TCL C655 / C69B (43" - 50")

C655 / C69B

Available screen sizes: 43”50”

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Panel technology: LCD VA | Brand: TCL | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Operating system: Google TV | Model year: 2024

Our verdict

6.0

Overall rating

TCL C69B or otherwise C655 in its smallest sizes (43 and 50") is a model that stands out primarily due to its Google TV system. The interface is simple and intuitive, and accessing favourite apps is hassle-free. Personalised recommendations make it easier to decide what to watch, and voice search in Polish works quickly and efficiently. In terms of picture quality, C69B / C655 performs well, especially for its price. Thanks to quantum dot technology (PFS), colours are vibrant, and Dolby Vision support makes HDR movies look quite decent. The contrast is sufficient for everyday viewing, but the brightness level of 350 nits may pose a problem in very sunny rooms. However, in less demanding conditions, the TV performs quite solidly – details are well visible, and the black levels are decent, though not perfect. For gamers, it’s more of an option for relaxed, casual gaming. The 60 Hz panel doesn’t provide the smoothness of more expensive models, but the low input lag ensures good responsiveness. The Game Bar feature allows you to quickly change settings without leaving the game. This is not equipment for die-hard gamers, but at this price point, it’s hard to expect more. There are, however, some limitations. The screen brightness and lack of recording functionality may be bothersome, especially if we're used to more advanced solutions. Picture-in-picture (PiP) is another feature that's missing here – this can be an issue for multitasking enthusiasts. With HDR content, it's also evident that the TV doesn’t handle bright scenes as well as higher-end models. In summary: C69B / C655 is a TV that works best for everyday use. Google TV makes life easier, and the picture quality will satisfy most people, especially if we don’t expect perfection. It’s a device for watching TV, movies, and casual gaming that won’t strain your budget, while still offering solid fundamentals to fit in places where larger TV sizes simply won't fit.

Advantages

Google TV
Low input lag
High native contrast
Supports all HDR formats
Good for "casual" gamers - supports VRR, ALLM, Game bar

Disadvantages

Average brightness
No recording function and PiP

Movies and series in UHD quality

5.5
Classic TV, YouTube

5.6
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

5.1
Gaming on console

6.9
TV as a computer monitor

5.0
Watching in bright light

4.7
Utility functions

7.7
Apps

10.0
Sound quality

6.3

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LG UT8100 (IPS) 43”

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Sony X75WL 43”

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TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1 Other inputs: RCA (Chinch) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Review TCL C655 / C69B (43" - 50") Appearance of the TV

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Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

5.8/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Local dimming function: No

Review TCL C655 / C69B (43" - 50") Contrast and black detail

Contrast between the black background and the bright spotlight illuminating Jack. Scene from the movie Oblivion (Universal Pictures).

Result

6,350:1

Contrast between the glare on the chameleon's skin and the black near the edge of the screen below. Scene from the Spears&Munsil test disc.

Result

5,750:1

Contrast between the reflection on the helmet and the black on the black film strip. Scene from the movie Arrival (Paramount Pictures).

Result

4,700:1

Contrast between the actress's face and the black film strip at the top edge of the TV. Scene from the movie Gravity (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

4,950:1

Contrast between the colorful balloon and the black slice between the falling objects. Scene from the Pioneer Kuro test disc (2008).

Result

4,650:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

The television C69B / C655 TCL is equipped with a VA panel, which differs from IPS panels, particularly in terms of contrast and black reproduction. VA panels are characterised by significantly higher contrast, meaning better black quality, especially in night scenes or dimly lit rooms. Unlike IPS panels, where blacks often appear more like shades of grey, VA better captures deep, dark colours. Unfortunately, the C69B is not equipped with local dimming technology (common at this price point), impacting the quality of blacks in demanding scenes. During test sequences, such as a clip from the film "Sicario 2", it can be observed that instead of absolute black, some elements of the image have a navy tint. Generally, the black is acceptable, but one must consider the limitations of the television.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

4.6/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 91.3%, Bt.2020: 71.6%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review TCL C655 / C69B (43" - 50") Brightness measurement

The measured point is the setting sun against a bright sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

283 nit

The measured point is the moon against a dark, starry sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

322 nit

The measured point is the flashlight on the rifle, which shines directly at the camera. Scene from the movie Gemini Man (Paramount Pictures).

