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Tom's Guide
17 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I'm a TV expert and I'm tired of the 'brightness war' — here's why it's overblown
If you knew nothing of the TV industry and were handed a stack of press releases, news articles and forum posts about the latest happenings in the business, you'd probably arrive at the following conclusion: the higher a TV's peak brightness, the better its overall performance. While it's true that brighter TVs tend to be higher-end models, one TV being brighter than another doesn't necessarily make it a better pick. It's easy to get swept up in the brightness wars. After all, brightness is a basic concept that most people understand, and having numbers to go with it adds a simple shorthand when comparing the best TVs from major brands. But folks that cover the industry — myself included — could do a better job talking about brightness, because while it's an important factor of TV performance, it's not the only factor. Here's why. A TV's peak brightness is most important for viewers whose living spaces are naturally bright — especially those who do most of their viewing during the day. Naturally, this is because the TV needs to compete with ambient light in order for the picture to retain its pop. And, when we use the word 'pop,' what we're really talking about is contrast. It's one of the cornerstones of picture quality, and understanding why is the first step in demystifying brightness's role in a TV's performance. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contrast is the main ingredient in a visually appealing picture. Contrast describes the difference between the darkest parts of the picture and the brightest. A high-contrast picture delivers more depth, adding to realism. It's the main ingredient in a visually appealing picture. A TV that gets super bright, therefore, has a distinct advantage over a dimmer model. Its picture will hold up better during the day and it'll probably deliver a more cinematic presentation with the lights off. Take the Hisense U8QG. It's one of the brightest TVs I've ever seen. We clocked its peak highlight brightness at around 4,000 higher than the roughly 2,700 nits of brightness you'll find on the Sony Bravia 9, a rival Mini-LED TV that costs around $1,500 more than the U8QG, and much higher than the 700-nit display of TCL's entry-level QM6K Mini-LED TV. The brand-new Hisense U8QG is one of the brightest TVs we've tested this year, and the 55-inch version is already seeing massive discounts. It's one of Hisense's top TVs of 2025, and I highly recommend checking it out if you're looking to save some money on a high-performing Mini-LED TV. Unsurprisingly, I find that the Hisense U8QG is a better-performing TV than the low-end QM6K (and not just because it's several times brighter). What might surprise you, though, is that I find the Bravia 9 to be an overall better-looking TV than the U8QG despite its lower HDR brightness. This is because I find the Bravia 9's overall presentation to be better suited to my preferences. Both sets offer fantastic backlight control and a punchy, high-contrast picture, but Sony's superb processing and surgically accurate Professional picture mode make the Bravia 9 a better pick for my living room. The Bravia 9, Sony's flagship Mini-LED TV, doesn't get quite as bright as other TVs in its class, but for my money, it's the best Mini-LED TV for A/V enthusiasts who value a finely tuned, cinematic picture above all else. In addition, you might not even notice a difference in brightness between these two Mini-LED TVs. A jump from 700 to 2,700 nits is significant — less so from 2,700 to 4,000. So, while it's certainly nice for the U8QG to have all of that horsepower under the hood, there are limits to its perks. Until now, we've been examining brightness by way of LED displays, which lack the built-in benefits of OLED. All OLED displays — from the entry-level models to the best OLED TVs in the world — leverage self-lit pixels in lieu of LED backlights. Because their pixels can turn themselves on and off independently, OLEDs are the king of contrast. They offer perfect black levels and razor-sharp contrast control. As you might expect, this has a tremendous impact on picture quality. Namely, OLED TVs don't have to get as bright as LED TVs in order for our eyes to perceive them as being that bright. In other words, 800 nits of highlight brightness on an OLED TV looks much brighter than 800 nits on an LED TV, and it's all thanks to OLED's ability to get consistently is one of the reasons why sensibly priced, entry-level OLED TVs — like the LG B4 — tend to be much better performers than the numbers would indicate. The B4 is one of the most affordable LG OLEDs you can buy. Its relatively limited brightness is less of potential issue thanks to the self-emissive nature of OLED displays, but