TCL C655 Pro

Available screen sizes: 55”65”75”

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

Our verdict

6.5

Overall rating

TCL C655 PRO is an extension of the basic model from this series, and although the name may suggest only minor differences, the "PRO" suffix actually means a lot. The biggest change compared to its less advanced sibling is the picture quality. The manufacturer opted for the implementation of local dimming technology, which significantly improves black levels and contrast. The television is capable of offering a more refined picture. Thus, TCL C655 PRO clearly outperforms the more budget version in this respect. The applied QLED panel further enhances the coverage of a wide color palette, delivering vibrant and saturated colors, which works great for both movies and dynamic content such as games. In terms of gaming, just like the basic version, TCL C655 PRO offers a range of useful features for gamers – including ALLM, VRR, and Game Bar – which greatly enhance the gaming experience. The television can also adjust the screen refresh rate to lower resolutions, meaning that despite supporting 4K at 60 Hz, in Full HD or 2K, one can enjoy a smoother image thanks to 120 Hz. In everyday use, the Google TV operating system performs excellently. The intuitive interface, personalized recommendations, and wide access to streaming applications such as Netflix, YouTube, or Disney+ make the TV enjoyable to use. This makes it easy to overlook the lack of recording features and picture-in-picture (PiP), which is not a major issue given the rich offering of applications. If we can afford that small difference in price, we definitely recommend the TCL C655 in the PRO version.

Advantages

  • High brightness

  • Deep black and contrast - Local Dimming technology

  • Google TV support with access to many streaming apps

  • Gaming features such as ALLM, VRR, and Game Bar

  • Adaptive refresh rate 4K@60hz, 2K@120Hz, 1080p@120Hz

  • Very low input lag, also in Dolby Vision mode (13 ms)

Disadvantages

No like

  • Missing USB content recording feature and picture-in-picture (PiP) option

  • Poor viewing angles due to the VA panel – picture loses quality when viewed from the side

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    5.9

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    6.0

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    5.3

  • Gaming on console

    7.7

  • TV as a computer monitor

    6.0

  • Watching in bright light

    5.8

  • Utility functions

    7.7

  • Apps

    10.0

  • Sound quality

    6.6

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TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 4 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

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Contrast and black detail

7.1/10

Funkcja lokalnego wygaszania: Tak, ilość stref: 84 (12 x 7)

Result

56,000:1

Result

15,850:1

Result

11,350:1

Result

7,100:1

Result

5,950:1

The TCL 655 PRO television, equipped with a VA panel, provides solid contrast; however, the key role in improving image quality is played by local dimming technology. The tested 55-inch variant has 84 zones of backlighting, which significantly enhance contrast compared to the model without the "PRO" suffix, and this effect is clearly visible in the first three tested scenes. It is worth adding that larger versions of this television naturally have more zones, which translates into even better contrast. Of course, as with any LCD television, certain drawbacks remain—particularly noticeable in the tested scenes 4 and 5, where smaller bright elements lose quite a bit of quality. Nevertheless, considering the price of the device, the TCL 655 PRO makes a strong impression and stands out well in the category of black levels and contrast.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

HDR effect quality

5.1/10

Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 95.0%, Bt.2020: 74.0%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Result

566 nit

Result

299 nit

Result

387 nit

Result

205 nit

Result

666 nit

In the HDR effect quality category, the TCL 655 PRO television shows decent capabilities, achieving 550 nits of peak brightness. This allows for enjoyment of HDR effects, which is clearly visible in scenes such as the first from the movie Life of Pi or the last frame from The Meg. However, the limited number of dimming zones causes some problems. While in bright scenes the television performs better than its lower model, in more demanding scenes, such as the second and fourth scenes from Sicario 2, it struggles. The dimming algorithm aims for deep blacks, but at the cost of brightness – which in these moments leads to a decrease in brightness by as much as half. In these more challenging scenes with small elements, it is hard to find any praise, and the HDR effect resembles rather SDR. Nonetheless, the coverage of the color palette deserves commendation, which, like in the version without the PRO suffix, is at a very good level.

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

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

During the tests of the adaptive capabilities of the TCL 655 PRO television in very demanding scenes, such as those from the movies Pan and Billy Lynn, the television performed quite well. In the first scene from Pan, although the image at times might have seemed slightly lacking in contrast, the shades of sunlight in the distance did not blend into one blot, which looked surprisingly good. The same was true for Billy Lynn – here it was noticeable that the television managed contrast better than the version without the PRO designation, which particularly improved details in dark scenes. The depiction of light effects, such as fireworks, also deserves praise. Although this could be attributed to the dynamic tone mapping feature, it does not always yield unequivocally the best results.

