This TCL Mini -LED model is the TV

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The TCL QM6K (65-inch) usually costs $ 1,000.
A variety of upgrades and new functions make it very competitive with the high-end models of other brands.
His speakers are loud, but clarity could be made even crisp with a soundbar.

More purchase decisions

At Amazon, the 65-inch TCL QM6L Smart TV Has received a 25% discount and currently costs $ 748.

Already in January we highlighted the publication of the TCL QM6K at CES, where we were impressed by their specifications and functions for a budget television -many of which were available exclusively in Premium brands a few years ago. This week I set up a test model in our studio laboratory and took a deep, practical view of the youngest flagship from TCL.

What is new to this model

TCL introduced a number of upgrades from the Q6 QLED from 2024, all of which are integrated into its new Halo control system. Part of this configuration is an LED chip of super high energy, of which TCL claims to increase the brightness output by 53% and light efficiency by 10%.

The TCL pangu LAB has also redesigned its back -up system in order to reduce the optical distance (or “od”) between the backlight and the diffuser plate of the QM6K and its future models. With this “micro -od” approach, pictures suffer less halo effect, even between the contrast of penetrating white and oily blacks. With tests, I almost no halo effect on the QM6K; More on this below.

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The QM6K also has a bidirectional 23-bit back lighting controller, which is supported by a high-contrast CSOT-HVA panel with a stronger dark condition to block light more efficiently and deliver over 65,000 brightness levels when the LCD is switched on. This corresponds to a static contrast ratio of 7,000: 1, which, according to TCL, is five times higher than competitor models in the same price range.

In addition to a new color optimization algorithm, which is built into its operating system, the QM6K contains sufficient quantum crystals to render more than a billion colors, with up to 98% of the DCI P3 color intestine. In addition, a new dynamic light algorithm optimizes the incoming video signal, so that SDR signals appear on a near HDR level.

Finally, Pangu has improved his AIPQ processor to process what the transient reaction names zero delay, which according to TCL “practically does not delay the input signal and the back-up reaction reaction, which prevents the blurring of after-image and maximizing the speculative highlights”.

First impressions and feeling of sensation

Regardless of whether it should be seen as an upgrade or not, TCL has planned from using a Roku platform for Google TV. All 2025 models are now carried out on Google's operating system with integrated Chromecast and access to all usual streaming apps such as Apple TV, Hulu and Netflix.

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The user interface of the QM6K is well organized and laid out, although immersing in the menu can be confused a bit. Fair, this is quite common today, as smart TVs are getting smarter. There are so many options to adapt your A/V settings on the QM6K that you would record most of this article.

The design of TCL's latest remote control is less complicated, but equally intelligent. I like the size and the feeling in my hand. It is 7.25 inches long compared to around 5.5-inch remote controls that have become popular with large brands last year.

It is less likely that the device is swallowed by my couch pillow, and I appreciate an unusual remote control with fewer buttons. The most satisfactory for me, however, is that the keys of the QM6K remote control as soon as they absorb them or whenever he recognizes, illuminate. In my book there is a shining remote control win.

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How many televisions in the range of $ 1,000 is the audio system loud if you need it, but there is no acoustic, cinematic splendor. Equipped with an Onkyo 2.1 loudspeaker system, it has two backfro speakers (L/R) and an integrated subwoofer.

Note from the publisher: If you have ever asked yourself, a “2.1 channel” sound system is a good example to illustrate what these numbers mean: it has it two Speaker and one Subwoofer. A more complex 2.1.2 system would also include two Loudspeakers (or driver) are on the top of the device that projects upwards. All of this means that the QM6K would definitely benefit from a soundbar to create a more dynamic feeling of sound depth and height.

Practical performance tests

I carried out some routine tests on the QM6K for an empirical assessment and was very impressed overall.

