TCL Announces 8-Series 4K Roku TVs With QLED And Mini LED Tech Undercutting Rivals On Price

Both the 6-Series and 8-Series models are adopting Quantum Dot (QLED) color technology that has long been championed by Samsung. TCL is promising 100 percent color representation in the DCI-P3 color space and that its new TVs will deliver more saturated colors across the board.

The QLEDs are used in conjunction with high performance mini-LEDs which helps to boost contrast performance, delivering inky blacks in darkened scenes not possible with current LED technology. In fact, TCL believes that its mini-LEDs will be comparable in performance to OLED TVs, which are the benchmark for black levels on high-end TVs. On the flagship 75-inch 8-Series Roku TV, TCL says that it has deployed 25,000 mini-LEDs in the panel compared to mere "hundreds" in TVs from the competition.

The 8-Series TCL Roku TVs will be available in 65-inch and 75-inch sizes, priced at $1,999 and $2,999 respectively.

Like the 8-Series, the new 6-Series Roku TVs are also taking advantage of QLED technology. However, you won't find mini-LEDs in these more budget-friendly products and local dimming zones max out at 160 (compared to 25,000) depending on screen size. You should expect to see better contrast and brightness control compared to standard LCD displays, however. Prices start at under $600 for the 6-Series.

For those that are incredibly price conscious, there's the 5-Series, which for 2019 is available in 43-inch, 50-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch screen sizes. These TVs continue to use standard LCD panels without local dimming, but prices are quite affordable, starting at below $300 for the 43-inch model.

All three families of 4K Roku TVs support Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos audio, and all three come with the familiar Roku remote. However, the 6-Series and 8-Series up the ante with voice control. The TCL 5-Series and 6-Series Roku TVs will be available later this summer, while the 8-Series will arrive in this fall.

And if the past promotions are any indicator, we might see some excellent deals on these new TVs when Black Friday rolls around…