Compare TCL C855 vs LG QNED91T6A

The TCL C855 is a standout television in the TV market, showcasing a versatile performance across various applications and excelling in its price range. With Mini LED backlighting, the TV achieves impressive contrast and black levels, resulting in deep, vivid images. Its algorithm effectively maintains black uniformity, minimizing blooming effects, a significant advantage for viewing HDR content.

While the TCL C855 can reach brightness levels of up to 1800 nits, which is commendable, it is worth noting that brightness can significantly drop to around 200 nits when bright but small elements appear on-screen. Additionally, the mid-tone boost can compromise contrast and reduce fidelity to the director's original vision.

For gamers, the TCL C855 shines brightly, offering extremely low latency and high-quality performance thanks to its full implementation of HDMI 2.1 features. The inclusion of the Google TV operating system adds to its appeal, providing nearly limitless options for application installation, including support for APK files from outside the official store.

The TCL C855 is an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and versatile television. While it may have some drawbacks, its overall image quality, gaming performance, and advanced operating system make it a strong contender in the market.

LG QNED91T is the only MiniLED backlit television from LG for 2024, drawing attention due to its innovative use of a VA panel. This is a definite departure from the previous standards of the Korean manufacturer in its top LCD televisions, which usually installed IPS/ADS panels. However, the effect is positive – the panel combined with local dimming offers really good contrast. Blacks are deep and should satisfy most users. LG 65QNED91T6A is truly a bright television, so placing it in slightly challenging lighting conditions will not pose a challenge. In terms of motion smoothness, the QNED91T shows top performance. The TruMotion feature works great, allowing adjustment of the picture to personal preferences – from a classic film look to a more fluid effect. The 120Hz panel makes it ideal for sports or gaming. For the latter, LG has prepared something special – four full HDMI 2.1 ports with 48 Gbps bandwidth, allowing the enjoyment of features like VRR and ALLM (and more). This, combined with low input lag, makes this equipment an excellent choice for console or PC gaming. Daily use of QNED91T is pure pleasure, mainly thanks to the WebOS system. The interface is intuitive, there are plenty of apps, and the included Magic Remote significantly facilitates navigation through the menu. The operation is quick, and using the television is comfortable thanks to the voice assistant. Unfortunately, the television also has its weaknesses. Despite the advantages of the VA panel in terms of high contrast, the algorithms responsible for local dimming of the miniLED zones do not perform the best. In HDR content, there are situations where the image is either too bright or excessively dark, which particularly affects scenes requiring precision. Additionally, in practice, the differences between standard HDR10 and Dolby Vision are almost invisible. This is quite a disappointment, especially in this class of television. Nevertheless, LG QNED91T is an interesting choice for those who need a bright television with considerable gaming capabilities and value the convenience of the WebOS system. We recommend considering alternative models, such as the OLED B4 from the 2024 line, which can be purchased for a similar price if the priority is picture quality in HDR content, such as Netflix, Prime Video, or Max.

The TCL C855 features a high-contrast VA matrix, achieving an impressive ANSI contrast ratio of 5238:1 without dimming. This level allows for very good black levels. Furthermore, the panel incorporates multi-zone Mini LED backlighting, divided into 1344 independent dimming zones for the 65-inch model. Such a configuration yields excellent results in our tests. Notably, TCL is among the few manufacturers offering such advanced panel specifications at a reasonable price, unlike the traditional big four brands. In the majority of scenes we evaluated, the performance was impressive, particularly in the first three tests; even in the third, with a ratio of 54,000:1, the black level and contrast were far from weak, demonstrating satisfactory results. However, performance does dip in two specific scenarios: scenes with movie strips and when the screen contains many elements surrounded by black. While the last test scene maintained excellent contrast, the final scenario revealed some blooming in the blacks. A frame from the movie "Oblivion" showcased the TCL C855's capabilities, with black levels that can rival those of OLED screens—a notable achievement. The television also demonstrates commendable light separation, which is no small feat. In our flagship scene from "Sicario 2" the contrast was equally impressive, although some loss of detail in the blacks across the first, second, and third planes was evident. The backlight control algorithm effectively minimizes halo and blooming effects, which is praiseworthy. However, it's important to note that very small elements, like stars, can occasionally be completely dimmed by the TCL C855.

QNED91T is a television with MiniLED backlighting, and in the tested size of 65", we counted 160 local dimming zones. The unit we tested, with a "1" at the end, is equipped with a VA panel, which offers significantly better contrast than IPS panels, which – note – can be found in the LG QNED90T. Therefore, it is worth being careful when choosing a version to avoid disappointment regarding contrast. The QNED90T model is hard to acquire in Poland, but distribution can vary. Returning to our contrast tests, it performed really well in less demanding scenes. For example, in one of the scenes from the film "Oblivion," we observed perfect separation of lights – it looked impressive. However, not everything is so straightforward. In a scene from "Sicario 2," we noticed that the screen is distinctly darker, deviating significantly from the reference image appearance. The television effectively eliminates the halo effect (i.e., glow around objects), but this comes at the cost of brightness – quite a considerable one. Despite these compromises, the contrast of the LG 65QNED91T6A is really solid. Of course, as with MiniLED TVs, one must reckon with certain limitations, but the overall impressions are positive.

The TCL C855 delivers a highly varied HDR effect. At times, the television truly excels, while at other moments, it appears reminiscent of a low-end model equipped with FALD backlighting. Inconsistency is frequently found with this brand, so it didn’t come as a surprise. The first and last scenes, which feature large light elements, are nothing short of spectacular, boasting brightness levels of 1470 and 1820 nits, respectively. Such brightness can make viewers squint their eyes, allowing them to feel the extraordinary dynamism of the scene. It genuinely immerses the audience, creating a sensation of being inside the movie itself. However, the situation shifts dramatically when small or subtle elements with high luminance appear against a dark background. In these instances, the TCL C855 significantly reduces brightness to levels as low as 240 nits to mitigate halo effects. This reduction is disappointing, as it can make the movie appear as if it was not filmed in HDR. Despite these shortcomings, the HDR effect on the TCL C855 enhances the viewing experience during dynamic scenes, making it feel more engaging and allowing the viewer to feel part of the action. Even with smaller high-luminance elements, the television retains details without excessive dimming. Additionally, the TCL C855 adjusts image brightness according to scenes with rich detail, further enhancing viewing comfort.

As befits a MiniLED television, QNED91T LG easily exceeds the magic barrier of 1000 nits on the luminance chart. In scenes where light played a key role, the effect was truly decent. For example, 1000 nits in the first scene of "Life of Pi" is really an impressive value, and the 600 nits achieved in scenes three and five allowed us to feel the true magic of HDR. However, problems arise with very small light elements on the screen, such as the moon, lanterns, or lamps. A value of around 100 nits - to put it bluntly - is disappointing, as these elements are so dark that they are barely visible. It is worth praising the television for covering the DCI-P3 colour gamut at 96% and BT.2020 at 75%. LG QNED91T leaves us with mixed feelings, mainly due to very aggressive dimming algorithms, which, while effectively eliminating the halo effect, do impact the brightness of smaller elements.

The best factory mode for the TCL C855 is the "Film" setting, and all our tests were conducted using this mode. However, like many predefined modes, it has flaws that should be addressed to achieve an image closer to the producer's original vision. In our examination of the colour characteristics for both SDR and HDR materials, issues were found.

Focusing first on SDR content, there is a noticeable dominance of green in the white balance, which leads to an unpleasant greenish tint across the entire image. The gamma chart, crucial for image contrast, shows a significant deviation from the reference line marked at 2.4. Initially, there is a pronounced spike in the measured value, resulting in an over-contrasted image where details can merge into a dark blob. This condition persists for nearly 20% of the chart before it dips below the reference line, causing the image to brighten and resulting in a substantial drop in contrast.

In HDR materials, the factory mode performs somewhat better; the white balance appears more balanced overall, although the green tint resurfaces in the latter half of the spectrum. When we look at the Electro-Optical Transfer Function (EOTF) curve—unlike gamma, which reflects contrast—we identify two main errors: the darkest scenes are too dark, while the brightest ones become overexposed. This discrepancy was evident in our review of the scene from the movie "Pan," further illustrating the TCL C855's HDR performance issues.

We conduct all our tests in the best picture mode on each TV. In this case, as usual, it is the Filmmaker mode. The name of the mode suggests perfect colour reproduction; however, there were noticeable deviations from the correct image. Our unit, in terms of white balance, showed a significant drop in shades of blue - both in SDR and 4K HDR material - which caused a clear yellowing of the image, noticeable in comparison scenes from the film with Tom Cruise. As we described earlier, QNED91T has some tendencies to brighten the screen. This is confirmed by the gamma, which is significantly lower than the reference value of 2.4. On the other hand, the EOTF curve, responsible for brightness in 4K content, showed some issues with the TV dimming the image in the darkest areas, which we could observe in the paragraph describing HDR effect quality. Although the Filmmaker mode is quite a decent "out of the box" mode, it still requires some adjustments.

