- 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
- TV efficiency during daytime
- TV features
- Apps
- Playing files from USB
- Sound
- Details about the matrix
TCL C69K / Q6C Review
C69K / Q6C / C6K
Available screen sizes:
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Panel type: LCD VA Refresh rate: 144Hz Brand: TCL Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Google TV Model year: 2025
The tested model today, TCL C69K / Q6C, is one of the most interesting televisions in the manufacturer's offer, mainly due to the Mini-LED technology available at a very affordable price. It is a proposal for those who want to experience solutions known from premium models without spending a fortune. It is worth noting that the C69K / Q6C are derivative models (variants) based on the very popular structure C6K, which can also be found on the market. In our review, we check how TCL has managed to transfer the same high-end features to this budget segment.
TCL C69K / Q6C - Our verdict
7.1
Overall rating
Advantages
Very good contrast and black: VA panel and MINI-LED backlighting
Good motion fluidity: High refresh rate of 144Hz
Decent panel brightness
Many features for gamers: VRR, ALLM, HDMI 2.1, HGiG
Extra mode for PC gamers: 240Hz
GoogleTV system with a wide selection of apps
Support for multiple HDR formats including Dolby Vision
Support for Dolby Atmos and DTS
Very attractive price
Disadvantages
Managing the backlighting could be more precise
Minor, occasional system errors
Slight smudging visible in dynamic scenes
Great chaos in naming (many derivative models that differ in nothing)
Movies and series in UHD quality6.7
Classic TV, YouTube6.6
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)6.3
Gaming on console8.4
TV as a computer monitor8.6
Watching in bright light6.4
Utility functions7.0
Apps9.6
Sound quality6.5
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TCL C69K / Q6C - Competing TVs in this price range
TCL C69K / Q6C - TV appearance
HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality: BuildQuality-Good
Stand type: Legs
Bezel colour: Graphite
Stand: Fixed
Flat design: Yes
Accessories: Stand
Visually, TCL C69K / Q6C resembles most modern televisions – we have a slim design with a thin frame around the screen and a slight thickness at the bottom. Although we are talking about a model from the budget-friendly segment, the manufacturer has taken care of several details that set it apart from the competition. A characteristic element in the upper right corner, known from more expensive series, has been cleverly hidden behind the frame, giving the whole thing a somewhat different character. The back of the casing is flat, making it possible to achieve an aesthetic, almost flush panel effect when the television is mounted on the wall. In terms of build quality, it’s hard to have any reservations here.
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TCL C69K / Q6C - Contrast and black detail
7.3/10
Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 180 (10 x 18)
Result
113,750:1
Result
17,350:1
Result
16,300:1
Result
9,850:1
Result
4,850:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
The heart of the image in TCL C69K / Q6C is a VA panel (specifically HVA from TCL CSOT), which offers a solid native contrast ratio of 6000–7000:1, even before activating local dimming. However, the true strength of this model lies in the Mini-LED backlighting with the ability to dim individual zones. In the 55-inch sample we tested, we counted around 180 of these zones (this value increases with the diagonal size). For this price segment, the contrast is truly impressive. In less complicated movie scenes, for example in segments from "Oblivion," it looks outstanding, and the shots immersed in black are very striking. Nevertheless, the characteristics of Mini-LED technology mean that we cannot always avoid issues – in more demanding frames with many bright details, halo effects or excessive dimming of certain elements occur (regardless of the selected local dimming settings). All in all, contrast is undeniably a strong point of C69K / Q6C.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
TCL C69K / Q6C - HDR effect quality
4.9/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 92.7%, Bt.2020: 71.4%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
610 nit
Result
204 nit
Result
425 nit
Result
148 nit
Result
589 nit
In terms of brightness, TCL C69K / Q6C is a moderate model. Under optimal movie conditions, it shows its full potential, reaching a maximum of around 600 nits. In scenes with large, intense light sources, the HDR effect can be truly satisfying, providing a cinematic sparkle. However, it should be noted that when managing the backlight zones, there are situations where some elements of the image become dimmed, and sometimes they are barely visible. This suggests that there is still a lack of proper optimization of algorithms, though considering the technical parameters in this price range, the construction still looks very good.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
The same numbers and test results did not suggest that TCL C69K / Q6C would impress us, but the final effect turned out to be surprisingly positive. In typical movie scenes, often found on streaming platforms (e.g., clips from "Billy Lynn"), and even in productions mastered to around 4000 nits (like "The Master"), the picture looked really good. Of course, the highest brightness values were naturally toned down in relation to the reference effect, which is understandable given the panel's limitations, but the whole scene was reproduced with great precision and accuracy. Importantly, we also did not notice any undesirable detail blending in difficult segments, such as fireworks in the aforementioned "Billy Lynn".
