TCL V6C Review

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This TV was tested by:

Maciej Koper

Paweł Koper

Last updated::

10/2/2025 1:51:09 PM

In the TV market, there are plenty of models that tempt with their price, but it's rare to find something truly cheap with a full Google TV system. The TCK V6C belongs to this group – it’s one of the cheapest receivers with that platform, and thus naturally attracts the attention of those looking for simple access to apps and smart functions. However, the system alone is not everything. After all, a TV is primarily about the picture, and that can determine whether an evening screening ends in delight or mild disappointment. That’s why, in this test, we check how the V6C performs in every important area – from contrast and HDR, through colour reproduction, to gaming latency.

Product purchase

10/15/2025

Testing started

9/11/2025

Technical data published

10/2/2025

Review published

10/2/2025

TCL V6C - Our verdict

5.2

Overall rating

The TCL V6C is a television whose appeal lies primarily in three elements: the Google TV system, several features beneficial for gamers, and a very low price. The biggest advantage is indeed Google TV – it provides access to an enormous library of apps, from the most popular streaming services to lesser-known programs, and it allows the use of AirPlay, screen mirroring, and voice search. For many users, this system alone may be a sufficient reason to consider a purchase. Additionally, there are simple yet practical features for gamers, such as ALLM mode, low input lag, and a Game Bar with parameter previews, which make occasional gaming on a console more convenient. The third argument, and perhaps the most important, is the price – it’s hard to find another model with Google TV in this class that offers such wide access to smart features. However, when it comes to picture quality, it’s clear that we are dealing with a significant number of compromises. The V6C is a very dim television. Colours remain dull, and in more demanding scenes, the image can be flat and lacking in detail. The contrast provided by the VA panel can be considered decent, but this comes at the cost of weak viewing angles. Additionally, there is motion blur in dynamic sports scenes, as well as an unnatural upscaling effect that often artificially sharpens details instead of enhancing them. So, who is this model for? The V6C is a television that will work well as a simple device for everyday watching of TV or YouTube, and its greatest strength is its operating system and low price. However, if we’re hoping for budget-friendly cinematic experiences or comfortable gaming in modern titles, this model will quickly reveal its limitations. Therefore, when purchasing it, one must be clear about what they are choosing – it’s a television for simple tasks, not a device that is meant to impress with picture quality.

Advantages

Attractive price
Advanced GoogleTV system with a large app library
Decent contrast thanks to the VA panel
Quite a good functioning dynamic tone mapping feature (often saves the TV in HDR content)
Low input lag below 15 ms
Presence of ALLM mode and simple Game Bar
Support for Dolby Vision Gaming (Xbox Series S/X)
Support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, making it easier to use with a soundbar

Disadvantages

Very low brightness (~200 nits) = no cinematic effects
Narrow colour gamut coverage, especially in HDR content
Poor Dolby Vision implementation
Strong motion blur in dynamic scenes (panel only 60 Hz)
Average upscaling – the image can be artificially sharpened
Unusual subpixel arrangement making font readability difficult when working with PC
Limited viewing angles typical of VA panels
The TV performs poorly in heavily sunlit rooms
Google TV system can be sluggish and doesn't operate as smoothly as in more expensive models
No USB recording feature or Picture-in-Picture mode

Movies and series in UHD quality

4.9
Classic TV, YouTube

5.0
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

3.9
Gaming on console

6.0
TV as a computer monitor

4.0
Watching in bright light

3.6
Utility functions

7.3
Apps

9.6
Sound quality

5.8

TCL V6C - Competing TVs in this price range

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SONY BRAVIA 3 55”

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XIAOMI A PRO 2026 55”

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LG QNED93A / QNED90A 55”

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Samsung QN85F 55”

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Samsung QN90F / QN92F 55”

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TCL V6C - TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1 Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Build quality: Average

Stand type: Legs

Bezel colour: Graphite

Stand: Fixed

Flat design: No

Accessories: Stand

The TCK V6C immediately lets you know that it's a budget segment television, but that doesn't mean it looks bad at all. From the front, it presents itself quite decently – a slim, black-graphite frame with a metallic finish fits the standard most manufacturers have accustomed us to. The differences only become apparent when you look at the back. You can see that the designers had to save a bit – the casing is noticeably thicker, and the components protrude in a way that makes it difficult to mount the television very close to the wall. However, for many people, this won’t be a problem, as the package also includes wide-set plastic feet. They may not look overly attractive, but they hold everything stable and do their job well.