if you have a brighter-than-average living space during the day, you might want to spring for a brighter display. This also explains why top-shelf, flagship OLED TVs — like the Samsung S95F — benefit more from their sensational highlight brightness. In the case of the S95F, its 2,000-nit highlight brightness is what gives its picture a level of realism that's tough to replicate on a non-OLED display. But before you write off Mini-LED TVs completely, it's worth underscoring their primary benefit over OLED TVs: full-screen brightness. Until now, we've been discussing peak highlight brightness, which describes small, concentrated areas of the picture, like the shimmer along the edge of a samurai sword or dapples of sunlight on the ocean's is an altogether different measurement than how bright the entire picture is capable of getting. This is where ultra-bright Mini-LED TVs (like the aforementioned U8QG and Bravia 9) really shine. The vast majority of Mini-LED TVs demonstrate a higher average picture brightness across most content types. Even though the Samsung S95F OLED cracks the 2,000-nit marker and lands relatively closely to the Bravia 9's 2,700-nit notch, the Bravia 9 pumps out a much higher average picture brightness in HDR. In many ways, it's just as impressive as the S95F, but it's impressive in an altogether different way than Samsung's OLED. Yes, OLED TVs are getting brighter. In some cases, their highlights are even brighter than those of high-end Mini-LED TVs. But for the time being, the vast majority of Mini-LED TVs — particularly those in the mid-range-to-high-end price range — demonstrate a higher average picture brightness across most content types. Now that you have a better understanding of one of the primary differences between Mini-LED and OLED TVs, you are better equipped to shop for a new TV with confidence. Ultimately, here's what I suggest: If you're concerned about the amount of ambient light your next TV will have to compete with during daytime viewing, Mini-LED TVs are probably going to be better candidates for the job. That said, high-end OLED TVs like the Samsung S95F are fantastic at delivering a high-contrast, ultra-realistic picture. Top-tier Mini-LED TVs (like the Bravia 9) come remarkably close to achieving the same presentation, but the "OLED look" is still in a league of its own. If you're still on the fence, take a trip to your local brick-and-mortar shop and peep the differences in person. Whatever you do, don't treat peak brightness as the be-all, end-all performance metric. You can learn a lot about a TV from this measurement, but it doesn't tell the whole story.
Digital Trends
2 days ago
- Digital Trends
The TCL QM8K is out, so the QM6K is 19% off and the QM7K is 33% off
For those who are on the hunt for TV deals to upgrade their home theater setup, we highly recommend going for TCL. It's made a name as one of the best TV brands with the value that its products provide, and the flagship TCL QM8K, which we gave a score of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars in our review, is an excellent example of this. However, we'd like to highlight the discounts from Amazon on two other models in the same line: the 65-inch TCL QM6K at 19% off, for a $148 discount that brings it down to $650, and the 65-inch TCL QM7K at 33% off, for a $502 discount that brings it down to $998. The savings that you can get for the 65-inch TCL QM6K and the 65-inch TCL QM7K aren't going to last forever though. There's no telling how much time is remaining on these savings, or when the stocks that are up for sale will run out. If you're interested in buying either one of these QD-Mini LED TVs, we highly recommend proceeding with your purchase as soon as you can. TCL 65-inch QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K TV — $650 $798 19% off We described the TCL QM6K as 'the TV most people should buy' in our review, and that's even more true right now as you can get it at 19% off for a $148 discount. TCL's QD-Mini LED technology enables amazing black levels and lifelike colors, with its LD500 Precise Dimming technology for up to 500 precisely controlled dimming zones. The TV also offers 4K Ultra HD resolution for intense sharpness, up to a 288Hz refresh rate for gaming, and Onkyo Audio and Dolby Atmos for cinematic sound. TCL 65-inch QM7K QD-Mini LED 4K TV — $998 $1,500 33% off The TCL QM7K is even closer to the quality of the TCL QM6K, and it's available with a larger discount compared to the TCL QM6K — 33% off, for savings of $502. The TCL QM7K is among the recipients of our Top Tech of CES 2025 Awards, and that's partly because of its LD2500 Precise Dimming technology for up to 2,500 precisely controlled dimming zones, as well as the integration of Bang & Olufsen Audio. Everything that made the TCL QM6K a great TV is elevated further in the TCL QM7K, making it our recommended choice for a TV in this budget range.
