TCL MQLED85 / C765 vs Sony BRAVIA 7 II

Direct comparison

C765 / MQLED85

Info

BRAVIA 7 II / XR75M2

Available screen sizes: 55”65”75”85”98”

Available screen sizes: 50”55”65”75”85”98”

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2024

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Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2026

Complete the survey to find out the result

Overall rating

7.2

8.4

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    6.8

    8.0

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    6.6

    8.0

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    6.5

    7.7

  • Gaming on console

    8.6

    8.9

  • TV as a computer monitor

    8.6

    7.8

  • Watching in bright light

    6.3

    9.0

  • Utility functions

    6.5

    9.4

  • Apps

    9.6

    9.6

  • Sound quality

    6.9

    7.8

Advantages

  • Great choice for gamers - lots of features, low input lag, 144Hz

  • High panel brightness - good performance during the day

  • Good black levels and contrast

  • Comprehensive Google TV

  • Premium build at a low price

  • Very high contrast and excellent black levels for a Mini-LED

  • High brightness and very good HDR performance

  • Very good reproduction of the director's vision

  • Wide colour gamut thanks to True RGB

  • Excellent upscaling and digital image processing

  • Good viewing angles for a VA panel

  • 120 Hz, VRR, ALLM, HGiG: plenty of features for gamers

  • Very low input lag

  • Google TV works great and offers extensive smart features

  • Two remotes included

  • Supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and DTS

Disadvantages

No like
  • Average viewing angles

  • No recording function

  • Only 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, one of which is shared with eARC

  • No high refresh-rate modes for PC gamers (higher than 120 Hz)

  • No option for precise colour calibration (CMS)

  • Worse motion smoothness than last year's Bravia 7 (XR70)

Our verdict

TCL MQLED85, or model C765, is a television that can truly surprise, especially in this price range. It is one of the cheapest models featuring mini-LED technology, which is immediately evident in the picture quality. The blacks are deep, and the brightness is sufficient even in a brightly lit room. Thanks to the large number of dimming zones, watching movies in the evening is a pleasure – the blacks are really deep, and the picture in dark scenes looks clear. However, it's not perfect – in some scenes, you may notice minor issues with small bright elements, but this is really a minor detail compared to what this model offers. Google TV performs excellently here – there are plenty of apps, and using the system is simply convenient. Voice control in Polish works flawlessly, which can be particularly useful if you don't want to type movie titles using the remote. Of course, there are minor shortcomings, such as the lack of recording capabilities, but these are not things that interfere with daily use. For gamers, it is also a fantastic option. Support for HDMI 2.1, VRR and low input lag means the television handles consoles well and competes effortlessly with more expensive models from Korean or Japanese manufacturers. At this price, it's hard to find something better when it comes to smooth and responsive gameplay. During testing, we encountered a few minor software issues, but it's hard to say whether that's a serious downside. We hope that TCL will release updates, so there’s a chance this issue will be resolved quickly. TCL MQLED85/C765 is an excellent choice if we are looking for a television with good picture quality and modern features at a reasonable price. It is a model that combines affordable mini-LED technology with a convenient Google TV system, and it’s also great for gaming. Minor software shortcomings are something you can live with, especially considering what this television offers in its class.

Sony Bravia 7 II is a TV that shows RGB Mini-LED doesn't have to be reserved only for the wealthiest buyers. And although in a few places it’s clear it sits below the Bravia 9 II, in everyday use it doesn't feel like a heavily stripped-down model. The biggest thing here is the combination of very good black levels, high brightness and Sony's excellent algorithms. That makes the picture dramatic, while still staying true to how a movie should look. HDR is particularly strong, with the Bravia able to deliver a lot of brightness without losing detail. The True RGB backlight also has its advantages. It gives the TV a wide colour gamut and improves viewing angles, which for a VA panel are really good. That doesn't mean RGB Mini-LED suddenly solves all the limitations of LCD TVs. You can still see haloing around small bright objects, and the backlight's colour capabilities aren't used fully in every scene. Even so, Sony manages all of this very well, and the way it controls the image is one of the Bravia 7 II's biggest strengths. Image processing remains a major advantage over many rivals. Upscaling, smoothing weaker tonal transitions and HDR mapping are among this model's strengths. Add Google TV, decent kit, very low input lag and a practically complete set of gaming features. But there are things that are hard to understand in a TV of this class. The most annoying is the presence of only two HDMI 2.1 ports, one of which doubles as eARC. Sony also sticks with 120 Hz, while competitors increasingly offer 144, 165 or 180 Hz. In the end, the Bravia 7 II mainly stands as a very complete TV. It doesn't try to win on a specs sheet and in some areas the competition will offer more. Sony makes up for that where specs don't tell the whole story, with image processing, very good HDR tuning, backlight control and overall picture quality for movies. That's what makes the Bravia 7 II one of the more interesting Mini-LEDs of 2026, especially for people after a bright, versatile TV for movies, TV, sport and gaming, but who don't necessarily want to go for an OLED.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
Other inputs
RCA (Chinch)
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Sony S-Center)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality
Good
Premium
Stand type
Legs
Central
Bezel color
Graphite
Black
Stand
Fixed
Flat design
No
Yes
Accessories
Stand
Stand