Result

346 nit

The measured point is the tail light of a helicopter flying at night. This is a very small light point, the essence of the HDR effect. Scene from the movie Sicario 2: Soldado (Lionsgate).

Result

322 nit

The measured point is the sun visible directly between the clouds. The scene is very bright and should blind the viewer as in nature. Scene from the movie The Meg (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

355 nit

The quality of the HDR effect on the TCL C69B / C655 television is quite average. A brightness level of 350 nits, while not the worst, still does not allow for a full enjoyment of the HDR effects that require higher luminance to showcase their power. Additionally, the television, despite using a quantum dot coating (QLED), offers average coverage of the wide DCI-P3 colour gamut at 91%, which may limit its colour richness in HDR content.

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

The device pleasantly surprises us in our HDR tests, especially after calibration. Although a scene from the film "Pan" suffers at times from overexposure due to limited brightness, the tonal range remains at a good level. Meanwhile, a segment from the film "Billy Lynn" also demonstrates solid image quality, with no issues in reproducing details in bright areas. Even though the lack of sufficient brightness does not allow for full appreciation of HDR effects, the television effectively conveys details and colours. The 'HDR Tone Mapping' feature plays a significant role here, responsible for adapting the image. It works quite well, however, due to the panel's low brightness and average coverage of a wide colour gamut, certain limitations are visible.

HDR luminance chart:

TCL C69B / C655 supports a wide range of HDR formats, including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG, ensuring broad compatibility with various content sources. The image quality in these formats differs due to varying metadata. In the case of HDR10, based on static metadata, the TV struggled to maintain detail in bright areas during the test scene with horses. Portions of the image were heavily overexposed, resulting in a loss of details and a deterioration in overall quality. In contrast, formats using dynamic metadata, such as Dolby Vision, provide a much better-balanced image – the horses are clearer, and the entire scene looks more natural. Dolby Vision effectively manages brightness and contrast, allowing for better detail representation and an improved viewing experience.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Smoothness of tonal transitions

4.5/10

Tonal transitions are really quite good and would deserve a rating of 9, however the score has been clearly lowered for another reason - the image is artificially sharpened despite the "sharpness" setting being on 0. And the overall view is unpleasant.

Review TCL C655 / C69B (43" - 50") Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

5/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

The "Gradual Smoothing" feature works very well on the TCL C69B TV and, surprisingly, does not remove desirable effects like film grain – unlike some solutions from other manufacturers. Unfortunately, when it comes to image scaling, it looks poor. The TV artificially sharpens the image, causing the edges of objects to appear quite jagged. This situation may appeal to some users who prefer a more "hard" look to the image, but it is not an ideal solution for those who value naturalness and fluidity of details.

Blur and motion smoothness

4.4/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 60Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: No

BFI function 60Hz: No

BFI function 120Hz: No

Brightness drop with BFI: 0%

Television TCL C69B / C655 in its smallest variants offers decent, though not perfect, results in terms of motion smoothness. For movies, the television features a "Flicker Reduction" function, which allows for adjustment of motion smoothness on a scale from 1 to 10. Thanks to this option, we can tailor the image appearance to either a cinematic or more theatrical preference (with less or greater speed).

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

In the case of sports and gaming, the television performs worse. The 60 Hz panel limits its capabilities in reproducing motion in more dynamic content. In tests with fast-moving materials, such as the UFO image, blurring is noticeable, which is typical for that frequency. Nevertheless, the television behind our UFO character does not show significant trailing, as the response time of the panel is decent for a device in this price range.

Console compatibility and gaming features

5.3/10

ALLM: Yes
VRR: Yes
VRR range: 48 - 60Hz
Dolby Vision Game Mode: Yes
Correct implementation of HGIG: No
1080p@120Hz: No
1440p@120Hz: No
4K@120Hz: No
Game bar: Yes

The TCL C69B / C655 TV in its smallest variants offers a range of features dedicated to gamers, such as ALLM (Automatic Low Latency Mode), VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), Dolby Vision for gamers, and Game Bar. ALLM automatically switches the TV to low latency mode, improving responsiveness and minimising delays in control. VRR allows for synchronising the screen refresh rate with the frame rate generated by the console, eliminating screen tearing and providing smoother gameplay. Dolby Vision for gamers ensures better colour and contrast representation in games that support this format, resulting in better image quality. Meanwhile, the Game Bar provides quick access to game settings and monitors key parameters such as input lag.

