Blaupunkt UGC5500S vs IFFALCON U85X

Direct comparison

U85X1

Available screen sizes: 43”50”55”65”75”

Available screen sizes: 65”

Panel type: LCD IPS

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2025

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Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2026

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Overall rating

5.0

6.9

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    4.2

    6.2

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    4.1

    6.3

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    4.1

    6.1

  • Gaming on console

    5.4

    8.4

  • TV as a computer monitor

    6.0

    8.6

  • Watching in bright light

    4.0

    5.6

  • Utility functions

    5.1

    7.6

  • Apps

    9.6

    9.6

  • Sound quality

    6.0

    6.9

Advantages

  • Google TV system: a massive library of applications

  • Relatively low input lag

  • Good viewing angles: thanks to the IPS panel

  • Working with PC: exemplary font readability (Chroma 4:4:4)

  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz at Full HD resolution

  • Presence of a classic mini-jack output

  • Quite pleasant sound: clear and loud beyond the "budget" standard

  • Good contrast and black: VA panel with MINI-LED local dimming zones

  • High HDR brightness: solid 650 nits

  • Decent colours: thanks to the PFS filter (according to the manufacturer QLED)

  • Revolutionary for gamers: full HDMI 2.1, 144Hz, very low input lag, and VRR/ALLM features

  • Great as a monitor: 240Hz mode, support for G-SYNC/FreeSync

  • Powerful sound – dedicated subwoofer provides a noticeably deep bass

  • Versatile Smart TV – advanced Google TV system with full AirPlay support

Disadvantages

No like
  • Very weak black and contrast

  • HDR: low brightness (250 nits) and lack of real effect

  • System fluidity: sluggish operation and "dull" remote

  • Motion: complete lack of digital smoothers in the menu

  • Image processing: visible overscan and motion artifacts

  • Visible trailing

  • Backlight management could be better

  • Poor viewing angles – typical VA panel colour degradation when viewed from the side

  • Software issues – inaccurate menu translations and occasional drops in system fluidity

Our verdict

Blaupunkt UGC5500S is a textbook example of a very cheap television that has primarily two huge advantages: the Google TV system and an extremely low price. It is these two elements that make it an appealing option for many people. During testing, we also found a great alternative use for it, which is working with a computer. Thanks to the exemplary legibility of fonts and good viewing angles of the IPS matrix, Blaupunkt surprisingly performs well as an inexpensive monitor. However, one must be aware that this device is typically budget-friendly, and this cost-saving is evident in the image quality. The matrix is simply dim, making it difficult to excel in challenging lighting conditions, not to mention creating any real HDR effect. Additionally, despite good viewing angles, the black level on this model leaves much to be desired – in the evenings, it will be rather dark grey, which is a typical characteristic of the IPS technology used here. Viewed through the lens of price, this is a device that aims to compete in the market not based on image quality, but rather on the amount on the receipt. Blaupunkt UGC5500S will fit perfectly as an additional television in the home, equipment for the holiday home, or in a less important room where the image simply needs to be present, and we want to enjoy all the benefits and applications that Google TV offers.

iFFALCON U85X is a device that draws heavily from the technological solutions of its parent brand, TCL. It's hard not to get the impression that, in terms of pure technical specifications, we are dealing with almost a faithful copy of the successful C6K (C69K/Q6C) series, although in terms of design, the designers opted for references to the more budget-friendly P line. This specific combination makes the television do exactly what we expect from a solid Mini-LED, but at an even lower price. It provides very good contrast and a vivid HDR effect, which is directly due to the impressive number of local dimming zones. It is worth noting that, like the models from the C series, iFFALCON U85X turns out to be exceptionally tailored to the needs of gamers. Here we find almost every function necessary for comfortable gameplay, from full support for HDMI 2.1 ports, through ALLM and VRR technologies for console owners, to remarkable compatibility with PCs. As a monitor, the device performs excellently not only due to its support for refresh rates up to 240Hz but also because of the very sharp and readable font, which is not always a given in the world of televisions. Of course, this is not an ideal model, as it shares the same set of advantages and disadvantages as its TCL counterpart – mainly referring to issues like noticeable ghosting or aggressive brightness management in HDR. However, it creates an exceptionally interesting mix that makes us seriously question the sense of the existence of the iFFALCON brand as a separate entity, since the same product could successfully debut with the full TCL logo on the casing. Nonetheless, we have no major objections to the device itself; it is truly a model worth considering, provided you manage to buy it, as it is currently very difficult to obtain.