TCL, like most manufacturers, offers advanced calibration tools within its televisions. These include both 2-point and 20-point adjustments for grayscale, as well as a comprehensive colour management system. As a result, we achieved impressive results in SDR materials, bringing the image significantly closer to the reference standard. We successfully eliminated both the green tint and the gamma issue, although a slight "kink" at the very beginning of the gamma curve still persists.

In contrast, the situation with HDR materials was less favourable, as the TCL C855 did not allow for precise modelling. We were only able to make minor adjustments to the EOTF curve while significantly enhancing the overall colour accuracy. This limitation suggests that while calibration tools are effective, they may require further refinement for optimal HDR performance.

LG offers advanced calibration tools in its televisions such as 65QNED91T6A, which we took advantage of. When it comes to white balance, we were able to significantly correct it in SDR content. The picture mode in 4K HDR quality posed greater challenges, which, although still not perfect, looks better than before calibration. The errors on the Color Checker palette and the colour palette are much smaller than in factory settings. Regarding brightness characteristics, gamma for HD content is practically ideal, with a slight exception at the end of the graph. However, the biggest issues the television had were with brightness in 4K HDR content. Analyzing the EOTF characteristics in films, we noticed that the television manipulates brightness quite significantly, which we observed in earlier tests. Brightness is considerably boosted compared to the graph in the static test, and the television brightens certain scenes to the extent that some smaller elements lose detail. Unfortunately, this is caused by an average local dimming algorithm in this model. Nevertheless, calibration yields decent results, especially in terms of precise colour reproduction.

Another important aspect of assessing image quality is tonal transitions. To achieve a clean image free from posterisation effects, a television must employ highly effective algorithms for smoothing colour gradations. We must acknowledge that the algorithm used in the TCL C855, known as "Gradual Smoothing," ranks among the best we've had the opportunity to test. In nearly every scene, the performance is impressive, leaving little room for criticism. A prime example of this capability is the scene from "The Green Knight," which poses a challenge due to the multitude of fine and subtle transitions in the fog. The C855 successfully smooths out the details within this scene, allowing the viewer to fully appreciate its suspenseful atmosphere. The only instance where slight posterization is noticeable occurs in a frame from "The Green Knight," where the reds in the upper left part of the screen create a contrasting effect.

The gradation on LG QNED91T looks very good. There are only slight cut-offs in the brightest scenes, but the television handles blacks very well, providing smooth tonal transitions. As a result, the image is natural and pleasant to the eye, with no noticeable issues.

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

Image scaling in TCL C855 is defined 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 to our eye. Even small, fine branches do not have jagged edges, and there is no white halo around figures, a characteristic of weaker scaling systems.

When it comes to tonal transitions in lower quality materials, the TV offers the already-known feature from LG TVs - "Smooth Gradation." We can control it at three levels: low, medium, and high. We recommend using the medium option, as it effectively removes tonal transitions without causing noticeable issues with removing the structure of objects or other artefacts.

As for image scaling (upscaling), LG's Alpha processor handles this well. The image appears very plastic, with slight jaggedness in some elements, which does not significantly affect the quality. It looks really okay, and the overall effect is very satisfactory.

The maximum refresh rate you can set on the TCL C855 is 144 Hz. Naturally, this is only possible after connecting the TCL C855 TV to a very powerful PC. Otherwise, we will be operating at a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz, which is recommended if we want to watch primarily sports or materials with a lot of motion dynamics. For those who require high image fluidity, the manufacturer has implemented a multi-stage motion smoother. It is divided into two separate sliders which control the sharpness of moving images (Motion Blur Reduction) and flicker (Flicker Reduction). Both sliders can be adjusted from 0 to 10, with each level affecting the degree of fluidity, so everyone can find their sweet spot. We present a setting that allows for slight smoothing without the soap opera effect. The matrix of the TCL C855 features a very good response time. This is particularly important since VA panels often struggle with the so-called ghosting effect, where a black halo can be observed behind a fast-moving object. where a black halo can be observed behind a fast-moving object.

