TCL New 2024 Lineup of TV’s & Soundbars Details Revealed!

TCL Brief History of Growth

Electronics companies are constantly evolving to meet consumer needs.  Take TCL for instance.  Ten years ago, I would not have given another look to the budget-priced displays, but now, TCL Technology Group Corp. is yet another demonstration of the rapid evolution and growth of Chinese enterprises in the global electronics market. TCL was established in 1981 under the brand name TTK, focusing on the production of audio cassettes. As a state-owned enterprise, it aimed to meet the burgeoning demand for consumer electronics in China. However, the company's trajectory changed significantly in 1985 after facing a lawsuit from TDK for intellectual property violations. This legal challenge prompted the company to rebrand itself as TCL, an acronym for Telephone Communication Limited, marking the beginning of a new chapter in its history.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, TCL expanded its product line to include a variety of consumer electronics, steadily gaining a foothold in the market. The company diversified its offerings to include television sets, mobile phones, air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, and small electrical appliances. This broad range of products helped TCL establish a strong presence both domestically and internationally. In 2008, TCL's reputation received a significant boost when Samsung Electronics announced it would outsource the production of some LCD TV modules to TCL. This partnership underscored TCL's growing capability and reliability in the electronics manufacturing sector.

By 2010, TCL had become the world's 25th-largest consumer electronics producer, a notable achievement for a company that had started with audio cassettes less than three decades earlier. TCL's strategic focus on innovation and quality helped it climb the ranks, and by 2019, it had become the second-largest television manufacturer by market share globally. This period marked TCL's transition from a national player to a formidable global competitor. In 2014, TCL redefined its initials from "Telephone Communication Limited" to "The Creative Life," a branding slogan that TCL says, “better encapsulated its mission and vision”.

At CES 2024, TCL unveiled its impressive new 115" TV, setting a new benchmark for home entertainment displays. As the world’s largest QD Mini LED TV, this colossal display combines cutting-edge technology with stunning design, featuring advanced Quantum Dot technology for exceptional color accuracy and vibrant visuals. The massive screen supports 8K resolution, while its high refresh rate ensures smooth and immersive viewing experiences, especially for gaming and fast-paced action. TCL has announced that they are now shipping the 115" beast of a TV along with all their other Q and S class options along with a series of Dolby Atmos soundbars. 

Here's a quick rundown of what TCL has to offer in 2024. 

TCL Q Class Smart TV

TCL’s new Q Class Smart TV models will feature Quantum Dot technology with UltraWide Color Gamut for enhanced QLED color that produces more lifelike images. The TCL Q Class includes the Q65, Q68, QM7, and QM8 models, including three new 98” TVs and their 115” QM89, the world's largest QD-Mini LED TV.  The High Brightness+ LED Backlight is said to produce 28% more brightness for visceral viewing when watching movies, sports, or TV shows. The 85” and new 98” models have added a 120Hz panel refresh rate for the clearest possible fast motion, and Game Accelerator 240 for blistering fast 240 VRR Gaming.

The new Q68 QLED adds Full Array Local Dimming for enhanced contrast. The model is also armed with TCL’s new High Brightness PRO LED Backlight, yielding up to 600 Peak Nits. This combination means the Q68 creates more dynamic images with greater specular highlights, which is especially important for HDR content.

TCL QM7

In 2024, TCL significantly upgraded last year’s Q7 to a high-zone QD-Mini LED TV, renaming it the QM7. QD-Mini LED incorporates advanced optical technologies, developed by TCL, including the HEXA 6-in-1 LED Chip for high brightness with fine light control, the UWA Ultra-Wide-Angle lens system for enhanced image uniformity, and ODR LED Technology with Optical Distance Reduced to virtually eliminate image blooming.

TCL’s QM7 is a premium Mini LED with up to 1,500+ precisely controlled dimming zones for deep black levels, and a High Brightness ULTRA LED Backlight with up to 2,400 Nits Peak for incredible brightness, yielding a 20% increase in brightness over its predecessor. However, it’s the quality of the QD-Mini LED optics and AiPQ Processing that truly sets it apart.

This first QD-Mini LED series also features QLED ULTRA color for up to 97%+ of DCI-P3, 100% color volume and enhanced color accuracy, a 120Hz Panel Refresh Rate, and HDR ULTRA with Dolby Vision IQ, all controlled by the step-up TCL AiPQ PRO Processor, and with IMAX Enhanced Certification. QM7 also includes Game Accelerator 240 for up to 240 VRR gaming, Auto Game Mode (ALLM), Game Bar, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, to satisfy even the most serious gamers. In addition, there is a new Onkyo 2.1 Channel Speaker System with a built-in subwoofer for more bass, and the new slim FullView 360 Design, now with a height-adjustable pedestal stand.

TCL QM8

Building on the features of TCL’s new QM7, the award-winning flagship QM8 features a new high-zone QD-Mini LED ULTRA with up to 5,000+ dimming zones, precise zone control utilizing TCL’s powerful AiPQ PRO Processor, and striking brightness with the new High Brightness ULTIMATE LED Backlight that delivers up to 5,000+ Nits Peak. That is a leap of over 2X the dimming zones and 2.5X the brightness than its predecessor, helping to set a new standard for premium Mini LED performance.

