

9.8/10

9.4/10

SDR

1080p60
16 ms
13 ms
1080p120
7 ms
8 ms
2160p60
16 ms
13 ms
2160p120
7 ms

HDR

2160p60
16 ms
12 ms
2160p120
7 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
17 ms
46 ms
2160p120 DV
9 ms

The lag time of the TCL C855 is astonishingly low in every scenario. Even the most passionate gamers will surely appreciate the very low input lag at demanding 4K 120 Hz settings with HDR, clocking in at just 7 ms. Furthermore, the lag at these same settings, but with Dolby Vision HDR enabled, remains at the same level, which isn't so obvious with competing models. Therefore, the TCL C855 deserves the highest rating and recommendation.

If there is one category in which the Haier Q80FUX absolutely shines and shows its claws, it is input lag. In this respect, the TV presents downright outstanding results. In 120Hz mode (achieved, let's remember, at a lower resolution), input lag drops below 10 ms, which is an excellent value, worthy of top gaming monitors. Only slightly worse, but still at a very good level, is the classic 60Hz mode – here, measurements consistently indicated around 12-14 ms. These are results that much more expensive, dedicated gaming constructions would not be ashamed of. The only, but significant, stumbling block is the Dolby Vision mode. As we established earlier, its activation raises input lag to an unacceptable level, so we definitely advise against using it during any interactive gameplay.

Compatibility with PC

8.6/10

6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Good
Very Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Good
Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate)
16ms
13ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
BGR
Max refresh rate
144Hz
60Hz
G-Sync
Yes
Yes
Review TCL C855 Compatibility with PC
Review Haier Q80FUX Compatibility with PC

TCL C855 when connected to a computer as a monitor performs very well. This is thanks to the very low latency between the mouse-eye-screen and the excellent readability of fonts, which comes from the proper implementation of chroma 4:4:4 at all resolutions, including 4K@144Hz. The subpixel layout is BGR, which does not negatively impact usage in Windows. However, the situation may change when using macOS or other software that may not be able to adjust fonts to this subpixel layout. Additionally, the TV has minor issues displaying fonts on a black background, for which we deducted some points.

We also checked how the Q80FUX performs when connected to a computer. Here again, we were pleasantly surprised – it handles this really well. The most important thing is that the fonts are very readable, so nothing blurs and you can work normally on it. Additionally, just like with consoles: we can set a lower resolution here to achieve a high refresh rate of 120Hz in return. What’s crucial is that in this mode, G-Sync started correctly and functioned well. This just confirms that this television is truly a successful and efficient piece of gear for gaming, also on a PC.

Viewing angles

3.5/10

3.3/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
73%
75%

A widely known drawback of VA panels without an angle coating is their poor performance regarding viewing angles. The same is true for the TCL C855, where even a slight off-axis shift leads to significant image washout and colour degradation.

Anyone planning screenings with a wide family group must be aware of the fundamental compromise that Haier has decided upon by implementing a VA panel in this model. This technology has indeed provided us with deep blacks and high contrast, but an inherent characteristic is also a noticeable narrowing of viewing angles. It’s enough to sit a bit further to the side of the couch to immediately notice how the colours start to lose saturation and the image fades. It’s simply a classic trade-off – we gain something (contrast) at the expense of something else (angles) – and the Q80FUX fits perfectly into this scheme.

Daytime performance

7.4/10

4.8/10

Panel finish
Glare
Satin
Reflection suppression
Average
Decent
Black levels during daytime
Good
Good
Review TCL C855 Daytime performance
Review Haier Q80FUX Daytime performance
Review TCL C855 Daytime performance
Review Haier Q80FUX Daytime performance

Panel brightness

Average luminance SDR

Haier Q80FUX: 317 cd/m2

TCL C855: 910 cd/m2

The glossy finish of the panel on the TCL C855 prevented it from achieving the highest rating for TV performance during daytime viewing, although it is precisely due to this that the blacks during the day are very good. Thanks to the high brightness in SDR content, the actress's face strongly stands out through reflections. However, a downside of the panel is that light hitting directly on the TV "spills" out rather than being contained in one spot. Generally speaking, if sunlight doesn't hit the panel, the TCL C855 will be a very good choice for brightly lit rooms.

The receiver's clash with the daily challenges posed by a bright lounge is quite decent with the Q80FUX, although it's certainly hard to talk about perfection here. The panel itself is equipped with a coating that effectively manages to suppress most reflections and glare from the surroundings. Equally important, even in more challenging lighting conditions, the screen can maintain pleasantly saturated colours. However, the weakness of this construction is revealed when backlight brightness comes into play. The previously mentioned, rather moderate maximum brightness (around 350 nits) means that in confrontation with intense natural light coming through the window, the screen often struggles to "break through." On a sunny day, the image might simply lack the necessary expressive strength.

