- Matching (Score)
- Our verdict
- Competing TVs
- TV appearance
- Where to buy
- 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 C655 / C69B 98'
C655 / C69B
Available screen sizes: 98”
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Panel technology: LCD VA Brand: TCL Resolution: 3840x2160 Operating system: Google TV Model year: 2024
Our verdict
6.7
Overall rating
The TCL C655 / C69B in the 98” version stands out among smaller models as it features a 144 Hz panel, opening up new possibilities for fluidity and dynamism in image quality. This QLED from 2024, brought to you by a Chinese manufacturer, maintains a very good price-to-quality ratio, especially for a device of this size. The 98” variant offers all the advantages of the smaller versions, including the modern Google TV system. It’s an incredibly convenient solution – allowing users to utilise an intuitive interface, control the TV with voice commands in Polish thanks to Google Assistant, and quickly access the most popular streaming apps such as Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video. AirPlay support and the ability to connect devices via Bluetooth further enhance its versatility. Admittedly, the lack of a recording function and picture-in-picture (PiP) might somewhat disappoint users accustomed to these options, but an external decoder should alleviate this issue. In terms of image quality, the TCL C655 / C69B still offers high native contrast thanks to the VA panel, along with rich colour coverage (DCI-P3), enabled by quantum dot technology (PFS-QLED). Although this model does not have local dimming (found in the C655 PRO version), its black level and image quality remain very good for its class. Gamers will also find something to their liking – the TV supports variable refresh rate (VRR), automatic low latency mode switching (ALLM), and Dolby Vision in gaming mode. In summary, the TCL C655 / C69B in the 98” version is an excellent option for those seeking a large television with solid image quality and good features, standing out with an excellent price-to-quality ratio.
Advantages
High brightness level of 450 nits
High native contrast
Google TV support with access to numerous streaming apps
Gaming features like ALLM, VRR, and Game Bar, as well as Dolby Vision support in gaming mode
Very low input lag, even in Dolby Vision mode (13 ms)
Support for Apple AirPlay and the ability to connect devices via Bluetooth
Relatively low price
120/144Hz and HDMI 2.1 in the 98' variant *
Disadvantages
Poor viewing angles resulting from the VA panel – the image loses quality when viewed from the side
No content recording function to USB and no picture-in-picture (PiP) option
Movies and series in UHD quality5.7
Classic TV, YouTube5.7
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)6.2
Gaming on console8.5
TV as a computer monitor7.6
Watching in bright light5.6
Utility functions7.1
Apps10.0
Sound quality6.7
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Competing TVs in this price range
LG OLED G4 97”
Go to reviewSamsung Neo QLED QN90D / QN92D 98”
Go to reviewSony X90L 98”
Go to reviewTCL C855 98”
Go to reviewHisense U7KQ 100”
Go to reviewTCL MQLED85 / C765 98”
Go to reviewHisense E7NQ PRO 100”
Go to reviewTV appearance
HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Other inputs: Toslink (Optical audio) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
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Contrast and black detail
6.2/10
Local dimming function: No
Contrast between the black background and the bright spotlight illuminating Jack. Scene from the movie Oblivion (Universal Pictures).
Result
7,000:1
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
6,850:1
Contrast between the reflection on the helmet and the black on the black film strip. Scene from the movie Arrival (Paramount Pictures).
Result
6,350:1
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
7,050:1
Contrast between the colorful balloon and the black slice between the falling objects. Scene from the Pioneer Kuro test disc (2008).
Result
4,850:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
The TCL C655 / C69B TV uses a VA panel, providing solid contrast, which translates into better image depth and a more satisfying black compared to IPS panels. However, the lack of local dimming technology found in the model with the "Pro" suffix means that black quality doesn't reach its full potential. In demanding scenes, such as night shots in the film Sicario 2, the black takes on a slightly bluish hue, which may slightly weaken the immersion experience. Overall, it's good, but the implementation of local dimming could significantly enhance the effect.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
HDR effect quality
5.3/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 93.5%, Bt.2020: 70.0%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
The measured point is the setting sun against a bright sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).
Result
370 nit
The measured point is the moon against a dark, starry sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).
Result
420 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
485 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
403 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
455 nit
The quality of the HDR effect on TCL C655 / C69B looks quite promising. The average value in the test charts is around 450 nits, which already allows one to feel the brilliance of light effects and better image dynamics. However, as previously mentioned, this effect can be somewhat dampened by slight differences in bright and dark shades due to the lack of local dimming technology. However, the coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut at 94% is commendable, and this is possible thanks to the use of a quantum dot (QLED) panel. As a result, the colours are vivid and well-reproduced when watching HDR content.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
Let's check how the television handles demanding scenes where brightness exceeds the capabilities of most models in this segment. In a scene from the film Mr, the contrast in the bright areas is virtually non-existent, causing the image to lose depth. Despite this, the lighting effects, like the sun or clouds on the horizon, are well-defined and don't blend together, positively impacting the overall experience. The scene from Billy Lynn fares similarly – the fireworks in the background look spectacular, and the actor in the foreground appears natural, although there are slight imperfections on the skin. Although the television has limitations in contrast, the image is decent, and the dynamic tone mapping function enhances the overall perception by subtly adjusting the brightness. It's worth noting that in many other models from this brand, this function does not perform as well.
