TCL MQLED85: High-quality TV that offer plenty of gaming and streaming options

Positioned within the high-end television market, the MQLED85 competes with Mini LED models from renowned brands such as Samsung, Sony, and Panasonic. The TCL MQED85 QLED TV stands out with its vibrant, high-contrast visuals. It also features applications and voice control through Google TV. Does TCL’s Mini LED TV hold its own against pricier alternatives? Is the MQLED85 a worthwhile investment?

Design

The TCL 55MQLED85 QD-Mini LED 4K TV boasts a sleek and premium design. Its dark metal bezel, measuring just nine millimeters in width from the side, contributes to a nearly borderless look from the front. The stand of the TCL MQLED85 is constructed from robust materials, ensuring stability while also providing a solution for cable management, as cables can be neatly secured beneath the rear cover.

The TCL 55MQLED85 QD-Mini LED 4K TV has a slim, high-quality appearance.

With a depth of seven centimeters, the TCL TV is somewhat bulkier than the Samsung QN90D, although this depth is only present at the center. All connection ports are positioned on the side, facilitating a relatively flat installation with a wall bracket. However, it is advisable not to mount the TV flush against the wall, as the low-frequency speaker is located on the back, necessitating some space for sound waves to properly disperse.

Features

The Google TV Smart TV system is designed with clarity in mind, allowing users to easily navigate to essential features. One of the standout advantages of this operating system is its extensive array of Google applications, which includes nearly all popular video streaming services. The home screen is spacious, accommodating dynamic advertisements alongside suggested content and trailers. Users will find their applications conveniently located at the bottom of the display. For those who prefer to avoid advertisements, the “Application Mode” can be activated; however, this limits access to voice control and many applications.

To free up your hands, you can activate the TV’s built-in microphone by saying “OK, Google.”

The remote control features a straightforward design that prioritizes usability. Constructed from basic plastic, it includes a numeric keypad, color-coded function keys, a cursor, and buttons for volume and channel adjustments. All frequently used streaming service keys are readily accessible. The TV responds promptly to commands, and the menu navigation is intuitively organized. Additionally, users can switch to relevant applications using voice commands, thanks to the availability of Google Assistant. To enable hands-free operation, simply say “OK, Google” to activate the built-in microphone, which can also be turned off using a switch located at the bottom edge of the device. Adjacent to this switch is a button for controlling key functions, such as powering the TV on and off.

Sound quality

The integrated audio system delivers adequate sound quality for daily use. TCL collaborated with Onkyo’s audio experts to enhance the overall sound experience. The TCL MQLED85 TV is compatible with DTS and Dolby sound formats, ensuring that whether you’re watching the news or a blockbuster film, voices and dialogue remain clear and easily discernible.

To tailor the audio experience to your preferences, the 55MQLED85 features a range of options within the sound menu. Each mode can be fine-tuned for virtual surround sound or enhanced dialogue clarity. While the TCL maintains sound integrity even at elevated volumes, the built-in speakers offer a somewhat limited sound stage. For a richer and more immersive audio experience, investing in a quality soundbar with a subwoofer is advisable.

The sound of the built-in audio system is quite sufficient for everyday use.

Game mode

The MQLED85, equipped with Game Master 3.0 gaming hardware, offers an extensive range of features that cater to gamers’ needs, including VRR, ALLM, 4K gaming at 120Hz, and Dolby Vision support. HDMI inputs 1 and 2 can support frame rates of up to 144Hz when connected to a compatible gaming PC. Input lag remains impressively low, at under 10 milliseconds during 120Hz gaming sessions. The Game Original picture mode is particularly notable for its high brightness and balanced color representation. TCL’s quality is comparable to that of Sony TVs. For an optimal gaming experience, the game menu is essential, appearing at the top and bottom of the screen as required. This menu displays crucial information such as refresh rate, resolution, and shadow optimization. The switchable aim assist feature can enhance gameplay. If you dedicate an HDMI input solely for your gaming console, you can configure this port for gaming use in the system menu. The term “Game Master” within the menu pertains to game optimization.

