- 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 Review
C7K / Q7C / MQLED85K / C79K / C71K / QM7K
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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 television for 2025 that is likely intended to replace the very popular MQLED85 (C765) model from last year. Right from the start, it stands out not only for its MiniLED backlighting technology and QD (quantum dots) screen but also for the newly established collaboration between TCL and the Bang & Olufsen brand, which is set to provide better sound experiences. Sounds good? We checked how the C7K performs in everyday use – from movies and games to the functioning of the system.
TCL C7K - Our verdict
7.1
Overall rating
There are TVs that come in for testing and you immediately think: "oh, another average one, probably like many others." And in fact… that's true. The TCL C7K doesn't try to dethrone the OLEDs, it doesn't shout from the box "revolution!". And yet, after a few days of testing, it's hard not to think: "wow, this is really good equipment." And that's exactly what the C7K is. The biggest asset of the C7K is its decent picture at a reasonable price – MiniLED and quantum dots do their job here. The colors are vibrant, the brightness is satisfactory, the contrast is impressive, and with the right settings, you can truly enjoy viewing in the best quality. The second strong point is the fluidity of motion – both in sports and in games. Support for HDMI 2.1, variable refresh rate, 144 Hz, and a whole bunch of other features make playing on this TV a pure pleasure. Additionally, there's Google TV, which – despite minor shortcomings – provides access to nearly an endless library of applications. Voice control, quick access to YouTube, Netflix, AirPlay support – everything you need for daily use is here. Are there any downsides? Sure. The Google TV system sometimes experiences moments of "hesitation," and MiniLED – like any MiniLED – can stumble on very challenging movie scenes. But those are details. After all, the C7K is a mid-range model – and in this class, it simply performs excellently. So if you are looking for a reasonably priced, modern TV with Google TV that looks good, works well, and sounds pretty decent without breaking your budget – the TCL C7K definitely deserves attention.
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
Support for multiple HDR formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
Google TV operating system with access to a huge app base
Pleasant sound from built-in speakers
Disadvantages
Google TV can work with minor lags
No USB recording and PiP features
Movies and series in UHD quality6.7
Classic TV, YouTube6.5
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)6.4
Gaming on console8.5
TV as a computer monitor8.4
Watching in bright light6.1
Utility functions7.7
Apps9.6
Sound quality7.0
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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
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's hard to disagree. The C7K looks neat, modern, and solid.
On the other hand – literally – the situation is somewhat worse. The back of the television is quite "plump," which results from the MiniLED backlighting design. This means that when hung on the wall, we won't achieve the effect of a super-flat installation. Despite this minor drawback, the overall quality of workmanship is really decent. The materials don't creak, everything is well-fitted, and the design – for this price segment – can positively surprise and may be pleasing to the eye.
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TCL C7K - Contrast and black detail
7.1/10
Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 336 (14 x 24)
Result
161,000:1
Result
18,750:1
Result
13,150:1
Result
6,300:1
Result
4,200:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
The 50-inch TCL C7K that we tested surprised us right from the start – it's the smallest model in the series, yet it comes equipped with a VA panel with MiniLED backlighting and – attention – as many as 336 dimming zones. For comparison: many significantly larger TVs from higher tiers would be eager to boast such a number. Here we have it in the 50-inch version. Sounds promising, right? So how does this translate into real movie-watching experiences? In the vast majority of tested scenes – very well. The contrast was so high that in measurements it even reached six-digit values, which in practice means very deep blacks and well-separated highlights. In scenes from movies like The Revenant or Oblivion, the effect was impressive, matching the best LCD screens in this class.
However, not everything went perfectly. Despite the impressive number of zones, their management was not always exemplary. In more complex scenes, where there are small light sources or a high level of detail, the TV had issues with the so-called halo effect (a glowing halo around bright objects) or with overly aggressive dimming of the image. In such situations, contrast could either collapse due to overexposing parts of the zones or, conversely – details in bright areas disappeared because the zones suppressed the light too much. Nevertheless, it's worth emphasizing that in the vast majority of scenes, the contrast was more than satisfactory. And considering the size of the TV and its price, the final effect will satisfy not just average users.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
TCL C7K - HDR effect quality
5.4/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 93.1%, Bt.2020: 72.9%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
1051 nit
Result
185 nit
Result
454 nit
Result
200 nit
Result
836 nit
TCL C7K is one of the brightest MiniLED televisions in its price range. Under the best test conditions, the screen was able to achieve over 1200 nits, resulting in impressive, and at times blindingly bright scenes. And most importantly – this is not just a theoretical measurement. In practice, the brightest parts of movies can shine with true cinematic grandeur. Home HDR cinema fans should be truly pleased.
The impression is especially great in scenes with large areas of brightness – white skies, explosions, sun reflections, or magical sunsets can surprise with the intensity of light that rarely appears in this price range.
