TCL C7K / QM7K Review

C7K / Q7C / MQLED85K / C79K / C71K / QM7K

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

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This TV was tested by:

Maciej Koper

Paweł Koper

Last updated::

8/12/2025 7:49:45 AM

TCL C7K is a new mid-range QD-MiniLED television for 2025, which will likely replace the very popular MQLED85 (C765) model from last year in the manufacturer's lineup. Right from the start, it stands out not only due to its MiniLED backlighting technology and QD (quantum dot) screen but also due to the recent collaboration between TCL and the Bang & Olufsen brand, which aims to provide better audio experiences. Sounds good? We checked how the C7K performs in daily use – from movies and games to system functionality.

TCL C7K - Our verdict

7.1

Overall rating

There are TVs that come for testing, and you immediately think: "oh, just another average one, probably like many others." And essentially... that's true. The TCL C7K doesn't try to dethrone OLEDs, nor does it scream "revolution!" from the box. And yet, after a few days of testing, it's hard not to think: "wow, this is really good gear." And that's exactly what the C7K is. The biggest advantage of the C7K is the decent picture at a reasonable price – MiniLED and quantum dots do their job here. The colours are vibrant, the brightness is satisfactory, the contrast impresses, and with the right settings, you can truly enjoy viewing in the best quality. The second strong point is motion smoothness – both in sports and gaming. Support for HDMI 2.1, variable refresh rate, 144 Hz, and a whole heap of other features makes gaming on this TV a pure pleasure. On top of that, there's Google TV, which – despite some minor shortcomings – offers access to almost an endless library of apps. Voice control, quick access to YouTube, Netflix, AirPlay support – it has everything you need for daily use. Are there downsides? Of course. The Google TV system can have moments of "hesitation," and MiniLED – like any MiniLED – can stumble on very challenging movie scenes. But these are details. After all, the C7K is a mid-range model – and in this class, it performs remarkably well. So if you’re looking for a reasonably priced, modern TV with Google TV that looks good, works well, and sounds pretty decent without breaking the bank – the TCL C7K definitely deserves your attention.

Advantages

Very good black - VA panel with a large number of Mini-LED zones
High brightness in HDR - over 1000 nits
Great for gamers - HDMI 2.1, low input lag, VRR, ALLM etc.
Good motion fluidity - 144Hz panel
Support for multiple HDR formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
Google TV operating system with access to a huge app base
Pleasant sound from built-in speakers

Disadvantages

Google TV can have minor stutters
No USB recording and PiP function

Movies and series in UHD quality

6.7
Classic TV, YouTube

6.5
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

6.4
Gaming on console

8.5
TV as a computer monitor

8.4
Watching in bright light

6.1
Utility functions

7.7
Apps

9.6
Sound quality

7.0

TCL C7K - Competing TVs in this price range

5.7

Samsung U8000F (VA) 85”

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7.3

SAMSUNG QN80F 85”

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7.8

LG OLED B5 83”

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8.9

LG OLED G5 83”

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7.1

Review Samsung Neo QLED QN70F / QN74F / QN77F Main photo

Samsung Neo QLED QN70F / QN74F / QN77F 85”

A$1 899.00

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7.4

Hisense U7Q PRO 85”

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7.2

Hisense U7Q 85”

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8.1

SAMSUNG S90F (WOLED) 83”

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5.6

Philips PUS8500 85”

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TCL C7K - TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Build quality: Good

Stand type: Central

Kolor ramki: Graphite

Review TCL C7K / QM7K Appearance of the TV

Regulacja podstawy: stand-Fixed
Montaż na płasko: Nie
Akcesoria: accessories-Stand

TCL C7K is a television that, at first glance, makes a very good impression. The front of the device looks modern and elegant – slim bezels, a central stand, and a subtle metallic accent in the form of a narrow overlay with the inscription "Premium QD-MiniLED." It's a small detail, but it manages to create the impression that we are dealing with higher-end equipment. And indeed – looking from the front, it’s hard not to agree. The C7K looks neat, modern, and solid.

