TCL’s latest C89B series features a Quantum Dot panel enhanced with mini-LED technology, offering more backlight zones compared to the earlier C845 model. This advancement aims to deliver improved contrast and exceptional brightness. The television operates on Google TV and includes all essential features for gaming.
It supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision IQ, catering to the needs of even the most demanding gamers with refresh rates of up to 144 Hz in Ultra HD and 240 Hz in Full HD. Additionally, the audio system is compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS-X formats. This series is available in large screen sizes of 65, 75, 85, and 98 inches.
Design
The TCL 65C89B TV features a more refined design and superior finish compared to the C845 model. Several elements stand out immediately. Notably, the slimmer profile (with a maximum depth of 5.5 cm) and the discreet nameplate reading Premium QD-MiniLED in the upper left corner, reminiscent of high-end Loewe models.
The textured back panel is similar to that of Sony TVs, contributing to a stylish appearance. The centrally positioned stand offers two height options—approximately 7 cm or 3.5 cm—allowing for the convenient placement of a soundbar in front without obstructing the screen. The stand’s leg is solid, lacking a hollow design to route cables neatly.
In the center of the back, there is a low-frequency speaker labeled Onkyo Ultra-Bass to enhance bass performance. Additionally, two high-frequency speakers at the top aim to create immersive sound effects, marked as Dolby Atmos. The screen’s bezels are a mere 2 mm thick, complemented by 5 mm black borders on the panel itself, showcasing excellent build quality.
For those who prefer wall mounting, the TV can be easily attached to a standard VESA 400×400 bracket. All connectors are conveniently located on the left side of the back panel, facing outward, which simplifies connections, especially when mounted on a wall.
The remote control is designed for comfort but lacks backlighting. It includes a microphone for voice commands and is compact with a limited number of buttons. Volume control is managed by a dual button on the left side, which may not be the most user-friendly option for left-handed individuals. Quick access buttons for streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and TCL Channels are also included.
Image quality
The TCL C89B series features a VA (vertical alignment) LCD panel enhanced with a mini LED backlight and a Quantum Dot layer. In comparison to the earlier C845 model, the 65-inch version boasts 1,344 backlight zones, a significant increase from the previous 576. The 75-inch variant includes 2,160 zones, matching the 98-inch model, while the 85-inch version has 2,304 zones.
This enhancement in the number of backlight zones effectively reduces the blooming effect. The image processor remains the same as that of the C845 series, utilizing the AiPQ 3.0 Pro chipset, which manages contrast, color accuracy, scaling, motion compensation, and HDR technologies.
Additionally, the contrast ratio is impressively high, measuring 6540:1 with local dimming turned off. The local dimming control ensures that blacks appear truly black. However, when compared side by side with a Sony Bravia 7 TV, the latter ultimately demonstrates a deeper contrast ratio.
The image scaling capabilities are commendable, maximizing the quality of non-Ultra HD content. Motion compensation is executed exceptionally well, allowing viewers to enjoy sports broadcasts with minimal motion blur and virtually no artifacts.
The 65C89B excels in color gradation, providing smooth transitions without the posterization effect. It offers multiple picture modes, including Dynamic, Standard, HDR-enhanced, Sports, Cinema, Game, and Computer. For cinematic viewing, the Cinema mode yields the best calibration results.
When displaying SDR content, the average DeltaE error is recorded at 1.63, indicating that the TV is well-calibrated out of the box, as values below 3 are generally indistinguishable to the human eye. Furthermore, the average gamma is elevated to 2.33, resulting in a brighter image than standard, yet still quite pleasing.
The average color temperature is recorded at 6620K, which is marginally cooler than the desired 6500K. The coverage of the Rec709 color space stands at an impressive 99.5%, indicating exceptional performance. Both of these metrics are closer to ideal standards compared to the previous generation. As in earlier models, the C89B is compatible with HDR, HDR10, as well as dynamic HDR10+ and Dolby Vision IQ, which includes a brightness sensor that automatically adjusts the picture mode to either Dolby Bright or Dolby Dark.
In HDR mode, the Cinema setting continues to provide the most optimal performance. The average DeltaE is measured at 1.16, significantly below the threshold of 3, indicating that the television offers precise color accuracy. Regarding peak brightness, the latest C89B models achieved a remarkable 2140 nits in a 10% white window. In Dynamic mode, brightness peaks at 3500 nits, matching the performance of the TCL C855. This surpasses the Sony Bravia 7, which reaches 1870 nits.
The impressive brightness is also evident in full-screen mode, where it peaks at 890 nits, outperforming all OLED models. In this aspect, TCL continues to lead the market. While this television features an anti-glare filter, its effectiveness against direct light sources in front of the screen is limited, falling short compared to the Samsung S95D.
Games
The panel is designed to support refresh rates of up to 144Hz when paired with PC graphics cards, ensuring an exceptionally smooth experience in compatible video games. Additionally, it features TCL’s DLG (Dual Line Gate) technology, which allows for a frequency of 240Hz at Full HD resolution. Dolby Vision is also supported, functioning at a frequency of up to 60Hz.
In game mode, the input lag is measured at just 14.7 ms. However, it is worth noting that this is not the most competitive option available, as the latest OLED TV models from LG, Samsung, and Panasonic can achieve input lag as low as 9.1 ms. Similar to the C845 series, the TCL C89B TV includes support for variable refresh rate (VRR) and automatic low latency mode (ALLM).
Furthermore, the HGiG (HDR control) mode is available, which can be activated through the Game Bar, except when viewing content in Dolby Vision. The Game Mode has been finely tuned for color accuracy, with a Delta E of just 1.07. This iteration features Game Bar version 3.0, which includes an updated GUI that allows users to choose between display modes: opaque, translucent, or minimized.
