- Matching (Score) |
- Our verdict |
- Competing TVs |
- TV appearance |
- Where to buy |
- Contrast and black detail |
- HDR effect quality |
- Factory color reproduction |
- Color reproduction after calibration |
- Smoothness of tonal transitions |
- Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions |
- Blur and motion smoothness |
- Console compatibility and gaming features |
- Input lag |
- Compatibility with PC |
- Viewing angles |
- Daytime performance |
- TV features |
- Apps |
- Playing files from USB |
- Sound |
- Panel details
IFFALCON U85X Review
Available screen sizes:
Complete the survey to find out the result
Panel type: LCD VA Refresh rate: 144Hz Brand: TCL Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Google TV Model year: 2026
Today we’re taking a look at a device that is extremely unusual, especially in our market. The brand iFFALCON may be a complete mystery to many of you. These televisions are practically elusive here, and if they do appear in any store, it’s usually in short, limited batches. What exactly is this "exotic" product? It’s a brand that originates directly from the Chinese giant that we all know very well: we’re obviously talking about TCL. In the model U85X that we tested, we find plenty of shared features, and at times even identical solutions, as in the “original” products of the parent company. Is this interesting newcomer a hidden gem for the savvy, or just a poorer version of well-known models? We checked this for you in our review!
TCL IFFALCON U85X - Our verdict
6.9
Overall rating
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.
Advantages
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
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
Movies and series in UHD quality6.2
Classic TV, YouTube6.3
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)6.1
Gaming on console8.4
TV as a computer monitor8.6
Watching in bright light5.6
Utility functions7.6
Apps9.6
Sound quality6.9
Complete the survey to find out what fits your preferences
TCL IFFALCON U85X - Competing TVs in this price range
TCL IFFALCON U85X - TV appearance
HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality: Average
Stand type: Legs
Bezel color: Graphite
Stand: Fixed
Flat design: No
Accessories: Stand
Looking at the iFFALCON U85X, it is hard not to feel a strong déjà vu. This model sometimes seems to be a faithful copy of the TCL design, which is especially evident in the identical finish of the bottom bezel and the characteristic two feet placed on the sides of the device. To put it simply, visually, the U85X is a sort of mashup of the C and P series from TCL. An interesting touch is the back of the casing, where we find a subwoofer with the proud label “Ultra-Bass”. We have seen almost identical solutions in TCL models, with the difference being that there the audio systems were usually branded with Onkyo. Here we have a “no-name” version, though visually identical. The device itself is made acceptably and aesthetically, but it certainly cannot be said to belong to the premium category. It is simply an ordinary-looking television that doesn't stand out and does not try to differentiate itself in any particularly noteworthy way.
Buy at the best price
Select size:
TCL IFFALCON U85X - Contrast and black detail
7.3/10
Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 224 (14 x 16)
Result
113,850:1
Result
24,800:1
Result
10,950:1
Result
7,000:1
Result
6,050:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
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.
TCL IFFALCON U85X - HDR effect quality
4.7/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 93.7%, Bt.2020: 72.5%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
627 nit
Result
165 nit
Result
390 nit
Result
124 nit
Result
528 nit
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.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
Further analysing the HDR effect, specifically the performance of the iFFALCON U85X in comparison to the market leaders, we must admit that it performs remarkably well and has nothing to be ashamed of next to more popular brands. In HDR content mastered to 1000 nits, such as in the film Billy Lynn, the image is coherent and clear, although the television tends to slightly boost the mid-tones while losing some fine details in the brightest whites. However, we were even more impressed by the mapping of 4000 nits material – here, the U85X effectively maintains visibility of details in the bright parts of the image (for instance, the sunset in the film Pan), allowing for only a gentle brightening of the shadows, which, while maintaining decent colours, produces a truly appealing effect. Such efficient signal processing is largely thanks to the dynamic tone mapping feature, specifically the mode called "detailed priority description," which we definitely recommend activating to extract the maximum reliability from this panel.