Tom's Guide
10-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
TCL just stealth-launched a new Mini-LED TV — and it's already on sale at Best Buy
Surprise! TCL — makers of some of the most competitive, budget-friendly Mini-LED TVs in the game — just debuted a brand-new model without so much as a peep. Best of all? It's already ridiculously affordable. Right now, you can land the all-new 55-inch TCL QM5K for just $379 at Best Buy. At the moment, the QM5K appears to be a Best Buy exclusive. Here's everything we know about the TCL QM6K — from specs to available size options. The QM5K isn't just debuting at a budget-friendly price, it's making its debut with a hefty discount already factored in. It arrives with built-in Google TV features for all of your streaming needs, plus Dolby Vision support. But the QM5K's niftiest feature is its Mini-LED backlighting, which is almost unheard of at this price point. We're working our way through reviews for TCL's 2025 TVs, so we have a pretty good understanding of where the QM5K slots into the brand's lineup. All of TCL's mainline TVs leverage Mini-LED backlighting, including the entry-level QM6K, the mid-range TCL QM7K and the recently announced flagship, the TCL QM8K. The QM5K is situated below the QM6K, making it an even more accessible entry-level option than the QM6K. Here's how the series shakes out in terms of pricing: The series includes an elusive 50-inch model — a rare size option for this day and age. We've reached out to TCL to get the full scoop on the QM5K, but there's plenty we can glean from its reported specs. As an ultra-affordable Mini-LED TV, we can reasonably assume that its brightness, overall contrast and backlight control aren't as impressive as what you'll find on the higher-end QM6K, and certainly nowhere near the QM7K. Still, it's nice to have local dimming of any kind at this price point, especially if you're trying to avoid buying an edge-lit TV. Despite its limitations, you're still getting HDR support with the QM5K, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+. I wouldn't expect its HDR performance to be as impactful as the TVs situated above it in TCL's lineup, though, so adjust your expectations accordingly. It's nice to have local dimming of any kind at this price point, especially if you're trying to avoid buying an edge-lit TV. The same goes for your expectations of the QM5K's gaming prowess. According to Best Buy, all sizes in this series are limited to a native refresh rate of 60Hz across three HDMI 2.0 inputs. This means that gamers will have to settle for 4K gaming at a maximum of 60fps. The QM5K is built around the Google TV smart platform, which is great news for folks who want their next TV to handle streaming duties. (And, with only three HDMI inputs to spare, I imagine most people will.) Most of the people covering TVs at Tom's Guide (myself included) appreciate Google TV for its ease of use and stellar app support. If you're upgrading to a smart TV for the first time — or if you're just worried about learning a whole new software suite on the fly — you'll be relieved to know that Google TV has a gentle learning curve. We can't make any definitive claims about the QM5K Mini-LED TV until we wrangle one in our test lab for an official review, but from where I'm sitting right now, it looks like a pretty sweet deal. I spoke at length about the QM5K's limitations, but truth be told, the Mini-LED backlighting alone puts it at a serious advantage when compared to similarly priced models like the Samsung DU8000. If you're on the fence about the QM5K's leaner performance profile, I recommend spending just a little bit more on the QM6K. Right now, a 55-inch TCL QM6K is just $499 at Best Buy — about $120 more than the QM5K. We'll be sure to update this page when TCL gets back to us with more information.
Business Insider
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
TCL's QM6K is an impressive budget TV, but you shouldn't buy it just yet. Here's why.
The QM6K is TCL's most affordable Mini LED TV for 2025, and it delivers a big jump in performance over the model it replaces, the 2024 Q65. This set boasts a brighter picture, deeper black levels, and a higher refresh rate, all of which help redefine what a TV in this class can deliver. Compared to other 2025 TV models, the QM6K is a true standout for the money. But despite all that praise, I can't fully recommend it. At least, not yet. The reason? You can still find 2024 TVs with better picture quality that are selling for less money. For instance, TCL's 65-inch QM7 from last year is often discounted to $680, which is more than $100 less than the 65-inch QM6K is selling for. Though the QM6K has a few benefits over that older model, the QM7 is a better TV overall. This makes assessing the QM6K's current value a little tricky. TCL models like this typically lower in price as the year goes on. Tariffs could impact costs, but I still expect this TV to get good discounts. Likewise, the QM7 will eventually sell out. In time, I'm confident the QM6K will become one of the best budget TVs of 2025, but right now, you're better off grabbing a step-up model from last year while they're still in stock. Setup is simple, as long as you use your Google account The QM6K is available in 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, and 98-inch screen sizes. A 50-inch model is also set for release this year, but is not yet available. Small differences in brightness and contrast are expected across each size, but general specifications are the same. For this review, I tested the 65-inch model. The TV's design is basic yet perfectly serviceable for this