However, the TV has certain limitations that may affect gaming comfort. The 60 Hz panel does not allow for displaying signals with a higher refresh rate, which can impact image smoothness in dynamic games. The lack of support for G-Sync technology for PCs can also be noticeable when gaming on a computer, especially in demanding, fast-paced titles.

Input lag

10/10

TCL C69B / C655 offers exceptionally low input lag, which is a huge advantage for gamers. Regardless of the mode – whether it’s SDR, HDR, or Dolby Vision – the TV achieves impressive results. In every resolution, the input lag is only a few milliseconds, deserving of high praise. As a result, the C69B provides remarkable responsiveness and excellent gaming experiences, without noticeable delays, which translates to smoother and more satisfying gameplay.

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 12 ms	2160p60: 12 ms	2160p60 DV: 13 ms
2160p60: 12 ms

Compatibility with PC

5/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Very Good

Readability of dark text and shapes: Average

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 12ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR

Max refresh rate: 60.001Hz

G-Sync: No

The TCL C69B / C655 television performs reasonably well in collaboration with a computer. Thanks to support for chroma 4:4:4, the readability of fonts is okay, significantly improving the comfort of use, especially when using the television as a monitor. However, there is one note regarding font readability – the television has issues displaying black and grey fonts, which sometimes have gaps in the vertical lines, potentially affecting user comfort in certain situations. Low input lag ensures responsive performance, which is important for both office applications and gaming. However, the 60 Hz panel and lack of G-Sync do not meet the demands of gamers using a computer, resulting in a lower score for gaming.

Viewing angles

2.9/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 77%

The viewing angles on the C69B TCL television leave a lot to be desired. The VA panel used provides excellent contrast and deep blacks, however, this comes at the expense of wide viewing angles. Compared to IPS panels, which offer better visibility from various angles, the C69B loses image quality when viewed from the side. Colours become washed out and the contrast deteriorates significantly. This is a typical compromise for VA panels – something for something. If you care about great contrast and deep blacks, a VA panel will be a good choice, but you have to be aware of the limitations regarding viewing angles.

TV efficiency during daytime

4.7/10

Matrix coating: Satin

Reflection suppression: Average

Black levels during daytime: Good

The TCL C69B / C655 television features a satin-finished panel that moderately reduces glare. In bright rooms, this can cause unwanted reflections on the screen, negatively affecting viewing comfort. Additionally, a brightness level of 350 nits is not sufficiently high to ensure full image readability on a sunny day, making the use of the television in well-lit conditions potentially less satisfying.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

TCL C655 / C69B (43" - 50"): 346 cd/m2

Details about the matrix

Software version during testing: V8-R75PT01-LF1V195

Image processor: RTD6748 2GB RAM

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

Backlight Type: PFS LED

TV features

7.7/10

System operacyjny: Google TV
TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): No
Recording programming: No
Picture in Picture (PiP): No
Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
AirPlay: Yes
Voice search in native language: Yes
Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV: Yes
Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker: Yes
Audio only mode: Yes
RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
Backlit remote control: No
Teletext: Yes

Review TCL C655 / C69B (43" - 50") TV features

The TCL C69B / C655 television operates on the Google TV system, offering a rich set of features that enhance user comfort. Google TV is an evolution of Android TV, providing personalised content recommendations based on the user's preferences and viewing history. This allows for easy access to popular streaming apps, such as Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video, as well as to the Google Play Store, where additional apps can be found. This system integrates well with other Google devices, allowing control of the television via Google Assistant and integration with a smart home system. Voice search is also available in Polish, which increases user convenience.

In terms of connectivity, the television supports screen mirroring via Windows Miracast and AirPlay, making it easy to stream images from other devices. There is also the possibility of connecting a keyboard, mouse, and Bluetooth headphones, as well as simultaneously using headphones and the built-in speaker, with separate volume control for both audio sources. The remote control operates on RF technology, which means it doesn't need to be pointed at the screen, significantly improving user convenience. Unfortunately, there are no picture-in-picture (PiP) features or recording functions from the built-in tuners.

Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

8.3/10

Video Photos Audio

Maximum photo resolution:	Supported photo formats:
4 Mpix	JPEG
6 Mpix	HEIC
8 Mpix	PNG
10 Mpix	GIF
12 Mpix	WebP
16 Mpix	TIFF
20 Mpix	BMP
24 Mpix	SVG
28 Mpix
32 Mpix

The television will play most files and video codecs, and when subtitles are loaded for the film, you can change the font size. The biggest drawback is the lack of support for less popular image formats. However, on televisions with Google TV, it is often easy to bypass this issue by installing a different media player.

Apps

10/10

Sound

6.3/10

Subjective sound quality

0/10

Jakość basu

0dB

Maximum volume

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Dolby True HD 7.1

Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

DTS-HD Master Audio

The sound in the television C69B / C655 is pretty average, which shouldn't be surprising given the speakers with a power of 2x10W. Additionally, we won't find a branded subwoofer here like in larger sizes 55+ from the company Onkyo. However, we can't forget about the support for audio formats such as DTS, which is a definite plus.

QLED 4K UHD Screen: With Quantum Dot technology, the television offers vibrant and realistic colours with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels.
Google TV Operating System: Allows access to a wide range of apps and content tailored to user preferences.
HDR Support (Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG): Provides better contrast and more accurate colour reproduction, resulting in a more realistic image.
Dolby Atmos Sound Technology with ONKYO 2.1 Audio System: Delivers immersive surround sound, enhancing the viewing experience.
HDMI 2.1 Ports: Enable connection to modern devices, offering fast data transfer and support for advanced features.
Wi-Fi, DLNA and Bluetooth Connectivity: Allows wireless internet connection and connectivity to other devices, enhancing the television's functionality.
60 Hz Refresh Rate: Ensures smooth imagery when watching dynamic scenes.

TCL C69B – a solid choice at an affordable price

TCL C69B is a television that performs exceptionally well for everyday use. Thanks to the Google TV system, the device is surprisingly intuitive to operate, and personalised recommendations make it easier to choose content. In the test, we appreciated the fast and accurate voice search functionality in Polish. This model offers versatility and convenience, particularly in versions like the TCL 43C69B tested in smaller spaces or larger models like the TCL 50C69B.

Vibrant colours and solid picture quality

With quantum dot technology (PFS), the C69B ensures vibrant and natural colours that distinguish this model in its price category. Dolby Vision support allows you to enjoy HDR content, although a brightness level of 350 nits means the device performs best in less sunlit rooms. When we tested the TCL 55C69B, we noticed that the contrast and detail of the image are sufficient for daily viewing, and the black levels are presented at a decent level. It’s a great choice for those seeking a solid television at a reasonable price.

Gaming features in an accessible package

During our tests of the TCL C69B, we appreciated the low input lag and the Game Bar feature, which allows for quick setting changes during gameplay. The 60 Hz panel is not aimed at avid gamers, but for occasional players, this model performs quite well. We tested the TCL 50C69B and found that the television offers sufficient fluidity and responsiveness, providing enjoyable gameplay experiences.

Google TV and practical solutions

TCL C69B stands out thanks to the Google TV system, which provides easy access to apps and a wide range of smart features. When we tested the TCL 43C69B, we particularly highlighted its intuitive operation and the ability to personalise recommendations. Although the television lacks recording features or picture-in-picture (PiP), its versatility in everyday use makes it a solid choice for most users.

TCL C69B – a television for every occasion

In conclusion, the TCL 55C69B is a model that combines ease of use, good picture quality, and smart features at an attractive price. Conducting the TCL C69B test, we confirmed that this television is ideal for watching TV, movies, and occasional gaming. With available versions like the TCL 43C69B tested for smaller spaces, it’s easy to find a size that fits your needs. Our review of the C69B is a considered option among other television tests, providing a solid foundation without straining your budget.

TCL C655 / C69B (43" - 50")

Our verdict

Advantages

Disadvantages

Competing TVs in this price range

TV appearance

Buy in the best price

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound

TCL C69B – a solid choice at an affordable price

Vibrant colours and solid picture quality

Gaming features in an accessible package

Google TV and practical solutions

TCL C69B – a television for every occasion