For example, in scenes like those from the movie The Meg, the dynamic tone mapping feature recovered details in the clouds well, but at the same time flattened and darkened the water tonally, which was a drawback. An alternative is to turn off this option, but then the brightest details may blend together. In scenes where bright details do not need to be recovered, turning off this feature seems to be a better solution, closer to the reference image. However, for most users, the better choice will be the "Detailed Description Priority" option (ON), which better balances these aspects in everyday use.

HDR luminance chart:

The TCL 655 PRO TV copes well with various types of metadata, which directly affects the quality of the displayed image. In tests using both static HDR10 and dynamic Dolby Vision, differences in detail reproduction were clearly noticeable. In the case of HDR10, the picture looked decent, but there were some details missing in the background, as well as details in the form of grass. On the other hand, dynamic metadata - Dolby Vision made the scene more immersive – the background was more detailed, and the horses on the screen were more contrasting, which significantly improved the overall visual experience. An additional advantage of the TCL 655 PRO is full support for all popular HDR formats. Users can enjoy compatibility with various streaming platforms without worrying about the lack of support for specific formats.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Factory color reproduction

3.8/10

Each of our TV tests is conducted in movie mode, which usually offers the best color reproduction. Nevertheless, even this mode is not free from problems, as we noted with the TCL 655 PRO model.

In the case of HD content, the white balance clearly shifts towards red, and this effect becomes particularly noticeable in a scene from Star Wars, where the white elements of the scenery take on a pink hue. For 4K HDR material, the situation looks better, but there is a tendency to excessively enhance the blue color. As a result, the image can appear artificially sharp, which proves to be uncomfortable for the eye over a longer period. The brightness characteristic also leaves much to be desired. The Gamma chart indicates serious difficulties with excessive brightening, causing the overall presentation to look washed out. Additionally, the EOTF curve reveals significant issues with the reproduction of very small elements - they are excessively dimmed, as we detailed in the paragraph regarding HDR effects.

Factory Mode

After calibration

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Color reproduction after calibration

7.8/10

After calibrating the TCL 655 PRO television, a noticeable improvement in white balance can be observed, having completely eliminated the tendency for the screen to have an excessive pink hue, which was previously visible in factory mode. The image has taken on more natural tones, especially in white and bright elements, positively affecting the overall perception of the picture. As for brightness characteristics, the Gamma chart has also improved – the screen is no longer excessively bright, which previously made the image look washed out. Nevertheless, there are still some issues with the EOTF curve that are difficult to eliminate due to the design of the television and its limited number of dimming zones. These limitations prevent achieving ideal results in this regard. However, despite this minor flaw, the overall effect after calibration is truly outstanding, providing high image quality and very good color reproduction.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

4.8/10

Tonal transitions are really fine and would deserve a high rating (8), however, the rating was clearly lowered for another reason - the image is artificially sharpened despite the "sharpness" parameter being set to 0. As a result, the image is unpleasant to look at.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

5/10

OK Smooth transition function

No Image without overscan on the SD signal

The TCL 655 PRO television handles tonal transitions in lower-quality materials quite well. The "Gradual Smoothing" feature at a low setting effectively smooths out tonal transitions; however, this comes at the cost of losing some important details, such as the texture of objects. A positive aspect is that it does not negatively affect film grain, which helps maintain the natural look of the image.

In the context of digital processing, the television adds artificial sharpness. This may appeal to users who prefer a more vivid image. However, those who favor a softer, subtler look may find this to be a drawback. Additionally, a downside is the image cropping due to overscan, which limits the field of view and trims the edges of the frame. This can be problematic in certain scenes - e.g., news tickers.

Blur and motion smoothness

4.8/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 120Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: No

BFI function 60Hz: No

BFI function 120Hz: No

Brightness drop with BFI: 0%

The TCL C655 PRO TV is equipped with a 4K panel with a refresh rate of 60 Hz, making it ideal for watching movies. Additionally, the "Flicker Reduction" feature allows users to adjust the fluidity of the image, giving them the choice between smoother motion or a cinematic, choppy effect. Moreover, the TV handles lower resolution content well, such as Full HD and 2K, offering a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which will certainly appeal to gamers who can enjoy smoother images, albeit at the cost of lower resolution.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Smużenie ():

When it comes to ghosting, the TCL C655 PRO performs decently, although it doesn't stand out in this regard compared to the competition. Slight ghosting can be noticed with moving objects, particularly on darker backgrounds, which becomes more noticeable in dynamic scenes, such as games or sports broadcasts. However, it's worth adding that this effect is less noticeable at lower resolutions, such as Full HD or 2K, where the television offers a refresh rate of 120 Hz, improving motion smoothness and reducing the visibility of ghosting.