Contrast and black detail

7.7/10

8/10

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 720 (36 x 20)

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 432 (18 x 24)

Contrast:

Review TCL MQLED85 / C765 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review TCL MQLED85 / C765 Contrast and black detail

Result

30,150:1

Review TCL MQLED85 / C765 Contrast and black detail

Result

17,500:1

Review TCL MQLED85 / C765 Contrast and black detail

Result

9,500:1

Review TCL MQLED85 / C765 Contrast and black detail

Result

5,750:1

Review Sony BRAVIA 7 II Contrast and black detail

Result

173,850:1

Review Sony BRAVIA 7 II Contrast and black detail

Result

27,750:1

Review Sony BRAVIA 7 II Contrast and black detail

Result

155,550:1

Review Sony BRAVIA 7 II Contrast and black detail

Result

6,800:1

Review Sony BRAVIA 7 II Contrast and black detail

Result

5,300:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

Check the visibility of bright lights on a dark background. Mini-LEDs often struggle with this. The photo does not compare black levels – that’s what the video below is for.

The video accurately shows differences in contrast and black levels between TVs, as well as potential issues: halo around bright objects or Mini-LED zone operation visible as brightness jumps.

TCL MQLED85/C765 stands out due to its use of a VA panel and Mini LED backlighting, which makes a huge difference compared to traditional backlighting systems. Mini LED, with its significantly smaller diodes, allows for more precise control of the screen's backlighting, resulting in much better contrast and deeper blacks. The model with a 55-inch diagonal that we are testing has an impressive number of over 700 local dimming zones, providing exceptional precision in image display. It's worth noting, however, that the number of backlighting zones may vary depending on the screen size – for larger diagonals, the number of zones naturally increases due to the larger screen area, allowing larger sizes to achieve better results in terms of contrast and black levels. Thanks to the enormous number of zones, the TCL MQLED85/C765 achieved results comparable to OLED screens on our first test pattern from the movie "Oblivion," offering nearly reference-level contrast. But what happens when we test this model in even more demanding conditions? How will the TV perform in tougher scenarios? Overall, the TCL MQLED85/C765 performs very well with black levels, but in some cases, the local dimming algorithm is not perfect. On dark backgrounds, smaller bright elements can lose clarity and brightness, as confirmed by our latest pattern from the Pioneer Kuro test disc. Despite some imperfections in the local dimming algorithm, and thus a slight occurrence of the HALO effect (which is a bright halo around bright objects on a dark background caused by deficiencies in the screen's local dimming), the results achieved by the TCL MQLED85/C765 are impressive, especially considering its price. This TV offers contrast and black depth that can compete with models that are even twice as expensive.

The Sony Bravia 7 II in the 65-inch variant we tested uses a VA panel and an RGB Mini-LED backlight split into 432 local dimming zones. That already provides a solid basis for achieving very good black levels, although one thing is worth noting. There are fewer zones here than in last year’s Bravia 7, which had 512 in the same size. Did this affect contrast? Interestingly, no. The Bravia 7 II handles blacks even better than its predecessor, and it clearly shows how much depends on the algorithms themselves. Sony controls the backlight very well and in many scenes can achieve genuinely deep blacks while still preserving detail in dark parts of the picture. So there aren’t situations where the TV tries to force perfect black at all costs, cutting away some details in the process.

The lower zone count only becomes noticeable in the most demanding scenes. A star-filled sky, text on a black background or lots of small bright elements displayed at once can already produce a halo effect. What’s interesting is how that halo looks. Thanks to the RGB backlight, the bloom can take on the colour of the displayed object. So if there’s a small red object on a black background, the glow around it will also have a red tint. It doesn’t disappear completely, but that makes it less visually separate from the object itself and the image looks more coherent than with traditional Mini-LEDs that use white backlighting.

