Fans of TCL smart TVs who would like an alternative to the Roku platform now have one: The company is rolling out Android TV versions of its 3-Series and 4-Series smart TVs at very affordable prices. The smallest 4K HDR model, the 43-inch 4-Series, is priced at just $200, while the largest model — a 75-inch 4-Series — goes for $800. If you’re looking for additional budget-friendly deals, you can head over to the best Black Friday TV deals and check out your options.
TCL
The 4-Series
is compatible with both HDR10 and HLG, HDR formats that are typically found on services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
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There’s also a new budget option for folks who don’t need a big screen, 4K resolution, or HDR. The 3-Series offers Android TV at 32 inches (720p resolution) for $130, or a 40-inch model with 1080p resolution for $200
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At the moment, all of the TCL Android TV models are Best Buy exclusives, but we imagine this will change in the future.
With the exception of the Android TV operating system, which brings both Google Assistant and Chromecast to the 3- and 4-Series, TCL hasn’t made many changes from its Roku TV versions of these models. They all have support for Dolby Digital Plus audio, and they feature HDMI ARC for a single-cable connection to a soundbar or A/V receiver. But there is a subtle difference with the Android TV versions.
Typically, Roku TVs ship with Roku remotes — they’re simple and easy to use, which is why Roku fans love them. But there’s no way to use a Roku remote to trigger a voice assistant — the only voice feature on Roku TVs is Roku’s own voice search, which is not compatible with any smart home ecosystems like Apple’s HomeKit, Amazon’s Alexa, or Google Home. Roku’s remote is also missing dedicated channel up/down buttons for those who want to use their TVs with an antenna for free over-the-air HD channels.
The Android TV versions get a remote that has more buttons (so arguably not as simple), of which two are used for channel up/down. And there’s also a dedicated Google Assistant button, which can summon the voice assistant for TV functions like launching apps and searching. As with other Google Assistant devices like Nest smart speakers, it can also control compatible smart home gear.
Another small difference: Android TV models support private listening on any set of Bluetooth headphones, while the Roku TV versions require that you use the free Roku app and listen via your smartphone or tablet’s headphones.
Google spent years letting Android TV fester, with only a few partners like Nvidia and Sony using the smart TV software to power their devices. However, with the launch of the new Chromecast with Google TV, TCL’s new Android TV models, and even the new Stream 4K device from TiVo, Android TV is clearly on a roll.
TCL’s giant 115-inch QM89 is the world’s largest 4K mini-LED TV
If you're going to unveil the world's largest mini-LED TV, CES 2024 in Las Vegas seems like an appropriate venue at which to do it. The honor goes to TCL's new QM89 -- an absolutely massive 115-inch 4K, quantum dot mini-LED TV. TCL announced the QM89 along with the rest of its 2024 TV lineup and its 2024 soundbars.
First Look at TCL’s 115-Inch QM89 TV | The World’s Largest Mini-LED TV at CES
What is 4K? Everything you need to know about 4K Ultra HD
High-definition content has been a TV mainstay for more than two decades now. From broadcasted cable stations to streamable movies and shows from streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+, 1080p HD is no longer the golden standard for modern TV models. It kind of feels like a no-brainer at this point, but what you want to invest in these days is a 4K TV, as most of the best TVs available are.
4K media is also not as rare as it once was either. In fact, most new films, shows, and even video games are now engineered from the ground up with a 4K screen in mind. And not to worry if you don’t currently watch any 4K content, because most 4K TV sets do an excellent job at upscaling lower-res sources. So is it worth it to step away from your HD past in favor of a higher pixel count present and future? Let’s explore the world of 4K a little further to find the answers we seek.
What is 4K Ultra HD?
In a nutshell, 4K Ultra HD is the name assigned to a screen with a resolution that's four times that of a Full HD (1080p) TV. That translates to 8 million pixels being crammed into the same space in which a Full HD TV fits just 2 million -- achieved by making each pixel four times smaller. The result for the average viewer? A clearer image, more accurate color, and with most new TV sets, High Dynamic Range, or HDR (more on that in a bit).
The hidden costs of buying a 4K TV are way higher than you think
There’s never been a better time to buy a 4K TV. Prices have continued to drop even as screen sizes and smart TV features have continued to grow. But now that 4K TVs are priced within reach of almost anyone who wants one, are you actually going to be able to enjoy all of the extra detail and picture quality that 4K promises? The answer is, sadly, not as often as you expect, and not without some considerable extra investment over and above the cost of the TV.
Modern 4K TVs are packed with a lot of impressive technologies that can make picture quality look amazing, no matter what you’re watching. With upscaling driven by complex algorithms and often aided by AI, even watching an old DVD on a 4K TV will look way better than it did on an HDTV from 10 years ago. But to truly get the best possible results, you need access to native 4K content, preferably with some flavor of HDR, like Dolby Vision, HDR10, or HDR10+.