HDR luminance chart:
The TCL C655 / C69B television performs well with various types of metadata, which affects the quality of the displayed image. In the case of the same scene shown using static HDR10 and Dolby Vision, differences in detail reproduction can be observed. While HDR10 looks quite decent, certain shortcomings are noticeable, such as fewer details in the background or a subtler play of lights. The dynamic metadata of Dolby Vision makes the image more detailed – background details are more visible, and the horses are more contrasty, positively impacting the perception of the scene. It’s also worth mentioning that TCL offers full support for all popular types of HDR in this model, meaning users don’t have to worry about compatibility issues with formats used on well-known streaming platforms.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
4.2/10
The TCL C655 / C69B television offers a film mode that has been tested for colour reproduction quality. Although this mode is called film mode, unfortunately, it has quite a few issues that a director would definitely not want to see when filming their work. Starting with image analysis, it's worth examining the white balance – both in HD and 4K HDR content, the white balance has significant errors. In both cases, the red colour dominates, which makes the colours too warm, and the overall effect takes on a pink or yellow tint. The Colour Checker test confirms these errors – the colour samples veer into incorrect shades, which impacts the overall colour fidelity. A less significant issue is the brightness characteristic. However, it is also not free of flaws. The gamma chart shows a strong spike at the beginning, which can cause the image to be overly bright, and the EOTF curve responsible for brightness in 4K HDR materials also shows considerable fluctuations – it is evident that the television struggles to maintain the appropriate brightness, but it does not always succeed effectively.
Color reproduction after calibration
8/10
After calibrating the movie mode of the TCL C655 / C69B television, the white balance has been adjusted, and the colours look as they should – confirmed only by slight deviations in the Colour Checker test. The gamma is really accurate, which means the television shouldn’t have issues with brightness in low-resolution materials. Unfortunately, a similar EOTF characteristic is still visible, which is a natural phenomenon in televisions that do not have local dimming – it’s just difficult for them to "shine" brighter in a given part of the screen. Despite this construction limitation that cannot be bypassed, we recommend adjustments in the settings, as the overall colour presentation looks really very good.
Smoothness of tonal transitions
4.5/10
The tonal transitions in TCL C655 / C69B are really quite good and would deserve a high rating, however, the score has been significantly lowered for another reason - the image is artificially sharpened despite the "sharpness" setting being at 0. This makes the image uncomfortable to look at. While this may be unacceptable for purists, those who place less importance on perfect image reproduction may find this effect appealing.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
5/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
The TCL C655 / C69B TV handles tonal transitions well in lower quality materials. The “Gradual Smoothing” function at its lowest setting effectively eliminates visible banding, but it also results in a loss of detail, for example, in the texture of objects. A plus is that it does not interfere with film grain, allowing the image to maintain a natural look.
In terms of digital processing, the TV adds a significant amount of artificial sharpness, which may appeal to those who prefer a vivid image. For those who prefer a more subtle rendering of details, this may be a drawback. Another downside is the quite aggressive overscan – the image is cropped, which leads to the loss of fragments at the edges and limits the field of view.
Blur and motion smoothness
7.5/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 144Hz
Film motion smoothing option: Yes
Blur reduction option: Yes
BFI function 60Hz: No
BFI function 120Hz: No
Unlike the smaller versions, the 98” model stands out with significantly better motion fluidity. Instead of the standard 60 Hz, this colossal screen is equipped with a full 144 Hz panel, which opens up entirely new possibilities – for both gamers and movie lovers. With its full motion smoother, the television delivers incredible image fluidity, eliminating ghosting and improving the comfort of watching dynamic scenes. It's worth noting that this technology operates across the full refresh rate range, meaning there's no need to compromise between fluidity and quality. Additionally, the "Flicker Reduction" feature allows you to adjust the fluidity to your own preferences – you can choose a more cinematic effect with visible frame rate or a maximally smooth image.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Console compatibility and gaming features
9.8/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
48 - 144Hz
- Dolby Vision Game Mode:
Yes
- Correct implementation of HGIG:
Yes
- 1080p@120Hz:
Yes
- 1440p@120Hz:
Yes
- 4K@120Hz:
Yes
- Game bar:
Yes
The 98-inch TCL C655 / C69B is excellently equipped for gamers. Full-featured HDMI 2.1 ports and a 144 Hz panel allow for gaming in 4K at 120 Hz, providing the smoothness and responsiveness that will impress even the most demanding.
