- 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 C7K / QM7K 55"-85" Review
C7K / Q7C / MQLED85K / C79K / C71K / QM7K
Available screen sizes: 55”65”75”85”
Diagonal with a different matrix:
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Panel type: LCD VA Refresh rate: 144Hz Brand: TCL Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Google TV Model year: 2025
The TCL C7K is a new mid-range QD-MiniLED TV for 2025, which is likely to replace the very popular MQLED85 (C765) model from last year in the manufacturer's lineup. Right from the start, it stands out not only for its MiniLED backlight technology and QD (quantum dot) screen but also for its newly established collaboration between TCL and Bang & Olufsen, which aims to provide better sound experiences. Sounds good? We checked how the C7K performs in everyday use—from movies and games to system functionality. The test concerns the most popular variants, namely 55"-85".
TCL C7K - Our verdict
7.4
Overall rating
There are TVs that make it to reviews and at first glance seem like just another "mediocre" model. The TCL C7K looks just like that – without big slogans about revolution, without ambitions to dethrone OLEDs. Yet after spending a few days with this model, it's hard not to come to the conclusion that it's truly a successful piece of equipment. The biggest advantages? Very good picture quality at a reasonable price. MiniLED combined with a QLED filter delivers vibrant colors, high brightness, and contrast that really impresses in this class. Motion in sports or games looks smooth, and the presence of HDMI 2.1 and 144 Hz refresh rate makes gaming on this model pure enjoyment. Additionally, the Google TV system offers a huge range of possibilities: from voice control, to AirPlay support, to access to all the most important applications.
Are there any drawbacks? Yes. MiniLED still has its limitations, and in the most challenging movie scenes, compromises in dimming can be noticeable. Google TV also doesn't always operate perfectly smoothly. But these are rather minor issues that do not overshadow the overall picture – which is truly positive. It’s also worth highlighting the difference between variants. The 50-inch version we tested can be surprising, but the 55–85 inch models perform distinctly better – they have more backlight zones, even better contrast quality, and superior sound. Therefore, if you're considering purchasing the C7K, it's definitely worth going for a larger size.
Advantages
Very good black - VA panel with a large number of Mini-LED zones
High brightness in HDR - over 1000 nits
Great for gamers - HDMI 2.1, low input lag, VRR, ALLM, etc.
Good motion fluidity - 144Hz panel
Supports multiple HDR formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
Google TV operating system with access to a huge app library
Pleasant sound from built-in speakers (6.2.2) Bang & Olufsen
Disadvantages
Google TV can work with minor stutters
No USB recording and PiP function
Movies and series in UHD quality7.2
Classic TV, YouTube6.9
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)6.8
Gaming on console8.7
TV as a computer monitor8.4
Watching in bright light6.4
Utility functions7.3
Apps9.6
Sound quality7.7
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TCL C7K - Competing TVs in this price range
TCL C7K - 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: Good
Stand type: Central
Kolor ramki: Graphite
- Regulacja podstawy: stand-Fixed
- Montaż na płasko: Nie
- Akcesoria: accessories-Stand
The TCL C7K is a television that makes a very good impression at first glance. The front of the device looks modern and elegant – thin bezels, a central stand, and a subtle metallic accent in the form of a narrow overlay with the inscription "Premium QD-MiniLED". It's a minor detail, but it can create the impression that we are dealing with high-end equipment. And indeed – looking from the front, it is hard to disagree with that. The C7K looks neat, modern, and solid.
In the larger variants from 55 inches, the manufacturer has also taken care of additional sound experiences – at the back of the casing, we find transducers branded with Bang & Olufsen. The whole is well put together, the materials do not creak, and the overall quality of execution in this price segment can be surprisingly good.
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TCL C7K - Contrast and black detail
8.1/10
Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 1008 (42 x 24)
Result
256,000:1
Result
59,850:1
Result
22,200:1
Result
16,850:1
Result
11,400:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
The results of black and contrast tests on models from 55 to 85 inches are very similar, which is why in the main part of the evaluation we refer to the 65-inch version. It is a natural phenomenon that larger sizes mean a greater number of backlight zones, and in the case of 65 inches, we counted over 1000. The effect is very good – the contrast is at a high level and is definitely better than in the smallest, 50-inch variant. Typical MiniLED limitations are still noticeable, such as the halo effect or a somewhat too aggressive dimming of the image, but here they are less perceptible than in the smaller model.
For comparison, it is worth recalling that the 50-inch TCL C7K, although surprising with its use of as many as 336 dimming zones, had difficulties managing the backlight in more complicated scenes – there were instances of overexposure or loss of detail. In larger sizes, this problem does not disappear completely, but thanks to a greater number of zones, its impact on the image perception is less bothersome.