Console compatibility and gaming features

8/10

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

The TCL C655 PRO television offers an almost perfect set of features for gamers, supporting all key technologies that significantly improve the gaming experience. The ALLM feature automatically switches the television to low latency mode, resulting in better responsiveness and minimized signal delays – particularly important in dynamic titles. VRR synchronizes the screen refresh rate with the number of frames generated by the console, eliminating screen tearing and thus guaranteeing smoother gameplay.

Support for Dolby Vision in game mode allows for more detailed color and contrast reproduction in games that support this format, while the Game Bar provides quick access to important settings such as response time or latency level. Unfortunately, this model does not support 4K resolution at 120 Hz, which may disappoint the most demanding gamers. However, for those who can forgo 4K, support for Full HD and 2K at 120 Hz offers exceptionally smooth visuals, making it an attractive alternative for enthusiasts of higher refresh rates.

Input lag

10/10

The TCL C655 PRO TV offers an exceptional response time across all supported resolutions and frequencies. Particularly noteworthy is its support for Dolby Vision with a response time of 13 ms, which is rarely found among competitors. As a result, gamers can enjoy remarkable responsiveness even while using advanced HDR effects, significantly enhancing the gaming experience.

SDR HDR Dolby Vision
1080p60: 13 ms 2160p60: 12 ms 2160p60 DV: 13 ms
1080p120: 9 ms
2160p60: 13 ms

Compatibility with PC

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: 120Hz

G-Sync: Yes

Cooperation with the PC on the TCL C655 Pro television is quite good, especially due to the support for chroma 4:4:4, which ensures good readability of fonts. This is an important advantage if the television is to be used as a monitor for office work, where text display accuracy is crucial. Additionally, low input lag provides smooth operation, which will be appreciated by both gamers and users who require a quick response to mouse or keyboard movements.

One of the minor drawbacks that can be noticed is the fact that vertical lines sometimes exhibit a pixel dropout. This causes letters to appear slightly broken, which in certain situations may slightly reduce work comfort, although overall this issue should not be very bothersome for less demanding users. The television does not support 120Hz for its maximum resolution, hence the lower rating compared to higher models. However, TCL has ensured that users can enjoy smooth gameplay at 120Hz at lower resolutions such as 2K and Full HD.

Viewing angles

2.7/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 73%

The viewing angles in the TCL C655 PRO, as with VA panels, are quite limited. Compared to IPS panels, which maintain image quality regardless of the viewing angle, the VA panel in this model quickly loses contrast and color saturation even with a slight deviation from the axis. Watching at an angle causes black to become more gray, and colors lose their depth and intensity. For this reason, the TV is better suited for rooms where viewing occurs mainly straight on. It is not a television that is an ideal choice for large spaces where viewers may be seated at different angles.

TV efficiency during daytime

5.8/10

Matrix coating: Satin

Reflection suppression: Average

Black levels during daytime: Good

TCL C655 PRO offers quite decent brightness, reaching around 520 nits, which makes using the television during the day comfortable. This brightness allows for good image visibility even in rooms with more sunlight. Although the television performs well in such conditions, the satin finish of the display has only average capabilities in suppressing reflections. In very bright environments, reflections may appear, which slightly worsen the visibility of the image, especially in scenes with lower contrast.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

TCL C655 Pro: 519 cd/m2

Details about the matrix

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

  • No Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): No
  • No Recording programming: No
  • No Picture in Picture (PiP): No
  • Yes Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
  • Yes AirPlay: Yes
  • Yes Voice search in native language: Yes
  • Yes Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
  • Yes Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV: Yes
  • Yes Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker: Yes
  • Yes Audio only mode: Yes
  • Yes RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
  • No Backlit remote control: No
  • Yes Teletext: Yes

The TCL C655 PRO TV operates on the Google TV system, which is an extension of the popular Android TV. Google TV offers personalized content recommendations based on viewed materials and user preferences, providing easy access to movies, series, and apps. Thanks to its clear interface, navigation is simple, and access to popular streaming apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and Disney+ allows enjoying a wide range of content. The system also supports integration with the Google ecosystem, enabling control of the TV using voice commands with Google Assistant and synchronization with other smart home devices.

The TCL C655 PRO offers additional features that enhance usability, such as support for Apple AirPlay, allowing for quick content streaming from Apple devices directly to the TV screen. Additionally, the ability to connect peripherals via Bluetooth – e.g., keyboards, mice, or headphones – makes usage even more convenient. Unfortunately, this model does not have the functionality to record content to USB or the picture-in-picture (PiP) option, which may be a disappointment for those accustomed to these conveniences in traditional television. Nevertheless, the TCL C655 PRO offers many modern solutions that facilitate daily entertainment.

The design of the TCL C655 PRO TV appears modern, with elegant and slim metallic bezels that add sturdiness and aesthetic appeal to the device. Overall, it looks very good and will certainly fit into most interiors. Although the bezels are minimalist, the TV itself is not among the thinnest on the market, especially compared to Korean competitors who often offer even slimmer designs.