On the other hand – quite literally – the situation is a bit worse. The back of the television is quite "chunky," which is a result of the MiniLED backlighting design. This means that when mounted on the wall, we won’t achieve a super-flat installation effect. Despite this minor flaw, the overall quality of construction is quite decent. The materials don’t creak, everything is well-fitted, and the design – for this price segment – can positively surprise and may be appealing.

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TCL C7K / QM7K (paid link)

TCL C7K - Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

7.1/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 336 (14 x 24)

Review TCL C7K / QM7K Contrast and black detail

Result

161,000:1

Result

18,750:1

Result

13,150:1

Result

6,300:1

Result

4,200:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

The 50-inch TCL C7K we tested surprised us right from the start – it's the smallest model in the series, yet it's equipped with a VA panel with MiniLED backlighting and – get this – as many as 336 dimming zones. By comparison, many far larger TVs from higher tiers would be happy to boast such a number. Here we have it in a 50-inch version. Sounds promising, right? So how does this translate into real viewing experiences? In the overwhelming majority of tested scenes – very well. The contrast was high enough that in measurements it reached even six-figure values, which in practice means very deep blacks and well-separated highlights. In scenes from films like The Revenant or Oblivion, the effect was impressive, matching the best LCD screens in this class.

Not everything, however, went perfectly. Despite the impressive number of zones, managing them wasn't always exemplary. In more complex scenes, where small light sources or a high level of detail appear, the TV had issues with the so-called halo effect (a glowing aura around bright objects) or overly aggressive dimming of the image. In such situations, contrast could either collapse due to overexposure of some zones or, conversely – details in bright areas vanished because the zones were suppressing light too much. Nevertheless, it's worth emphasising that in the vast majority of scenes the contrast was more than satisfactory. And considering the size of the TV and the price, the final effect will satisfy not only average users.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

TCL C7K - HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

5.4/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 93.1%, Bt.2020: 72.9%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review TCL C7K / QM7K Brightness measurement

Result

1051 nit

Result

185 nit

Result

454 nit

Result

200 nit

Result

836 nit

TCL C7K is one of the brightest MiniLED TVs in its price class. Under optimal testing conditions, the screen can achieve over 1200 nits, resulting in impressive, at times dazzlingly bright scenes. And most importantly – this isn’t just a theory from measurements. In practice, even the brightest moments in movies can shine with true cinematic grandeur. Home HDR cinema fans should be really pleased.

The impression is fantastic, especially in scenes with large areas of brightness – a white sky, explosions, sun reflections, or magical sunsets can surprise with an intensity of light that rarely appears in this price range.

However, things get a bit worse when more challenging scenarios appear on the screen, previously described in terms of contrast – that is, images full of details, with small bright elements on a dark background. In such cases, the C7K often opts to preserve black at the expense of brightness. An example? Scenes from movies like Sicario 2 or Life of Pi, where small light sources (like a distant lantern) may become less visible, and details in the lights are simply dimmed or blend into the background.

For many viewers, this may be an acceptable compromise – as we achieve deep blacks and pleasant image depth. Nevertheless, it’s important to recognise that the visibility of small details in bright areas is not this model's strong suit. It’s simply a technological limitation that still exists – even with over 300 zones.

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

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

In bright movie scenes, the TCL C7K can really impress positively. In test sequences from movies like "Pan" or "Billy Lynn" – where the screen has to deal with fireworks, explosions, or harsh sunlight – the TV performed really well. The light effects looked dynamic and intense, and while they certainly don't reach the levels of reference screens capable of displaying 4000 nits, the experiences were very satisfying. Colour accuracy occasionally deviated slightly from the ideal – we noticed a slight cooling of colours in some scenes – but overall the picture presented itself nicely despite a slight exaggeration. This is a result that will successfully satisfy most viewers, even those with slightly higher demands. Darker parts of the image performed somewhat worse, especially where characters or set elements appear in the background. At such moments, it’s noticeable that TCL heavily prioritises deep blacks at the expense of details – and the screen can really dim those parts of the image. Was this the intention of TCL's engineers? It's hard to say, but generally, the visual effect will appeal to most users – because the blacks can really make an impression here.