TCL C7K - HDR effect quality
6.2/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 94.0%, Bt.2020: 73.5%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
1108 nit
Result
405 nit
Result
865 nit
Result
290 nit
Result
848 nit
In terms of brightness, the models from 55 to 85 inches in the C7K series are truly impressive. In the best testing conditions, the 65-inch screen achieved over 1200 nits, which practically means that the brightest scenes can dazzle with almost cinematic brilliance. These are not just dry numbers from measurements – during screenings, white skies, explosions, or light reflections on water looked incredibly striking, often giving the impression that the television exceeds its price class. This is particularly effective in scenes with a large area of illumination, where the screen is filled with intense brightness – such as in sun-drenched shots or during dynamic action sequences. Viewers looking for strong HDR will definitely be satisfied.
However, scenes requiring precise control of backlighting – with small points of light on a dark background – are more challenging. Here the C7K, despite having over a thousand zones, can still dim brightness to maintain deep blacks. The effect is that in films like Sicario 2 or Life of Pi, some details, such as a distant lantern or single reflections, can be less defined or blend in with the surroundings. This is a compromise inherent to MiniLED technology – it provides excellent image depth and blacks at a level that ordinary LCDs do not offer, but this comes at the cost of limited visibility of the smallest lights.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
In film scenes full of light, the TCL C7K can really surprise positively. In test sequences from movies like Pan or Billy Lynn – where the screen has to deal with fireworks, explosions, or bright sunlight – the television performed really well. The light effects looked dynamic and intense, and although they obviously don't reach the level of reference screens capable of displaying 4000 nits, the experience was very satisfying. Color accuracy occasionally deviated slightly from perfection – we noticed a slight cooling of colors in some scenes – but overall, the image was visually pleasing despite a slight oversaturation. This is a result that will successfully satisfy most viewers, even those with somewhat higher demands. The darker parts of the image perform a bit weaker, especially where characters or elements of the set appear in the background. In such moments, it’s obvious that TCL heavily prioritizes deep blacks at the expense of details – and the screen can significantly dim those parts of the image. Was this the intention of TCL's engineers? It's hard to say, but generally, the visual effect will please most users – as the blacks can really make an impression here.
HDR luminance chart:
Luminancja HDR
Luminance of RGB colors
TCL has approached the topic of HDR formats very pragmatically for years – instead of focusing on a single option, it offers a complete range of possibilities. In the C7K model, we simply get everything that matters today – HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. And that's really good news, because regardless of whether we're watching something from Netflix, Prime Video, or a 4K disc, we can be sure that the television will display it as well as it can. The differences can truly be seen with the naked eye. In the comparison photo we prepared, it's clear how Dolby Vision can bring out more details – both in the bright and dark parts of the image – compared to regular HDR10. This is thanks to dynamic metadata that adjusts contrast and brightness to each scene, instead of sticking to one, rigid setting for the entire movie. As a result, the image has more depth, and the HDR effects truly "make a difference." It's great that TCL doesn't restrict the user and simply provides full support for all popular standards.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
6/10
The novelty in TCL televisions for 2025 is the long-awaited Filmmaker mode, which until now could be found in most competitive brands. This is great news because this mode is considered the most faithful to the original vision of the creators and is often recommended by enthusiasts of good picture quality. Unfortunately – as is often the case – the mere presence of this mode does not guarantee perfection. The Filmmaker mode in the TCL C7K is not free from flaws. One could point out the incorrect white balance, particularly the slight dominance of blue, which led to cool, somewhat grayish skin tones. But that was not the biggest problem. The main complaint was excessive brightness exposure, which is clearly visible in the gamma and EOTF charts. The image was simply too bright, at times almost blown out, which affected not only the depth of scenes but also the overall viewing experience. Some details were simply lost, and the whole image looked as if someone had slightly overdone the brightness slider. As always – we decided to see what could be squeezed out of this after calibration. And that’s when things started to get really interesting…
Color reproduction after calibration
7.5/10
After calibration, the TCL C7K showed itself in a really good light, especially when it comes to SDR content. We managed to tune the white balance, color gamut, and brightness characteristics so precisely that color errors on the ColorChecker palette dropped below a value of 2. For the uninitiated – this is almost a perfect result, which means that the image is very close to what the creators intended. Unfortunately, it looked worse with 4K HDR content. Although we were able to slightly calm the white balance and correct its previous errors, it is still evident that the television has some "MiniLED traits," especially in brightness management. When we checked how the C7K handles the EOTF curve on actual film scenes, and not just on synthetic test patterns, it turned out that the screen still tends to slightly brighten the entire image. This affects the overall experience – black loses some depth, and the image becomes less contrastive than it should be. Despite these minor shortcomings in HDR content, the overall reception of materials – especially in SDR – is really very good. After calibration, the C7K can display an image that can successfully compete with much more expensive models. Good color tuning, natural skin tones, and pleasant brightness make movie sessions and everyday content viewing more than satisfactory.