HDR luminance chart:
HDR luminance
In our tests, we found that for the static HDR10 format, TCL C69K / Q6C does not always perform perfectly. This is most evident in scenes flooded with white (like the test screen with horses), where the limited brightness of the panel results in a loss of some details and a slight flattening of the image. Fortunately, the tested model supports practically all key HDR formats, including the extremely popular Dolby Vision. Thanks to dynamic metadata, the image in this mode takes on a completely new quality. As seen in the comparative test images, the same scene looks much better: details are preserved, and the contrast and light gradation appear more natural and closer to the intended effect. It is this support for Dolby Vision that allows C69K / Q6C to provide such positive surprises in everyday use.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
5/10
The Filmmaker mode, which has arrived in this year's TCL televisions (including the C69K / Q6C), is definitely the best choice "to start with." This is the mode we recommend for everyday viewing of movies and series. Unfortunately, as is often the case, best does not mean perfect. In SDR content, the image turned out to be too warm, with a strong red tint in the white balance. We had the opposite impression with HDR content – here the image became cooler than it should have, due to an excess of blue color. Additionally, the brightness characteristics sometimes resulted in overexposure. In practice, this translated to quite noticeable errors in color tests, which is hard to accept in a mode labeled as “by the creators.”
Color reproduction after calibration
7.5/10
Through white balance adjustment, we were able to significantly reduce the tendency of C69K / Q6C to distort colors, which resulted in a very good final outcome. After calibration, the issue of excessive warmth in SDR scenes and overly cool images in HDR disappeared. However, it is worth closely analyzing brightness characteristics. While there are few complaints about SDR content - the image looks really good, especially in older movies, TV programs, or on YouTube - the situation is much worse with HDR content. Analysis of the EOTF curve suggests that everything is fine, but in practice (EOTF in films), the limitations of the design become apparent. This model tends to excessively brighten small parts of the frame, while in other situations it dims the entire scene too much. The effect of calibration is undeniable, and in terms of color accuracy, C69K / Q6C gains a lot. Unfortunately, certain limitations resulting from local dimming management simply cannot be overcome.
TCL C69K / Q6C - Smoothness of tonal transitions
9.5/10
In the model C69K / Q6C, tonal transitions (between colors) are very smooth, and it's hard to notice any banding. The image looks natural, and any minor imperfections are only visible on bright test screens, and only with very careful observation. In everyday viewing, the effect is simply fantastic. It can confidently be stated that in this category, C69K / Q6C performs remarkably.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
5/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
In terms of image scaling, TCL C69K / Q6C performs quite well. Lower quality content is displayed acceptably, and thanks to the lack of overscan issues, the image is presented in full without any cropping. However, one shouldn't expect miracles – very low-quality materials won't gain a new life here, as the image processor has its limitations.
On thin lines and details, one can see characteristic jitter, indicating a lack of more advanced image enhancement algorithms. It's also a pity that the C69K / Q6C lacks the function for smoothing tonal transitions. As a result, in older movies or video materials, color banding can be noticeable and may become distracting during longer viewing sessions.
TCL C69K / Q6C - Blur and motion smoothness
7.3/10
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)
The use of a 144 Hz panel in TCL C69K / Q6C is a significant advantage in this price range. It represents an important step forward compared to its predecessor (C655 PRO), which only offered 60 Hz at 4K. The difference is particularly noticeable when watching sports or playing games – the ball, players, or dynamic action in games are displayed more clearly and without losing details. An interesting feature is also the ability of the panel to operate at 240 Hz (which the manufacturer does not officially mention) – we will return to this topic in relation to the PC gaming mode. TCL has also added a feature for movie fans: “Motion Clarity.” This allows users to adjust the picture to their preferences using two simple sliders. We can either keep the visible film frame or opt for very smooth, "
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Against the backdrop of the higher model C7K, it's evident that C69K / Q6C has slight problems with motion blur. During our "UFO" test, a faint halo trailed behind the moving object, revealing the panel's limitations. Does this significantly bother you? That's a matter of personal preference – some may hardly notice it, while others will catch it right away. TCL tried to bypass this problem by adding the BFI feature. In theory, it is supposed to improve motion clarity, but in practice, it results in double contours, and the motion blur remains visible. Although the brightness drop when BFI is turned on is minimal, the gains from this feature are so small that it's hard to recommend using it.
TCL C69K / Q6C - 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
TCL C69K / Q6C is a television that can boldly be called equipment created with gamers in mind. Here we have 4K at 144 Hz, VRR support, automatic game mode (ALLM), and Dolby Vision Gaming. Additionally, there's a practical Game Bar, which is a panel with the most important settings right at hand – useful when we want to quickly change something during gameplay (e.g., aspect ratio: Yes, it’s possible!). The wide range of VRR, reaching up to 240 Hz, is noteworthy. This option is primarily for PC gamers who will lower the resolution below native 4K. In that case, the TV can spread its wings and show additional smoothness, especially in fast esports titles. For consoles, we stick to the classic limit of 120 Hz, but the possibilities are still quite broad. The only drawback is slight motion blur that can sometimes be seen in dynamic scenes. Other than that, C69K / Q6C offers everything gamers expect from a television.