HDR effect quality

6.2/10

7.7/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG
HDR10, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 95.0%, Bt.2020: 79.0%
DCI P3: 97.2%, Bt.2020: 85.6%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review TCL MQLED85 / C765 Brightness measurement

Result

1016 nit

Review TCL MQLED85 / C765 Brightness measurement

Result

365 nit

Review TCL MQLED85 / C765 Brightness measurement

Result

765 nit

Review TCL MQLED85 / C765 Brightness measurement

Result

235 nit

Review TCL MQLED85 / C765 Brightness measurement

Result

1178 nit

Review Sony BRAVIA 7 II Brightness measurement

Result

1715 nit

Review Sony BRAVIA 7 II Brightness measurement

Result

1182 nit

Review Sony BRAVIA 7 II Brightness measurement

Result

1401 nit

Review Sony BRAVIA 7 II Brightness measurement

Result

571 nit

Review Sony BRAVIA 7 II Brightness measurement

Result

1260 nit

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

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

The photos show two HDR10 movies. 'Pan' is one of the brightest productions ever made, while 'Billy Lynn' (soldier) has brightness typical of streaming (Netflix, Prime, HBO MAX). Notice the intensity of effects and detail in whites.

Static HDR10

The photos present the visibility of white details in various HDR formats. They do not show brightness differences between TVs (these can be compared in the previous gallery).

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

The photos present the visibility of white details in various HDR formats. They do not show brightness differences between TVs (these can be compared in the previous gallery).

HDR luminance chart:

Sony BRAVIA 7 II

TCL MQLED85 / C765

The television TCL MQLED85/C765 performs well in handling HDR. In the tested movie scenes, where the screen is at 100% brightness, the model achieves impressive results around 1000 nits, providing intense and realistic rendering of HDR content. However, similar to contrast, the dimming algorithm may show some limitations. Despite a large number of Mini LED zones, the television does not always manage to "wow" the user with brightness in very challenging test scenes. For instance, in the scene from the film "Life of Pi," where a bright moon appears against a dark background, and in another scene from "Sicario 2," where a very bright light effect is visible against a dark background, the television did not reach maximum intensity. For users expecting a perfect HDR effect in such extreme cases, the TCL MQLED may come up a bit short. However, in terms of colours, the television stands out with a very high coverage of the DCI P3 colour gamut at 95%, which is an impressive result comparable to much more expensive models. TCL MQLED85 / C765 offers support for various HDR formats, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which is crucial for cinema image fans. Although this model achieves brightness over 1000 nits, the TCL MQLED85 may struggle to reflect details in very high-contrast scenes. For better HDR quality control, the C765 is equipped with dynamic tone mapping, making the image more realistic and natural depending on the content.

Sony Bravia 7 II handles HDR very well and, above all, is simply a bright television. In the correct viewing mode for watching, Professional, we measured about 2,000 nits of peak brightness, so the panel’s capabilities are truly large. Of course, in Mini-LED sets a test-pattern result is only part of the story, because much still depends on how the TV controls the backlight in real scenes. Here Sony’s algorithms perform really well. Depending on the scene, the brightness we measured in films ranged from about 1,100 to as much as 1,700 nits. That’s a level at which HDR has proper punch and bright highlights can be genuinely impressive. It’s not perfect in every situation. With small bright elements on a very dark background, the Bravia 7 II clearly prioritises maintaining good black levels, so their brightness can fall to around 500 nits. It still looks good, but it’s clear the TV doesn’t always manage this without compromise.

Colours

The second thing that has a huge impact on HDR is, of course, colour. And this is where True RGB was meant to deliver one of the biggest changes. Looking at the panel’s capabilities alone, the Bravia 7 II performs very well. We measured roughly 98% DCI-P3 coverage and 88% BT.2020, so the potential for showing highly saturated colours is substantial. In RGB TVs the matter is a bit more complex. When we repeated the same measurements with a film-like background applied, gamut coverage dropped to about 92% DCI-P3 and 78% BT.2020. Those are still good numbers, especially for an RGB Mini-LED TV, but they show that the final result largely depends on how the algorithms drive the three backlight colours. In most scenes the Bravia 7 II handles this well and colours retain strong saturation. The biggest differences are visible in blue shades, where samples start to deviate more noticeably from the reference values and coverage is weaker than for the other primaries. True RGB therefore offers genuinely greater potential, but, as with brightness, a lot depends on what’s actually happening on screen.

