Michał Stekla
At the turn of May and June, we had the opportunity to participate in a closed event Expert Meets Expert organised by TCL. The meeting had a practical format – no stage, no formal presentations, but access to equipment, detailed information, and conversations with individuals responsible for product development. TCL, as every year, showcased a very wide portfolio of models for the upcoming season.
TCL: Europe is increasingly prioritising image quality
One of the main messages from the entire meeting? Europe is distancing itself from the rest of the world when it comes to choosing a television. Instead of focusing solely on price or size, we are increasingly looking at the PQ ratio, which is simply the quality of image relative to price. And TCL is recognising this.
The producer announces that in 2025 it will further enter the segment of cheaper, yet well-looking televisions Mini-LED – as this technology is expected to be within reach of a significantly wider audience than before. And since the TCL portfolio will, as always, be enormous, let’s start with the creme de la creme – the three most important models.
Flagship trio: X11K, C9K and C8K
X11K – that is X955 for the masses (almost)
TCL announces that the model X11K will be a cheaper alternative to last year's X955, but without any compromises in performance. In every version – 85, and even almost 100 inches – the television is expected to have over 10,000 dimming zones and achieve brightness levels of 6500 nits (though this is likely in dynamic mode, rather than film mode). Top-notch parameters, with only the price being lower. Sounds like a plan for sales success.
C9K – a new player on the pitch
C9K had no predecessor, but it is already known that it will be referred to as a more powerful version of C8K. Many zones (even twice as many as in C8K), large sizes (over 65 inches) and parameters similar to the "eight". Theoretically: better black levels, higher brightness. Will this be the case in practice? We shall see.
C8K – continuation of C855
If I had to point out the most serious contender for the flagship sales hit of 2025 from TCL, it would be the C8K. In comparison to its predecessor, it is expected to have more local dimming zones, a new generation of Mini-LED, and a completely refreshed design – a screen without black bezels, reaching all the way to the edge. But the biggest upgrade is the new WHVA panel, meaning VA with wide viewing angles. Finally! Until now, this was a serious problem for TCL models – now it seems to have been solved.
Televisions for People – the Mid-Range Segment That Could Shake Things Up
During the presentation, TCL emphasised that the average expenditure on a television in Europe is around 500 euros. In this context, two models are particularly promising and have a chance to compete for popularity in this price segment – C7K and C6K.
C7K – Successor to MQLED85 / C765
Here we may not have a revolution in the number of local dimming zones compared to its predecessor, but the new 23-bit Mini-LED technology is expected to provide a significant boost in brightness and better dimming of zones (read: less halo effect around objects). A real bombshell? Availability of the 115-inch version. Yes – this enormous screen enters the mid-range segment. It's a clear signal that TCL wants to shake things up in the "big screen at a sensible price" category. Adding to that is the new CrystalGlow coating, which is designed to absorb light reflections more effectively, making it really interesting.
C6K / C69K / Q6C – potential bestseller 2025
Its predecessor – C655 Pro – surprised us, and very positively, in 2024: local dimming at such a price is a rarity. But it lacked sizes and greater freedom of choice. TCL has done its homework. The new C6K is to be available in six sizes, have 2.5 times more dimming zones, and on top of that – attention – a 144 Hz panel in 4K! A fully-fledged Mini-LED with good contrast, great fluidity, and without a hefty price tag. Sounds like a bestseller.
What else? QLEDs, classic LCDs and... finally Filmmaker Mode
In TCL's offering for 2025, we will also find classic QLED and LCD televisions – series P. But honestly? After what has been presented in Mini-LEDs, it's hard to get too excited about them. It is worth noting, however, one important novelty: all new Mini-LED models (the exception here is the C6KS model - at least for now) are to be default equipped with Filmmaker Mode. Finally! The mode that eliminates unnatural colour grading of the image and brings us closer to what the filmmaker intended has been practically absent at TCL until now. It is now becoming a standard.
Monitors and Sound – also Mini-LED, also with Ambitions
TCL did not show only televisions. New monitors were also introduced – and here the manufacturer also opted for Mini-LED technology. A total of five models, all with high refresh rates (above 120 Hz) and a DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage of 98%.
When it comes to audio, although we do not delve into it as thoroughly, it must be admitted – it looks very promising. TCL has heavily invested in collaboration with Onkyo, and this is evident – both from the specifications and from the disassembled unit, where you could see the powerful membranes at the back of the television and an audio system extending to the bottom of the casing. This may herald a noticeable improvement in sound compared to its predecessors. Of course, if that isn’t enough for someone, TCL also has quite a few soundbars in its offer.
TCL strikes
TCL consistently develops its strategy: Mini-LED technology is becoming more accessible, reaching more affordable models, while the flagships continue to impress with their specifications. The company responds to user feedback – improving viewing angles, expanding size availability, adding reference modes, and modernising the design. On paper, it looks very good. But how will it perform in practice? We will find out soon! In the meantime, we invite you to our review of the best TCL televisions from 2024. They are now available at really great prices!