HDR luminance chart:

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

TCL is a brand that doesn't engage in any format wars. With the C7K model, we simply get everything that matters today – HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. And that's really good news because, regardless of whether we're watching something from Netflix, Prime Video or a 4K disc, we can be sure that the TV will show it in the best way possible. The differences can really be seen with the naked eye. In the comparative photo we've prepared, it’s clear how Dolby Vision can extract more detail – both in bright and dark areas of the image – compared to regular HDR10. This is due to dynamic metadata, which adjusts contrast and brightness to each scene rather than sticking to one rigid setting for the whole film. As a result, the image has more depth, and the HDR effects really “do the job.” It’s great that TCL doesn’t limit the user and simply provides full support for all popular standards.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

TCL C7K - Smoothness of tonal transitions

8.6/10

The TCL C7K performs very well with colour gradation – in most of the scenes tested, tonal transitions were smooth, and colours blended together without visible outlines or the artificial effect of "blotches". In everyday use, it's hard to find any faults – the picture looks natural, without jarring transitions or digital artifacts. Certain limitations only appear in very dark tones – especially in a heavily muted grey palette, where the television may struggle to reproduce the ideal gradation. But that’s absolutely understandable, as even many significantly more expensive models in this range simply can't cope. Fortunately, these situations are rare and don’t really affect the overall perception.

Review TCL C7K / QM7K Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

5.5/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

TCL C7K has a feature that, according to the manufacturer, is meant to smooth out undesirable colour transitions – something like a rescue for less successful tonal shifts. It's called "Gradual Smoothing," and... well, it sounds ambitious, but in practice, it works very poorly. Regardless of whether we set it to low or high, the difference is minimal. Worse still – the feature can cut out elements from the image that should remain. Fortunately, film grain remains untouched, so at least it doesn't smooth everything indiscriminately, but even so – it's better to simply turn this option off.

When it comes to upscaling lower resolution content, it's already better. SD and HD materials look quite decent, although at times we had the impression that the image loses sharpness and becomes too soft – as if something took away its clarity. Fortunately, with very low sources (e.g., 576p), there was no overscan effect, meaning the image wasn't artificially cropped – everything fit on the screen as it should.

TCL C7K - Blur and motion smoothness

7.5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 144Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: Yes

BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 120Hz (double contours)

BFI function 120Hz: Yes, 240Hz (double contours)

Brightness drop with BFI: 24%

Review TCL C7K / QM7K Blur and motion smoothness

TCL C7K handles motion fluidity really well. The panel it uses offers a refresh rate of 144 Hz, which suggests that this TV is more than just a standard "60 Hz" panel. Furthermore, if we connect the C7K to a computer and set the resolution to Full HD. But we will write more about this in the paragraph on gamers and PC compatibility. Returning to everyday use – both sports and movies look very good here. Thanks to the fast panel and the well-functioning motion smoother, the C7K is great for watching matches, but also for movie screenings. In the menu, we find two sliders – motion blur reduction and flicker reduction – that allow you to adjust the fluidity effect to your own preferences. At lower settings, we get a more cinematic effect, with slight judder. At higher settings – the image becomes more theatrical, fluid to the point of excess. Whatever your preference – everyone can set it their own way.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Smużenie (4K 144Hz):

