- 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”
Diagonal with a different matrix: , , , , ,
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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 from smaller models, as it is equipped with a 144 Hz panel, opening up new possibilities for fluidity and dynamics of the image. This QLED from 2024, introduced by the Chinese manufacturer, retains a very good quality-to-price ratio, especially for a device of this size. The 98” variant offers all the advantages of smaller versions, including the modern Google TV system. It is an incredibly convenient solution - allowing users to access an intuitive interface, control the television with voice commands in Polish thanks to Google Assistant, and quickly access the most popular streaming applications, such as Netflix, YouTube, or Prime Video. Support for AirPlay and the ability to connect devices via Bluetooth further enhance its versatility. Admittedly, the lack of recording features and picture-in-picture (PiP) may disappoint those accustomed to these options, but an external decoder should mitigate this issue. In terms of image quality, the TCL C655 / C69B still offers high native contrast, thanks to the VA panel, and rich colour coverage (DCI-P3), attributed to quantum dot technology (PFS-QLED). Although this model lacks local dimming (present in the C655 PRO version), its black level and image quality are still very good within its class. Gamers will also find something for themselves - the television supports variable refresh rate (VRR), automatic switching to low latency mode (ALLM), and Dolby Vision in gaming mode. In summary, the TCL C655 / C69B in the 98” version is a great option for those looking for a large television with solid image quality and good equipment, distinguished by an excellent quality-to-price ratio.
Advantages
High brightness at 450 nits
High native contrast
Google TV support with access to numerous streaming applications
Features for gamers, such as 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)
Apple AirPlay support 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 matrix – the image loses quality when viewed from the side
Absence of content recording function to USB and 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 television uses a VA panel, providing solid contrast, which translates to better image depth and more satisfying blacks compared to IPS panels. However, the absence of local dimming technology, available in the model with the "Pro" suffix, means that the quality of blacks does not reach its full potential. In demanding scenes, such as night shots in the film Sicario 2, the blacks take on a slightly bluish hue, which may slightly weaken the sense of immersion. Overall, it is good, but the use 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 HDR effect on the TCL C655 / C69B looks quite promising. The average value in the test charts is around 450 nits, which already allows for a hint of the brilliance of light effects and better image dynamics. However, as previously mentioned, this effect can be somewhat subdued by slight differences in bright and dark colours, resulting from the lack of local dimming technology. Nevertheless, the DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage of 94% deserves high praise, and this is made possible by the use of a quantum dot (QLED) panel. As a result, colours are vibrant and well-rendered 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 the scene from the film Mr., the contrast in the bright areas is virtually non-existent, which causes the image to lose depth. Despite this, the lighting effects, such as the sun or clouds on the horizon, are well separated and do not blend together, which positively impacts the viewing experience. Similarly, the scene from Billy Lynn performs well – the fireworks in the background look impressive, and the actor in the foreground appears natural, although minor imperfections are visible on the skin. Although the television has limitations in contrast, the image is decent, and the dynamic tone mapping feature improves overall perception by gently adjusting brightness. It is worth adding that in many other models of this brand, this feature does not work as well.
HDR luminance chart:
The television TCL C655 / C69B 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. Although HDR10 looks quite decent, certain shortcomings are visible, 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 contrasting, positively affecting the perception of the scene. It is also worth mentioning that TCL offers full support for all popular types of HDR in this model, meaning that the user does not have to worry about compatibility issues with the 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 many errors that the director would certainly not want to see when recording 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, making the colours too warm, and the overall image takes on a pink or yellow tint. The Colour Checker test confirms these errors – the colour samples stray into incorrect shades, affecting the overall colour fidelity. A minor issue is the brightness characteristics. However, this too is not without flaws. The gamma graph shows a strong spike at the beginning, which can cause the image to be excessively brightened, and the EOTF curve responsible for brightness in 4K HDR materials also has significant variations – it is evident how the television tries to maintain the appropriate brightness, but it does not always manage to do so effectively.
