Picture

TCL C8L TV: the 8th generation SQD Mini LED to democratize visual excellence

27.03.2026 • 14h00

Following our presentation of the TCL X11L SQD Mini LED TV series (see our news article TCL X11L TV: the 8th generation SQD Mini LED surpasses RGB Mini LED in 2026), it's time for the new C8L Mini LED SQD Gen 8 series, a 2026 model that retains the core technologies but in a more affordable version, while maintaining ultra-dense backlighting, high brightness, and 100% BT.2020 color coverage. This makes the TCL C8L Mini LED TV series one of the most ambitious on the market.

The C8L series comprises five models: the TCL 55C8L, 65C8L, 75C8L, 85C8L, and 98C8L, all based on an 8th-generation SQD Mini LED backlighting system using blue LEDs and Super Quantum Dot technology. Positioned below the X11L series but above the C7L, the C8L aims to be the ideal compromise between high-end performance and a controlled price.

TCL C8L SQD Mini LED Gen 8 TV: A Closer Look at the Improvements. At the heart of the Gen 8 backlighting are further optimized diodes called Super Condensed Micro Lens (34 patents in 2026) to combat Color CrossTalk (blending of colors between adjacent areas). TCL's exclusive Deep Color system combines Super Quantum Dot (Super QLED) crystals with a more efficient alloy, an UltraColor filter, and an advanced color fidelity algorithm (26-bit internal processing versus 23-bit in 2025). The goal remains the same: to eliminate Color CrossTalk, improve color purity, and maximize brightness without using RGB LEDs.

TCL indicates that using RGB LEDs poses a number of problems when it comes to mixing the three primary colors. The manufacturer is therefore returning to the use of blue LEDs combined with Quantum Dot technology, which delivers a high concentration of "pure colors." With a high density of nanocrystals, TCL announces 95% purity for the three primary colors, without the need for RGB LEDs. [] TCL C8L TV: Flat-Thin design, WHVA 2.0 Ultra panel. An advantage of this backlighting system is the extremely thin screen, no more than 5.5 cm (OD 20, see illustration above), for a design the brand calls Flat-Thin. Another point to note is that TCL states it uses a specific prism to ensure homogeneous management of the light emitted by the diodes, without shadows, to further reduce the phenomenon of light haloing on certain images (see illustrations below). According to TCL, the use of RGB triplets goes hand in hand with an increased distance between the LEDs and the panel to limit color bleeding, which is not the case with blue LEDs. Specifically, the LCD panel of the C8L projectors is a WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel type. TCL C8L: up to 4,032 zones, 6,000 nits and 100% BT.2020. The specifications of the TCL C8L series remain impressive: 4,032 zones, peak brightness of 6,000 nits for the TCL 98C8L. The 85" model boasts 3,200 zones for 6,000 nits, the 75" 2,584 zones for 5,500 nits, the 65" 2,040 zones for 5,000 nits, and the 55" 1,008 zones for 3,000 nits. TCL also announces 100% BT.2020 color gamut coverage for its C8L displays with this 8th generation Mini LED backlighting, a world first and a remarkable achievement for backlighting of this type (meaning without RGB). The combination and mastery of all these specifications allows for even finer control of the halo effect, a reduction in Color Cross Talk (color bleed at the level of adjacent sub-pixels), a 33% wider color gamut, and 69% greater accuracy. The overall image gains in realism and naturalness (see illustrations above).

To return to the subject of zones, TCL points out that with the same number of LEDs, its SQD displays have 3 times more independent zones than its Mini LED RGB models. Logically, each RGB triplet corresponds to three independent blue LEDs. This contributes to a significant increase in brightness.

TCL C8L TV: Dolby Vision 2, Atmos FlexConnect, HDMI 2.1 and a 2.2.2 sound system by Bang & Olufsen. Among the other remarkable features of the TCL C8L TVs, we should mention a Virtually ZeroBorder screen (100% of the LCD panel is used for the image, but a metal frame is still present around the panel to reinforce the structure), a TSR AIPQ processor capable of autonomous machine learning, and the new Super Resolution video processing. 2.0, HDR10+ and HDR Dolby Vision compatibility (HDR Dolby Vision 2 expected this summer via update, HDR10+ Advanced still under discussion), Dolby Atmos FlexConnect compatibility, a native 144Hz LCD panel, four 2.1 144Hz inputs (finally! Thank goodness for the upcoming HDR Dolby Vision 2, which requires a Pentonic 800 chip capable of handling four HDMI 2.1 inputs…), plus a 2.2.2 sound system by Bang & Olufsen. All powered by Google TV, which will welcome Gemini this fall (updates guaranteed up to Android 17, i.e., for three years).

TCL C8L TV: price, availability, and practical details One last point, the TCL C8L TVs come with a single backlit remote control (with one assignable button). Availability is expected between April and June. Suggested retail prices: • €1,199 for the TCL 55C8L • €1,799 for the TCL 65C8L • €2,299 for the TCL 75C8L • €2,999 for the TCL 85C8L • €3,999 for the TCL 98C8L Key features of the TCL C8L TVs: • 10-bit panel • LCD panel • Ultra HD/4K panel 144 Hz; • WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel; • Quad Core MT9655 Processor (Pentonic 80 derivative); • Wide Color Gamut; • UPnP (DLNA) Media Gateway; • DVR Function; • eARC Function; • IMAX Enhanced Function; • VRR Function; • ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode); • 4K HFR 120 Function; • Game Master Pro 2.0 Function; • DLG 288 Hz Function; • Super Resolution 2.0 Function; • TSR AIPQ Function; • Super Quantum Function Dot (SQD)

• HDR10 and HDR HLG compatibility

• HDR10+ compatibility

• Miracast compatibility

• Dolby Vision HDR compatibility

• HEVC compatibility

• Dolby Atmos compatibility

• HBBTV compatibility

• FreeSync compatibility

• CEC compatibility

• Canal Ready compatibility

• DTS Virtual:X compatibility

• DTS compatibility

• Compatibility [abc]HDCP[/abc] 2.3

• HDR10+ Adaptive compatibility

• [abc]Wi-Fi[/abc] 6 compatibility

• Wi-Fi ax compatibility

• Chromecast compatibility (built-in)

• Dolby Vision IQ HDR compatibility

• [abc]Bluetooth[/abc] 5.4 compatibility

• [abc]Dolby Vision HDR[/abc] 2

compatibility

• 100% BT.2020 compatibility

• [abc]IMAX Enhanced[/abc] certification

• Outputs: 1 optical, 1 headphone

• Inputs: 4 [abc]HDMI[/abc] 2.1 inputs, 1 USB 3.0 host port, 1 USB 2.0 host port, 1 Ethernet port, 1 CI+ port; • AirPlay 2 multimedia; • HomeKit multimedia; • Google Assistant multimedia; • Works with Alexa multimedia; • Google TV multimedia; • Google Gemini multimedia; • MEMC motion compensation; • Mini LED local dimming backlight system; • Input lag: < 6 ms at 2160p/60Hz; • Number of zones: 1008 for the 55", 2040 for the 65", 2584 for the 75", 3200 for the 85", and 4032 for the 98"

• Peak brightness: 3000 nits For the 55", 5,000 nits; for the 65", 5,500 nits; for the 75", and 6,000 nits for the 85"/98" models; • Mini LED technology: yes; • DVB-T2 tuner; • DVB-C tuner; • DVB-S2 tuner; • Sound section: 2.2.2; • Power: 60 W (2 x 15 + 2 x 10 + 2 x 5)