We have to say it straight – we are a bit shocked at how well the C7K handles motion blur. Or rather... its absence. For an LCD, this panel responds exceptionally quickly, which is quite rare these days, even in pricier models. Of course, the more nitpicky observers will notice that in very dark scenes, you can still catch minor traces of motion blur – but that’s more of an exception than the rule. For those particularly sensitive to fluidity, TCL has prepared something else – the BFI feature, which inserts a black frame between images. Does it work? Yes. It clearly reduces motion blur, but unfortunately, it can cause the outlines to appear "smeared" in dynamic scenes. Brightness does not drop as drastically as with many competitors – where enabling BFI can dim the screen by half or more. Here, the drop is negligible. Is it worth using? We wouldn't really recommend it – the panel handles itself very well without this option. But if someone wants to – go ahead, there's plenty to choose from.

TCL C7K - Console compatibility and gaming features

9.8/10

ALLM: Yes
VRR: Yes
VRR range: 48 - 144Hz
Dolby Vision Game Mode: Yes
Correct implementation of HGIG: Yes
1080p@120Hz: Yes
1440p@120Hz: Yes
4K@120Hz: Yes
Game bar: Yes

TCL C7K is a television that on paper looks like the perfect equipment for gamers – and most importantly, it performs well in practice too. Here's some good news: we have two full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, so we can easily connect both a console and a computer, using all their capabilities. The panel itself supports a refresh rate of 144 Hz, which provides a significant advantage in dynamic games. Additionally, it comes with a full set of gaming features: VRR (variable refresh rate), ALLM (automatic low latency mode), and support for Dolby Vision in games. There's also an HGiG mode that allows for HDR effects that align with the creators' intentions. GameBar, which is an information bar for gamers. It operates quickly, looks clear (like a Nintendo console👌), and shows what's most important: the current frame rate, VRR status, and even HDR parameters.

TCL C7K - Input lag

9.7/10

When it comes to delays, the C7K gives no reasons to complain. In games at 120 Hz, the input lag is around 10 ms, which means that the TV responds really quickly. Interestingly, even in Dolby Vision mode, the result is very similar, which isn't always the case. Good job, TCL. At 60 Hz, the lag does increase a bit, but that's completely normal and applies to pretty much every TV with a refresh rate of 120Hz and above. The most important thing is that everything still runs smoothly and there's no feeling that something isn't responding to our actions.

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 19 ms	2160p60: 19 ms	2160p60 DV: 19 ms
1080p120: 11 ms	2160p120: 10 ms	2160p120 DV: 10 ms
2160p60: 19 ms
2160p120: 11 ms

TCL C7K - Compatibility with PC

8.4/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Good

Readability of dark text and shapes: Good

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 11ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR

Max refresh rate: 144Hz

G-Sync: Yes

Review TCL C7K / QM7K Compatibility with PC

If we plan to connect the C7K to a computer – especially for gaming – there's definitely a lot to play with. We have 4K at 144 Hz, which already sounds great, but if we drop the resolution, the TV can even display 280 Hz. In e-sports, where every split second counts, this really makes a difference. On top of that, it supports G-Sync and FreeSync, so no matter what graphics card we have – the image will be smooth, with no stuttering or tearing.

But if we plan to put the C7K on a desk and use it like a monitor, it's a bit less "rosy." Sure, it supports chroma 4:4:4, so fonts should be sharp, but with very dark letters, you can notice slight blurriness and edge dimming. It's not something that immediately stands out during gaming or watching, but when working with text – it can be distracting. In everyday use – relatively worry-free, but if we plan to have a 50-inch screen a metre from our face, it's worth keeping this in mind.

TCL C7K - Viewing angles

3/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 75%

There's no surprise here – the C7K has classic viewing angles for a VA panel. That is: we sit directly in front – it's excellent. Colours look good, contrast is strong, everything is in place. But just shifting slightly to the side starts to make things worse – the image loses saturation, the blacks turn grey, and the overall impression diminishes a bit. So if we plan to watch together with a few people or have a sofa that takes up half the lounge – it’s worth seating everyone more centrally. You can watch from the side, but don’t expect miracles – it’s simply a characteristic of the VA panel.