Factory color reproduction

5.2/10

7/10

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

The television TCL MQLED85/C765 was tested in movie mode, which, while seeming to be the best setting from the manufacturer, is not without its flaws. The colour reproduction in HD/SDR mode MQLED85 shows certain shortcomings. In the analysis of white balance, there is a significant lack of blue colour, which can affect the overall image quality, particularly in bright scenes where blue shades are crucial for natural representation. The overall image may then appear too warm. As for gamma contrast, the graph shows that there is a large jump above the reference line of level 2.4 at the beginning, which may suggest significant dimming of brightness in darker areas, leading to loss of detail in blacks. Then for most of the time, the values are below this line, which can lead to loss of detail in the brighter parts of the image. Such a distribution may negatively impact the perceived image quality, especially when watching regular TV in HD quality.

In the case of the 4K HDR image quality of the TCL MQLED85/C765 television, there is a noticeable excess of red colour in the analysis of white balance. This excess can significantly impact the viewer's experience, leading to several notable effects. First and foremost, an excessive amount of red can make other colours, such as green or blue, appear muted or unnatural. This distortion of colour balance can result in an overall impression of "oversaturation," which detracts from the image's naturalness and authenticity. In terms of contrast, the EOTF (Electro-Optical Transfer Function) graph indicates that most values are above the reference line, suggesting an intense boost in brightness in the bright areas of the image. However, the exception is the start of the graph, where the EOTF line is below the reference, which may lead to excessive dimming of small light elements.

Users should be aware that despite using the best mode, which is movie mode, the television is not free from flaws in the context of image settings, so it is worth considering adjusting the settings to achieve better results.

To evaluate the factory colours we chose the Professional mode, because it performs best among the available presets. It's not perfect. In SDR the white balance is slightly biased toward magenta, so some scenes look a little warmer and less neutral than they should. A bigger issue is the gamma, which sits closer to 2.5 than 2.4. As a result the image is a bit too dark in places, especially in the mid-tones. In HDR the situation is better. As brightness increases there's a little too much red, but it isn't something that really jumps out while watching. Overall the Professional mode is a good starting point, though you can get a bit more out of it with calibration.

Color reproduction after calibration

7.8/10

8.8/10

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

After professional calibration of the television TCL MQLED85/C765, its colour properties in film mode have significantly improved, resulting in much more satisfying visual experiences. Both in SDR and HDR modes, the white balance shows no serious errors, and the graph appears to be much better harmonised. Users can now enjoy natural colour reproduction, which is crucial for achieving an authentic experience while watching films. It is worth noting that in HDR content, there may be minor colour reproduction errors at the end of the graph, but these are significantly smaller than before calibration. As a result, characters and landscapes become more realistic, enhancing the depth of immersion in the story.

Regarding contrast, the gamma curve, responsible for HD quality, has been completely free of drops below the reference line, which means better visibility of details in dark scenes. However, there is still a slight boost at the beginning of the graph, which may affect the perception of bright elements. For HDR content, the EOTF curve also shows fewer errors, although some issues with reproducing mid-tones may still be noticeable. The EOTF curve measured on real film scenes still shows a significant brightness boost, so the image may appear more intense but artificially brightened. This is a typical problem for TCL brand televisions, which may appeal to untrained viewers but can frustrate those more familiar with an ideal image.

What benefits does professional calibration bring to film enthusiasts? Thanks to it, viewing becomes even more realistic and immersive, allowing every scene to be experienced fully, preserving details and natural colours.

After calibration the Bravia 7 II can look significantly better. First and foremost, we managed to set the white balance very well in both SDR and HDR. Gamma can also be improved, and after correction it runs very close to the reference value. For most users those changes will have the biggest impact on the picture. There is, however, a limitation with the colours themselves. On the Bravia 7 II Sony does not provide access to a traditional CMS that would let us adjust individual hues separately. Much is left to the algorithms controlling the True RGB backlight. If the TV reproduces a specific colour inaccurately, we are not always able to do anything about it. In our measurements this is most apparent in parts of the reds and blues, where errors can still be quite large. That does not, however, undermine the value of calibration. Correctly setting the white point and gamma strongly affects the whole picture, so even without the ability to precisely correct every colour the difference from the factory settings is noticeable.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

7/10

8.5/10

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

The fluidity of tonal transitions in the TCL MQLED85/C765 television is decent, although noticeable issues arise in both bright and dark test scenes. Particularly evident are the colour joins in the scene from the film "The Green Knight", where the red colour of the water transitions to black. Despite these imperfections, the overall gradient quality is acceptable and does not overly detract from the visual experience. The television handles most scenes well, offering satisfactory tonal transitions, contributing to an overall satisfying visual experience that won't spoil our cinematic enjoyment.