Dirty Screen Effect test & Banding

There was absolutely no visible “dirt” on the screen when this test was carried out. The dirt usually manifests itself as an informal, gray -brown spot or nebulous vertical stripes somewhere on the plate. The QM6K showed no problems with full screen mode or if they are displayed from the left or right of the screen during the screen gray Test (what is the color that the most likely banding).

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Subtitle bloom test

The QM6K showed practically no blooming on the clearly defined white signs in the subtitles on a black background. This was consistent itself from an off-practice point of view. If you are worried about blooming, this television provides it convincingly, and I suspect that this is attributed to his previously mentioned Halo control system. In addition, the high-end HVA panel from TCL condemns the entire way to manage from light generation to imaging, which leads to a strict contrast.

Movement test with scroll text

The execution of the 120 -Hz version of the visual test for movement did not initially provide good results. The moving script looked so jagged and stilted that it could induce headaches. This was a surprise because the QM6K claims a native update rate of 144 Hz. No less, the 60 -Hz version of the test material was far to be seen, with a smooth scroll movement above the screen under the screen. However, the text was somewhat out of focus.

The side field of the QM6K contains all the ports you need.

Adam Breeden/Zdnet

Nevertheless, I found a simple solution. I usually switch off the smoothing of the movement when I look at the content of non-sports content, but in this case it made a remarkable improvement, clarity of movement and dynamic acceleration. The text scrolling was very fluid and the characters were far less blurred.

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Remember that this is simply a test to assess certain graphics. The more practical evaluation came with watching NCAA tournament games in the second round that looked alive and beautiful. The movement of the QM6K clarity of the QM6K treated fast-moving action like a champion.

ZDNETS purchase advice

A few months ago only a few months ago at $ 999 65-inch qm6k occasionally dropped to 798 US dollars at Big Boxing dealers such as Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. The drop in price is not an indicator of the performance of the television, but rather market forces at work. Getting a 65-inch QD mini LED with these higher specifications for $ 800 is a deal that is difficult to adopt.

The addition of a soundbar like TCLS of its own 5.1,2-channel Q75H, which in most retailers now costs for less than $ 500, would offer a premium see and listening experience for almost a third of the costs of the models of competitors with similar specifications.

The technical specifications of TCL QM6K

TCL AIPQ Ultra processor with Deep Learning Ai
Up to LD500 precisely
144Hz native refresh rate
Play accelerator for up to 288Hz VRR
Imax Enhanced & AMD Freesync Certs
HDR Ultra with Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10 & HLG
Movement rate 480 with MEMC frame input
Game Accelerator 240
Auto Game mode (Allm) with AMD Freesync Premium Pro
Dolby Atmos Audio
Onkyo 2.1.1 loudspeaker system
Built-in onkyo-Subwoofer
DTS virtual: x
Bluetooth Personal Audio
ATSC 3.0 Nextgen TV Digital Tuner
Anti-blend screen
4 HDMI inputs; 1 ear
Wi-Fi 6
Google TV Smart OS with hands-free ceremony and backlit voice remote
Google Chromecast integrated
Apple AirPlay 2
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Homekit
Slank FullView 360 bezel without bezel

This story was originally published on March 31, 2025 and updated on May 7, 2025.

The youngest US tariffs for imports from countries such as China, Vietnam and India want to increase domestic production, but are likely to increase prices for consumer electronics. Products such as smartphones, laptops and televisions may become more expensive when companies rethink global supply chains and weigh up the costs for the shift in production.

Cnet: Pricing Tracker tariff: See you 11 products that you may have to buy

TVs, many of which are produced in these nations, can record a price increases of up to 20%, which makes it less affordable for consumers. Manufacturers are considering moving the move of the meeting operations to countries with tariff exceptions, but such steps include logistical challenges and considerable costs. Companies such as Samsung, who produce a significant part of their televisions in Mexico, expect to be less affected than competitors who rely on Chinese production.

Overall, consumers should adjust to higher prices and potential shifts of product availability on the home entertainment market.