TCL Unveils 2026’s “Best TV” with Next-Gen Mini-LED at CES
▼ Summary
– TCL announced its flagship X11L SQD mini-LED TV for January 2026, featuring 10,000 nits peak brightness and up to 20,000 dimming zones.
– The X11L uses Super Quantum Dots for 100% BT.2020 color gamut coverage and a Deep Color System to enhance color accuracy and reduce blooming.
– It includes significant gaming upgrades with four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K 144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, and a forthcoming Xbox Game Pass app.
– The TV features an Audio by Bang & Olufsen speaker system, Dolby Atmos FlexConnect support, and uses Google TV with Gemini AI as its smart interface.
– TCL also announced the RM9L RGB mini-LED TV, the QM6L budget mini-LED series, and the A65K Design Series soundbar at CES 2026.
At CES 2026, TCL has positioned itself at the forefront of display technology with the introduction of its flagship X11L SQD mini-LED TV. This model, set to launch in January 2026, will be available in massive 98-inch and 85-inch screen sizes, with a 75-inch version arriving later. The centerpiece of this launch is a groundbreaking combination of extreme brightness and unparalleled color performance, promising to redefine premium home cinema.
The “SQD” designation stands for Super Quantum Dots, a proprietary technology TCL calls Super QLED Crystals. This system is the key to the X11L’s claim of 100% coverage of the BT.2020 color gamut, a significant leap over the approximately 83% BT.2020 coverage typical of today’s best quantum dot TVs. These crystals are part of TCL’s broader Deep Color System, which also includes an UltraColor Filter using 5-nanometer particles and an Advanced Color Purity algorithm. Together, they aim to deliver precise per-pixel color filtering, eliminating color crosstalk and the unwanted “blooming” effect.
Beyond color, the specifications are staggering. The series boasts a specified peak brightness of 10,000 nits, matching the upper limit of the Dolby Vision HDR format. To control that immense light output, TCL employs its Halo Control System, aided by a 26-bit backlight controller and up to 20,000 local dimming zones on the 98-inch model. This is paired with a new WHVA high-contrast LCD panel and an anti-reflective screen to enhance viewing angles and black levels.
For processing, the X11L uses the TSR AI Processor with Super Resolution, supporting Dolby Vision 2 Max, HDR10+, and HLG. It also carries Filmmaker Mode and IMAX Enhanced certification. Gamers are catered to with four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K at 144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, and a Game Bar menu. The Xbox Game Pass app will arrive via an update in May 2026.
Audio is handled by an Audio by Bang & Olufsen front-firing speaker array with a dedicated center channel, built-in side surrounds, and a subwoofer. The TV is also Dolby Atmos FlexConnect capable, allowing for a wireless 4.1.4-channel setup with compatible TCL speakers. The smart platform is Google TV with the Gemini AI assistant, and the design is remarkably slim at just 0.8 inches thick. Pricing starts at $6,999.99 for the 75-inch model, rising to $9,999.99 for the 98-inch version.
Alongside the flagship, TCL announced the RM9L RGB mini-LED TV, which will utilize the same UltraColor Filter technology and carry a similar price point at launch. The company also revealed the QM6L series as a new budget-friendly mini-LED option and introduced the A65K Design Series soundbar, a compact 3.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos model also featuring Bang & Olufsen audio.
Early hands-on impressions from a December 2025 preview suggest the X11L delivers on its bold promises. In a comparative demo, the X11L was noted for its punchy highlights and robust color, outperforming a competing Hisense model and showing remarkably clean, OLED-like blacks. In another comparison against a Sony QD-OLED and a flagship Sony mini-LED TV, the X11L again demonstrated superior relative contrast and more saturated colors, leveraging its full BT.2020 gamut and extreme brightness. This potent combination makes the TCL X11L one of the most anticipated television releases for the coming year.
(Source: techradar)