Colour gradation on the Bravia 7 II is very good and there's little to criticise. Transitions between shades are smooth, both in bright and darker scenes. You can spot minor imperfections, but they're subtle enough that during normal viewing they won't draw attention. It looks a little worse with the same material when played back using Dolby Vision. In that mode the TV has more trouble keeping transitions equally smooth, especially in darker shades. Banding and unevenness are then slightly easier to notice, so Dolby Vision fares worse in this respect than standard HDR10.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

5.1/10

8.5/10

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

Smooth transition function

The match photo shows how the TV smooths weak tonal transitions in low-quality video.

Image scaling SD (576i)

The model photo shows how it handles upscaling of SD material.

We will now take another look at the tonal transitions on the TCL MQLED85/C765 TV, but in the context of lower image quality. Despite the presence of the "Gradual Smoothing" option, when set to "low", the effects are practically invisible, disappointing users who expect an improvement in image quality. On the other hand, the "high" setting yields minimal results, and worse still, it can blur important details, negatively impacting the sharpness and clarity of the displayed image. However, in the context of image scaling, the TV successfully displayed the image without overscan, meaning we do not lose any part of the view. The image looks quite decent, and details such as tree branches or the outlines of models do not show significant jaggedness, which positively affects the visual quality.

Scaling and digital processing are among the strongest points of the Bravia 7 II and one of Sony's biggest advantages over the competition. Sony has for years excelled at digital image processing, and it's clear here too. Above all, the 'Smooth Gradation' function works very well, smoothing weaker tonal transitions in poorer-quality content. The safest setting is low, but we'd comfortably recommend medium as well. The effect is stronger, and the TV still handles fine detail very delicately. Some minor details may be slightly smoothed, but Sony does it much more subtly than many other brands. Upscaling is also very good. Lower-resolution content is nicely upscaled to 4K; the image looks clean and retains a lot of detail. Of course the TV won't magically turn native HD into true 4K, but the Bravia 7 II does very well with what can be pulled from such a source.

Blur and motion smoothness

7.5/10

7.8/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
144Hz
120Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
OK
OK
BFI function 60Hz
Yes, 120Hz (double contours)
Yes, 120Hz (double contours)
BFI function 120Hz
Yes, 240Hz (double contours)
Yes, 240Hz (double contours)
Brightness drop with BFI
50%
50%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Blur ():

Blur (4K60Hz):

TCL MQLED85/C765 is equipped with a standard refresh rate panel of 120 Hz, with the possibility of increasing it to 144 Hz when connected to a powerful computer. The television also offers a multi-level motion smoother, which is mainly aimed at users wanting to improve the fluidity of motion in films. It allows for adjusting the intensity of the effect on a scale from 0 to 10, enabling precise tailoring of the image smoothness to individual preferences. The response time of the panel is decent, but not perfect. We can observe motion blur occurring behind both dark and medium objects.

The Bravia 7 II uses a 120 Hz panel, so in terms of motion handling it delivers everything you'd expect from a TV of this class. With sport or games at 120 fps the picture is suitably smooth, and for films Sony provides an advanced motion interpolation system. You can therefore adjust the level of interpolation separately and choose whether to retain a more cinematic motion or achieve noticeably greater smoothness. Motion blur itself is a bit worse. The VA panel used isn't among the fastest, and moving objects can show a slight trailing, especially against darker backgrounds. It's not at a level that will seriously disturb normal viewing, but last year's Bravia 7 was better in this regard and had a noticeably faster panel.

Console compatibility and gaming features

9.8/10

9.4/10

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

TCL MQLED85/C765 has achieved an impressive rating in the gaming features category, making it an excellent choice for gaming enthusiasts. The television supports all the latest technologies that significantly enhance the gaming experience. Among the key gaming features is ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), allowing the TV to automatically switch to low latency mode, minimising response time and ensuring smooth gameplay. VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) supported from 48 to 144 Hz eliminates stuttering and screen tearing in dynamic game scenes. Additionally, the TV supports the Dolby Vision Game Mode, which provides better image quality in games with exceptional depth of colour and contrast. TCL MQLED85/C765 also features a decent but not the best implementation of HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group), optimising the display of HDR games, however, in the case of TCL, it causes bright details to wash out, resulting in some elements merging into a white blob - more on this can be read in the colour reproduction section. It supports various resolutions such as 1080p@120Hz, 1440p@120Hz, and 4K@120Hz, allowing gamers to enjoy higher image quality and better fluidity. The Game Bar feature allows for easy switching between game settings and quick control of parameters, which significantly simplifies adjusting the TV to individual needs. With support for G-Sync and FreeSync technologies, users of NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards will be pleased with the refresh rate synchronisation capabilities, eliminating tearing and stuttering issues, ensuring smoother and more immersive gameplay.