Playing files from USB

8.3/10

Maximum photo resolution:Supported photo formats:
Yes 4 Mpix
Yes JPEG
Yes 6 Mpix
No HEIC
Yes 8 Mpix
No PNG
No 10 Mpix
No GIF
No 12 Mpix
No WebP
Yes 16 Mpix
No TIFF
No 20 Mpix
Yes BMP
No 24 Mpix
No SVG
No 28 Mpix
Yes 32 Mpix

Thanks to the built-in player, the television is capable of playing most file formats available on external storage, making it a versatile tool for consuming multimedia. However, there may be certain limitations in supporting some formats, which can be inconvenient for more demanding users. Fortunately, the Google TV system allows the installation of other media players from Google Play, enabling the elimination of compatibility issues. This gives users the opportunity to choose applications that best meet their needs, significantly enhancing the functionality of the television.

Apps

10/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Viaplay
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
MAX
OK
Kodi

Sound

6.6/10

6.6/10

Subjective sound quality

Yes Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

No Dolby True HD 7.1

Yes Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

No Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

Yes DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

Yes DTS-HD Master Audio

The sound on the TCL C655 PRO television is quite good, thanks to the 2x15W audio system supported by a 20W subwoofer branded by Onkyo. As a result, the sound is fuller, and the bass is deeper, positively impacting the overall sound quality. However, one should not get overly enthusiastic – the television cannot replace a dedicated soundbar, especially for more demanding users expecting cinema-quality audio.

  • QLED PRO: Quantum Dot technology delivers vibrant and realistic colors, offering an ultra-wide color range and striking contrast.

  • Full Array Local Dimming: Advanced local dimming enhances contrast, providing deeper blacks and brighter whites, resulting in a more realistic picture.

    4K HDR PRO 600: By combining Quantum Dot technology and Full Array Local Dimming, the TV offers excellent HDR picture quality with brightness up to 600 nits, true colors, and the finest details.

  • Motion Clarity: A technology providing smooth images and better dynamics, ideal for fast-paced action scenes and sports broadcasts.

  • Multi HDR Format: Supports various HDR formats, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+, ensuring stunning images regardless of the source.

  • Game Master 3.0 + 120Hz Game Accelerator: Features optimized for gamers, offering smooth and responsive gameplay with a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz and low latency.

  • HDMI 2.1: A modern interface providing support for the latest devices and technologies, offering fast data transfer and support for advanced features.

  • 2.1 ONKYO Dolby Atmos: Built-in audio system from ONKYO with Dolby Atmos support delivers immersive audio experiences with deep bass and spatial sound.

  • Google TV: An intuitive operating system offering access to a wide range of streaming apps, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney+, with a built-in voice-controlled Google Assistant.

  • Sleek metal design with a reversible stand: Stylish design with thin bezels and the ability to adjust the stand for different interior settings.

TCL C655 PRO – Exceptional picture quality and functionality

TCL C655 PRO is an advanced version of its basic model, offering a range of enhancements that make it an exceptional choice for demanding users. The biggest advantage of C655 PRO is the use of local dimming technology, which provides deeper blacks and significantly higher contrast. Combined with a QLED panel, the TV offers vibrant and saturated colors, as confirmed by numerous reviews and our test TCL C655 PRO.

Excellent picture quality in TCL C655 PRO

One of the greatest strengths of TCL C655 PRO is its picture quality. Thanks to local dimming and a QLED panel, the TV ensures excellent black quality and a wide color palette. Both dynamic content and movies look exceptionally good, as confirmed by our review of TCL C655.

Perfect choice for gamers

For gaming enthusiasts, TCL C655 PRO offers useful features such as ALLM, VRR, and Game Bar. Support for 120 Hz at lower resolutions ensures smooth gameplay in Full HD and 2K. This makes C655 PRO an excellent choice for gamers looking for fluidity and advanced gaming features.

Convenience for everyday use

The Google TV operating system makes everyday use of TCL C655 PRO enjoyable and intuitive. A wide selection of apps, including Netflix, YouTube, or Disney+, and personalized recommendations allow easy access to favorite content. The lack of recording features and PiP is not a problem due to the rich streaming offering, as confirmed by reviews and TCL 55C655 PRO.

Summary – Why choose TCL C655 PRO?

If you expect excellent picture quality, smooth gameplay, and advanced features, TCL C655 PRO is the ideal choice. QLED panel, local dimming, and advanced gaming features clearly distinguish this model from the competition. Reviews and results from the TCL C655 PRO test and TCL C655 PRO test clearly show that it is worth investing in this TV. By choosing C655 PRO, you gain excellent picture quality and the fluidity of gameplay that you can expect from modern solutions.