Image quality

The MQLED85 distinguishes itself from the TCL C745 by being more than just a QLED TV; it incorporates a mini-LED backlight as well. This combination provides two significant benefits compared to standard LED TVs. Firstly, it achieves a wide color gamut with enhanced brightness for HDR content. Secondly, it features a substantial number of LED zones, enabling localized dimming that allows specific areas of the screen to be adjusted for brightness or darkness. The 55-inch variant boasts 720 individually controlled LED zones, arranged in 36 horizontal and 20 vertical configurations. This extensive array of LED zones enables the 55MQLED85 to deliver a uniformly illuminated picture.

As the size of mini LED TVs increases, so does the number of dimming zones. The 65-inch version of the MQLED85 is expected to have approximately 1,000 zones. Coupled with a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz, this technology ensures outstanding high-definition visuals, making it ideal for gaming and sports viewing. The screen features a slightly matte finish with a commendable anti-glare coating. While other models may reflect less light, the MQLED85’s brightness allows for comfortable viewing even in well-lit environments. However, optimal viewing conditions are achieved in moderately lit rooms, ensuring that dark shades are visible without reflections from the surroundings interfering with the image.

With 4K resolution and high dynamic range, or HDR for short, you get the best picture quality.

If you are in search of a Mini LED TV that offers superior antiglare performance, consider the Hisense U8NQ or Samsung’s QN90D as potential options. In its neutrally tuned Cinema picture mode, what brightness and contrast levels does the TCL TV achieve? It boasts a peak brightness of up to 1,600 candelas per square meter (nits) in HDR10 format, along with a contrast ratio exceeding 6,800:1. When displaying a ten percent white window, the brightness measures 1,400 candelas per square meter. Only the highest-end models, like the Sony Bravia 9, can achieve brightness levels surpassing 3,000 candelas per square meter. Interestingly, even the more affordable Hisense U8NQ, which is also a Mini-LED TV, can exceed this brightness.

The TCL TV benefits from a significant number of dimming zones, resulting in a high contrast ratio of over 6,800:1. This is made possible by the use of an LCD screen with a VA matrix, which enhances contrast. However, this type of LCD screen tends to exhibit reduced color accuracy and contrast when viewed from an angle, leading to a slightly “cold” appearance with a bluish tint compared to studio monitor calibration. In practical home settings, this is generally not an issue, as the slight blue tint can create a refreshing effect, similar to the optical brighteners used in laundry detergents. With 4K resolution and high dynamic range (HDR), you can expect exceptional picture quality. You can find suitable movies and series on platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, or Disney+. Regardless of the source of HDR content, the MQLED85 is equipped to handle it all.

It is compatible with all major HDR formats, including HDR10 and HLG as standard options, along with Dolby Vision and HDR10+. These formats, which utilize dynamic metadata, enhance picture quality by providing more nuanced visuals. In HDR Cinema mode, TCL delivers impressive color accuracy comparable to standard televisions, while also achieving remarkable picture dynamics with high peak brightness. Furthermore, it covers 96 percent of the HDR DCI-P3 color gamut. However, scenes set at night or in outdoor environments tend to reveal the technical limitations of the Mini LED TV. While the LED backlight can illuminate stars beautifully, the black areas in between often appear as dark gray.

Connections

The TCL MQLED85 comes very well equipped

It is compatible with all major HDR formats, including HDR10 and HLG as standard options, along with Dolby Vision and HDR10+. These formats, which utilize dynamic metadata, enhance picture quality by providing more nuanced visuals. In HDR Cinema mode, TCL delivers impressive color accuracy comparable to standard televisions, while also achieving remarkable picture dynamics with high peak brightness. Furthermore, it covers 96 percent of the HDR DCI-P3 color gamut. However, scenes set at night or in outdoor environments tend to reveal the technical limitations of the Mini LED TV. While the LED backlight can illuminate stars beautifully, the black areas in between often appear as dark gray.

Conclusion

The TCL 55MQLED85 TV offers picture quality that can rival higher-end mini-LED models from brands like Samsung and Sony. It certainly surpasses standard entry-level QLED options, including the Samsung Q60D. Furthermore, it includes essential gaming features, a diverse range of applications, and voice control capabilities. Overall, the comprehensive offering is quite impressive, particularly considering its price point.

TCL MQLED85 Specifications: