TCL C855

C855 / C85

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Panel type: LCD VA | Brand: TCL | Resolution: 3840x2160 | System: Google TV | Model year: 2024

Our verdict

7.6

Overall rating

Once again, the manufacturer demonstrates that although it is a relatively young player in Poland (but not worldwide) in the RTV market, it certainly cannot be said that it is a second-tier choice. The television TCL C855 is an incredibly versatile device that performs well in various applications and excels in its price class. Thanks to the Mini LED backlighting, the results of contrast and blacks are very solid, allowing for a deep and vivid image. It is worth noting that the television's algorithm effectively manages to maintain black uniformity, and blooming effect is rarely noticeable. This backlighting is also a strong point of the television in HDR materials, although with some caveats. TCL C855 can achieve a brightness of up to 1800 nits, which is an impressive result; however, brightness can drastically drop to around 200 nits when a bright but small element appears on the screen. Another drawback is the boost in mid-tones, which can lead to a loss of contrast and a decrease in image fidelity with the director's vision. The television also performs excellently when connected to a console or powerful PC. In this category, TCL C855 truly showcases its power, offering incredibly low latency and high-quality gameplay, made possible by the full implementation of HDMI 2.1 features. The Google TV operating system is another advantage, providing users with nearly unlimited installation options for applications, even those from outside the official store, thanks to support for APK files.

In summary, TCL C855 is the ideal choice for those who know what they expect from a television. It is a good, versatile piece of equipment that, although not perfect, offers excellent picture quality, low gaming latency, and a flexible and robust operating system.

Advantages

Very large number of built-in applications
High contrast and deep blacks
Very good HDR effect in bright scenes
Very high brightness - excellent television for bright rooms
Image quality comparable to much more expensive televisions

Disadvantages

Poor viewing angles
Poor colour reproduction out of the box (can be improved with calibration)

Movies and series in UHD quality

7.4
Classic TV, YouTube

7.1
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

6.7
Gaming on console

8.8
TV as a computer monitor

8.6
Watching in bright light

7.4
Utility functions

7.1
Apps

10.0
Sound quality

7.2

TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) 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

Viewing mode Game mode

8.6/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 1344 (48 x 28)

Review TCL C855 Contrast and black detail

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

Result

∞: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

176,000:1

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

Result

54,000:1

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

30,500:1

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

Result

13,700:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

TCL C855 uses a high-contrast VA panel. The ANSI contrast (without dimming) was a very decent 5238:1, which allows for at least very good black levels. Additionally, the panel itself is equipped with multi-zone Mini LED backlighting, which is divided into 1344 independent dimming zones for the 65-inch model. Such a number allows for very good results in our tests. It is worth noting that TCL, as one of the few manufacturers, offers such a specification without spending excessively large amounts of money, unlike the classic quartet of manufacturers. As you can see, in the vast majority of scenes we prepared, the results are impressive, particularly in the first three, as even in the third one, with a score of 54,000:1, it cannot be said that the black levels and contrast are weak, as they are more than satisfactory. These deteriorate in two scenarios: scenes with film stripes and when there are many elements surrounded by black on the screen. And while the last of the test scenes still has excellent contrast, the final tested scenario shows some blooming in the blacks. The frame from the film "Oblivion" performed exceptionally well on the TCL C855, with the level of black comparable to OLED screens, which is quite an achievement. It is also worth noting the good separation of lights, which is not easy to achieve. Our flagship scene from "Sicario 2" performed equally well in terms of contrast, but it is clear that details in the blacks on the first, second, and third planes tend to disappear. The operation of the backlight control algorithm also deserves praise, which minimizes the halo/blooming effect to an absolute minimum. However, it is worth noting that very small elements, such as stars, the TCL C855 can sometimes completely dim.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