TV appearance

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

Contrast and black detail

2.2/10

7.3/10

Local dimming function: No

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 224 (14 x 16)

Contrast:

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,000:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,100:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,150:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,100:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,050:1

Review IFFALCON U85X Contrast and black detail

Result

113,850:1

Review IFFALCON U85X Contrast and black detail

Result

24,800:1

Review IFFALCON U85X Contrast and black detail

Result

10,950:1

Review IFFALCON U85X Contrast and black detail

Result

7,000:1

Review IFFALCON U85X Contrast and black detail

Result

6,050:1

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.

To put it bluntly: when it comes to blacks, it is simply very poor. Our measurements on test screens have only confirmed what we saw with the naked eye – a result around 1000:1 is disappointing nowadays, even in this price range. In cinematic conditions, this "black" simply does not exist. To be more specific, we fired up one of our favourite test scenes – a helicopter flyover in “Sicario 2” (you can see this in the video we’ve included below). Instead of a pitch-black, deep night, we got an image that is... navy blue. Everything that should be dark and mysterious on screen actually shines a dark blue. This is the price we pay for using an IPS panel. On one hand, we get fairly decent viewing angles, so if you’re watching television with the whole family from different angles, the picture doesn’t lose much saturation. On the other hand, if you plan to have evening screenings with the lights turned off, this lack of contrast will hit your eyes from the first minute.

In terms of blacks and contrast, the 65-inch iFFALCON U85X turns out to be almost an exact copy of the solutions known from the TCL C6K and C69K models, offering the same number of 224 local dimming zones in a 14x16 arrangement. Thanks to the use of a VA panel and such a solid number of zones, the device is capable of generating an image with impressive depth, where our measurements in real film scenes indicated a contrast exceeding 100,000:1. Of course, with this class of equipment, local dimming does not always achieve perfect precision, so in more challenging scenes with bright details against a dark background, we must reckon with the occurrence of the halo effect, which is a subtle glow around objects. Nevertheless, the overall quality of blacks is at a very high level and will certainly satisfy most users seeking cinematic experiences. The image certainly appears to have greater depth than in solutions without any local dimming technology.

HDR effect quality

3.8/10

4.7/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HLG
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 81.8%, Bt.2020: 60.3%
DCI P3: 93.7%, Bt.2020: 72.5%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

232 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

245 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

255 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

238 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

252 nit

Review IFFALCON U85X Brightness measurement

Result

627 nit

Review IFFALCON U85X Brightness measurement

Result

165 nit

Review IFFALCON U85X Brightness measurement

Result

390 nit

Review IFFALCON U85X Brightness measurement

Result

124 nit

Review IFFALCON U85X Brightness measurement

Result

528 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).

HDR luminance chart:

IFFALCON U85X

Blaupunkt UGC5500S

Here, too, we will not mince words – if you are looking for a television strictly for cinematic experiences in HDR, you have come to the wrong place. The Blaupunkt UGC5500S is unfortunately not a machine designed for such challenges. This is primarily due to its very low brightness, which we measured during our tests. A result of around 250 nits on film scenes speaks for itself. It is simply too little to even talk about any real HDR effect. Quite frankly, everything displayed here in this format can be confidently regarded as a somewhat “enhanced” SDR mode. We expected this, as virtually every device in this price range falters in this area, but we feel obliged to warn you about it. Manufacturers love to boast about HDR compatibility with stickers on their boxes, but in reality, this format simply does not exist here – it lacks the “fuel” of brightness.