Panel details

Backlight Type
Mini-LED QLED
PFS LED
Software version during testing
TV+:TVM6.0.1_926b00935_240329
UKN2.24119.053
Image processor
mt5896
MT5896 2GB RAM

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Review TCL C855 TV Panel details
Review Haier Q80FUX TV Panel details

TCL C855

Haier Q80FUX

TV features

6.7/10

5.6/10

  • HDMI inputs
    2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
    4 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
  • Other inputs
    RCA (Chinch)
    RCA (Chinch)
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
  • Network Interfaces
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    No
    No
  • Recording programming
    No
    No
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    No
    No
  • RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Backlit remote control
    No
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    No
  • Audio only mode
    No
    Yes
  • Bluetooth headphones support
    Yes
    Yes
  • Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio
    Yes
    No

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    Yes
    No
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes
Review TCL C855 TV features
Review TCL C855 TV features
Review TCL C855 TV features
Review TCL C855 TV features
Review Haier Q80FUX TV features
Review Haier Q80FUX TV features
Review Haier Q80FUX TV features
Review Haier Q80FUX TV features
Review Haier Q80FUX TV features
Review Haier Q80FUX TV features

TCL C855 operates on the Google TV system, which is a significant advantage compared to TVs equipped with proprietary systems from manufacturers, where installing applications from a USB drive can be challenging or often downright impossible. With Google TV, we have the option to install almost any application, both from the official store and directly from internet repositories via APK files.

This system also offers many conveniences in terms of control. We can connect a keyboard with a touchpad, which significantly simplifies entering queries. Additionally, thanks to integration with Google, we can utilise voice control features using the remote, which works very well, although there can be minor issues with translating functions and options. It’s worth mentioning that Google TV regularly receives updates that improve functionality and introduce new options. We can also confirm that according to reports from users of older models, the software can have its off days, and sometimes it does have its "bad day".

In summary: Google TV is currently one of the most popular systems on the market. Thanks to its powerful CPU, it runs very smoothly, does not freeze, and has no issues with stuttering for a significant part of its usage. This is definitely the best option for those who want to make the most of the TCL C855 TV’s capabilities and appreciate the openness of the system.

SmartTV on Haier Q80FUX: GoogleTV

First up, let's take a look at the smart layer, which in the Q80FUX is managed by the Google TV system. This is theoretically a huge advantage, providing access to an incredible library of apps, making it easy to cast from mobile devices, and offering convenient voice search. Unfortunately, like in other models from this brand that we've tested, the implementation of this platform leaves much to be desired. It’s not even about drastic freezes or delays in navigation, but rather a festival of minor bugs, shortcomings, and terrible translations in the menu. Because of this, it's hard to consider "Google TV" in Haier's version on par with what we know from Sony or TCL receivers, even though the same, proudly sounding name is on the box.

Classic Features

Moving on to the classic, functional features of the TV, the device's performance does not improve at all. The only thing worth praising is the presence of Bluetooth connectivity and an unusual but handy relic of the past in the form of an analogue headphone jack output. Apart from that, it's hard to find anything that would excite us. Due to the problematic software, the receiver (like its predecessors in our tests) was unable to find any terrestrial TV channels, even though other TVs connected to the same installation had no such issues. The remote control is also strange – its design may appeal to some, but due to the lack of a numeric keypad and the absurd placement of some buttons on the side edge, it definitely cannot be called senior-friendly.

Playing files from USB

9.2/10

9.6/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
No
Yes
PNG
Yes
Yes
GIF
Yes
Yes
WebP
Yes
Yes
TIFF
No
No
BMP
Yes
Yes
SVG
No
No

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
Yes
Yes
12 Mpix
Yes
Yes
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
Yes
Yes
24 Mpix
Yes
Yes
28 Mpix
Yes
Yes
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

The default media player on the TCL C855 handles practically all the media we've prepared for it very well. Almost every video format is supported. However, an important downside may be the lack of a font colour change feature. There are hardly any issues with photos and their maximum resolution. It's definitely worth noting the absence of support for Apple's HEIC and SVG files. On the other hand, we can play audio files without any problems, and we don't think many of you are using AIFF or DSD64. One undeniable advantage of the C855 and its operating system is that at any time we can download another player from the app store that will play anything.

We must admit that after a series of setbacks we faced in assessing the overall implementation of the Google TV system, we approached the media player test with a fair bit of caution. Meanwhile, in this one specific aspect, the Q80FUX served us a real surprise. The built-in app for handling files from USB drives works simply brilliantly. This software component seems to be completely immune to the issues plaguing the rest of the system, opening practically all the most important and popular video file formats that we threw at it.

Apps

9.6/10

9.6/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
OK
Kodi
No
Apple_music
OK
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
No
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
OK
Steam Link
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
OK
Kodi
No
Apple_music
OK
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
No
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
OK
Steam Link

Sound

7.2/10

5.5/10

  • Maximum volume
    -
    84dB
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1
    No
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
    No
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
    Yes
    No
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    Yes
    No

When assessing the sound on the TCL C855, we pay attention to several key aspects, such as whether the tones are clearly audible and do not interfere with each other, as well as whether none of them dominates the others. In the case of the TCL C855, the sound performs well – it is balanced and does not evoke any negative feelings. Generally, the sound is simply good.

For those with a home theatre system, the TCL C855 offers a wide range of audio codecs, including the two most important ones: DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos. This ensures high sound quality that will satisfy users seeking better audio experiences.

When it comes to "acoustic experiences," the Haier Q80FUX seems to adhere to the principle that sound is simply meant to be. And it is – that's about all that can be said for it. The built-in speakers produce sound in an extremely flat manner, lacking character, and most importantly, they are missing any clear bass foundation. A slight consolation is the fact that the television supports the Dolby Atmos format. However, let's be honest: to realistically take advantage of the benefits of this codec and hear the promised space, passive decoding capability is simply not enough. Connecting an external home theatre system or at least a decent soundbar is not just a recommendation in this case; it's an absolute necessity.

Sound Quality Test

No sound test video

Acoustic Measurements

No acoustic data

84dBC (Max)

75dBC