The TV supports variable refresh rate (VRR), eliminating screen tearing, while the automatic low latency mode (ALLM) ensures that gaming starts instantly, without the need for manual adjustment of settings. There is also support for Dolby Vision and HGiG, ensuring that the image quality in games is even better – details are sharp, colours are natural, and contrast is perfectly balanced.
Additionally, the TV offers a dedicated gaming panel that allows for quick adjustment of picture settings without the need to exit the game. It’s a device that meets practically all the requirements of the modern gamer.
Input lag
10/10
Input lag of below 15 ms is truly an impressive result. Regardless of the mode selected – even in Dolby Vision – the delay is practically unnoticeable. This means every response is instantaneous, providing an excellent experience both in gaming and when watching dynamic content.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 13 ms | 2160p60: 14 ms | 2160p60 DV: 14 ms |
| 1080p120: 9 ms | 2160p120: 9 ms | 2160p120 DV: 9 ms |
| 2160p60: 13 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 8 ms |
Compatibility with PC
7.6/10
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): 13ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR
Max refresh rate: 144Hz
G-Sync: Yes
The TV will easily handle being a monitor (though it's hard to imagine a desk that can fit a 100-inch screen). You can easily connect a PC to it, and with a 144 Hz panel and support for G-Sync and FreeSync technologies, it will be a great choice for gamers. As for text readability, the TV also performs well, although very small font sizes can have some drawbacks – sometimes the lines of pixels are slightly broken. Of course, with such a screen and a distance of several metres, these minor flaws are practically unnoticeable, but it's worth being aware that they exist.
Viewing angles
2.5/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 82%
The viewing angles in this model are typical for VA panels, which unfortunately means they're poor. TCL plans to improve this aspect from 2025, but at the moment, it doesn't look great. Considering the enormous screen size that will often be viewed at different angles, the effect is simply disappointing. Even IPS panels, although they offer weaker contrast, perform better in this regard.
TV efficiency during daytime
5.6/10
Matrix coating: Satin
Reflection suppression: Average
Black levels during daytime: Good
Generally, the TCL C655 / C69B offers decent brightness, reaching around 480 nits. This makes the TV suitable for bright rooms and allows for comfortable viewing of content even during the day. Unfortunately, the satin finish of the display moderately suppresses reflections, which in strong sunlight can worsen image visibility. Despite this, in most cases, the TV's brightness is sufficient to provide decent picture quality.
Matrix brightness
Average luminance SDR
TCL C655 / C69B 98': 484 cd/m2
Details about the matrix
Software version during testing: v8-r75pt01-lf1v195.000731
Image processor: RTD6748 2GB RAM
Subpixel Structure:
Panel uniformity:
Backlight Type: PFS LED
TV features
7.1/10
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:
No
- RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen):
RF
- Backlit remote control:
No
- Teletext:
Yes
The TCL C655 / C69B TV runs on Google TV, an upgraded system based on Android TV. This solution provides users with personalised recommendations based on their preferences and previous choices. The interface is clear and intuitive, making it easy to browse apps, series, or movies. The platform supports the most popular streaming services – from Netflix to Disney+ – giving access to a wide library of content. With Google Assistant, it is possible to control the TV by voice and integrate it with a smart home ecosystem.
In terms of connectivity, the TCL C655 / C69B offers AirPlay, which allows for media streaming from Apple devices in no time. Bluetooth ensures seamless connection of peripherals like headphones or keyboards, enhancing comfort while using the TV. Unfortunately, this model does not offer content recording features or Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode, which may be a disappointment for users accustomed to more versatile solutions.
As for appearance, the TCL C655 / C69B is sturdy and modern. Although it may not be the thinnest, and its bezels are not the narrowest, the overall design is neat and elegant. Particular attention should be given to the adjustable metal legs, which can be set in a narrow stance. This practical solution makes it easier to place the TV on different types of tables, making it more versatile for various home spaces.
Playing files from USB
8.3/10
| 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 |
Thanks to the built-in media player, the TCL C655 / C69B can play most popular formats from connected devices. This is a convenient solution that makes it easier to access your favourite content saved on external drives or USB sticks. However, there are situations where less common formats may not be supported correctly. Fortunately, the television uses the Google TV system, which allows for downloading alternative apps from Google Play. This enables the installation of media players tailored to individual needs, significantly expanding the device's capabilities and eliminating potential file compatibility issues.
Apps
10/10
Sound
6.7/10
6.7/10
Subjective sound quality
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 98” variant features a better audio system compared to the smaller models, providing a more dynamic and spatial sound. Combined with a subwoofer branded by Onkyo, the audio acquires depth and clarity. This device is suitable not only for watching movies but also for listening to music or watching concerts.