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TCL V6C - Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

5.2/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Local dimming function: No

Review TCL V6C Contrast and black detail

Result

4,450:1

Result

4,900:1

Result

3,150:1

Result

4,250:1

Result

2,550:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

The TCK V6C uses a VA matrix, which is a solution that is considered quite a sensible choice in budget televisions. This type of panel offers high contrast and can provide pleasant experiences, especially during evening movie sessions. Of course, in this price range, it’s hard to expect local dimming – that technology is simply not present here. The effect is that blacks won’t be as deep and inky as in more expensive models, and at times they might resemble more of a shade of navy. Fortunately, this can be easily worked around – just turn on a soft light behind the television or place a small lamp in the corner of the room, and the eye will "trick" itself, making the blacks appear much better. Given the equipment in this range, the contrast can therefore be regarded as decent and sufficient for everyday viewing.

TCL V6C - HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

3.2/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 80.3%, Bt.2020: 58.9%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Result

149 nit

Result

163 nit

Result

193 nit

Result

172 nit

Result

196 nit

When it comes to HDR, the TCK V6C clearly shows that it is not its strong suit. A peak brightness of around 200 nits makes it difficult to talk about true HDR effects – the picture simply remains too dark to bring out details in bright scenes or convey the appropriate dynamics. Although the television formally supports many HDR formats, it is not practically equipped for such demanding content. The lack of additional layers that enhance colors, such as QLED or PFS LED, further limits the appeal of the image – in more spectacular productions, the colours may seem washed out compared to more expensive models. Therefore, the V6C will primarily serve as a television for everyday viewing, YouTube, or SDR content, rather than as equipment for high-quality cinematic experiences.

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.

Since brightness is not a strong point of the V6C, we didn't expect too much from it when looking at its adaptation to very demanding films. In the case of spectacular blockbusters recorded with the highest image quality, like the film Pan, the television completely loses it – the image loses depth, and the dynamics are heavily flattened. On the other hand, there is no drama either; the V6C doesn't wash everything out in grey as much as happens with other budget constructions. It looks a bit better in less demanding productions, for example, in a scene from the film Billy Lynn, that is, in content similar to what we find on streaming platforms like Netflix. There, the function hidden in the menu under the name “detailed priority description” manages to recover a lot of details, even if the television does not impress with brightness. Therefore, we definitely recommend turning it on in this model.

HDR luminance chart:

HDR luminance

As can be seen in the comparative photo, content recorded with static HDR10 metadata can look surprisingly good – mainly thanks to the aforementioned "detail priority description" feature. The image in this mode presents itself quite decently, with a lot of detail that doesn't spoil the overall perception of the television. Naturally, we expected that by using dynamic metadata, such as Dolby Vision or HDR10+, the V6C would show even better results than with its own image adaptation. However, it turned out that this model is somewhat of an exception to the rule – content presented in Dolby Vision may look worse than in HDR10. This is quite an unusual situation, which shows that in the world of budget televisions, sometimes theoretical advantages do not always translate into practical effects.

Static HDR10

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).

TCL V6C - Smoothness of tonal transitions

7/10

When it comes to the fluidity of tonal transitions, it doesn’t look too bad during everyday viewing. In most scenes, the image appears smooth, and the colours blend without noticeable disruptions. So you can comfortably watch movies or series without worrying about glaring artefacts. The problem only starts in more extreme moments – in very bright or exceptionally dark scenes, the V6C shows its limitations. You can then see slight "stepping" of colours, meaning a lack of perfectly smooth transitions. Fortunately, these are rather sporadic situations.