class. The build quality and aesthetics aren't as sturdy or elegant as those of pricier models that use heftier metal materials, thinner bezels, or flush wall mounts. Still, I don't have any specific complaints. Though pedestal stands look nicer, the QM6K's simple left and right feet work well and provide ample space to place a soundbar. At 2.2 inches, the screen is a bit thicker than the super-slim panels found on pricier OLED TVs, but this depth is in line with that of other Mini LED TVs. Mini LED panels typically have deeper profiles than other types of TVs to accommodate the components needed for their advanced backlights. The QM6K's setup process is straightforward. Since it uses the Google TV operating system, it's especially simple to get up and running if you use an existing Google account. The TV displays a QR code you scan to pull up the Google Home app on your mobile device. This process automatically connects the QM6K to the same WiFi network as your phone without entering any network details or passwords. The mobile app then guides you through some other housekeeping items. Setup can also be done manually on the TV screen without the app or a Google account, but it's a bit more cumbersome and requires typing in more details. Likewise, without logging into your Google account, you won't be able to use any of the display's Google services, like the Google Play Store. So, though technically functional without a login, I don't recommend buying a Google TV unless you plan to sync it with a Google account. Once the setup is done, I suggest using the TV's Filmmaker Mode picture preset for the most accurate out-of-the-box image. I also recommend disabling Auto Brightness, which is turned on by default. This feature adjusts brightness levels based on the ambient light in your room, but you can get a more stable picture by just manually choosing a brightness level you like and sticking with it. The QM6K delivers good entry-level HDR performance, but it's dimmer than pricier TVs The QM6K is positioned as the entry-level model in TCL's premier lineup of QLED TVs. And within that context, its picture quality is impressive. Brightness and contrast can't match that of the brand's step-up QM7 or QM8 series, but for this tier, the QM6K is a great performer. I evaluated the QM6K's image performance using a mix of test patterns and real-world content from 4K Blu-ray discs and streaming services, all curated to highlight features like contrast, local dimming, black levels, color, and upscaling. I also used a colorimeter to measure the display's peak brightness, an essential component of a TV's high-dynamic-range (HDR) capabilities. With the TV set in Filmmaker Mode, I recorded a peak of 557 nits on a 10% HDR test pattern (a white box that takes up 10% of the screen). The brightest the TV got was with a larger 50% test pattern, which put out about 736 nits. Those are both decent numbers for an entry-level HDR TV like this, and they're a nice step up from last year's Q65, which could only hit about 400 nits. However, the QM6K's brightness is still notably lower than that of midrange TVs, which are capable of about 1,000 to 1,500 nits, and high-end sets that can offer 2,000 to 4,000 nits. In practice, the QM6K's brightness leads to good but not great HDR image quality. Vivid movies like "Aquaman" appear relatively vibrant with rich colors, but highlights like explosions, shimmering armor, and sunsets lack some of the boldness and overall pop they offer on higher-end TVs with more intense brightness. "Mad Max: Fury Road" reveals similar limitations. Lightning bolts and rippling flames look duller than on step-up TV models, lacking the extreme impact that the movie's exaggerated style demands. Don't get me wrong, the QM6K still offers a solid HDR picture, especially for this tier, but the set's dimmer image is noticeable when watching high-contrast HDR movies. The QM6K uses a Mini LED backlight with local dimming to control its light output. This enables the TV to brighten and darken specific areas of its screen across multiple zones. Last year's Q65 didn't have local dimming at all, so the QM6K offers a huge jump in contrast performance. The QM6K doesn't have as many zones to work with as pricier models, but TCL's dimming algorithm works well to produce solid black levels and very minimal blooming (halos around bright objects). The TV's dimming behavior favors slightly raising black levels to preserve shadow detail and avoid halos. Though this often prevents the QM6K from producing black levels that completely disappear into a dark room, it does help to create a more even image that's free from the patchy brightness that sometimes plagues dark scenes on TVs with more aggressive dimming. The burning church scene in the film "1917" is a great example. Though I've seen deeper black levels and brighter highlights on other Mini LED TVs, those displays tend to create a vignetting effect around light sources. The QM6K has lighter black levels and dimmer highlights overall, but it presents more seamless transitions between this sequence's dark and light portions. The QM6K isn't completely free from blooming, as I did notice some faint halos around lights during panning shots in "The Matrix" and an episode of "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina." But these instances are subtle, and the QM6K actually handles blooming a bit better than brighter Mini LED TVs I've tested, like last year's mid-tier QM7 and Hisense's premium U9N. Overall, color smoothness and stability are also great. I didn't encounter any egregious signs of banding or false contouring (blocky and pixelated colors) when watching various sources. I ran into this problem when testing last year's Hisense U6N, which offers similar specs, so it's nice to see a TV in this class avoid this issue. The QM6K slightly improves upon another area where many QLED TVs falter: viewing angles. The TV's colors and contrast still noticeably fade and distort when you sit off-center from the screen, but this effect is less severe than I've seen on some other entry-level sets. However, OLED TVs and pricier Samsung QLEDs still have a big edge with viewing angles, so this remains a factor to remember when deciding between a budget-friendly TV and a more expensive model. On the plus side, the QM6K's gaming capabilities are a nice upgrade from previous-generation models in this class. Sets in this tier used to max out at 60Hz, but the QM6K supports up to 144Hz with variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM). This means the TV can receive 4K/120Hz signals from a PS5 or Xbox Series X, enabling you to enjoy the smoothest gameplay possible on those systems. The TV's interface works well, with fewer glitches than previous TCL models The QM6K uses the Google TV operating system, and this interface has become one of my favorites. It does a nice job of highlighting your downloaded apps at the top of the homepage while still offering useful rows of content recommendations below. Unlike some other platforms (like Fire TV), which put too much emphasis on sponsored content, Google TV does a solid job of curating picks you might actually want to watch. Though Google TV tends to be a bit sluggish on entry-level displays, that's not the case here. The QM6K offers smoother navigation and snappier app selection than competing Hisense Google TVs that I've tested in this class. I also ran into fewer glitches than I have on other TCL and Hisense sets. In the past, I've run into odd quirks like incorrect picture modes activating and certain settings applying incorrectly on some TCL TVs. But on the QM6K, none of those issues popped up. This is a promising sign that TCL may have finally solved some of its most prevalent software bugs. That's not to say the system is completely without hiccups. I encountered lag when playing 4K HDR videos on YouTube (a common issue on many entry- and mid-tier smart TVs), and moving through various services and menu screens isn't quite as seamless as it is on the best streaming devices. But in general, most people should be more than satisfied with the built-in interface. The included back-lit remote supports Google Assistant voice search with a button press, and the TV is also capable of hands-free commands after speaking the wake phrase "Hey Google." For those with privacy concerns, hands-free control can be manually disabled via a physical switch at the bottom of the TV's front bezel. Should you buy it? The TCL QM6K is poised to be one of the top budget TVs in 2025. It offers a big upgrade over last year's Q65, and easily rivals direct competitors in this performance tier. However, it's hard to recommend this model while older 2024 TVs with better picture performance are still in stock for less money. Specifically, last year's QM7 QLED 4K TV remains available in several sizes at a big discount. The QM7 can get much brighter and offers higher contrast, resulting in a better HDR image. The QM6K does handle blooming better, but its black levels aren't as deep. The QM7 will eventually sell out (some sizes are already getting hard to find), and the QM6K will likely go down in price as the year progresses. But until that happens, the QM7 remains the better value of the two.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
TCL's new Mini LED TV offers higher peak brightness and better contrast than earlier models
Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products. TCL just unveiled a new TV in its Precise Dimming Series. The QM7K is a Mini LED TV and a follow-up to the recently-released QM6K. It uses the company's Halo Control Technology Suite, which is kind of a catch-all name for a bunch of tweaks the company has made to the dimming and picture quality of its Mini LEDs. The company says the QM7K offers higher peak brightness than its predecessors and a new anti-reflective panel. TCL also promises 'enhanced color accuracy, gray scale accuracy' and 'virtually no blooming.' This is thanks to the company's Super High Energy LED Chip, which combines high brightness with increased light efficiency, and the Super Condensed Micro Lens, which uses a 'narrower light path for more precise' control. Additionally, newly-enhanced technology minimizes the optical distance between the backlight and the diffuser, which eliminates blooming, reduces the halo effect and avoids LED light overlap. The new features, in conjunction with the anti-reflective panel, create a picture with a better contrast and deeper blacks. On the software side of things, there's a new color optimization algorithm for improved accuracy. The Halo Control System also adds a bi-directional 23-bit backlight controller, which allows for granular control of over 65,000 levels of brightness for each and every LED. There's also a new algorithm that 'intelligently optimizes' incoming SDR signals at 'near HDR level.' The QM7K features Bang & Olfusen speakers and select sizes ship with a pedestal stand. Sizes range from 55-inches all the way up to 115-inches. Prices fluctuate from around $1,300 for the smallest one to a whopping $20,000 for the 115-inch monster. Traditional sizes are availright right now at retailers nationwide, with the large models coming soon. Some purchases come with a $500 Visa gift card, which is a nice bonus.