The situation is particularly difficult for Blaupunkt, as we are dealing with a panel that has a very basic coverage of the DCI-P3 colour palette, reaching only about 80%. You will not find any advanced coatings to extend these capabilities (such as quantum dots), which means that scenes that should ideally burst with richly saturated colours appear simply under-saturated on this screen. Therefore, we have a specific piece of advice for you: do not force the HDR mode on this model. If you have the option in the streaming app settings – simply turn it off. By sticking to the classic SDR mode, you can be sure that the television will not attempt to “enhance” something that it cannot handle hardware-wise.

iFFALCON U85 handles HDR in a rather twofold manner – on one hand, it can surprise with solid peak brightness of around 650 nits, which places it well above average in this price segment. This is especially evident in bright, full-screen scenes. Examples from films such as Life of Pi or the final test sequences from The Meg prove that the television can maintain the power and essence of HDR effect when the entire panel needs to "ignite," delivering truly satisfying experiences. However, problems arise in high-contrast scenes, where smaller, bright details appear on the screen; the dimming algorithms prioritize black depth to such an extent that they can stifle the brightness of small light points to just 100 nits, which drastically reduces image dynamics and deprives us of the true "bite" we expect from HDR standards. On a brighter note, however, the colours remain impressive, as the use of the PFS phosphor filter (marketed as QLED by the manufacturer) showcases them very well, achieving nearly 94% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour palette, allowing for a vibrant and rich image in most content.

Factory color reproduction

4.8/10

4.8/10

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

We also took a close look at how Blaupunkt handles colours in movie mode, and here the matter is, in short, twofold. Once again, we need to clearly separate what we see in standard SDR format from what happens when HDR is turned on, as these are two entirely different worlds. Let’s start with the better side of the coin. If you plan to watch classic television, YouTube, or older films on this television, you can count on really reasonably well-tuned colours. In our test unit, the white balance in movie mode performed exceptionally well, which honestly surprised us. Of course, to avoid being overly optimistic, we did notice some shortcomings. Looking at the gamma charts, we observed that the processor struggles with appropriately dimming the image in its brightest areas. Additionally, there is quite a strong, at times excessively aggressive red saturation, which resulted in visible errors in reproducing certain shades. Nevertheless, in general terms, the image in SDR is simply solid and can be watched without a grimace on one’s face. Unfortunately, the charm disappears the moment we again enter the HDR world. Here, Blaupunkt behaves as if we suddenly switched it to shop mode, and in its worst version. The excess blue in the white balance is so significant that it is almost blinding, ruining any realism of the scene. Moreover, the television interprets brightness very loosely, which, when analysing the EOTF curve, clearly showed that for most of the time, the colours appear simply washed out and lacking in depth. This is, by the way, perfectly visible through the colour errors that become evident in this mode. Once again, we are left with the same conclusion: Blaupunkt in SDR mode looks significantly better and more natural than in HDR, which feels forced and lacking appropriate refinement.

We tested the factory colours on the iFFALCON U85X model in 'Film' mode, which is definitely the most reliable among all available settings, although it is still far from perfect. The main issue that stands out in both SDR and HDR content is the incorrect white balance – an excess of blue and red components gives the image a slight purple tint, which disrupts the naturalness of the film scenes. An even greater challenge is the way the television manages its brightness. Analyzing the gamma chart for the SDR signal, we noticed significant instability: instead of adhering to the standard value of 2.4, the device oscillates around 2.2, only to suddenly make an unnatural jump towards 3.0. In practice, this leads to confusing effects – large, bright areas on the screen appear too dark, while smaller elements are unnecessarily brightened. A similar characteristic can be found in the EOTF curve, which makes the image unpredictable and loses its cinematic authenticity.

Color reproduction after calibration

6.4/10

7.5/10

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.