Review TCL V6C Smoothness of tonal transitions — 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.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

5/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

The match photo shows how the TV smooths weak tonal transitions in low-quality video. The model photo shows how it handles upscaling of SD material.

When it comes to upscaling, the V6C doesn't bring anything groundbreaking to the table. Lower quality content is heavily sharpened, making the image look quite unnatural, at times almost artificial. This can be somewhat alleviated by reducing the sharpness level in the settings, but the effect isn't spectacular. The image still falls short of perfection. The digital processing itself performs better. The function responsible for smoothing tonal transitions works quite effectively, especially at the medium setting, where the image truly appears smoother. Unfortunately, its operation is rather aggressive – it heavily interferes with the overall scene, causing actors in the foreground to start looking like characters from super smooth soap operas. Therefore, we would not recommend using this option if a natural viewing experience is important to us.

TCL V6C - Blur and motion smoothness

3/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 60Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: No

Review TCL V6C Blur and motion smoothness — The photo presents the motion smoothing settings in the tested TV.

Smoothing and motion fluidity are areas where the V6C quickly reveals its limitations. It's a 60 Hz TV, so it was hard to expect miracles here. In dynamic sports scenes, the image performs rather mediocrely. This is most noticeable in darker scenes, where distinct trails and blurred "halos" follow moving objects, which can be quite distracting. This is definitely a weaker point of this model. Fortunately, there is also a small plus. The V6C is equipped with a motion smoother that works while watching movies. Thanks to it, productions filmed at 24 frames per second, which is practically all cinema titles and series, can look smoother than they were actually recorded. Importantly, the intensity of the effect can be adjusted to personal preferences – from slight smoothing to the full "soap opera effect."

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

TCL V6C - Console compatibility and gaming features

4/10

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

Even though the V6C is not a TV designed with avid gamers in mind, TCL has included a few features that may appeal to more casual users. You'll not find a 120 Hz panel or HDMI 2.1 ports here, but there is an ALLM mode that automatically switches the TV into low latency mode. There's also a quite practical Game Bar – a simple panel allowing the preview of basic parameters, changing the picture mode, or even enabling a virtual crosshair on the screen. Another interesting feature is the support for Dolby Vision Gaming, intended for Xbox Series S/X consoles – a nice addition, although in practice it doesn’t offer as much as in more expensive models. However, the biggest issue remains the HDR configuration. The HGiG function, responsible for adjusting the brightness and contrast of games to the capabilities of the panel, doesn't respond as we would expect – the picture can be overly dark or too flattened. As a result, a better solution turns out to be simply playing in SDR mode, where the V6C operates steadily and doesn’t try to pretend to be an HDR TV.

TCL V6C - Input lag

10/10

The input lag measurement shows values below 15 ms, which is a level that is practically difficult to perceive with the naked eye. Even in dynamic games, the action remains responsive, and the controls are smooth. This is a result that can confidently be considered very good and sufficiently adequate for most players, even if the V6C is not strictly gaming hardware.

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 14 ms	2160p60: 13 ms	2160p60 DV: 13 ms
2160p60: 13 ms

TCL V6C - Compatibility with PC

4/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Average

Readability of dark text and shapes: Average

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 13ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR

Max refresh rate: 60Hz

G-Sync: No

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.

Cooperation with a PC is only partially satisfying. The television supports chroma 4:4:4, so at first glance, the fonts look quite decent. The problem arises when we take a closer look – under the microscope, it turns out that TCL has used an atypical subpixel arrangement in the V6C. Instead of the classic vertical layout, we have a horizontal arrangement here, which in practice causes various artifacts and unevenness in displaying letters. As a result, the fonts can appear jagged, and after prolonged use, the text can be straining on the eyes. Therefore, it’s hard to regard the V6C as a sensible substitute for a monitor – while it’s suitable for the occasional opening of a browser or watching content from a computer, it simply doesn't work as a primary screen for work. There’s also not much to say about gaming features, as they simply aren’t present.