6.5/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 97.0%, Bt.2020: 79.0%

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

1472 nit

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

Result

445 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

754 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

237 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

1820 nit

TCL C855 delivers a highly varied HDR effect. On one hand, the television truly shines, while on the other, it resembles a lower model with FALD backlighting. This situation is, however, regularly observed in this brand, so it was not a surprise to us. The first and last scenes, featuring large elements of light, look almost phenomenal, "shining" with brightness levels of 1470 and 1820 nits respectively. Such effects will certainly cause more than one person to squint, while simultaneously feeling the extraordinary dynamism of the scene itself. You can truly feel as if you are inside the film. The situation changes dramatically when small or minor elements with high luminance surrounded by black appear on the screen. The TCL C855, in order to avoid the halo effect, significantly reduces brightness to a level of even 240 nits, which is a disappointing result, causing the film to not appear as if it was recorded in HDR. The HDR effect in the TCL C855 makes watching dynamic scenes more engaging, allowing the viewer to feel as though they are part of the action. Even with smaller elements of high luminance, the television manages to maintain details without excessive dimming. Moreover, the TCL C855 test shows that the brightness of the image is adjusted for scenes with a large amount of detail, which enhances viewing comfort.

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

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

As we can observe in challenging film scenes, TCL C855 performs very well, but with some "buts". Taking the first shot from the film "Mr.," we see that thanks to the efficiently functioning dynamic tone mapping feature, details in the bright parts of the image are well visible and do not get lost under high brightness.

Moving on to a more varied scene from "Billy Lynn," which we can assess as adequate, there is, however, a slight boost in the mid-tones, a drop in contrast, but more importantly, a complete misalignment of colours in the fireworks explosion.

HDR luminance chart:

The most popular HDR format used in the market is the static metadata-free HDR10. Therefore, it is extremely important how good the tone mapping algorithm is implemented in the television. The one operating in TCL C855 is among the better ones, and due to the high brightness of the unit and the efficient functioning of the DTM feature, details in the second and third plan are well visible. When the tested unit was provided with an HDR format with dynamic metadata, such as Dolby Vision, the picture looks even better, and every detail, even the smallest one, can be easily captured by the eye.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Smoothness of tonal transitions

9.2/10

Nevertheless, an important aspect in assessing image quality is tonal transitions. To obtain a clear image free from posterisation effects, the television must demonstrate very good algorithms for smoothing out colour gradations. We must admit that the one used in TCL C855, named "Gradual Smoothing," is among the best we have had the opportunity to test. Practically every scene performs very well here and there is nothing to criticise. The best example of this is the scene from "The Green Knight," which is the most demanding due to the vast amount of fine and subtle transitions in the mist. The C855 effectively smooths out everything contained in the scene and allows the full suspense to be felt. The only moment where a slight posterisation can be observed is in a shot from the film "The Green Knight," where the reds in the upper left section of the screen stand out from each other.

Review TCL C855 Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

5.5/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

Once again, we will take a look at the function of smoothing tonal transitions, but this time also at image scaling. The latter is particularly important when watching lower-quality materials, such as certain television programmes or older films. We will focus on the function responsible for tonal transitions. Interestingly, just like in the scenes of the previous test, it performed excellently and smoothed out practically all the inconsistencies; however, here it had problems. Using the menu responsible for this function, we found that no setting - even the strongest - was of any help.

Image scaling in TCL C855 is described as one of the best we have had the opportunity to test so far. The image is sharp, but in a way that could be described as natural for our eyes. Even the small, fine branches do not have jagged edges, and there is no white halo around figures, which is characteristic of inferior scaling systems.

Blur and motion smoothness

8/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 144Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: Yes

BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)

BFI function 120Hz: Yes, 120Hz

Brightness drop with BFI: 51%

The maximum refresh rate we can set on the TCL C855 is 144 Hz. Naturally, this is only possible by connecting the TCL C855 television to a very powerful PC. Otherwise, we will be operating at a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz, which is recommended if we primarily want to watch sports or content with a lot of motion dynamics. For those requiring high image fluidity, the manufacturer has implemented a multi-stage motion smoother. This has been divided into two separate sliders regulating the sharpness of moving images (Motion Blur Reduction) and flicker (Flicker Reduction). Both sliders can be set in the range from 0 to 10, with each increment affecting the level of smoothing, so everyone can find their sweet spot. We present a setting that allows for slight smoothing without the soap opera effect.