Smart TV
The TCL 65 C89B TV operates on the Google TV platform, with the home screen defaulting to the “For You” section. In full-screen mode, it suggests various programs for viewing based on your previous watch history. Users can also find multiple banners for accessing media files. Additional sections include Movies, Series, Applications, and Library, which lists content purchased through the platform.
Beyond the home screen, the cogwheel button on the remote opens a menu in the upper right corner. This menu allows users to add a Google account, access comprehensive settings, check the time, activate power-saving mode to show the screensaver, select different TV inputs, or quickly adjust picture mode settings.
This design makes picture modes readily accessible without the need to navigate through complex menus, unlike other systems. The interface is generally responsive, though there may be occasional delays in loading requested content. A significant advantage of the Android system is its capacity to support a vast array of applications.
Pressing the Inputs button on the remote reveals a ribbon at the bottom of the screen for selecting inputs such as AirPlay, TV, HDMI, media player, or Google Play for art and movies. Several applications are also accessible from this menu, including TCL Channel, an internet browser, a health app, PlutoTV, Plex, and two recently used apps. Settings, a search module, and the TCL Home interface are also available. The TV powers on from standby in approximately four seconds.
The C89B model features Chromecast and AirPlay 2, enabling wireless streaming of multimedia content from mobile devices. Additionally, Google Assistant is integrated, allowing voice interaction through built-in microphones on the TV (which can be disabled using a button located at the bottom center) or via the remote’s microphone. For Alexa functionality, a nearby speaker is required.
Sound
The TKL C89B TV enhances the viewing experience with its advanced 2.1.2-channel audio system, which supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS-X formats. For the larger 85- and 98-inch models, a 2.2.2-channel configuration is employed, incorporating two low-frequency speakers. In the 65-inch variant, the woofer collaborates with two height speakers to produce immersive ceiling effects.
The total sound output reaches 60 watts, fine-tuned by Onkyo, a long-time collaborator of TCL. The audio experience is notably balanced, offering a sense of scale and atmospheric depth, although it may not convincingly simulate the sound of an aircraft overhead. The volume is indeed robust.
While the woofer may have difficulty with the lowest frequencies, dialogue clarity is impressive and spacious. Additionally, if you own a TCL soundbar, such as the X937U, this TV supports Tutti Choral technology, allowing synchronization between the TV’s speakers and the soundbar, similar to features found in LG Wow Orchestra, Samsung Q-Symphony, or Hisense’s Hi-Concerto.
Connections
Similar to other models from the brand, the power connector is located on the right side, while the remaining ports are positioned on the left. The available connections include a USB 2.0 port, an Ethernet port, and two HDMI 2.1 UHD inputs supporting 144 Hz and 120 Hz (one equipped with eARC). Additionally, there are antenna jacks and an optical audio output. The TV also features two HDMI 2.0 Ultra HD inputs operating at 60 Hz, along with an analog AV input and a PCMCIA slot. On the front right side of the TV, there is a USB 3.0 port, facilitating easy access for playing multimedia files from a flash drive or disk. Furthermore, the TV supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax) and Bluetooth 5.2 standards.
Conclusion
TCL C89B features a thoughtfully crafted classic design. Enhancements in brightness and overall image quality are notable. The C89B series not only provides stunning visuals for home theater experiences but also serves as an outstanding companion for gaming, incorporating all the essential technologies for an optimal gaming experience. The significant decrease in power consumption compared to its predecessor is a positive development. In summary, the C89B offers one of the most favorable price-to-quality ratios, making it an attractive option even in larger sizes.
TCL C89B specifications:
| Panel | |
| Resolution | 4K UHD 3840×2160 |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Diagonal size | 65″ 164 cm |
| Type | VA QLED MiniLED |
| Refresh rate | 144 Hz |
| Motion processing | 144Hz Motion Clarity Pro |
| HDR | HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ |
| Color depth | 10 bits |
| Contrast | 6500:1 (typ.) |
| Brightness | 2100 nits (max) |
| Backlight | Direct FALD |
| Local dimming | 1344 zones |
| Audio | |
| System | 2.1.2 |
| Total power | 60 W |
| Number of speakers | 5 |
| Subwoofer | 20 W |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
| Design | ONKYO |
| Smart TV | |
| operating system | Android 12 / Google TV |
| CPU | AiPQ 3.0 |
| RAM / ROM | 3GB/24GB |
| Hands-free voice control | Yes, it depends on the region |
| Google Assistant | Yes |
| Chromecast | Yes |
| Game center | Game Master Pro 3.0 |
| Game options | VRR 144 Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM |
| Improving clarity in games | Game Accelerator 240Hz (DLG) |
| Gesture control | Yes |
| Connections | |
| HDMI | 4 x 2.1 |
| USB | 1 x 2.0, 1 x 3.0 |
| Audio output | Digital optical |
| Analog video input | Yes, via adapter |
| Headphone output | Mini jack 3.5 mm |
| LAN port | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | 5 / 2.4 GHz + WiFi6 802.11 ax / ac / b / g / n |
| Bluetooth | v5.2 |
| Nutrition | |
| Parameters | 220 … 240 V, 50 / 60 Hz |
| Average/max consumption | 102W / 350W |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Size with stand (WxHxD) | 1445 x 869 x 298 mm |
| Dimensions without stand (WxHxD) | 1445 x 835 x 56 mm |
| Weight with stand | 26.2 kg |
| Vesa mount | 400 x 400 |