The QM8 also features an Anti-Glare Screen, enhanced audio with a new Onkyo 2.1.2 channel speaker system, and built-in up-firing Dolby Atmos drivers, Wi-Fi 6, and NEXTGEN TV. For consumers seeking a premium theater experience, in any home environment, TCL’s new QM8 is “The Ultimate Choice.”

The QM8 family will now offer a new mega-size 115” model, which is the world’s largest QD-Mini LED TV. The QM89 features QD-Mini LED ULTIMATE, which incorporates an incredible 20,000 dimming zones for amazing contrast that is powered by the TCL AiPQ ULTRA Processor. This new top-level processor brings even more horsepower for unmatched picture performance, creating pristine imagery across a huge, vibrant screen for an immersive viewing experience.  Pairing its massive screen size with impressive sound, TCL adds a new Onkyo 6.2.2 channel speaker system, and of course all the key features of the QM8. 

With massive investments in big screen LCD and Mini LED development and production, vertical integration gives TCL the advantage to redefine home entertainment with ultra-large, feature-packed televisions.

--TCL

TCL S5 Class Smart TV

TCL’s S4 model from 2023 has been redefined and is now labeled as the all-new smart and vivid S5. The S5 features an up to 25%+ increase in brightness thanks to its new High Brightness LED Backlight, and an Enhanced Color Gamut to ensure richer images. Setting the S5 apart from competing models at this level, TCL is now including its advanced AiPQ Processor – a first in the S Class – for images that are brighter, clearer, and more accurate. Additionally, for the first time, 55”+ S Class models get a significant gaming upgrade with Game Accelerator 120 for 120 VRR Gaming. Other new capabilities include HDR PRO+ with both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, Enhanced Dialog Mode, TV as Center Channel Mode, Custom Install Capability with Hospitality Mode, and the new FullView 360 Thin Metal Bezel-less Design. Of course, features such as Motion Rate 120 with MEMC, Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X, Auto Game Mode (ALLM), Game Bar, and more.

TCL S Class S5 is available now in sizes ranging from 43” up to 85” models starting at $349.99 MSRP, from your favorite retailer.

TCL Soundbars

Additionally, TCL is offering its Q Class and S Class soundbars. TCL's latest sound bars complement its award-winning TVs by delivering rich audio experiences in two new Q Class and two new S Class models that incorporate Dolby Atmos technology for a higher, more immersive sound. 

Consumers know us best for our award-winning TVs but what many don’t know is that TCL has more than 20 years of experience in building products for major audio and smart speaker brands. Our talented team of audio engineers have invested extensive research and development to refine our latest soundbar offerings. Always raising the bar to give people more than they expect, TCL provides the full home theater experience with a lineup of new Dolby Atmos soundbars that match perfectly with our new 2024 TCL TVs, including special features that allow functionality such as using the TV as an enhanced center channel.

--Chris Hamdorf, Executive Vice President, TCL

TCL Q Class Sound Bar: High Quality Home Theater

TCL's Q Class Dolby Atmos sound bar is said to deliver “powerful performance that TCL is known for, wrapped in an elegant design”. The Q75H is a 5.1.2 sound bar that allows you to experience Dolby Atmos and DTS:X with built-in side surround speakers. TCL's Q85H is a 7.1.4 sound bar that delivers an “enveloping” home theater experience by adding wireless rear speakers, which also incorporate rear Dolby Atmos up-firing drivers and Ray-Danz acoustic wave-guide reflectors.

For 2024, we have worked with our engineers to develop enhanced TCL sound bars that match perfectly with our new 2024 TCL TVs, creating room filling, yet seamless, home theater experiences. All new TCL sound bar models feature Dolby Atmos, with new Q Class models also including up-firing drivers. The Q75H is perfect for anyone who wants a premium sound bar with surround sound, but doesn’t want rear speakers. The Q85H takes things to the next level creating an incredibly enveloping sound experience with Dolby Atmos and Surround Drivers, from both front and rear. This is truly TCL taking sound to new heights.

--Scott Ramirez, VP of Product Marketing and Development, TCL.

The TCL Q Class Q75H will be available for $899.99 MSRP and the TCL’s Q85H will be available for $999.99 MSRP and will be available this summer.

TCL S Class Sound Bar: Home Theater Made Simple

The new S Class sound bars include TCL’s S45H and S55H models with what looks to be a beautiful new cosmetic design and will be available in a 2.0 and 2.1 channel setup. Both models are upgraded with Dolby Atmos and Auto Room Calibration, which was previously only available in Q Class, and can use the TV with the Center Channel Mode. These models also include other key features such as DTS Virtual:X Virtual 3D Surround, HDMI with eARC, Bluetooth, TCL TV Ready capability, and are wall mountable. TCL’s S45H is a 2.0 Dolby Atmos sound bar with a built-in bass reflex port for enhanced bass without a separate subwoofer, while the S55H adds a separate wireless subwoofer featuring a 5.5” driver and bass boost technology for deeper bass.

The TCL S Class S45H is now available for $179.99 MSRP and the TCL S Class S55H is available for $219.99 MSRP at your favorite retailer. We like the fact that you get everything needed to set up your sound system with a free HDMI cable and wall mount included in all packages. TCL’s 2024 S Class sound bars are available at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and other popular retailers, while its new Q Class models will be available at these retailers in the summer.

For more information, visit the 2024 TCL Home Theater Product Page

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.