However, things get a bit worse when more challenging scenarios appear on the screen, which have been described in terms of contrast – meaning images full of details, with small bright elements against a dark background. In such cases, the C7K often chooses to retain black at the expense of brightness. An example? Scenes from the movies Sicario 2 or Life of Pi, where small light sources (like a distant lantern) can be less visible, and details in the lights are simply dimmed or blend into the background.
For many viewers, this may be an acceptable compromise – as we achieve deep blacks and pleasant image texture. Nevertheless, it is worth being aware that the visibility of small details in bright areas is not the strongest suit of this model. It is simply a technological limitation that still exists – even with over 300 zones.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
In scenes full of light, the TCL C7K can truly impress in a positive way. In test sequences from films like Pan or Billy Lynn – where the screen has to deal with fireworks, explosions, or harsh sunlight – the television performed quite well. The light effects looked dynamic and intense, and although they certainly do not reach the level of reference screens capable of displaying 4000 nits, the overall 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 presented itself pleasantly despite slight over-exaggeration. This is a result that will successfully satisfy most viewers, even those with somewhat higher expectations. Darker parts of the image perform slightly worse, particularly where characters or elements of the scenery appear in the background. In such moments, it is evident that TCL strongly prioritizes deep black at the expense of details – and the screen can significantly dim those areas 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 – because the blacks can really make an impression here.
HDR luminance chart:
Luminancja HDR
Luminance of RGB colors
TCL is a brand that does not engage in any format wars. With 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 best as it can. The differences can really be seen with the naked eye. In the comparative photo we prepared, it's easy to see how Dolby Vision can pull out more details – both in bright and dark areas of the image – compared to regular HDR10. This is thanks to dynamic metadata, which adjusts contrast and brightness for each scene instead of sticking to one rigid setting for the entire film. This results in a more profound image, and the HDR effects truly "get the job done." It's gratifying that TCL does not limit the user and simply provides full support for all popular standards.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
6/10
A new feature 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 truest to the original vision of the creators and is often recommended by enthusiasts of good image quality. Unfortunately – as is often the case – the mere presence of this feature does not guarantee perfection. The Filmmaker mode in the TCL C7K is not free of flaws. One could point out the incorrect white balance, particularly the slight dominance of blue, which caused cool, somewhat grayish skin tones. But that was not the biggest problem. The main complaint was excessive brightness exposure, which is clearly visible on the gamma and EOTF graphs. The image was simply too bright, at times even blown out, which affected not only the plasticity of the scenes but also the overall viewing experience. Some details simply got lost, and the whole image looked as if someone had overdone it with the brightness slider. As always – we decided to see what could be squeezed out of it after calibration. And this is where things got 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 fine-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 an almost perfect result, meaning that the image is very close to what the creators intended. Unfortunately, it was less impressive with 4K HDR content. Although we managed to slightly calm the white balance and correct its earlier errors, it is still evident that the TV has certain "MiniLED traits," especially in managing brightness. When we checked how the C7K performed with the EOTF curve on real movie scenes rather than just synthetic test patterns, it turned out that the screen still has a tendency to slightly brighten the entire image. This affects the overall experience – the black loses some depth, and the image becomes less contrasty 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
The TCL C7K handles color gradation very well – in most tested scenes, tonal transitions were smooth, and colors blended together without visible contours or artificial “blot” effects. In everyday use, it’s hard to find fault with it – the image looks natural, without irritating transitions or digital artifacts. Some limitations only appear in very dark tones – especially in a heavily muted gray palette, where the TV may struggle to reproduce ideal gradation. But this is absolutely understandable, because 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
The 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 shifts. 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. What's worse – the function can remove 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.
As for scaling lower-resolution content, it's already better. SD and HD materials look quite decent, though sometimes we had the impression that the image loses sharpness and becomes too soft – as if something took away its clarity. Fortunately, at 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
7.5/10
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: 24%
TCL C7K handles motion smoothness really very well. The matrix used in it offers a refresh rate of 144 Hz, which already 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 will write more about this in the paragraph about gamers and PC cooperation. Returning to everyday use – both sports and movies look very good here. Thanks to the fast panel and well-functioning motion smoother, the C7K is perfect for watching matches, but also for movie screenings. In the menu, we will find two sliders – blur reduction and flicker reduction – which allow us to adjust the motion smoothness effect to our own preferences. At lower settings, we get a more cinematic effect, with slight frame motion. At higher settings – the image becomes more theatrical, smooth to the point of exaggeration. Everyone can set it to their liking.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Smużenie (4K 144Hz):
We have to say it straightforwardly – we are a bit shocked at how well the C7K handled motion blur. Or rather... the lack of it. As far as LCDs go, this panel reacts exceptionally quickly, which is truly rare today, even in more expensive models. Of course, the pickier ones will notice that in very dark scenes, there are still slight traces of motion blur – but that is more of an exception than a rule. For those particularly sensitive to smoothness, TCL prepared something else – the BFI feature, which inserts a black frame between images. Does it work? Yes. It clearly reduces motion blur, but unfortunately, it can cause outlines to “shift” in dynamic scenes. Brightness does not drop as drastically as with many competitors – where enabling BFI can dim the screen by half or more. Here, the drop is imperceptible. Is it worth using? We wouldn’t really recommend it – the panel performs very well without this option. But if someone wants to – go ahead, there are options to choose from.