The television has a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which should satisfy most users in terms of motion smoothness. Additionally, QNED91T is equipped with the TruMotion feature, which allows for smoother image display in movies. As part of this feature, we can adjust the "De-Judder" and "De-Blur" sliders. The "De-Judder" slider is responsible for reducing jitter in movies, which is particularly useful when playing content with a lower frame rate, while "De-Blur" helps reduce blurriness in fast scenes, which is essential for sports or dynamic shots.

The TCL C855 TV has fully-featured HDMI 2.1 ports, boasting a full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s. During our testing, we confirmed the seamless operation of all functions included in this connection standard. As highlighted, all checkboxes are illuminated in green, a feature that will undoubtedly be appreciated by gamers, whether on consoles or those using the TV as a computer monitor. 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 powerful configurations can feed a 144 Hz signal to the C855, which handles this effortlessly. It is also worth noting the implementation of the HGIG mode, which can be excessively bright due to the shortcomings of the "Game" mode, making proper configuration on the screen challenging. Fortunately, the TV excels with the Dolby Vision format.

TCL, as one of the pioneering manufacturers, has equipped its televisions with a special GameBar, allowing for extensive adjustment of settings "on the fly" without the need to exit the game. This feature includes options like an additional crosshair grid, black level correction, and settings designed for individuals with disabilities. The image showcases the next generation of this solution.

In summary, the TCL C855 TV is an ideal choice for those seeking a screen for all forms of electronic gaming. With comprehensive features supporting such entertainment, it provides an extremely engaging experience. It is also important to emphasise that it maintains very low input lag, regardless of the selected settings, including when using the Dolby Vision HDR format.

The LG 65QNED91T6A television is equipped with HDMI 2.1 ports with a full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, providing full support for all standards needed for gaming on modern consoles. We can count on support for variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM). This ensures smooth gameplay without delays.

With support for all popular HDR standards in games, such as HGiG and Dolby Vision, we can fully harness the potential of the PS5 and XBOX One consoles. The television also easily handles lower resolutions than 4K, so even older consoles look good on it. The Game Bar makes it easy to access gaming-related settings, allowing us to quickly and intuitively adjust picture parameters and features for gamers. Additionally, the QNED91T offers NVIDIA GeForce Now functionality, enabling us to game in the cloud without needing a console. However, it should be noted that this solution is quite expensive and somewhat falls short compared to Xbox Game Pass, which is available only on Samsung TVs.

QNED91T LG is a great choice for less experienced and more advanced gamers looking for a versatile television for gaming.

The input lag of the TCL C855 is impressively low across all scenarios. Even the most dedicated gamers will appreciate the minimal input lag of just 7 ms at demanding 4K 120 Hz settings with HDR. Furthermore, this lag remains consistent when enabling Dolby Vision HDR, which is not always the case with competing models. As such, the TCL C855 merits the highest rating and recommendation.

The input lag on QNED91T is really very low, even in Dolby Vision mode. This allows for a quick response time, which is very important in dynamic games where every millisecond counts. Regardless of whether we play in standard mode or HDR, the TV offers very good results that will satisfy even the most demanding gamers.

When connected to a computer as a monitor, the TCL C855 performs exceptionally well. This is largely due to its very low latency time along the mouse-eye-screen line and excellent font readability, achieved through a chroma 4:4:4 at all resolutions, including 4K@144Hz.

The subpixel layout is BGR, which does not negatively affect usage in the Windows environment. However, this situation may change when using macOS or other software that cannot adjust fonts to accommodate this subpixel layout.

When it comes to gaming on a computer, LG QNED91T easily synchronizes with NVIDIA graphics cards and supports G-Sync. The very low input lag makes gaming with a personal computer really enjoyable. The TV supports chroma 4:4:4, which provides excellent text readability. Although we noticed slight font blurring around the edges, overall the image looks great, and readability is acceptable.

A well-known drawback of VA panels without an angle coating is their poor performance regarding viewing angles. This holds true for the TCL C855, where even a slight deviation from the central axis results in noticeable image fading and colour degradation.

As we mentioned in the paragraph about contrast, the TV is equipped with a VA panel, which usually offers very good contrast compared to IPS panels. Unfortunately, VA panels have their weakness in the form of limited viewing angles, which is also visible in the case of QNED91T LG. The viewing angles are not the best here, and while the use of a coating to widen the angles could significantly improve the situation, unfortunately, we do not have that here. As a result, the image loses quality when viewed from a greater angle, which can be problematic when multiple people are watching simultaneously.