It may sound like a joke – pulling out professional measuring equipment for a television costing around a thousand złotys / 250 dollars, but we wouldn’t be ourselves if we didn’t check it out. The question is: does such cheap equipment give us any room for manoeuvre when it comes to calibration? To your surprise, the answer is: yes, and very much so. In the Blaupunkt UGC5500S menu, we found surprisingly many options that allowed us to really work on the picture. These are not just empty sliders; they are specific tools that we could utilise using our measuring sensors and software. In SDR mode, the effects were visible to the naked eye. We successfully eliminated the problem we mentioned earlier – that excessive, almost artificial red saturation. We also fixed the issue of improper dimming in the brightest parts of the image. After calibration, the standard format image became significantly more balanced and simply correct. When it came to HDR, the situation was again more complicated. While we managed to 'tame' that aggressive blue tint in the white balance, it was clear that we were fighting somewhat in vain. Even after adjusting the settings, the television still tried to interfere with the image in its own way, as if the electronics knew better than us how the scene should look. Additionally, there is a hardware barrier that no slider can overcome – colours in HDR still remain under-saturated. This is simply due to the quality of the panel itself; it physically cannot produce the most vibrant colours. To sum up this topic: if any of you ask whether it is possible to calibrate a television for a 'thousand', we answer with full conviction: it is possible.

After professional calibration of the movie mode, we must admit that the result is more than satisfactory – the iFFALCON U85X undergoes a true transformation. Colour errors in SDR content have dropped to a level below 2, which makes them virtually imperceptible to the human eye. We have managed to set the white balance almost perfectly, and brightness management (gamma) has become nearly exemplary. As a result, with standard quality materials, the television simply looks perfect and it is difficult to fault it.

In the case of HDR signal, the situation has also significantly improved, although here the nature of the device becomes a bit more evident. Colour errors have been reduced to around 3, which is an outstanding result in this price range. However, it is worth taking a look at the EOTF graph (available on the right side of the screen in the filters: 4K HDR, gamma / EOTF) to notice what is not immediately visible regarding the brightness management by the U85. Although the reference line looks decent, in real film scenes, the television still interprets the signal “in its own way” due to very aggressive local dimming algorithms. Does this disqualify this model for watching HDR content? Absolutely not. It's simply a typical affliction of almost every Mini-LED, which must reconcile high brightness with the attempt to maintain deep blacks. One simply needs to be aware of these technical limitations, which are unavoidable in this segment.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

6.4/10

7/10

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.

Looking at our test photographs, it's really hard to criticise anything. Most of the colours in the attached images blend together almost perfectly, creating smooth gradients without noticeable "steps". And indeed, in most scenes where we captured these shots, it looked surprisingly good. However, the problem arises when we stop analysing still frames and simply start watching the films. In motion, the situation changes dramatically. During dynamic scenes on screen, artefacts begin to appear, which are a direct result of simply using a poor image processor here. Unfortunately, a static photo cannot convey this "jarring" of colours, but you must take our word for it: what looks clean and smooth in the picture can stand out harshly during the screening and is simply annoying. This is precisely why we have a rather low rating in this category.

In terms of fluidity of tonal transitions, the iFFALCON U85X performs quite decently. In most scenes, the gradients are almost imperceptible, so the annoying "banding" of colours should not be noticeable during daily viewing, for example, on choose.tv. However, it must be honestly admitted that in very dark shots, the image is not always perfectly smooth, and certain imperfections in the transitions between shades can be observed. Nevertheless, this result is more than satisfactory and does not spoil the overall perception of the picture.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

2.5/10

5/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
No
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.

If you expect the processor in this model to magically "fix" the poor-quality signal from cable TV or old films from YouTube, we must disappoint you. The capabilities of this television end at absolutely basic upscaling, which is simply stretching the image to a higher resolution. It does this adequately in that the image is not blurry, but there's no mention of any intelligent sharpening or adding details here. Worse still, Blaupunkt is completely devoid of any features for reducing unwanted tonal transitions. If the material being watched has what is known as banding (that is, ugly "steps" instead of a smooth transition of colours, e.g., in the sky), this television will display it in all its glory. Additionally, the television has a tendency to slightly crop the edges of the image. Instead of displaying 100% of what the source sends, Blaupunkt slightly enlarges the frame, causing us to lose details at the very edges of the screen. In summary: in the category of digital "enhancing" of images, Blaupunkt simply performs poorly. We receive a raw, unprocessed signal, with all its flaws.