HDR luminance chart:
In terms of HDR standard support, the iFFALCON U85X is a true frontrunner, not excluding any of the major formats available on the market. On board, we find not only the basic HDR10 and HLG but also advanced solutions with dynamic metadata, namely Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Although our comparative tests show a slight advantage for the image in Dolby Vision over static HDR10, this difference is not overwhelming. This is mainly due to the fact that the “Detailed Priority Description” feature can efficiently “extract” quality from the standard signal, making additional support for dynamic formats a nice complement rather than a necessity. Interestingly, there is the presence of Dolby Vision IQ, which theoretically adjusts display parameters to the room's lighting. Unfortunately, in practice, this feature works rather controversially because instead of simply intelligently brightening scenes, it can interfere with elements of the image it should not touch. Therefore, even though the U85 has a full package of certifications, it is best to stick to the classic Dolby Vision settings, which you will still find today in almost every popular VOD production.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
4.8/10
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
7.5/10
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.
TCL IFFALCON U85X - Smoothness of tonal transitions
7/10
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
5/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
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.
TCL IFFALCON U85X - Blur and motion smoothness
6.8/10
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: 25%
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.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Blur (4K@144Hz):
However, it is necessary to temper some of the enthusiasm stemming from the mere presence of a 144-hertz matrix, as the image in the iFFALCON U85X model is not as crystal clear as in OLED televisions. Unfortunately, the panel used here struggles with quite noticeable motion blur issues, which become particularly bothersome in dark scenes. In our UFO test, it is clearly visible how unwanted trails are drawn behind rapidly moving elements, significantly reducing the sharpness of dynamic objects. A possible solution might be to try to mitigate this effect using the BFI function, but in practice, it is not effective enough to completely eliminate ghosting and reduce motion blur to zero.
TCL IFFALCON U85X - Console compatibility and gaming features
9.8/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
48 - 240Hz
- Dolby Vision Game Mode:
Yes
- Correct implementation of HGIG:
Yes
- 1080p@120Hz:
Yes
- 1440p@120Hz:
Yes
- 4K@120Hz:
Yes
- Game bar:
Yes
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.
TCL IFFALCON U85X - Input lag
9.8/10
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.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 17 ms | 2160p60: 17 ms | 2160p60 DV: 17 ms |
| 1080p120: 9 ms | 2160p120: 9 ms | 2160p120 DV: 9 ms |
| 2160p60: 17 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 9 ms |
TCL IFFALCON U85X - Compatibility with PC
8.6/10
Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate): 9ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR
Max refresh rate: 144Hz
G-Sync: Yes
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.
TCL IFFALCON U85X - Viewing angles
3.1/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 68%
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.
TCL IFFALCON U85X - Daytime performance
5.6/10
Panel finish: Satin
Reflection suppression: Decent
Black levels during daytime: Good
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 brightness
IFFALCON U85X: 419 cd/m2
TCL IFFALCON U85X - TV features
7.6/10
System: Google TV
System performance: Decent
- HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
- Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (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): 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
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.
Sound connection options
HDMI audio:
Other audio outputs:
- Toslink: Yes
Wireless audio:
- Bluetooth: Yes
Supported audio formats (external HDMI eARC 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
Senior accessibility
- Numeric keyboard on TV: Yes
- Font size adjustment: No
- Audio description: Yes
TCL IFFALCON U85X - Apps
9.6/10
TCL IFFALCON U85X - Playing files from USB
9.2/10
| 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 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.
TCL IFFALCON U85X - Sound
6.9/10
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
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.
Acoustic Measurements
83dBC (Max)
75dBC
TCL IFFALCON U85X - Panel details
Software version during testing: V8-0012T01-LF1V543.002503
Image processor: MT5896 2,5GB RAM
Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:
Backlight Type: Mini-LED PFS LED
Founder and originator of the "ChooseTV" portal
Journalist, reviewer, and columnist for the "ChooseTV" portal
michal-woloszyn-title