The glossy finish of the TCL C855 panel prevents it from achieving the highest rating for daytime viewing performance. However, this finish contributes to impressive black levels during the day. The high brightness in SDR material makes the actress's face stand out prominently against reflections. A downside of this panel is that light falling directly on the screen tends to "spill" rather than being contained in one area. Generally speaking, if sunlight does not directly hit the panel, the TCL C855 remains a solid choice for well-lit rooms.

The LG 65QNED91T6A television is equipped with a satin matrix, which performs average in handling direct light reflections, such as from lamps or wall sconces. In the first test photo with a large lamp, it is visible how the reflection "spreads across the screen." However, the QNED91T makes up for it in terms of brightness - the average SDR brightness of 580 cd/m² is sufficient for watching television even in more challenging lighting conditions. As a result, despite issues with reflections, the television performs well during the day.

The TCL C855 operates on the Google TV platform, which offers a significant advantage over TVs with proprietary systems from other manufacturers, where installing applications from a USB drive can often be challenging or impossible. With Google TV, users can install virtually any application, whether from the official store or directly from online repositories via APK files.

This system also provides various conveniences in terms of control. Users can connect a keyboard with a touchpad, making it easier to enter queries. Additionally, thanks to integration with Google, voice control features via the remote work very well, although minor issues may occasionally arise with function translations. It's worth noting that Google TV regularly receives updates that enhance functionality and introduce new options. However, according to reports from users of older models, the software can sometimes have its off days, leading to occasional performance hiccups.

In summary, Google TV is currently one of the most popular systems on the market. Thanks to its efficient CPU, it runs very smoothly, avoiding freezing and stuttering for the majority of usage. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking to fully utilise the capabilities of the TCL C855 and who appreciate the openness of the system.

The most important thing in today's TVs, besides picture quality, is the operating system. The one available in LG models is really very good. Of course, we are talking about the WebOS system, which offers the most popular apps similar to GoogleTV. What sets this system apart is primarily the great remote control with an accelerometer - the Magic Remote, which resembles a magic wand. Controlling with this remote is extremely convenient.

In terms of user functions, the TV offers practically everything one could wish for. Here we find the ability to record programs from built-in tuners, support for AirPlay to connect an iPhone, and a mirroring function. We can easily connect keyboards, mice, or headphones, although keyboards are not necessary thanks to the convenient Magic Remote. Unfortunately, there is no PiP (Picture-in-Picture) function, but this is such a specific feature that only those who actually need it will feel its absence. The QNED91T is a TV that does not disappoint when it comes to everyday enjoyment of its use.

The default file player on the TCL C855 performs admirably with nearly all the media formats tested. Most video formats are supported, providing a versatile viewing experience. However, a notable drawback is the lack of functionality to change font colours. When it comes to photo playback, the TV handles high-resolution images well, but it is worth mentioning that it does not support Apple's HEIC or SVG file formats.

On the audio front, the TCL C855 manages to play various audio files without any issues, although it's unlikely that many users are reliant on formats like AIFF or DSD64. A significant advantage of the C855, alongside its operating system, is the ability to download alternative media players from the app store, ensuring compatibility with a wider range of file types.

The built-in player in QNED91T should satisfy most users. It easily supports Polish characters and plays movies with subtitles from external drives. The player also handles most audio and photo formats, except for Apple HEIC files.

When evaluating the sound quality of the TCL C855, several key aspects come into play, such as clarity, balance, and the absence of dominant frequencies. In this case, the sound performance is commendable; it is well-balanced and does not evoke any negative sensations, providing an overall good audio experience.

For those who utilise a home theatre system, the TCL C855 supports a wide range of audio codecs, including the two most significant ones: DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos. This support ensures high sound quality, making it a suitable choice for users seeking an enhanced audio experience.

LG QNED91T is equipped with a set of 4 speakers in a 2.2 configuration with a total power of 40W. The television sounds quite pleasant, and the subtle bass is noticeable. Of course, it is not on the level of an external audio system, such as a soundbar or home theatre, but it is sufficient for everyday use. It is also worth praising the support for audio formats DTS:X and Dolby Atmos, which significantly improve the quality of the audio experience.

TCL C855 vs LG QNED91T6A

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

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