TCL C7K - Smoothness of tonal transitions
8.6/10
TCL C7K handles color gradation very well – in most tested scenes, the tonal transitions were smooth, and the colors blended together without visible outlines or an artificial “blots” effect. In everyday use, it’s hard to find anything to complain about – the image looks natural, without irritating transitions or digital artifacts. Certain limitations only appear in very dark tones – especially in a heavily muted gray palette, where the television may struggle to reproduce the perfect gradation. But that’s absolutely understandable, as even many significantly more expensive models in this range simply give up. Fortunately, these situations are rare and do not significantly affect the overall perception.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
5.5/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
TCL C7K features a function that, according to the manufacturer, is supposed to smooth out unwanted color transitions – something like a rescue for less successful tonal changes. It's called "Gradual Smoothing" and... well, it sounds ambitious, but in practice, it works very poorly. Regardless of whether we set it to low or high, the difference is minimal. Worse still – the function can cut out elements from the image that should remain. Fortunately, film grain remains untouched, so at least it doesn't smooth everything indiscriminately, but still – it's better to just turn this option off.
When it comes to scaling lower-resolution content, it's already better. SD and HD materials look quite decent, although sometimes we felt that the image loses sharpness and becomes too soft – as if something took away its clarity. Fortunately, with very low sources (e.g., 576p), there was no overscan effect, meaning the image was not artificially cropped – everything fit on the screen as it should.
TCL C7K - Blur and motion smoothness
8.1/10
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, 120Hz
Brightness drop with BFI: 31%
The TCL C7K handles motion fluency really well. The panel used in it offers a refresh rate of 144 Hz, which in itself suggests that this TV is something more than just an ordinary "60 Hz" panel. Moreover, if we connect the C7K to a computer and set the resolution to Full HD. But we'll write more about that in the paragraph about gamers and PC collaboration. Back to everyday use – both sports and movies look very good here. Thanks to the fast panel and well-functioning motion smoother, the C7K is great for watching matches, but also for movie screenings. In the menu, we find two sliders – blur reduction and flicker reduction – which allow you to tailor the smoothness effect to your own preferences. At lower settings, we get a more cinematic effect, with a slight stutter in motion. At higher settings – the image becomes more theatrical, smooth to the point of exaggeration. Everyone can set it up according to their liking.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Smużenie (4K@144Hz):
We have to say it plainly – we are in slight shock at how well the C7K handled ghosting. Or rather... the lack of it. For an LCD, this panel responds exceptionally quickly, which is truly a rarity today, even in more expensive models. Of course, those who are more particular will notice that in very dark scenes, you can still see minor traces of ghosting – but that's more of an exception than a rule. For those particularly sensitive to fluidity, TCL has prepared something else – the BFI function, which inserts a black frame between images. Does it work? Yes. It clearly reduces ghosting, but unfortunately, it can cause "smearing" of contours in dynamic scenes. Brightness does not drop as drastically as with many competitors – where turning on BFI can cause the screen to darken by half or more. Here, the drop is imperceptible. Is it worth using? We would not recommend it – the panel performs very well without this option. But if someone wants to, feel free, there is plenty to choose from.
TCL C7K - 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 C7K is a television that on paper looks like the dream equipment for gamers – and most importantly, it holds up well in practice. First, the good news: we have two full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, so we can easily connect both a console and a computer, taking full advantage of their capabilities. The panel itself supports a refresh rate of 144 Hz, which provides a significant advantage in dynamic games. Additionally, it comes with a full suite of gaming features: VRR (variable refresh rate), ALLM (automatic low latency mode), and support for Dolby Vision in games. There's also an HGiG mode that allows for HDR effects consistent with the creators' intentions. GameBar, which is an informative bar for the gamer. It operates quickly, looks clear (like the Nintendo console👌), and shows what’s most important: the current frame count, VRR status, and even HDR parameters.
TCL C7K - Input lag
9.6/10
When it comes to delays, the C7K gives no reason to complain. In games at 120 Hz, the input lag is around 10 ms, which means the television responds really quickly. Interestingly, even in Dolby Vision mode, the result is very similar, which is not always the standard. Good job, TCL. At 60 Hz, the lag naturally increases a bit, but that's completely normal and applies to virtually every television with a refresh rate of 120 Hz or higher. The most important thing is that everything still operates smoothly and there’s no feeling that something is unresponsive to our actions.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 18 ms | 2160p60: 18 ms | 2160p60 DV: 18 ms |
| 1080p120: 12 ms | 2160p120: 12 ms | 2160p120 DV: 12 ms |
| 2160p60: 18 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 12 ms |
TCL C7K - Compatibility with PC
8.4/10
Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 12ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR
Max refresh rate: 144Hz
G-Sync: Yes
If we intend to connect the C7K to a computer – especially for gaming – there’s really a lot to play for. We have 4K at 144 Hz, which sounds great on its own, but if we lower the resolution, the TV can display even 280 Hz. In e-sports, where every fraction of a second counts, this really makes a difference. Additionally, it supports G-Sync and FreeSync, so no matter what graphics card we have – the image will be smooth, without any stuttering or tearing.