When it comes to upscaling the image to 4K resolution, the iFFALCON U85X performs well. The device efficiently enhances low-quality signals, making even older materials look clean and clear on the 4K panel. At extremely low resolutions, such as 480p, one can notice slightly jagged edges (especially on fine lines), but let's be honest – this is a scenario that you will encounter only when watching very old recordings, so in everyday use, it is not a real problem.

Much worse is the digital processing aimed at smoothing tonal transitions. Although in the menu we find the “Gradual Smoothing” function, its effectiveness is at least questionable. In practice, it does not effectively eliminate banding (colour banding), and worse, it can cause more harm than good. This filter can be too aggressive in areas where it shouldn’t, artificially smoothing details that should not be altered, such as the natural texture of the face or fine details of skin texture. Instead of improving quality, this function can give the image an unnatural, “plastic” appearance, so it is best to use it with great caution or, preferably, leave it switched off.

Blur and motion smoothness

3.7/10

6.8/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
60Hz
144Hz
Film motion smoothing option
No
OK
Blur reduction option
No
OK
BFI function 60Hz
-
Yes, 120Hz (double contours)
BFI function 120Hz
-
Yes, 240Hz (double contours)
Brightness drop with BFI
-%
25%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Blur ():

Blur (4K@144Hz):

When it comes to motion fluidity, Blaupunkt has nothing to defend itself with. A 60 Hz panel at this price is standard, so none of us were expecting an impeccably sharp image in fast action scenes or during a match. However, the biggest drawback of this model is that you won't find any digital motion smoothers in the menu. The manufacturer has not given us any room for manoeuvre – nothing can be smoothed out or adjusted to our personal preferences. The image is always "raw," and we receive it exactly as the source transmits it. For fans of cinematic "jumping" of the image, this might be good, but the rest of us simply have to get used to the lack of any motion enhancement.

In contrast to budget constructions, which in dynamic sports scenes can resemble a slideshow, the iFFALCON U85X is a heavyweight contender equipped with a panel that has a native refresh rate of 144Hz. However, it is worth noting that in the world of films, series, or sports, we will primarily operate at 120Hz due to the specifics of how image enhancement systems function. Such a fast panel is excellent news for gamers and sports fans as it opens the door to advanced motion settings that simply do not exist in cheaper 60Hz models.

We manage everything from the menu “Motion Clarity”, where instead of using pre-set, often overly aggressive modes, we definitely recommend our own configuration based on two sliders. The most important of these, motion blur reduction, is responsible for fluidity in films – here, it’s best to aim for a value of around 4, which will maintain a natural, cinematic character of motion without falling into the artificial “soap opera effect.” Meanwhile, the first slider, motion blur reduction, is the key to success in sports broadcasts. In this case, it’s worth going all out and setting it to maximum, ensuring that the image during fast actions on the field remains sharp, while troublesome trailing is eliminated.

Console compatibility and gaming features

3.5/10

9.8/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    No
    Yes
  • VRR range
    No
    48 - 240Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    No
    Yes
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    No
    Yes
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    No
    Yes
  • 4K@120Hz
    No
    Yes
  • Game bar
    No
    Yes

When it comes to gaming on the Blaupunkt, we weren't expecting miracles, and indeed – the list of features is not very long. However, there are two interesting points worth mentioning, as they might be significant for some of you at this price. The first plus is that the TV quickly detects the connected console. Thanks to the ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) feature, the device knows when you start gaming and automatically switches to low-latency mode. This is convenient because you don't have to fiddle with settings each time to prevent input lag from ruining the fun. The second point is a genuine surprise that caught us off guard. Although it has a 60 Hz panel, the Blaupunkt can display images at 120 Hz at Full HD resolution. Sure, you lose the details of 4K, but for those playing more dynamic, online shooters where smoothness is more important than resolution, this is a really nice and unexpected addition in such an inexpensive device. Besides these two points, you won't find anything more here. There are no advanced smoothness enhancement systems for gamers or extensive gaming menu bars. This is a simple screen for occasional gaming.

iFFALCON U85X is an outstanding piece of equipment for gamers that has just about everything one can expect from a modern screen for consoles or PCs. We find here two full-fledged HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth of 48 Gbps, which opens the door to key technologies such as VRR and ALLM, ensuring smooth gameplay without tearing the image and with minimal latency. The television handles high refresh rates in various resolutions without any problems, and a real curiosity is the mode that allows for achieving up to 240Hz when dropping down to Full HD quality. The whole thing is managed by the Game Bar (which is a faithful copy from TCL), allowing for instant switching of picture modes, customising the interface appearance, or even adding a virtual crosshair in the middle of the screen.

