TCL QM7L: The Mini-LED TV That Challenges OLED
TCL's latest model offers high-end performance at a mid-range price point.
The modern television market is filled with devices attempting to replicate the performance of expensive OLED panels. TCL’s new Mini-LED model, the QM7L, is one such "duplicate" that may confuse many users with its visual capabilities. While the device suffers from specific design and software shortcomings, its image quality makes it a standout in this segment.
Image Quality and Mini-LED Technology
The primary advantage of the QM7L is its Mini-LED panel, which offers exceptional brightness and contrast. Testing revealed that the television displays significantly sharper colours than budget-class OLED models. The colour depth and black-level accuracy are so high that, for the average viewer, it is nearly impossible to distinguish from an OLED. Furthermore, the 144Hz refresh rate makes the device ideal for both watching sports broadcasts and gaming.
Design and Assembly Challenges
The television is available in sizes ranging from 55 to 98 inches. Its design is minimalist, featuring almost non-existent bezels. However, the stand creates some inconvenience. It protrudes about 10 centimetres forward, which complicates the placement of a soundbar. Additionally, the assembly process for the stand is difficult and time-consuming due to insufficiently detailed instructions.
Software and Google Gemini
The device runs on Google TV, which integrates the Google Gemini AI model. It responds to voice commands, searches for movies, and provides information to users, though its capabilities are limited. For instance, Gemini cannot change system settings, such as disabling motion-smoothing. The latter, which often degrades cinematic picture quality, must be adjusted manually by the user.
Sound System and Final Verdict
The QM7L features Bang & Olufsen-branded speakers, which produce higher-quality audio compared to many other televisions. Although the spatial sound is less pronounced, the audio remains clear and does not distort even at high volumes. Nevertheless, using an external audio system is still recommended, which, unfortunately, remains problematic due to the design of the stand.
Overall, the TCL QM7L is a technologically robust device whose main strength is its image quality. Despite software flaws and design inconveniences, its price-to-performance ratio allows this model to offer serious competition to premium-class televisions currently on the market.