TCL C69K / Q6C - Input lag
9.7/10
In terms of input lag, TCL C69K / Q6C performs excellently. With 120 Hz content, the delay is around 10 ms, and at times even less. This is a level at which the response is practically instantaneous, and it is hard to find any objections. For 60 Hz material, the result is around 18 ms – still a very good outcome, more than sufficient for comfortable gaming.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 18 ms | 2160p60: 17 ms | 2160p60 DV: 17 ms |
| 1080p120: 10 ms | 2160p120: 11 ms | 2160p120 DV: 9 ms |
| 2160p60: 18 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 10 ms |
TCL C69K / Q6C - Compatibility with PC
8.6/10
Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 11ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR
Max refresh rate: 144Hz
G-Sync: Yes
As a computer monitor, TCL C69K / Q6C performs excellently. At native resolution, we achieve 4K at 144 Hz, and by lowering the resolution, we can even reach 240 Hz. The television also works with Nvidia and AMD cards, supporting both G-Sync and FreeSync. It's hard to have any reservations for office work as well. Thanks to 4:4:4 chroma support, fonts are sharp and readable, and any minor imperfections are so small that they go unnoticed in everyday use.
TCL C69K / Q6C - Viewing angles
3/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 78%
In the TCL C69K / Q6C, the viewing angles are typical for a VA panel. Sitting directly in front, the picture looks very good, but any shift to the side results in a noticeable drop in color saturation and brightness. The difference is particularly evident in colorful scenes – the colors become washed out, and the contrast loses its depth. Compared to IPS panels, this is clearly a weaker performance, although it is compensated by better black levels and higher native contrast.
TCL C69K / Q6C - TV efficiency during daytime
6.4/10
Matrix coating: Satin
Reflection suppression: Decent
Black levels during daytime: Good
In bright lighting conditions, TCL C69K / Q6C performs quite well. The panel offers decent brightness (in SDR content it reaches about 550 nits), which allows for comfortable TV viewing in a moderately lit living room, and even on days when strong light comes through the windows. This means that daytime viewing does not require completely darkening the room. Another plus is that the screen coating does quite well at reducing reflections, so the TV does not become a "mirror" even in bright light. However, this is not at the level of top models with more advanced anti-reflective coatings – in very challenging conditions (e.g., with large windows), reflections will be noticeable.
Matrix brightness
Average luminance SDR
TCL C69K / Q6C: 532 cd/m2
TCL C69K / Q6C - TV features
7/10
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), ARC (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 at the screen): 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
Multimedia Features: Google TV
The Google TV system is undoubtedly the strongest user aspect of TCL C69K / Q6C. It gives the television character and provides an advantage over many competitors. We get the full package of services here: from support for popular streaming applications, through support for screen mirroring, to AirPlay (so iPhone users will feel right at home). In addition, there is Google Assistant, recently in the Gemini AI version, which not only answers questions but also efficiently performs simple commands (e.g., changing the channel or searching for content in VOD). The system itself operates quite responsively. However, it is worth mentioning a certain drawback: the awkward translations in the Polish menu can provoke a smile, but sometimes require a moment of thought to decipher their meaning.
Classic Features
In terms of classic TV features, TCL C69K / Q6C is rather average. We won’t find USB recording or PiP mode here, which may disappoint some users. However, the manufacturer did not forget about the basics: teletext TV and a readable EPG are available, which still matter to some users. In everyday use, the support for external audio devices via Bluetooth is also useful. It’s a simple way to connect, for example, a speaker or headphones, which can be a practical solution for seniors. Beyond that, however, it is difficult to find elements that would distinguish C69K / Q6C from competitors – it’s simply a solid but standard package of basic functions.
Sound connection options
HDMI audio:
Other audio outputs:
- Toslink: Yes
Wireless audio:
- Bluetooth: Yes
Obsługiwane formaty 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
Ułatwienia dla seniorów
- Numeric keyboard on TV: Yes
- Font size adjustment: No
- Audio description: Yes
TCL C69K / Q6C - Apps
9.6/10
TCL C69K / Q6C - Playing files from USB
8.9/10
| 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 |
The built-in media player in TCL C69K / Q6C performs really well – practically all popular file formats work without major issues. There are some minor exceptions, particularly with less common codecs or unusual video file configurations, but in everyday use, this is rarely noticeable. The biggest advantage, however, is that the television runs on Google TV, which provides complete freedom in choosing additional software. If someone encounters a file that the standard player does not support, it is enough to install an alternative – like VLC – and the problem disappears.
TCL C69K / Q6C - Sound
6.5/10
-
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
In terms of audio, TCL C69K / Q6C performs quite well. The manufacturer has been boasting about its collaboration with Onkyo for several years, and this indeed translates into sound quality. The sound is pleasant, with clear mid-tones and quite a clean high end, and overall it feels well balanced. Of course, this will not replace a full-fledged soundbar, especially in terms of bass depth, but for built-in speakers in a television from this price segment – it is really very good.
Acoustic Measurements
No acoustic data
TCL C69K / Q6C - Details about the matrix
Software version during testing: V8-T653T01-LF1V531.002396
Image processor: MT5896 2,5GB RAM
Subpixel Structure:
Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:
Backlight Type: PFS LED
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