Input lag

8.6/10

9.8/10

SDR

1080p60
36 ms
17 ms
1080p120
25 ms
9 ms
2160p60
13 ms
17 ms
2160p120
9 ms

HDR

2160p60
12 ms
17 ms
2160p120
9 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
17 ms
2160p120 DV
9 ms

An important point for every gamer is, of course, input lag, which refers to how quickly the television responds to our movements on the controller. Here, Blaupunkt has something to brag about, although the results are quite specific. At 4K resolution, the lag is just 12 ms. That's an excellent result. With such low lag, gaming feels simply phenomenal, and the response is almost instantaneous. It is a pity, however, that the situation changes when switching to 1080p mode. Here, the input lag increases to about 30 ms. To be clear: this is still not a terrible result. For most people, it will be "more than acceptable," and during casual gaming, you probably won't even notice it. Nonetheless, it is a shame that such good parameters could not be maintained as we saw with full 4K. Nevertheless, in the overall assessment, as a budget screen for consoles, Blaupunkt performs quite admirably in this regard.

The completed gaming arsenal is complemented by the outstanding latency results we measured in our tests. With a standard 60Hz signal, the input lag is just 17 ms, which is a completely safe value for comfortable gameplay, while switching to 120Hz reduces the latency to an impressive 9 ms. A nice fact is that these excellent parameters do not deteriorate even in Dolby Vision mode. In many televisions, activating this format is still associated with additional processor overhead and increased lag, but here the engineers at TCL (or iFFALCON) have done a great job.

Compatibility with PC

6/10

8.6/10

Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Very Good
Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Good
Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate)
13ms
9ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
RGB
BGR
Max refresh rate
60Hz
144Hz
G-Sync
No
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.

If you plan to connect a computer to this television, it is absolutely crucial that you find and enable the PC compatibility option in the menu. Once you do that, magic happens – the implementation of Chroma 4:4:4 and font readability jumps to an exemplary level. The readability of text is simply excellent here. Of course, our editorial meticulousness would not allow us to pass by this equipment without taking a look "under the hood." During very specific tests with thin, dark text, we noticed that the horizontal and vertical matrix masks differ slightly in brightness levels. However, we want to reassure you: this phenomenon is so subtle that during normal use, such as writing emails or browsing the web, you would not be able to notice it with the naked eye. We maintain our opinion that as a monitor strictly for dynamic PC gaming, it is not the ideal choice (as we mentioned in the context of the 60 Hz refresh rate), but if any of you are wondering whether you can comfortably work on such a Blaupunkt – we answer: yes, it is absolutely possible.

iFFALCON U85X is also an excellent candidate for a powerful computer monitor, offering a work culture that is hard to find in typical televisions. The readability of fonts is nearly exemplary – although due to the nature of the VA panel, it is not as crystal clear as in IPS panels, the difference becomes practically imperceptible to the human eye when viewed from a distance of over one metre. The device natively supports a resolution of 4K at 144Hz refresh rate, but the real ace up its sleeve is the 240Hz mode (available at lower resolutions), which makes this behemoth an excellent tool for dynamic e-sports titles, where refresh rate takes precedence over pixel count. What is almost most important for PC users is that such high performance is fully supported by frame synchronization technologies, such as NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, effectively eliminating screen tearing and ensuring perfect fluidity regardless of the graphics card used.

Viewing angles

5/10

3.1/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
71%
68%

It’s really very good here. Whether we were sitting directly in front or on the edge of the sofa, the colours did not lose their saturation. This is a big plus if you plan to watch matches or films with a larger group – no one will complain that the picture looks worse for them. Although IPS panels are known for their good angles, in this particular model, when viewed from a sharp angle, the picture noticeably loses brightness. Interestingly, the colour saturation remains intact, but the screen simply becomes darker. This is not something that disqualifies this television, but it’s worth knowing.

