TCL: everything to know about the brand and its 2026 TVs
In just a few years, TCL has become the reference for bright Mini LED at keen prices. Here's everything you need to know about the brand, its 2026 series sold at Nimestore, its genuine strengths and the limitations a good salesperson will flag to you.
- Speciality : very bright Mini LED, from 43 to 98 inches
- The core of the range: C89L (SQD-Mini LED, 144 Hz, 4 HDMI 2.1)
- System: Google TV with Gemini, all Belgian apps except Pickx
- To note: average viewing angles, no OLED at TCL
TCL in a nutshell
TCL is a Chinese group founded in 1981, today one of the two largest TV manufacturers in the world by volume. Its speciality: it makes its own panels thanks to its subsidiary CSOT. That's what allows it to offer large screen sizes and plenty of technology at a keen price.
In 2026, TCL does not sell any OLED TVs in Europe. The brand bets everything on LCD Mini LED : thousands of tiny LEDs behind the screen, divided into zones that switch on and off according to the image. Its picture philosophy is simple: lots of brightness, dazzling colours and large screens at an accessible price. If you're new to Mini LED, our article Mini LED and QLED explained sets out the basics.
Strengths and limitations: our salesperson's view
Why we like TCL
- Very high brightness for the price (up to 6,000 nits claimed on the large C89L)
- Plenty of dimming zones, so good contrast
- Native 144 Hz from the C79L, four HDMI 2.1 ports on the 65-inch C89L and up
- Dolby Vision and HDR10+: both HDR formats
- Full Google TV, built-in Chromecast
- Very large screens (85 and 98 inches) at friendly prices
Limitations
- Average viewing angles (VA panels): the picture fades when viewed from the side
- A slight possible halo around subtitles on black backgrounds
- No proper anti-glare coating on the C89L
- Factory settings could be better: opt for Cinema or Filmmaker modes
- No update period published by TCL
- Names that change by country (C8L, C89L…)
The 2026 range at a glance
Here are the 2026 series we sell at Nimestore. Prices are our public prices as of 15 October 2026: the product page prevails, and Nimesclub members often get a reduced price.
| Series | Technology | Sizes available here | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C89L | SQD-Mini LED, 144 Hz, 4 HDMI 2.1 (65" and up) | 55, 65, 75, 85, 98 | 1 199,99 € | Living room, films, sport and gaming: the best TCL choice |
| C79L | SQD-Mini LED, HVA panel, 144 Hz | 55, 65, 75, 85, 98 | 1 099,99 € | Bright Mini LED best watched head-on |
| P89L | Entry-level QD-Mini LED, 144 Hz | 55, 65, 75, 85, 98 | 649,99 € | Big screen on a small budget, occasional gaming |
| P79L | 4K QLED, 60 Hz | 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85 | 449,99 € | Bedroom, second TV, small budget |
Above these, TCL also offers the X11L (flagship, up to 20,736 zones) and the RM9L (RGB Mini LED, up to 115 inches). We don't stock them: ask our expert salesperson if they interest you. Details on each series are in the TCL 2026 range.
Which TCL series is right for you?
C89L in 65 or 75 inches
The most balanced: WHVA wide-angle panel, 2,040 to 2,584 zones, 5,000 to 5,500 nits claimed, Bang & Olufsen sound. Stunning in daylight as well as at night.
65" 1 799,99 € · 75" 2 199,99 €
C89L
Four HDMI 2.1 ports, 4K at 144 Hz, VRR up to 288 Hz (at reduced resolution for PC), FreeSync. One console, one soundbar and one PC without unplugging anything.
From €1,799.99 for 65"
C79L
The same SQD-Mini LED family, slightly fewer zones and a panel with narrower viewing angles. Perfect if you sit directly in front.
55" 1 099,99 € · 65" 1 499,99 €
P89L
Entry-level Mini LED with 144 Hz: ideal for stepping up to 75 or 85 inches without breaking the budget.
75" 1 099,99 € · 85" 1 499,99 €
P79L
Simple 4K QLED with Dolby Vision and Google TV. Very good for everyday TV, not for 120 Hz gaming.
43" 449,99 € · 50" 549,99 €
To choose by budget, size or room, read which TCL to choose.
What's new for 2026
- SQD-Mini LED (“Super Quantum Dot”) on the C89L, C79L and X11L: quantum dots reworked for purer colours (TCL claims around 100% of BT.2020).
- Four HDMI 2.1 on the C89L from 65 to 98 inches, versus two at full bandwidth on the 2025 C8K.
- Up to 6,000 nits announced on the 85 and 98-inch C89L, with less blooming thanks to an LED layer closer to the panel.
- First RGB Mini LED TVs from TCL (RM9L), with separate red, green and blue LEDs.
- Dolby Vision 2 promised by update on the C8L/C89L. It isn't active yet: don't buy it for that alone.
- Gemini is coming to Google TV: you can say “the picture is too dark” and the TV adjusts its settings (depending on the model).
All the technologies are explained simply in TCL technologies.
Google TV in brief
All 2026 TCLs run on Google TV. It's the system with the most apps: Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, but also Belgian apps RTBF Auvio, VRT MAX, Play, Streamz and VTM GO. The apps Telenet TV, VOO TV+ and Orange TV Go also exist on Google TV.
The only exception: Proximus Pickx doesn't have an app on retail TVs. Proximus customers keep their set-top box, or cast from their smartphone. The Chromecast is built in : you send a video from your phone to the TV in one tap. A Google account (and, according to TCL, a TCL account) is needed to enjoy all the features.
