TCL officially unveils its new X11L Mini LED SQD Gen 8 series, a 2026 model that promises to surpass the performance of RGB Mini LED thanks to ultra-dense backlighting, record brightness, and next-generation video processing. This is an opportunity to take a detailed look at the specifications of this new technological showcase.
The X11L series has three models, the TCL 75X11L, TCL 85X11L and TCL 98X11L, based on an 8th generation Mini LED backlighting system, featuring blue LEDs. And as mentioned in the introduction to this news item, the TCL X11L series proves to be the most upscale of the 2026 range, positioned above the TCL RM9L series, which is based on an RGB Mini LED backlighting system, therefore RGB LED triplets. TV X11L SQD Mini LED Gen 8: TCL wants to surpass RGB Mini LEDs. TCL therefore considers its latest generation of Mini LED backlighting, the 8th, called SQD Mini LED (for Super Quantum Dots Mini LED), to be more efficient than RGB Mini LEDs. 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 (bleeding of colors at the level of adjacent colors). 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). TCL indicates that the use of RGB LEDs poses a number of problems when it comes to mixing the three primary colors. Therefore, the manufacturer is 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 X11L TV: 2 cm design, WHVA 2.0 Ultra panel. An advantage of this backlighting system structure is an extremely reduced screen thickness of no more than 2 cm (OD 5, see illustration above; as a reminder, it was initially announced as <OD30 without further details). Furthermore, TCL states that the light emitted by the diodes is managed homogeneously, without shadows cast by a specific prism, 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. To be precise, the LCD panel of the X11L diffusers is a WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel type. TCL X11L: 20,736 zones, 10,000 nits, and BT.2020 – a show of force. The specifications of the TCL 98X11L (98") TV are truly impressive; just look at the numbers: 20,736 zones and a peak brightness of 10,000 nits. The 85" model boasts 14,400 zones for 10,000 nits, and the 75" model 11,520 zones for 9,000 nits. TCL also announces 100% BT.2020 color gamut coverage with this 8th generation Mini LED backlighting, a world first and a remarkable feat 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), and a wide range of colors. 33% wider and 69% more precise color gamut. 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 3x more independent zones than the Mini LED RGB models. Logically, each RGB triplet corresponds to three independent blue LEDs. This contributes to a significant increase in brightness. TCL X11L TV: Dolby Vision 2, Atmos FlexConnect, HDMI 2.1 and 5.2.2 audio. Among the other remarkable features of the TCL X11L 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 stiffen the whole thing), a TSR AIPQ processor capable of autonomous machine learning, the new Super Resolution 2.0 video processing, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR compatibility (Dolby Vision HDR 2 is planned for this summer via an update, HDR10+ Advanced is still under discussion), Dolby Atmos FlexConnect compatibility, a native 144Hz LCD panel, four 2.1 144Hz inputs (finally! Thank goodness for the upcoming Dolby Vision HDR 2, which requires a Pentonic 800 chip capable of handling four HDMI 2.1 ports…), plus a 5.2.2 sound system by Bang & Olufsen. All powered by Google TV, which will host Gemini this fall (updates guaranteed up to Android 17, i.e., for three years). TCL X11L TV: Price, Availability, and Practical Details One last detail: the TCL X11L TVs offer two stand heights and a single backlit remote control (with one assignable button). Expected availability between April and June. Suggested retail prices: • €4,299 for the TCL 75X11L • €5,999 for the TCL 85X11L • €8,999 for the TCL 98X11L Key features of the TCL X11L TVs: • 10-bit panel • LCD panel • Ultra HD/4K panel • 144 Hz • WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel
• Processor: Quad Core MT9655 (Pentonic 80 derivative)
• Wide Color Gamut Function
• UPnP (DLNA) Media Gateway Function
• DVR Function
• eARC Function
• IMAX Enhanced Function
• VRR Function
• ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) Function
• 4K HFR 120 Function
• Game Master Pro 2.0 Function
• DLG 288 Hz Function
• Super Resolution 2.0 Function
• TSR AIPQ Function
• Super Quantum Dot Function (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 HDCP 2.3; HDR10+ Adaptive compatibility; Wi-Fi 6 compatibility; Wi-Fi 6 (ax) compatibility; Chromecast (built-in) compatibility; Dolby Vision IQ HDR compatibility; Bluetooth 5.4 compatibility; Dolby Vision 2 HDR compatibility; 100% BT.2020 compatibility; IMAX Enhanced certification; Filmmaker Mode certification; Outputs: 1 optical, 1 headphone; Inputs: 4 HDMI 2.1 inputs, 1 USB host port 3.0, 1 USB Host 2.0 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/60p; • Number of zones: 11,520; • Peak brightness: 9,000 nits for the 75", 10,000 nits for the 85"/98"
• Mini LED technology: yes
• Tuner [abc]DVB-T[/abc]2
• Tuner [abc]DVB-C[/abc]
• Tuner [abc]DVB-S[/abc]2
• Sound section: 5.2.2
• Power: 90 W (4 x 10 + 2 x 10 + 2 x 15 + 2 x 5)