MQLED85/C765 is a television that combines advanced technologies and excellent support for gamers, making it the ideal choice for those looking to maximise their gaming experiences.

Bravia 7 II has pretty much everything you'd want from a good console TV today. It supports 4K at 120 Hz, VRR from 48 to 120 Hz and ALLM, so when you start a game the TV automatically switches to low-latency mode. HGiG works correctly, so once you configure HDR on the console the TV won't try to brighten the image on its own. Just remember to turn off tone mapping in the TV's menu. Another plus is Dolby Vision in game mode, which will be especially useful for Xbox owners. Sony also includes its own Game Menu, where you can quickly view key signal info, check VRR or change gaming settings without digging through the full TV menu. The only thing missing from the feature list is support for 1440p at 120 Hz. Our biggest complaint is not really about the features but the connectors. The Bravia 7 II has four HDMI ports, but only two of them support full HDMI 2.1 with 48 Gbps bandwidth. One of those is also the eARC port. So if you connect a soundbar or AV receiver via HDMI, in practice you only have one full HDMI 2.1 left for a console or PC. With a single console that's fine, but with a PS5, an Xbox and an audio setup it starts to feel cramped. That's hard to justify from Sony. In cheaper TVs two HDMI 2.1 ports can still be accepted, but in a model of this class, especially in 2026, we'd expect all four ports to be HDMI 2.1.

Input lag

9.8/10

10/10

SDR

1080p60
16 ms
14 ms
1080p120
8 ms
9 ms
2160p60
16 ms
14 ms
2160p120
8 ms
9 ms

HDR

2160p60
16 ms
13 ms
2160p120
8 ms
8 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
16 ms
14 ms
2160p120 DV
8 ms
8 ms

Latency in the TCL MQLED85 television reaches impressively low levels under any conditions. Even the most demanding gamers will surely appreciate the minimal input lag of just 8 ms at 4K 120 Hz settings with HDR. Moreover, the latency remains at the same level even when Dolby Vision HDR is enabled, which is not the case with many competing models.

Input lag on the Bravia 7 II is excellent. With a 60 Hz signal we measured around 13 to 14 ms, while at 120 Hz the delay drops to just 8 to 9 ms. Those values are low enough that input response is practically instantaneous, and even the most demanding gamers shouldn't have anything to complain about. Dolby Vision also deserves praise. A few years ago Sony TVs had some issues with that format in games and turning it on could mean higher input lag. With the Bravia 7 II that problem is essentially gone. In Dolby Vision we measured 14 ms at 60 Hz and 8 ms at 120 Hz, which is virtually the same as with standard HDR.

Compatibility with PC

8.6/10

7.8/10

Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Very Good
Very Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Average
Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate)
8ms
8ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
RGB
Max refresh rate
144Hz
120Hz
G-Sync
Yes
Yes

The photo shows the legibility of small fonts. Ideally, lines should be the same thickness on both light and dark text, with minimal pixel gaps.

TCL MQLED85 works well as a computer monitor. Thanks to its support for chroma 4:4:4, the text on the screen is sharp and readable, which is essential for people working with text documents or spreadsheets. One of the biggest advantages of this model is its exceptionally low input lag in "PC" mode, which is just 8 ms. This is a reference-level result that ensures smoothness and responsiveness, crucial for both gamers and those involved in video editing. However, it's worth noting that there is a slight issue related to font display on dark backgrounds. Upon zooming in on the tested font picture, it can be seen that horizontal lines are darker compared to vertical ones. This means that the sub-pixels in the TV may not fully illuminate in such cases, which can affect the quality of displayed text. Nonetheless, the overall performance of TCL MQLED85 as a computer monitor is very good and will certainly meet the expectations of many users.

The Bravia 7 II also works very well as a large computer monitor. The TV properly supports 4:4:4 chroma, and thanks to the classic RGB subpixel layout fonts are very legible and don’t have the typical coloured fringing. That makes it great for everyday work with the desktop, web browsing or documents.

