TCL has a long history of being a brand known for excellent performance and affordability in the ever-changing home entertainment industry. They’ve been in the SA market since 2021 and have since taken the market by storm with their innovative range of audiovisual devices. We got our hands on the TCL C855 Premium QD-Mini LED 4K TV, one of their recent releases and easily found out why they’re quickly becoming one of South Africa’s favourite brands.
Highlights:
- The TCL C855 is equipped with up to 2304 local dimming zones that cast pixel-level light control, delivering lifelike details.
- With up to 3500 nits peak brightness, you can witness a lossless image. Images look and feel even more real and immersive.
- As a breakthrough light control solution in the industry, the evolutionary Six-crystal light-emitting chip enhances the brightness and improves the screen performance dramatically by delivering outstanding brightness and darkness.
- For gaming enthusiasts, the TCL C855 comes fully equipped with essential features such as 144Hz VRR, ALLM, and AMD FreeSync Pro. Additionally, it boasts a powerful 60W Onkyo speaker system, built with a 2.1.2 configuration, delivering outstanding audio quality.
The TCL C855 is one gorgeous device fitting seamlessly into your home environment. Looking great one either its stand or on a wall mount, it’s easy to fit in with your existing aesthetic. It features Google TV, offering a broad selection of apps and support for familiar tools such as Google Assistant, Chromecast, and AirPlay. You’ll have access to all the streaming services you need, and the main menu can be customised to provide personalised programme recommendations.
Display and AI
Ok, but what’s QLED exactly?
Quantum dots are currently the premier display material available. They are an inorganic nanocrystal material capable of displaying the purest primary colours of red, green, and blue through light source excitation, resulting in the most realistic and vibrant picture colours. QLED Pro (inside of the TCL C855) employs an upgraded version of Quaternary Quantum Crystal Pro. Unlike standard binary quantum dot materials, the Quaternary Quantum Dot material is an advancement from a combination of two elements to a combination of four elements. This enhances the structural performance of the quaternary alloy significantly and introduces a new passivation layer in the casing, delivering higher brightness and richer colour performance. According to TCL, the panel should last between 100,000 – 150,000 hours without a reduction in brightness, meaning it will not degrade quickly.
A TV wouldn’t be a TV in 2o24 without AI tech built in, the C855 it has six key AI adjustments. These settings adjust the picture in real time based on what you’re watching, enhancing the image quality down to the pixel level. Plus, the TV’s powerful processing handles multiple tasks effortlessly, ensuring the system runs smoothly. The AI adjustments include AI-Colour, AI-Contrast, AI-Sharpness, AI-Sports Mode, AI-Brightness, and AI-Scene.
Blockbuster Audio
The TCL C855 features audio from Onkyo, a renowned, high-quality audio brand, they’re known for setting home theatre standards and are the official equipment partner of IMAX. The TCL C855 comes with a robust 60W Onkyo 2.1.2 Hi-Fi audio system. This includes two speakers for the left and right channels, two subwoofers for deep bass, and two additional speakers for overhead sound effects.
A Gamers Dream
The AMD FreeSync technology promises seamless, artifact-free gameplay at almost any frame rate, putting an end to choppy gameplay and broken frames. TCL mentions it is regarded as the next breakthrough in PC and console gaming. We out two consoles to the test (Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch) and found the gameplay to be extremely fluid and sharp. TCL’s unique ‘Game Master’ settings make gameplay settings feel dedicated and thought through – not just a feature they slapped on and tried to market. I’m sure any gamer, casual or serious would find the C855 the ultimate addition to their setup.
In summary, the TCL C855 sets a new benchmark in the TV market, providing a high-quality viewing experience the television itself isn’t cheap, but won’t completely break the bank. Whether you’re a movie buff, a gamer, or just looking to upgrade your home entertainment setup, the TCL C855 is a choice that delivers on all fronts. Its blend of advanced technology, stylish design, and user-friendly features make it a standout option for anyone looking to elevate their TV experience.
It is available for purchase from all leading retailers at the estimated price of R24999.99. You can also find it online on Takealot.