Katarzyna Petru
TCL is entering a new round of competition with Samsung. The manufacturer has announced the Nxtvision A400 Pro model – a television that is finally set to stand on par with The Frame Pro, and even surpass it in terms of picture quality. This time it is not just another “frame,” but a full-fledged miniLED screen with true local dimming.
So far, TCL has competed with The Frame using the Nxtvision A300 series, previously known as Nxtframe. Similar to Samsung, the Chinese have relied on a matte LCD panel that transforms into a digital gallery when the television is turned off. However, a significant step forward is now on the horizon.
True miniLED vs. Samsung edge-lit miniLED
The Frame Pro introduced miniLED to the frame series, but in practice, it turned out that this is not the classic miniLED known from higher models. Samsung opted for edge lighting there, which offers almost no local dimming zones. The effect? Brightness is higher, but contrast control remains similar to cheaper edge-lit LED televisions.
TCL A400 Pro takes a completely different approach. It features miniLED with real local dimming and a quantum dot layer, which places this model closer to the high-end LCD tier. Despite the true local dimming zones, the design is still surprisingly slim – 4 to 4.5 cm in depth. TCL has not yet revealed the number of zones, but everything indicates that there will be significantly more than the "symbolic zero" found in The Frame Pro.
Less art, but TCL is catching up strongly
Samsung's biggest advantage still lies in its gigantic library of artworks. Over 4,000 images from museums and cultural institutions around the world is an offer that TCL – at least today – cannot surpass. Nxtvision has over 100 available graphics, but the brand emphasizes that it is intensively developing its resources and takes the art-TV line very seriously. The launch of the A400 Pro model is a clear signal that in 2026, TCL intends to tie this competition up neatly.
The specification does not disappoint
A400 Pro has a full suite of premium features for demanding viewers and gamers. Support for 144 Hz, and even 288 Hz at reduced resolution, HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, WiFi 6, and a full range of audio formats with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X provide solid support for many years. Onboard, we will find Onkyo speakers, though at this moment, it is unclear whether TCL remains in collaboration with B&O, which co-developed the audio in the current Nxtvision Pro model.
Many sizes and a global debut in 2026
The television will hit the market in versions of 55, 65, 75, 85, and even 98 inches. The launch is planned in China, but all indications are that the A400 Pro will also arrive in Europe and America next year. We should hear more details in January at CES 2026.
TCL is preparing for a strong start to the new season. If the manufacturer delivers image quality on par with its best miniLEDs, The Frame Pro may gain a truly serious competitor for the first time in history – and in a segment that Samsung has practically owned until now.
