TCL P8K is a television that immediately wins you over. It seems cheap, supposedly of lower quality, yet it can surprise you. This device shows that at this price, you can still get equipment with character – and it's specifically aimed at a certain group of users. Because let's be honest, the P8K is a television created with gamers in mind. Two HDMI 2.1 ports, VRR support, 4K at 120 Hz, HGiG, and even Dolby Vision in games – it sounds like something that just recently could only be found in much more expensive models. And on top of that, a 144 Hz panel and the possibility to reach even 240 Hz on PC. At this price? It's really hard not to smile. Added to this is Google TV, the system that breathed life into this screen. Everything works intuitively here, with access to a vast library of apps and an efficient Google Assistant that actually understands what you're saying – even when you say it in your own way. Of course, it's not a perfect television. Brightness in the range of 250–300 nits is unimpressive and probably won't impress in a sunny living room. But just an evening, a movie, and a little darker environment will reveal that this screen can do quite a bit. Thanks to dynamic tone mapping, the P8K handles HDR surprisingly well, and colors can look natural. In cinematic scenes, there’s no sign of a plastic, overexposed image – it’s just pleasant. Let’s not pretend that it competes with Mini LEDs or OLEDs – that's not the point. The P8K / P89K is meant to be a television that is simply enjoyable to use. And that’s where its strength lies. For someone who wants to play games, watch Netflix, fire up YouTube, and have all of that in one simple device – it hits the mark. The TCL P8K shows that “cheap” doesn’t have to mean “bad.” It's a television with character that doesn’t pretend to be premium equipment but delivers a lot. And maybe that's why it’s so easy to like it.
LG QNED93A is a television that, at first glance, appears to be a solid step forward compared to previous LCD models from this brand. On paper, we get a lot: a significantly larger number of dimming zones, a 144 Hz refresh rate for gamers, support for all HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, and WebOS with a new Magic remote, which still ranks among the most user-friendly operating systems. The QNED93A shines the most in gaming applications. Four fully functional HDMI 2.1 ports allow you to connect consoles and computers without any limitations, and the low input lag is maintained at both 120 and 60 Hz. For PC gamers, an additional advantage is the 144 Hz mode and full compatibility with G-Sync and FreeSync. So, it can be confidently said that in terms of gaming features, the QNED93A does not have any complexes compared to the competition. Another strong point is WebOS. LG's system has long been regarded as one of the most convenient for everyday use, and this is confirmed here. Everything is clear, and the Magic remote allows you to control the television like a mouse pointer – quickly and intuitively. Brightness can also be considered a plus. At its peak, it manages to achieve results close to 1400 nits. This is enough to ensure the picture doesn't fade in brighter rooms and that special effects in movies or games look convincing. The image processor does a good job of upscaling older content – television or films in lower resolutions appear clearer and sharper than on many competing screens.
However, it cannot be denied that the biggest problem with the QNED93A is the local dimming algorithms. In scenes full of black, the screen can darken significantly, causing many details to simply disappear. The effect is such that contrast looks better at first glance but comes at the expense of information that should be visible. An additional problem is the Dolby Vision mode, which typically enhances certain aspects of screens, but in this case, changes very little. The differences between dynamic and static metadata must literally be searched for with a magnifying glass. This is simply disappointing because the hardware, with its number of dimming zones and stronger backlighting, has the foundation for a better effect. So who is the LG QNED93A for? It is a television that works brilliantly as a home entertainment center, especially if you're thinking about gaming on a console or PC. In everyday television viewing and movie watching in well-lit conditions, it also provides a lot of satisfaction thanks to its high brightness and solid image processor. However, one must accept that in scenes with a lot of black and when fully utilizing HDR, this model does not match its competitors. LG has shown that it can create a very solid LCD screen, but it is also evident that not everything has been polished as it has in their OLED televisions.