PC gamers also get most of the features known from consoles, including VRR and low input lag. The only gripe is the maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz. A few years ago that would have been excellent, but today some competitors already offer 4K at 144, 165 or even 180 Hz, and at Full HD some can exceed 300 Hz. For most people 120 Hz is still more than enough, but owners of powerful PCs might reasonably expect a bit more.

Viewing angles

3.2/10

5.7/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
80%
66%

The viewing angles on the TCL MQLED85 television are not its strong suit. The use of a VA panel causes the image to lose a significant amount of brightness when viewed at an angle. Changing the viewer's position, especially in a larger group setting, can make colours appear less saturated, and contrast may be less distinct. For this reason, it's recommended to sit directly in front of the screen to fully enjoy the picture quality. Although the television offers excellent colour reproduction from a direct view, the loss of brightness and detail at an angle can be problematic for those who plan to use the television in a larger room or from various locations.

Viewing angles on the Bravia 7 II are really good, and the RGB Mini-LED backlight plays a big part in that. Unlike traditional VA-panel TVs with white/blue backlighting, the picture doesn't lose brightness and colour saturation as quickly when viewed off-axis. That's a noticeable improvement, because viewing angles are usually one of the bigger compromises of VA panels. It's still not at the level of the best IPS panels, let alone OLEDs, but the difference compared with a typical VA Mini-LED is clear. Even sitting a little to the side, the image still looks good and the colours don't immediately wash out.

Daytime performance

6.3/10

9/10

Panel finish
Satin
Satin
Reflection suppression
Average
Good
Black levels during daytime
Good
Good

Panel brightness

Sony BRAVIA 7 II: 1247 cd/m2

TCL MQLED85 / C765: 618 cd/m2

MQLED85 performs reasonably well in daylight conditions, and it's worth noting the satin finish of the panel. While it doesn't excel at reducing reflections, it offers decent performance in various lighting conditions. An average brightness level above 600 nits is an impressive result, allowing for comfortable viewing even in well-lit rooms. As a result, the television performs well both during the day and during evening movie screenings, providing satisfactory picture quality.

The Bravia 7 II also performs very well in a bright living room. Its high brightness is the main reason, reaching about 1250 nits in SDR. The TV therefore has enough power to keep the picture clear and punchy even when a lot of light enters the room. However, compared with the higher-positioned Bravia 9 II, there is one notable difference. The Bravia 7 II doesn't have a fully matt screen; it uses a more satin finish. It still handles reflections quite well, but reflections from windows or lamps are more noticeable. On the other hand, blacks hold up well during the day and don't go noticeably grey under light. Overall it's still a very good TV for bright rooms, though the Bravia 9 II has the edge when it comes to suppressing direct reflections.

Panel details

Backlight Type
Mini-LED QLED
Mini-LED RGB
Software version during testing
V8-T653T01-LF1R134
114.602.080.1EUA
Image processor
MT5896 2,5GB RAM
mt5897 5gb ram

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Review TCL MQLED85 / C765 TV Panel details
Review Sony BRAVIA 7 II TV Panel details

TCL MQLED85 / C765

Sony BRAVIA 7 II

TV features

6.5/10

9.4/10

  • System
    Google TV
    Google TV
  • System performance
    Decent
    Very good
  • HDMI inputs
    2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
    2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
  • Other inputs
    RCA (Chinch)
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Sony S-Center)
  • 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
    Yes
  • Recording programming
    No
    Yes
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    No
    No
  • RF remote control (no need to aim)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Backlit remote control
    No
    Yes
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes
  • Audio only mode
    No
    Yes
  • Bluetooth headphones support
    Yes
    Yes
  • Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio
    Yes
    Yes

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    Yes
    Yes
  • 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 MQLED85 / C765 TV features
Review TCL MQLED85 / C765 TV features
Review Sony BRAVIA 7 II TV features
Review Sony BRAVIA 7 II TV features
Review Sony BRAVIA 7 II TV features
Review Sony BRAVIA 7 II TV features

Sound connection options

  • HDMI audio
    eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
    eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
  • Other audio outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio)
    Toslink (Optical audio), AuxiliaryOutput-Mini-Jack (Sony S-Center)
  • Wireless audio
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth

Supported audio formats (external HDMI eARC audio):

  • 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
    Yes
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
    Yes
    Yes
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    Yes
    Yes

Senior accessibility

  • Numeric keyboard on TV
    No
    Yes
  • Font size adjustment
    No
    Yes
  • Audio description
    No
    Yes