TCL V6C - Viewing angles

2.9/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 79%

The viewing angles on the V6C are the classic compromise we know from VA matrices. We gain solid black when watching straight on, but just a slight shift to the side clearly diminishes the image quality – colours fade and contrast drops. This is a typical limitation of this technology and probably won’t surprise anyone who has previously dealt with TVs. In practice, this means that the V6C works best in a “one sofa” setup – when watching straight in front of the screen, the black looks decent, but a larger group of viewers spread across the living room will quickly notice differences in the displayed image.

TCL V6C - TV efficiency during daytime

3.6/10

Matrix coating: Satin

Reflection suppression: Decent

Black levels during daytime: Good

The V6C’s performance during the day isn’t one of its strong points. It’s a relatively dim television, which is why it simply struggles in heavily lit rooms. The satin finish on the panel somewhat dampens reflections and does indeed reduce troublesome glares, but it’s not enough to speak of full viewing comfort. When a lot of natural light floods into the room, the screen isn’t able to “break through” it, causing the image to appear dull and hard to read. The V6C is definitely a piece of equipment that feels much better suited for evening viewing than for sunny afternoons.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

TCL V6C: 210 cd/m2

TCL V6C - TV features

7.3/10

System: Google TV

System performance: Average

HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
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
Bluetooth headphones support: Yes
Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio: Yes

Smart features:

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

SmartTV: GoogleTV

The biggest asset of the V6C is the Google TV operating system. It's an advanced platform that provides access to a vast array of applications – from YouTube, Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max, to less popular programs that can be easily downloaded from the Google store. Additionally, there are useful features such as AirPlay, screen mirroring, and voice search. However, it’s important to note that Google TV is not the lightest system. In the case of the V6C, which is a budget television, there are sometimes noticeable lags and slower interface responses. This doesn't ruin everyday use, but it can be felt, especially compared to more expensive TCL models or competitors.

Classic Features

The V6C also doesn’t forget about solutions for those who use television in a traditional way. The package includes a classic remote with a large number of buttons, including a full numeric keypad. This is practical for people watching terrestrial or cable television. The television also offers teletext and a clear interface for managing channels. Notably, the Bluetooth support is hassle-free – we can easily pair headphones or a speaker. Therefore, the V6C performs solidly as an everyday television, though one must remember certain limitations. There’s no USB recording or picture-in-picture (PiP) mode, which are features that mainly older users might need. (Though not only 😉).

Sound connection options

HDMI audio:

eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)

Other audio outputs:

Toslink: Yes

Wireless audio:

Bluetooth: Yes

Obsługiwane formaty audio:

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

Ułatwienia dla seniorów

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

TCL V6C - Apps

9.6/10

TCL V6C - Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

8.7/10

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

Playing files from USB on the V6C is quite decent. The built-in player handles most popular video and audio formats well, and during tests, we didn't encounter significant issues with typical files. The biggest problem arose with very high-resolution photos - above 20 Mpix, the TV often refused to cooperate. We also noticed some minor functionality gaps regarding video playback. The video player lacks the option to change font colours, which worked without issues in other TCL models. Fortunately, these are inconveniences that are easy to get around. Thanks to Google TV, you can install external applications like VLC or KODI, which solve most problems and offer much broader file handling capabilities.

TCL V6C - Sound

5.8/10

83dB

Maximum volume

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

The sound on the V6C doesn't stand out from the competition in the same price range. The audio is quite flat, and there's simply a lack of bass. Fortunately, the television can play loud – measured at 83 decibels, it's a pretty decent result, and importantly, even at maximum volume, there is no unpleasant crackling that often plagues cheaper models. However, it's worth noting the support for advanced surround sound formats rather than just the quality of the built-in audio. The V6C handles Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, so connecting a soundbar or another external audio system won't be an issue and will allow full use of these codecs. This is a good sign for those planning to expand their setup with additional audio equipment.