TCL C7K - Console compatibility and gaming features
9.8/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
48 - 144Hz
- 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 TV that looks like the dream equipment for gamers on paper – and most importantly, it also performs well in practice. First, the good news: we have two HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth, so we can easily connect both a console and a computer, taking full advantage of their capabilities. The panel itself supports 144 Hz refresh rate, which provides a significant advantage in dynamic games. Additionally, it comes with a full package of gaming features: VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), and Dolby Vision support in games. There is also an HGiG mode, which allows for HDR effects that align with the creators' intentions. GameBar, which is an information bar for gamers. It operates quickly, looks clear (like a Nintendo console👌), and shows what’s most important: the current frame count, VRR status, and even HDR parameters.
TCL C7K - Input lag
9.7/10
When it comes to delays, the C7K doesn't give any reasons 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 obviously increases a bit, but that is completely normal and applies to virtually any television with a refresh rate of 120Hz and higher. The most important thing is that everything still runs smoothly and there is no feeling that something is not responding to our actions.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 19 ms | 2160p60: 19 ms | 2160p60 DV: 19 ms |
| 1080p120: 11 ms | 2160p120: 10 ms | 2160p120 DV: 10 ms |
| 2160p60: 19 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 11 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): 11ms
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 definitely something to play with. We have 4K at 144 Hz, which sounds great on its own, but if we drop the resolution, the TV can display even 280 Hz. In e-sports, where every fraction of a second counts, this makes a real difference. On top of that, there's support for G-Sync and FreeSync, so regardless of what graphics card we have – the image will be smooth, without any stuttering or tearing.
But if we plan to put the C7K on a desk and use it like a monitor, it’s a little less “rosy.” Sure, it supports chroma 4:4:4, so fonts should be sharp, but with very dark letters, there’s a slight blurring and dimming of the edges. It’s not something that immediately stands out during gaming or watching, but when working with text – it can be distracting. In everyday use – probably without concerns, but if we plan to place a 50-inch screen 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: 75%
There are no surprises here – the C7K has classic viewing angles for a VA panel. That is: sitting directly in front – it’s great. Colors look good, contrast is strong, everything is in place. But just shifting a little to the side and it starts to get worse – the image loses saturation, blacks turn gray, and the overall impression diminishes a bit. So if we plan to watch together with a few people or have a couch that takes up half the living room – it’s worth seating everyone more centrally. You can watch from the side, but don’t expect miracles – that’s just a characteristic of the VA panel.
TCL C7K - TV efficiency during daytime
6.1/10
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 matrix has a satin finish that effectively reduces reflections, so even on a sunny day, 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. When it comes to brightness itself, the average for content like YouTube or regular TV is slightly below 500 nits. This is not a record 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: 475 cd/m2
TCL C7K - TV features
7.7/10
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 greatest 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 apps, including more niche ones that are often unavailable on other platforms. The built-in Google Assistant understands Polish, so we can easily ask what's on TV, what the weather is like, and even give a few voice commands to control the television. It's also worth noting the presence of Chromecast and AirPlay, which work smoothly and make life easier.
Usability Features
On the downside, the classic features are somewhat lacking. Of course, we find the basics here – teletext, EPG, or the ability to connect headphones – but that's pretty much it. There's a lack of USB recording functionality or picture-in-picture (PiP) mode, which can sometimes still be found with the competition. It's also worth remembering that the Google TV implementation on TCL can sometimes have oddly translated menu sections or minor interface bugs. These are not issues that hinder everyday use, but detail-oriented individuals may 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 media player in the TCL C7K performs really well. It supports most popular audio and video formats, so if we want to quickly throw something from a USB drive and play it – there shouldn’t be any problem. Of course, as is usually the case, there are some minor shortcomings – not every exotic codec will work (Apple's HEIC), not all subtitles will be perfectly synchronized (txt.). However, this is where the biggest advantage of this TV comes in, which is Google TV. With access to the Google Play store, we can easily install an alternative player, like VLC, and then no file is intimidating to us.
TCL C7K - Sound
7/10
7/10
Subjective sound quality
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
Supported codecs
(external HDMI eARC audio)
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
To be honest, we didn't expect much from the sound in the 50-inch version of the C7K model. Usually, in such sizes, it's hard to get anything more than a thin, flat sound. But here – a pleasant surprise. The sound turned out to be really enjoyable, with good clarity and even a slightly perceptible bass. This is probably related to TCL's new collaboration with the Bang & Olufsen brand, which is new for 2025. Whether the C7K actually features original drivers from the Danish premium brand – we can't confirm. But the final effect is still deserving of a plus. For a TV without a soundbar – it sounds quite nice.
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: PFS LED
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