When it comes to viewing angles, the iFFALCON U85X does not surprise us – it is simply poor, which is a typical characteristic of VA panels. We must treat this as a natural and conscious compromise: by choosing a panel with high contrast and deep blacks, we almost always sacrifice wide angles (only in top series do manufacturers use special coatings to improve this feature). You cannot cheat physics in this price segment, because while sitting directly in front of the television the picture looks fantastic, a slight lean to the side is enough for the colours to start losing their saturation. If you are planning evening screenings with a larger group, it is worth ensuring that everyone sits as close as possible to the central axis of the screen.

Daytime performance

4/10

5.6/10

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

Panel brightness

IFFALCON U85X: 419 cd/m2

Blaupunkt UGC5500S: 245 cd/m2

In terms of daytime performance, Blaupunkt is simply average. It all comes down to the low brightness of the panel, which – as we have mentioned, hovers around 250 nits. This is definitely too little for the screen to "break through" the strong light coming into the living room. As a result, under strong sunlight, the image loses clarity and appears somewhat washed-out. However, there is one bright spot in this category, the satin finish of the panel. Thanks to this, we do not have to deal with the mirror effect, which often means that instead of watching a film, we are seeing a reflection of our own sofa. The satin nicely diffuses reflections, which somewhat saves the situation. Nevertheless, we cannot cheat physics: while the coating bravely fights against reflections, the low brightness ultimately surrenders in the battle with sunlight. If you are planning a screening in the middle of the day in a very bright room, be prepared for the necessity of drawing the curtains.

In a bright room, the iFFALCON U85X performs moderately well, thanks to the satin coating of the panel. It quite effectively dampens direct light reflections, thereby avoiding the annoying mirror effect, although under stronger lighting one can see characteristic warm "spills" of light around reflecting objects. While it doesn't reach the level of top panels with the most advanced filters, the lack of high gloss makes daytime use significantly less troublesome. In terms of pure brightness output in the SDR standard, that is for television, the TV achieves an average brightness of around 420 nits. This isn't an outstanding result that would allow it to combat direct sunlight hitting the screen, but it's perfectly sufficient for comfortable viewing of content in a moderately sunlit living room.

Panel details

Backlight Type
White LED
Mini-LED PFS LED
Software version during testing
RTM9.241015.007
V8-0012T01-LF1V543.002503
Image processor
m7332 2GB RAM
MT5896 2,5GB RAM

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV Panel details
Review IFFALCON U85X TV Panel details

Blaupunkt UGC5500S

IFFALCON U85X

TV features

5.1/10

7.6/10

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

Classic features:

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

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    No
    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 Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features
Review IFFALCON U85X TV features
Review IFFALCON U85X TV features
Review IFFALCON U85X TV features
Review IFFALCON U85X TV features

Sound connection options

  • HDMI audio
    eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
    eARC (HDMI)
  • Other audio outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
    Toslink (Optical audio)
  • 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
    No
    Yes
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    No
    Yes

Senior accessibility

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

In terms of Smart TV functionality, the Blaupunkt UGC5500S is a classic example of a device where the system is both its greatest asset and its biggest flaw. On one hand, we have full Google TV here, which is a huge plus at this price point. We get access to a massive library of applications and basically all the functionality we know from brands that use this software. Nothing has been cut out forcibly, which is truly refreshing in such an inexpensive television. Unfortunately, we must honestly admit that in Blaupunkt's execution, this system simply works clumsily. This is a typical ailment of budget televisions with Google TV – the processor barely keeps up with the software. Navigation through the menu is not as smooth as we would like, and the remote can respond with a noticeable delay, giving the impression of being "dull." Of course, once you launch a specific application and start playing a movie, everything works stably, but just sifting through the interface requires a bit of patience.