Color reproduction after calibration
8/10
After calibrating the television's movie mode TCL C655 / C69B , the white balance has been adjusted, and the colours are displayed as they should be – which is confirmed only by slight deviations in the Colour Checker test. The gamma is really correct, which means the television shouldn't have problems 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 – they simply struggle to "shine" stronger in a given section of the screen. Despite this design limitation, which cannot be bypassed, we recommend adjustment in the settings, as the overall coloration 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 clearly lowered for another reason - the image is artificially sharpened despite the 'sharpness' setting being at 0. As a result, the image is unpleasant to look at. While this may be unacceptable for purists, those who care less about 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 television handles tonal transitions in lower quality materials well. The "Gradual Smoothing" function, at its lowest setting, effectively eliminates visible banding, but at the same time causes a loss of detail, for example, in the texture of objects. The advantage is that it does not interfere with film grain, allowing the image to maintain a natural appearance.
In terms of digital processing, the television adds a considerable amount of artificial sharpness, which may appeal to those who prefer a crisp image. For those who favour a more subtle representation of details, this could be a downside. Another drawback is the rather aggressive overscan – the image gets cropped, leading to the loss of portions at the edges and limiting 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 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-fledged 144 Hz matrix, which opens up entirely new possibilities – both for gamers and movie lovers. Thanks to the full motion smoother, the television provides incredible image fluidity, eliminating motion blur and enhancing the viewing comfort of dynamic scenes. It is worth noting that this technology works across the full refresh range, meaning that there is no need to compromise between fluidity and quality. Additionally, the "Flicker Reduction" function allows you to adjust the fluidity to your own preferences – you can opt for a more cinematic effect with visible frames or an extremely 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 HDMI 2.1 ports and a 144 Hz panel allow for gaming in 4K at 120 Hz, providing fluidity and responsiveness that will impress even the most demanding.
The television supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), eliminating screen tearing, while the Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM) ensures that the game starts immediately without the need for manually switching settings. There is also support for Dolby Vision and HGiG, making the image quality in games even better – details are sharp, colours are natural, and contrast is perfectly balanced.
Additionally, the television offers a dedicated gaming panel that allows for quick adjustment of picture settings without the need to exit the game. It is a device that meets virtually all the requirements of a modern gamer.
Input lag
10/10
An input lag of less than 15 ms is truly an impressive result. Regardless of the selected mode – even in Dolby Vision – the lag is practically imperceptible. This ensures that every reaction is instantaneous, providing excellent experiences 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 television will easily function as a monitor (though it's hard to imagine a desk that could accommodate a 100-inch screen). You can effortlessly connect a PC to it, and with a 144 Hz panel and support for G-Sync and FreeSync technology, it will be an excellent choice for gamers. When it comes to text readability, the television also performs well, although very small fonts can have their 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 are poor. TCL plans to improve this aspect from 2025 onwards, but for the time being, it does not present well. Considering the huge screen size, which will often be viewed at various 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 television suitable for bright rooms and allows for comfortable viewing even during the day. Unfortunately, the satin finish of the panel rather poorly dampens reflections, which in strong sunlight can worsen the visibility of the image. Despite this, in most cases the brightness of the television is sufficient to ensure a decent quality of picture.
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 television operates on Google TV, an enhanced 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 applications, series or films. 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 television with voice commands and integrate with the smart home ecosystem.
In terms of connectivity, the TCL C655 / C69B offers features such as AirPlay, allowing media to be streamed from Apple devices in moments. Bluetooth ensures seamless connection of peripherals such as headphones or keyboards, enhancing the comfort of using the television. Unfortunately, this model does not offer recording capabilities or a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode, which may be somewhat disappointing for users accustomed to more versatile solutions.
Regarding its appearance, the TCL C655 / C69B is solid and modern. Although it is not the thinnest and its bezels are not the narrowest, it presents itself neatly and elegantly. The adjustable metal legs deserve special mention, allowing for a narrow placement. This practical solution makes it easier to position the television on various types of tables, making it more versatile for different 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 storage devices. This is a convenient solution that facilitates access to favourite content stored on external drives or USB sticks. However, there are situations where less common formats may not be properly supported. Fortunately, the television uses the Google TV system, which allows for downloading alternative applications from Google Play. This means that media players tailored to individual needs can be installed, 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 stands out with a superior audio system compared to smaller models, offering a more dynamic and spatial sound. Combined with a subwoofer branded by Onkyo, the sound gains depth and clarity. This device proves to be effective not only for watching films but also for listening to music or watching concerts.