Despite being part of TCL’s entry-level P series, the TCL 55P8K punches well above its weight. Combining a high-quality HVA panel with modern gaming features and the Google TV smart platform, the P8K is an attractive option for gamers and home cinema fans alike—especially given its competitive pricing. With next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X demanding more from displays, the P8K stands out as a compelling budget-friendly 4K TV.
Design & Build Quality
The TCL 55P8K may be an entry-level model, but its design suggests otherwise. The chassis is lightweight with a predominantly plastic build, yet reinforced with a metal frame on the front for added durability. A metallic “Premium QLED” badge on the bottom right hints at higher-end aspirations.
This 4K UHD TV, designed for video game lovers, as well as movie and TV series fans, offers exceptional picture quality at a very attractive price.
The P8K uses two simple feet for support, combining metal interiors with a plastic shell. While modest in appearance, their wide-set stance ensures excellent stability. The TV is also wall-mountable via a standard VESA 300×300 bracket.
At 7 cm thick, the P8K is bulkier than some competitors—due largely to its Direct-LED backlight, which spans the entire panel for better brightness uniformity. This contrasts with edge-lit designs like Samsung’s Q60D and Q70D, which sacrifice some contrast for slimmer profiles. The rear houses a built-in woofer (two on the 85″ model), which is a rare bonus at this price point.
TCL P8K
The remote control has undergone a redesign, now featuring a minimalist layout with a joystick-style navigation button and shortcuts to popular streaming apps. Traditionalists may miss the numbered keypad, but the remote remains functional and durable, powered by two AAA batteries.
Display & Picture Quality
At its core, the TCL 55P8K features a 4K UHD QLED panel with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HLG—formats typically reserved for mid-range or premium TVs. The HVA (High Viewing Angle) panel, enhanced by TCL’s Quantum Dot Pro layer, delivers deep blacks, rich colors, and a wide 93% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space.
The TCL 55P8K may be an entry-level model, but its design suggests otherwise.
The contrast ratio clocks in at a strong 5000:1, and brightness reaches up to 350 nits—adequate for both dim and moderately bright rooms. However, it lacks local dimming, meaning it won’t produce inky blacks in high-contrast scenes. Still, HVA’s natural black levels compensate well compared to IPS panels.
Wide viewing angles are decent, but some contrast loss is visible when viewed off-axis. The screen is prone to glare under direct light, so placement away from windows is recommended.
TCL’s AI-based image processing dynamically adjusts brightness for optimal viewing in both dark and light scenes. Picture presets include Dynamic, Standard, Cinema, Sports, and Game modes. Dolby Vision also allows for Bright and Dark profiles. While there’s no Filmmaker Mode, the Cinema setting is well-calibrated out of the box, especially for SDR content.
Importantly, the P8K excels in screen uniformity with no visible DSE (dirty screen effect)—an essential trait for sports viewing. Grayscale is slightly cool in dark scenes but neutral overall, with a well-centered white point at 6500K.
The P8K series (called T8C in some regions) uses rather simple feet instead of a dominant base.
Motion Handling & Gaming Performance
The TCL P8K is one of the few budget TVs with a native 144Hz refresh rate. Thanks to TCL’s AiPQ Pro processor, motion interpolation is smooth across formats, from 24Hz films to 60Hz TV shows. Fast-moving content, such as sports or games, is rendered with clarity and minimal blur thanks to a response time of ~4ms.
Gaming performance is where this TV truly shines. It supports HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, Dolby Vision for gaming, and even boasts a dedicated Game Dashboard. The HDMI ports are split as follows:
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HDMI 1: 4K @ 144Hz
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HDMI 2: 4K @ 120Hz
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HDMI 3 & 4: 4K @ 60Hz
Input lag is excellent:
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15ms at 4K/60Hz
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6ms at 4K/120Hz
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5ms at 144Hz (PC)
This makes the P8K one of the most responsive TVs in its class, ideal for fast-paced gaming. TCL even advertises support for 1080p/288Hz gaming. While the panel’s 144Hz cap won’t visually reflect 288fps, the feature aims to reduce latency rather than boost frame output.
Smart Features: Google TV
Running Google TV (Android 12), the TCL P8K offers a full suite of streaming apps and services, with support for Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Dolby Vision, and HDR playback across platforms. Voice control via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa is built-in and accessible via the remote.
Powered by a MediaTek Pentonic 700 SoC, the interface is mostly smooth, with only minor occasional slowdowns. A built-in media player handles virtually all file types, including AV1, from USB or network sources.
Audio Quality
Unlike most budget TVs, the P8K includes a 2.1 audio system co-developed with Onkyo. It delivers a total of 35W: 2 x 10W speakers and a 15W woofer. Audio is clear, with good separation, and sufficient bass for casual viewing. Dialogue remains intelligible at higher volumes without distortion.
The TV also supports Dolby Atmos, DTS, and eARC for passthrough to external sound systems, making it easy to upgrade your audio setup with a soundbar or AV receiver.
The TCL P8K with Quantum Dot Pro delivers performance that in some ways even surpasses the well-known Q60 and Q70
Connectivity & Ports
The TCL P8K provides:
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4 x HDMI ports (2 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x HDMI 2.0)
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1 x USB 3.0
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Ethernet (LAN)
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Optical Audio Out
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3.5mm headphone jack
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Bluetooth 5.4
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Wi-Fi 5
This versatile range covers everything from next-gen gaming consoles to legacy sound systems.
Final Verdict: A Smart Buy for Gamers and Streamers
The TCL 55P8K is one of the best value 4K QLED TVs available in 2025. It offers:
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A premium 144Hz panel
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Outstanding gaming performance
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Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support
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Solid audio with built-in woofer
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Full-featured Google TV
While it lacks local dimming and could be thinner, these trade-offs are reasonable at this price point. For anyone looking to enjoy next-gen gaming or cinematic streaming on a budget, the TCL P8K is a standout contender in the entry-level 4K TV segment.