As for traditional television features, Blaupunkt doesn't offer anything extraordinary. It is a simple device for basic tasks. The remote control deserves a plus, as it features a classic numeric keypad, which is simply convenient for flipping through cable channels. We also have Bluetooth, so you can easily connect wireless headphones or a speaker. The television also has a physical mini-jack headphone output. At a time when manufacturers are mass removing this connection, the presence of a "jack" is a nod towards those with older audio equipment or simply those who prefer classic wired headphones. It's a little thing, but it’s appreciated.

Smart Features

Similar to the products under the TCL brand, the iFFALCON U85X benefits from the Google TV system. This means access to an almost limitless library of applications, from the most popular VOD services to niche tools, as well as full integration with Google's voice assistants and Gemini. Users of the Apple ecosystem have also not been overlooked – the television works seamlessly with their devices thanks to the built-in AirPlay feature. The system itself runs quite smoothly, although it cannot be denied that it inherits some shortcomings known from TCL models. The interface can sometimes "hitch", requiring a moment's thought, and the Polish translations in the deeper corners of the menu can be quite odd and at times illogical.

Classic Features

In the area of traditional television functions, the iFFALCON U85X does not strive for any extravagance and offers the absolute minimum, which may be somewhat disappointing for more demanding users of traditional cable or satellite services. One will futilely search for the ability to record programmes to external USB memory or a picture-in-picture (PiP) mode that would allow tracking two sources simultaneously. From the more "modern" classics, we only get the option to wirelessly connect headphones via Bluetooth and teletext support. The remote control also does not pretend to be a modern gadget from the future; it is a classic design with a full numeric keypad, which makes it easy to quickly jump between channels, but visually it significantly lags behind minimalist trends.

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

9.3/10

9.2/10

Supported photo formats:

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

Maximum photo resolution:

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

In terms of playing files from USB, Blaupunkt performs quite well. We checked several of the most popular formats, and basically everything important worked fine on the factory player. Therefore, you're not forced to immediately download additional software right after taking the television out of the box, as the equipment is simply self-sufficient from the start. Nevertheless, taking advantage of the charms of Google TV, we still recommend that you install something external, like VLC or Kodi. The factory player is adequate, but it is in these external applications that you will find the most configuration options, better subtitle support, or simply a more convenient interface. Since the system gives you such freedom, it is worth taking advantage of it to get as much as possible from your multimedia.

Playing files from a pendrive is no challenge for the iFFALCON U85X - the built-in player handles almost every audio and video format we thrown at it during testing without a hitch. The only drawback we could point out is the support for external subtitles; while popular formats like .sub and .srt work flawlessly, the television can be temperamental with .txt files. Fortunately, with the presence of the Google TV system, this problem can be quickly resolved by installing an external app like VLC. However, for most users, the factory tool will likely be more than sufficient to enjoy their own media library without any unnecessary hassle.

Sound

6/10

6.9/10

  • Maximum volume
    85dB
    83dB
  • 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
    No
    Yes
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    No
    Yes

In terms of audio, Blaupunkt performs really well, especially considering that this is a typical budget television. It’s evident, or rather audible, that the brand has not forgotten its roots, and for such an inexpensive model, the sound is exceptionally good. Of course, there is a noticeable lack of bass, but the overall output is loud, and surprisingly clear. Most importantly for us – even at higher volumes, the sound is not heavily distorted, which is a rarity and a pleasant surprise at this price point.

iFFALCON U85X proves that the absence of the Onkyo or Bang & Olufsen logo on the casing does not necessarily mean flat and tinny sound. The audio system in this model plays surprisingly well, largely thanks to the dedicated subwoofer located at the back of the device. Our acoustic measurements confirm that the low end starts to "come alive." It is this distinct "hump" on the graph that is responsible for the noticeable dose of bass, which adds the weight and depth often missing in televisions to films and music. The only point of contention may be the fact that such bass can muffle the high tones, which may seem somewhat recessed. Overall, it can produce sound levels up to 83 dBC, which is more than sufficient for amplifying a larger lounge.

Sound Quality Test

Acoustic Measurements

85dBC (Max)

75dBC

83dBC (Max)

75dBC