C8L

Released May 2026

TCL's 2026 premium SQD-Mini LED TV, sold in the UK in 55 to 98 inches, with 1,008 to 4,032 dimming zones by size, a native 144Hz panel, four HDMI 2.1 ports, Bang & Olufsen sound and Google TV.

Sizes: 55–98″
Panel: Mini-LED
Refresh: 144 Hz
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10+
HDMI 2.1: 4 of 4
Software: Google TV

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the picture is very bright, with deep blacks and almost no blooming, and RTINGS rates its gaming features and input lag highly. All three found colour accuracy weaker than expected at the price, and RTINGS found fast action blurry because of a slow response time.

From techradar.com, tomsguide.com and rtings.com

Specifications

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Display

Panel: Mini-LED
Panel detail: SQD-Mini LED (Super Quantum Dot) on a CSOT WHVA 2.0 Ultra panel (HVA 2.0 on the 55″); dimming zones 1,008 (55″), 2,040 (65″), 2,584 (75″), 3,200 (85″), 4,032 (98″)
Resolution: 3840 × 2160 (4K)
Refresh rate: 144 Hz
HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
HDR extras: Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, IMAX Enhanced; Dolby Vision 2 promised in a future software update
Screen finish: 0.5% low-reflection film
Peak brightness: Up to 3,000 nits (55″), 5,000 (65″), 5,500 (75″) and 6,000 (85″, 98″) (TCL); about 3,500 nits sustained and 5,000 nits peak measured on the 65-inch (FlatpanelsHD)
Colour range: Up to 100% BT.2020 (area ratio, TCL lab figure)
Picture processing: AI ClarityMaster, AI ContrastMaster, AI ColourMaster, AI MotionMaster; 26-bit dynamic dimming; Super Condensed Micro Lens and Micro-OD backlight

Sizes

Sizes: 55, 65, 75, 85, 98″
Largest size: 98″

Gaming

HDMI ports: 4 (all HDMI 2.1 at 4K 120 Hz+)
Variable refresh rate: HDMI VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro
Auto low latency mode: Yes
HDMI detail: 4 × HDMI 2.1; eARC/ARC; HDMI CEC
Variable refresh range: 48–288 Hz (288 Hz via the Game Accelerator at lower resolutions)
Input lag: 12.4 ms at 4K 60 Hz and 7.8 ms at 1440p 120 Hz (FlatpanelsHD, 65-inch)
Game features: Game Master, Gamebar, 288 Hz VRR Game Accelerator

Smart TV and sound

Smart TV platform: Google TV
Processor: TSR AiPQ Processor (MediaTek Pentonic 800)
Speakers: 2.1 channels
Dolby Atmos: Yes
DTS:X: Yes
eARC: Yes
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth: 5.4
Speaker detail: Audio by Bang & Olufsen, 2.1-channel surround design with Hi-END speakers; TCL lists no power figure
Audio features: Beosonic sound tuning by Bang & Olufsen
Voice assistants: Google Assistant built in; hands-free voice control
Casting: Google Cast (Chromecast), AirPlay 2, Miracast
Software updates: Software and firmware updates for at least 8 years after the model leaves the market (TCL product information sheet)

Design and power

Size: Without stand, 55″ 1226 × 710 × 55.9 mm; 65″ 1434 × 824 × 50 mm; 75″ 1658 × 949 × 51 mm; 85″ 1880 × 1073 × 53 mm; 98″ 2166 × 1236 × 54 mm
Stand: Stand footprint (W × D), 55″ 315 × 270 mm; 65″ 388 × 380 mm; 75″ 388 × 368 mm; 85″ 410 × 379 mm; 98″ 1885 × 420 mm
VESA pattern: 300 × 300 mm (55″, 65″); 400 × 400 mm (75″); 600 × 500 mm (85″, 98″)
Power use: SDR/HDR on mode, 55″ 64/250 W; 65″ 67/300 W; 75″ 85/400 W; 85″ 123/500 W; 98″ 124/520 W; 0.5 W standby, 2.0 W networked standby
Energy class: SDR: E (55″, 85″), D (65″, 75″, 98″); HDR: G
Warranty: 2 years (UK); TCL UK's registration offer adds 3 years for purchases made by 30 June 2027

Sizes

Size	Model	Weight without stand
55″	55C8L-UK	13.3 kg
65″	65C8L-UK	21.1 kg
75″	75C8L-UK	28.4 kg
85″	85C8L-UK	38.9 kg
98″	98C8L-UK	57.5 kg

Pros and cons

Pros

All four HDMI ports are HDMI 2.1, with 4K at 144 Hz native, VRR up to 288 Hz and FreeSync Premium Pro
Dimming zones rise from 1,008 (55″) to 4,032 (98″), and TCL quotes up to 6,000 nits on the 85″ and 98″
Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ and IMAX Enhanced; TCL says Dolby Vision 2 will follow in a software update

Cons

The 55″ uses an HVA 2.0 panel, not the WHVA 2.0 Ultra panel of the larger sizes, and is rated at 3,000 nits
TCL lists a 2.1-channel Bang & Olufsen system but no speaker power
Rated G for HDR energy use in every size

Closest rivals

Model	Sizes	Panel	Refresh	HDR	HDMI 2.1	Software	Released
SamsungNeo QLED QN90D	43–98″	Mini-LED	144 Hz	HDR10+	4 of 4	Tizen	Apr 2024
HisenseE7Q PRO	43–100″	LED LCD	144 Hz	Dolby Vision, HDR10+	2 of 4	VIDAA	2025
HisenseE7S PRO	43–100″	LED LCD	144 Hz	Dolby Vision, HDR10+	2 of 4	VIDAA	Jul 2026