The panel of the TCL C855 features a very good response time. This is particularly important as VA panels often have issues with so-called ghosting, which is the effect where a black halo can be seen behind a fast-moving object.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

In the context of motion fluidity, it is worth mentioning the BFI (Black Frame Insertion) technology, which involves inserting a black frame between film frames. Its aim is to "reset" the retina of the eye, thereby enhancing the sharpness of the image. The manufacturer decided to implement this solution, which has worked very well for them, as there is no strong flickering here that can be observed in competing products. As can be seen, it works well, and the sharpness of fast-moving images is of a high level. The only drawbacks are edge duplication and a drastic decrease in brightness. This is an option primarily for specialist users.

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 TCL C855 television is equipped with full HDMI 2.1 connectors with a full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s. During our tests, we confirmed the seamless operation of all functions that are part of this standard. As can be seen, all checkboxes light up green, which will certainly be appreciated by gamers, both console and those using the television as a monitor for their computer. Additionally, the TCL C855 supports both AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA's G-Sync, which can be easily activated in the graphics card settings. Those with a very powerful setup can send a 144 Hz signal to the C855, which this television handles effortlessly. It is also worth mentioning the implementation of the HGIG mode, which, however, due to the flaw of the “Game” mode, is overly brightened, making it difficult to configure properly on screen. Fortunately, the television performs excellently with the Dolby Vision format.

The TCL C855 is one of the first manufacturers to equip its televisions with a special GameBar, which allows for extensive setting changes on the fly, without the need to exit the game. It features functions such as an additional crosshair grid, black level correction, and settings for people with disabilities. In the picture, we can see the next generation of this solution.

In summary, the TCL C855 television will be an ideal solution for those seeking a screen for all sorts of electronic gaming. Thanks to all the features supporting such entertainment, it is incredibly engaging. It is also important to highlight the very low input lag, regardless of the selected settings, including with the HDR Dolby Vision format.

Input lag

9.8/10

The delay times of the TCL C855 are remarkably low in every scenario. Even the most avid gamers will surely appreciate the very low input lag of just 7 ms at demanding 4K 120 Hz settings with HDR. Furthermore, the delays at these same settings, but with Dolby Vision HDR enabled, remain at the same level, which is not so obvious in the case of competing models. Consequently, the TCL C855 deserves the highest rating and recommendation.

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 16 ms	2160p60: 16 ms	2160p60 DV: 17 ms
1080p120: 7 ms	2160p120: 7 ms	2160p120 DV: 9 ms
2160p60: 16 ms
2160p120: 7 ms

Compatibility with PC

8.6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Good

Readability of dark text and shapes: Good

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 16ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR

Max refresh rate: 144Hz

G-Sync: Yes

TCL C855 when connected to a computer as a monitor performs very well. This is due to the very low latency between the mouse, eye, and screen, as well as excellent font clarity, which results from the correct implementation of chroma 4:4:4 at all resolutions, including 4K@144Hz. The subpixel layout is BGR, which does not negatively impact usage in Windows. However, the situation may change when using macOS or other software that cannot adapt fonts to this subpixel layout. Additionally, the television has minor issues with displaying fonts on a black background, which is why we deducted some points.

Viewing angles

3.5/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 73%

A widely known drawback of VA matrixes without an angular coating is their poor performance in terms of viewing angles. The same is true for TCL C855, where even a slight shift off-axis leads to significant image washout and colour degradation.

TV efficiency during daytime

7.4/10

Matrix coating: Glare

Reflection suppression: Average

Black levels during daytime: Good

The glossy finish of the panel in TCL C855 did not allow for the highest rating in terms of the television's performance during daytime viewing, although it is precisely because of this that the blacks during the day are very good. Thanks to the high brightness in SDR content, the actress's face stands out strongly against reflections. A downside of the panel, however, is that light falling directly on the television "spills" further rather than being contained in one place. Generally speaking, if sun rays do not hit the panel, TCL C855 will be a very good choice for brightly lit rooms.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

TCL C855: 910 cd/m2

Details about the matrix

Software version during testing: TV+:TVM6.0.1_926b00935_240329

Image processor: mt5896

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

Backlight Type: Mini-LED QLED

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

TCL C855 operates on the Google TV system, which is a significant advantage compared to televisions equipped with proprietary systems from manufacturers, where installing applications from a USB drive may be difficult or often downright impossible. Thanks to Google TV, we have the ability to install practically any application, both from the official store and directly from internet repositories via APK files.