TCL C7K - TV efficiency during daytime

6.1/10

Matrix coating: Satin

Reflection suppression: Good

Black levels during daytime: Very Good

Luckily, the TCL C7K performs quite well in bright rooms. The applied panel has a satin finish that effectively reduces reflections, so even on sunny days we don't have to worry about reflections from lamps or windows. Importantly, the colours maintain their intensity and don't wash out, as can happen with weaker matte panels. As for brightness, the average for content like YouTube or regular television reaches just below 500 nits. It's not a record result – for example, the MQLED85 (C765) performs better in this regard. However, for everyday viewing during the day, it should work without major issues, as long as we don't plan to place it opposite a south-facing window without curtains.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

TCL C7K / QM7K: 475 cd/m2

TCL C7K - TV features

7.7/10

System: Google TV

System performance: Good

HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)

Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): No
Recording programming: No
Picture in Picture (PiP): No
RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
Backlit remote control: No
Teletext: Yes
Audio only mode: Yes
Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV: Yes
Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker: Yes

Smart features:

AirPlay: Yes
Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
Wyszukiwanie głosowe: Yes
Voice search in native language: Yes
Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes

SmartTV: GoogleTV

The biggest strength of the TCL C7K in everyday use is undoubtedly the Google TV system. It is thanks to this that we have access to an almost endless library of applications, including some more niche ones that are often unavailable on other platforms. The built-in Google Assistant understands Polish, so we can easily ask what is on TV, what the weather is like, and even give a few voice commands to control the television. The presence of Chromecast and AirPlay, which work smoothly and make life easier, is also a plus.

Usability Features

However, the traditional functions are a bit lacking. Of course, we have the basics – teletext, EPG, or the ability to connect headphones – but that’s pretty much where it ends. There's a lack of USB recording features or picture-in-picture (PiP) mode, which can still be found among competitors. It's also worth remembering that Google TV in the TCL version sometimes has strangely translated menu sections or minor interface errors. These aren’t issues that hinder daily use, but detail-oriented individuals may notice them.

TCL C7K - Apps

9.6/10

TCL C7K - Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

9.2/10

Video Photos Audio

Maximum photo resolution:	Supported photo formats:
4 Mpix	JPEG
6 Mpix	HEIC
8 Mpix	PNG
10 Mpix	GIF
12 Mpix	WebP
16 Mpix	TIFF
20 Mpix	BMP
24 Mpix	SVG
28 Mpix
32 Mpix

The built-in file player in the TCL C7K performs really well. It supports most popular audio and video formats, so if we want to quickly plug in something from a USB drive and get it going – there shouldn't be any problem. Of course, as is often the case, you can find some minor shortcomings – not every exotic codec will work (Apple's HEIC), not all subtitles will be perfectly synchronised (txt.). However, the biggest advantage of this television comes to the rescue, which is Google TV. With access to the Google Play Store, we can easily install an alternative player, such as VLC, and then no files will frighten us.

TCL C7K - Sound

7/10

Subjective sound quality

Supported codecs

(TV speakers)

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Dolby True HD 7.1

Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

DTS-HD Master Audio

Supported codecs

(external HDMI eARC audio)

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Dolby True HD 7.1

Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

DTS-HD Master Audio

To be honest, we didn't expect much from the sound of the 50-inch version of the C7K model. Usually, in such sizes, it's hard to find anything more than thin, flat sound. But here – a pleasant surprise. The sound turned out to be really enjoyable, with good clarity and even a subtly noticeable bass. This is probably linked to TCL's new collaboration with the Bang & Olufsen brand, which is a novelty for 2025. Whether the C7K actually contains original drivers from the Danish premium brand – we can't confirm that. But the end result still deserves a thumbs up. For a TV without a soundbar – it sounds quite nice.