TCL MQLED85 TV offers many features that enhance user comfort, with the central point of its functionality being the Google TV system. This modern interface allows for easy content browsing, as well as access to apps available in the Google Play store. Users can take advantage of voice search in Polish, which greatly simplifies navigation and allows for quick finding of interesting shows, movies, or apps. It's also worth noting that Google TV is currently the only system on the market that does not restrict Polish users' access to apps, offering the greatest availability among all available platforms. However, in the context of traditional TV watching, this television has its limitations. It does not offer a recording function, which may be a significant downside for those who would like to save their favorite programs. Additionally, the lack of Picture-in-Picture (PIP) option limits the ability to simultaneously track multiple video sources. On the other hand, the TV features a "MultiVision" function, which allows for screen splitting between the TV and a mobile device. This way, users can use apps on their phone while still watching a TV program. This solution will certainly appeal to those who enjoy multitasking and want to watch TV while also engaging with social media or browsing the internet on their smartphone. Despite some limitations, the TCL MQLED85 TV presents itself as a solid option for users who value modernity and functionality.

Classic features

Sony in the Bravia 7 II still approaches the TV a bit more old-school than some competitors, and here that works to its advantage. This is not just a screen for streaming apps, because the manufacturer kept plenty of traditional features that many people still use every day. You can record programs to USB, schedule recordings, or use the TV with Bluetooth headphones without having to turn off its built-in speakers. Overall it feels like a refined device for normal TV watching, not just a "monitor with apps." The control setup is also worth praise. The package includes two remotes: one more modern and simplified, the other classic with more buttons. That way everyone can choose the control method they find most comfortable. The main remote uses RF, so you don't have to point it directly at the TV, and the backlit buttons are especially useful in the evening.

Google TV

Google TV handles the Smart features, and here the Bravia 7 II performs as you would expect from a TV of this class. The system runs fast, menus respond smoothly, and it doesn't feel like the unit needs a moment for every simple operation. The biggest advantage remains the vast selection of apps, so practically everything we use on TVs today is immediately at hand. Google TV also works well when the TV is meant to be part of a larger ecosystem. You can cast content from your phone or computer, use AirPlay and Miracast, and search for content by voice in your native language. In practice, the Bravia 7 II therefore gives a lot of freedom, and it's hard to encounter a situation where you're missing some basic Smart TV function.

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

Playing files from USB

8.9/10

8.9/10

Supported photo formats:

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

Thanks to the built-in player, the television is able to play most file formats found on external storage, making it a versatile tool for consuming multimedia. However, there may be some limitations in supporting certain formats, which can be bothersome for more demanding users. Fortunately, the Google TV system allows for the installation of other media players from Google Play, which helps eliminate compatibility issues. This gives users the ability to choose applications that best meet their needs, significantly increasing the functionality of the television.

The built-in media player in the Bravia 7 II works well and handles most common content without major issues. The TV copes with the most frequently encountered video files and codecs, so when using a hard drive or USB stick you’re unlikely to run into significant limitations. What’s missing, above all, is broader support for subtitle formats and image files. For photos the TV opens JPEG and HEIC, but it doesn’t handle formats like PNG, WebP or TIFF. However, we wouldn’t consider this a serious flaw, since many of the unsupported formats are fairly niche. And if the built-in player proves insufficient, Google TV simply lets you install a third-party app and largely work around these limitations.

Sound

6.9/10

7.8/10

  • Maximum volume
    -
    94dB
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1
    No
    No
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
    No
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
    Yes
    Yes
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    Yes
    Yes

The sound of the television TCL MQLED85 can be described as decent, making it sufficient for everyday watching of movies, TV shows, and gaming. The speakers branded with Onkyo offer surprisingly good audio quality, and the sound does not crackle or distort even at higher volume levels.

Sony has changed the audio significantly in the new Bravia 7 II, and you can't say the TV lacks bass. There's a lot of it, and the whole setup can also play very loudly. In our measurement it reached about 94 dBC. However, in our view the low end is at times a bit excessive. The bass can mask the rest of the spectrum, causing dialogue and some sounds to lose a little clarity. So overall it sounds powerful and impressive, but it could do with a slightly more balanced tuning. On the plus side, audio format support is good. Sony supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS, so in that respect the Bravia 7 II doesn't impose significant limitations.

Sound Quality Test

No sound test video

Acoustic Measurements

No acoustic data

94dBC (Max)

75dBC

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