TCL QLED or Samsung?

[DrBob]

Now that TCL has a QLED TV under $400 that technology is in the range of cheapskates like me. I know that TCL is considered a budget brand, and I don't expect its QLED to be as good as Samsung's. QLED. But how about a non-QLED from a "better" brand? Will the TCL QLED have a better picture than a non-QLED Samsung or LG? (I'm only talking picture here - not apps or design or anything else.)

 

[mechman]

I bought a 5 series TCL display back in March and I kinda like it. Originally it was meant to sit in my office as I tested out beta calibration software but I got a lot busier this summer working on things around the house than I thought I would so it was mainly collecting dust. A few days ago I put it up in the bedroom to replace the very old Panasonic plasma. The reason I bought this display, outside of the can't beat it price, was that this brand came up while I was attending my ISF course. Jason Dustal mentioned how they calibrated very nicely and that they were nicely priced. I can confirm both of those statements!

All that being said, I think that you should take a look at RTINGS.com and compare the reviews of each display and see if it will fit your location. They test just about everything there and rarely do I come away from one of their reviews with any question marks. I'm not sure which Samsung you were looking at but I do recall reading the TCL 635 review. I believe that the biggest issue with the 635 was viewing angle.

QLED technology is supposed to produce better color and brightness than standard LED technology. I have yet to measure/calibrate any QLED displays but the ones that I have seen with my eyes always look great.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I’d have to agree with Steve, look at RTINGS and then report back! I wouldn't be shy about TCL. They have some models that have reviewed well. Quite frankly, I haven’t been blown away by Samsung’s offerings as seen at the TV Shootouts I’ve attended.

Curious, why QLED and not OLED?

 

[DrBob]

Thanks for the advice and the tip about RTINGS. It looks like the TCL QLED review is still early access only. I will have to calculate the angles - we have a wide seating area.

Todd:
"Curious, why QLED and not OLED? "

$400 vs. $1400 (Cheapskate, remember?)

 

[Todd Anderson]

I think "budget-conscious" is a much better descriptor!