However, if we plan to place the C7K on a desk and use it like a monitor, it’s a bit less "rosy." Yes, it supports chroma 4:4:4, so the fonts should be sharp, but with very dark letters, there’s a slight blurriness and dimming of the edges. It's not something that immediately stands out while gaming or watching, but when working with text – it can be distracting. In everyday use – rather without concerns, but if we plan to place 50 inches a meter from our face, it’s worth keeping this in mind.
TCL C7K - Viewing angles
3/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 78%
There are no surprises here – the C7K has classic viewing angles for a VA panel. That is: sitting directly in front – it’s great. The colors look good, the contrast is strong, everything is in place. But just slightly shifting to the side begins to worsen the experience – the image loses saturation, blacks turn gray, and the overall impression suffers a bit. So if we plan to watch together with several people or have a couch that occupies half the living room – it’s worth seating everyone more centrally. You can watch from the side, but don’t expect miracles – it’s just a characteristic of VA panels.
TCL C7K - TV efficiency during daytime
6.4/10
Matrix coating: Satin
Reflection suppression: Good
Black levels during daytime: Very Good
Fortunately, the TCL C7K performs quite well in a bright room. The applied panel has a satin finish that effectively suppresses reflections, making it so that even on sunny days, we don’t have to worry about reflections from lamps or windows. Importantly, the colors maintain their intensity and do not wash out, as can happen with weaker matte panels. Regarding brightness itself, the average for content like YouTube or regular television reaches a little below 500 nits. It’s not a record-setting result— for example, the MQLED85 (C765) performs better in this regard. However, for everyday watching during the day, it should work without major issues, as long as we don’t plan to place it opposite a south-facing window without curtains.
Matrix brightness
Average luminance SDR
TCL C7K / QM7K 55"-85": 529 cd/m2
TCL C7K - TV features
7.3/10
System: Google TV
System performance: Good
- 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
- Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV: Yes
- Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker: Yes
Smart features:
- AirPlay: Yes
- Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
- Wyszukiwanie głosowe: Yes
- Voice search in native language: Yes
- Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
SmartTV: GoogleTV
The biggest strength of the TCL C7K in everyday use is undoubtedly the Google TV system. Thanks to it, we have access to an almost endless library of applications, including those more niche ones that are often unavailable on other platforms. The built-in Google Assistant understands Polish, so we can easily ask what is on TV, what the weather is like, and even issue a few voice commands to control the television. We also have to appreciate the presence of Chromecast and AirPlay, which work smoothly and make life easier.
Usability Features
On the downside, the classic features perform a bit worse. Of course, we will find the basics here – teletext, EPG, or the ability to connect headphones – but that's basically it. There is a lack of USB recording functionality and picture-in-picture (PiP) mode, which can still be found with the competition at times. It is also worth noting that Google TV in the TCL version can sometimes have oddly translated fragments of the menu or minor interface bugs. These are not things that hinder everyday use, but detail-oriented people might notice them.
TCL C7K - Apps
9.6/10
TCL C7K - 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 |
The built-in file player in the TCL C7K performs really well. It supports most popular audio and video formats, so if we want to quickly load something from a USB drive and play it, there shouldn't be a problem. Of course, as is often the case, there can be some minor shortcomings – not every exotic codec will work (Apple's HEIC), not all subtitles will be perfectly synchronized (txt.). However, the biggest advantage of this television comes to the rescue, which is Google TV. Thanks to access to the Google Play Store, we can easily install an alternative player, such as VLC, and then no file will be a challenge for us.
TCL C7K - Sound
7.7/10
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 larger versions of the C7K (from 55 inches and up), the sound makes an even better impression than in the smallest, 50-inch variant. This is due to the greater number of built-in speakers and additional channels that provide a fuller, more spacious sound. The bass becomes clearer, dialogues gain clarity, and sound effects can truly fill the room.
It's worth mentioning the collaboration between TCL and the Bang & Olufsen brand, which appeared in the 2025 models. Even if we are not a hundred percent sure whether original drivers from the Danish company are working inside, the final effect is surprisingly positive. As far as a TV without an additional soundbar goes, the larger C7K models offer sound that can be enjoyed even during longer movie sessions.
TCL C7K - Details about the matrix
Software version during testing: V8.0012T01-LF1V531.002396
Image processor: MT5896 2,5GB RAM
Subpixel Structure:
Panel uniformity:
Backlight Type: Mini-LED QLED
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