This system also offers many conveniences in terms of control. We can connect a keyboard with a touchpad, which greatly facilitates inputting queries. Additionally, thanks to integration with Google, we can use voice control functions with the remote, which works very well, although there are occasional minor issues with the translation of functions and options. It is worth adding that Google TV regularly receives updates that improve functionality and introduce new options. We can also confirm that according to reports from users of older models, the software can have its bad days, and sometimes it experiences a "bad day".

In summary: Google TV is currently one of the most popular systems on the market. Thanks to an efficient CPU, it operates very smoothly, does not freeze, and does not have issues with lagging for a significant part of its usage. This is definitely the best option for those who want to make the most of the capabilities of the TCL C855 television and value the openness of the system.

Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

9.2/10

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 default media player on the TCL C855 performs very well with practically all the content we have prepared for it. Virtually every video format is supported. However, a notable deficiency may be the lack of a feature to change the font colour. There are hardly any issues with photos and their maximum resolution. It is worth noting negatively the absence of support for Apple's HEIC and SVG files. On the other hand, audio files can be played without any problems, and we do not believe that a large portion of you uses AIFF or DSD64. However, an undeniable advantage of the C855 and its operating system is that we can download another player from the app store at any time, which will play everything.

Apps

10/10

Sound

7.2/10

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

When evaluating the sound on the TCL C855, we pay attention to several key aspects, such as whether the tones are clearly audible and do not clash with one another, as well as whether none of them dominates the others. In the case of the TCL C855, the sound is positively presented – it is balanced and does not evoke any negative feelings. Generally, the sound is simply good.

For those with a home cinema system, the TCL C855 offers a wide range of audio codecs, including the two most important: DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos. This ensures high audio quality that will satisfy users seeking better audio experiences.

QD-Mini LED: The combination of Quantum Dot technology with Mini LED backlighting provides higher brightness, deeper blacks, and better contrast, resulting in more realistic and vibrant colours.
High brightness: The television achieves peak brightness of up to 3500 nits, allowing for clear image display even in well-lit rooms and fully utilising HDR content.
144 Hz refresh rate: The high refresh rate ensures smooth image rendering, which is particularly important when watching dynamic scenes or playing video games.
Google TV: An operating system offering access to a wide range of applications and streaming services, allowing content personalisation and integration with Google Assistant.
Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive: Support for advanced HDR formats with dynamic metadata that adjusts brightness, colours, and contrast depending on lighting conditions, providing a detailed and rich image.
Dolby Atmos: Spatial audio technology that, along with multi-channel speakers, provides immersive sound, allowing you to immerse yourself in the action.

Television tests have shown that TCL C855 effectively smooths colour transitions, which is important when complex scenes dominate the screen. As a result, users enjoy a more natural image without visible disturbances or colour distortions. Additionally, the TCL C855 test highlights that these features work smoothly even during fast-paced action, pleasing enthusiasts of dynamic content. TCL C855 maintains fluidity and detail, enhancing the overall experience of watching movies and gaming in high definition.

TCL C855 in small and large rooms

Choosing a television for your interior is a crucial decision. The TCL C855 performs well in both small and large spaces, offering diagonal sizes from 65 to 98 inches. For smaller rooms, the TCL C855 65 provides high image quality without overwhelming the interior. In large living rooms, the TCL 855 impresses with its brightness and contrast, eliminating blooming effects. Moreover, the TCL C855 test proves that regardless of screen size, the television delivers a smooth image and impressive black depth thanks to Mini LED and a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz.

TCL C855 65 in the bedroom

The TCL C855 test shows that this model works excellently in the bedroom, offering deep blacks and reducing blue light emissions. The TCL C855 65 version is an ideal choice for smaller spaces, while larger models can become the centre of home entertainment. The TCL C855 with Google TV allows for easy access to streaming services, and the audio system with Dolby Atmos provides a cinematic experience without extra equipment. This makes the C855 a great choice for evening showings in comfortable conditions.

TCL C855

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 C855 in small and large rooms

TCL C855 65 in the bedroom