Warranty and updates
In Belgium, you benefit from the two-year legal guarantee. TCL has not published an official period of software updates for its TVs, unlike Samsung (7 years) or LG (5 years). In practice, Google TV and its apps are updated via Google and the Play Store, and TCL releases firmware updates (this is how Dolby Vision 2 is due to arrive). For any question about an extended warranty, ask our expert salesperson.
Good to know: Sony and TCL have announced a joint venture for Sony's TV business, due to start in April 2027. This changes nothing for a TCL bought today.
Our three TCL favourites
If I could only keep three: the 65C89L for most living rooms, the 85C89L for a true big-screen cinema effect, and the 75P89L for a very large Mini LED screen at a low price. Also check Nimesclub member prices: the gap between a C79L and a C89L is sometimes much smaller than you'd think.
TCL TVs in store
QLED TV TCL 65C89L€1,799.00
QLED TV TCL 75C89L€1,615.00
QLED TV TCL 85C89L€2,003.00
TCL 65C79L QLED TV€1,476.00
QLED TV TCL 75C79L€1,541.00
LED TV TCL 75P89L€1,067.00
LED TV TCL 65P89L€791.00
QLED TV TCL 50P79L€466.00
TV QLED TCL 65P79L€799.00
QLED TV TCL 55C89L€888.00TCL 65C89L
2,040 zones, 5,000 nits announced, wide-angle panel, four HDMI 2.1 ports and Bang & Olufsen sound. The TV we recommend most.
65 inches · 1 799,99 €
TCL 85C89L
3,200 zones and up to 6,000 nits announced: a huge, very bright screen for the price of a high-end 65-inch OLED.
85 inches · 2 799,99 €
TCL 75P89L
Entry-level Mini LED, native 144 Hz, Google TV: the most sensible 75-inch in the range.
75 inches · 1 099,99 €
To find out more
- The 2026 TCL range series by series, with a decoder for model numbers.
- TCL technologies : SQD-Mini LED, Halo Control, DLG 288 Hz, Bang & Olufsen sound.
- Which TCL to choose depending on your budget, your room and how you use it.
- Setting up your TCL TV properly : picture modes, gaming, Belgian apps.
- Frequently asked questions about TCL.
Frequently asked questions
Is TCL a good TV brand?
Yes. TCL is one of the two largest TV manufacturers in the world and makes its own panels through its subsidiary CSOT. Its Mini LEDs offer plenty of brightness and dimming zones for the price. Picture processing and viewing angles remain a notch below Sony or OLED.
Does TCL make OLED TVs?
No, not in Europe in 2026. TCL is betting everything on LCD Mini LED (SQD-Mini LED and RGB Mini LED). It's a logical choice for a bright room or a very large screen, with no risk of burn-in.
Are the C89L and C8L the same TV?
Yes, with a few small differences. The C8L is the name used in Belgium and the Netherlands, while the C89L is the French name that Nimestore sells. The official spec sheets are identical except for the audio line. Same logic for C79L and C7L, P79L and P7L.
How many years of updates on a TCL?
TCL has not published an official update period for its TVs. The Google TV system and its apps are updated by Google and the Play Store. The legal guarantee is two years in Belgium.
Does the Sony and TCL tie-up change anything?
A joint venture between Sony and TCL is due to start in April 2027 for Sony's TV business. For a TCL bought today, nothing changes: the warranty and service remain those of TCL.
Do you need a soundbar with a TCL?
Not necessarily on the C89L, whose Bang & Olufsen-tuned sound is decent. On the P79L (2 × 10 W), a soundbar noticeably improves dialogue and films.
The whole TCL section
2026 rangeTCL 2026 TV range: all the series explainedFrom QLED at 449,99 € to the 98-inch SQD-Mini LED, TCL covers every budget in 2026. Here is each series in detail, from top to bottom of the range, with a decoder for French and Belgian model numbers and our in-store prices.7 min read
TechnologyTCL technologies: SQD-Mini LED, Halo Control, 288 Hz… everything explainedSQD, WHVA, AiPQ, DLG, Halo Control… TCL loves acronyms. Behind these names are some very real technologies, and a few marketing phrases to take with a pinch of salt. Here is each technology explained simply, with what it really changes in front of your screen.7 min read
Buying guideWhich TCL TV to choose in 2026? The guide by budget and roomNot all TCLs are equal, and the best one isn't necessarily the most expensive for you. Here is our salesperson's method for choosing the right model based on your budget, your room and how you use it, with real Nimestore prices and the pitfalls to avoid.6 min read
PracticalSetting up your TCL TV well: picture, sound, gaming and Google TVA well-adjusted TCL gains a great deal in naturalness. Factory settings favour brightness in-store; at home, a few minutes are enough for a more accurate picture. Here are our salesperson's settings, from picture mode to gaming, including Google TV and Belgian apps.6 min readFrequently asked questionsTCL TVs: our customers' frequently asked questionsWarranty, updates, model names that change by country, Belgian apps, soundbars, gaming or minor faults: here are the questions our customers ask us most often about TCL, with clear and honest answers.6 min readThe comparisons that mention TCL
ComparisonOLED, Mini LED or RGB Mini LED: which to choose?It's the question everyone asks in front of the TV aisle. There's no outright winner: there's the technology that suits your living room and your habits. Here's our comparison, criterion by criterion, and our clear verdict.2 min read
Comparison2026 Mini LED and RGB Mini LED comparison: our match-upMini LED is the technology for bright living rooms and very large screens, with no risk of burn-in. In 2026 it splits in two: classic Mini LED on one side, RGB Mini LED (Micro RGB, True RGB) on the other. Here's our comparison of the series we sell in store, from €649.99 to over €6,000, with a verdict for each type of viewer.6 min readCome and compare the screens in person
At our Temploux shop, we switch on TVs side by side with your content. Or ask our expert salesperson online, right now.
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