- Matching (Score)
- Our verdict
- Competing TVs
- TV appearance
- Where to buy
- Contrast and black detail
- HDR effect quality
- Factory color reproduction
- Color reproduction after calibration
- Smoothness of tonal transitions
- Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
- Blur and motion smoothness
- Console compatibility and gaming features
- Input lag
- Compatibility with PC
- Viewing angles
- TV efficiency during daytime
- Details about the matrix
- TV features
- Playing files from USB
- Apps
- Sound
TCL C655 / C69B 98'
C655 / C69B
Available screen sizes: 98”
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Panel technology: LCD VA Brand: TCL Resolution: 3840x2160 Operating system: Google TV Model year: 2024
Our verdict
6.7
Overall rating
The TCL C655 / C69B in the 98” version stands out among smaller models because it is equipped with a 144 Hz panel, which opens up new possibilities for fluidity and dynamics in the image. This QLED from 2024, introduced by the Chinese manufacturer, maintains a very good price-to-quality ratio, especially for a device of this size. The 98” variant offers all the advantages of the smaller versions, including the modern Google TV system. It is an extremely convenient solution – allowing users to enjoy an intuitive interface, operate the TV with voice commands in Polish thanks to Google Assistant, and quickly access popular streaming apps such as Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video. AirPlay support and the ability to connect devices via Bluetooth further increase its versatility. However, the lack of a recording function 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 color coverage (DCI-P3), which is provided by quantum dot technology (PFS-QLED). Although this model lacks local dimming (present in the C655 PRO version), its black level and image quality remain very good for its class. Gamers will also find something for themselves – the TV supports variable refresh rate (VRR), automatic low latency mode switching (ALLM), and Dolby Vision in gaming mode. In summary, the TCL C655 / C69B in the 98” version is a great option for those looking for a large TV with solid image quality and good features, offering an excellent price-to-quality ratio.
Advantages
High brightness level of 450 nits
High native contrast
Support for Google TV with access to numerous streaming apps
Gaming features 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)
Support for Apple AirPlay and the ability to connect devices via Bluetooth
Relatively low price
120/144Hz and HDMI 2.1 in the 98' variant *
Disadvantages
Poor viewing angles resulting from the VA matrix – the picture loses quality when viewed from the side
No USB recording function and no picture-in-picture (PiP) option
Movies and series in UHD quality5.7
Classic TV, YouTube5.7
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)6.2
Gaming on console8.5
TV as a computer monitor7.6
Watching in bright light5.6
Utility functions7.1
Apps10.0
Sound quality6.7
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Competing TVs in this price range
LG OLED G4 97”
Go to reviewSamsung Neo QLED QN90D / QN92D 98”
Go to reviewSony X90L 98”
Go to reviewTCL C855 98”
Go to reviewHisense U7KQ 100”
Go to reviewTCL MQLED85 / C765 98”
Go to reviewHisense E7NQ PRO 100”
Go to reviewTV appearance
HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Other inputs: Toslink (Optical audio) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
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Contrast and black detail
6.2/10
Local dimming function: No
Contrast between the black background and the bright spotlight illuminating Jack. Scene from the movie Oblivion (Universal Pictures).
Result
7,000:1
Contrast between the glare on the chameleon's skin and the black near the edge of the screen below. Scene from the Spears&Munsil test disc.
Result
6,850:1
Contrast between the reflection on the helmet and the black on the black film strip. Scene from the movie Arrival (Paramount Pictures).
Result
6,350:1
Contrast between the actress's face and the black film strip at the top edge of the TV. Scene from the movie Gravity (Warner Bros. Pictures).
Result
7,050:1
Contrast between the colorful balloon and the black slice between the falling objects. Scene from the Pioneer Kuro test disc (2008).
Result
4,850:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
The TCL C655 / C69B TV uses a VA panel, providing solid contrast, which translates into better image depth and more satisfying blacks compared to IPS panels. However, the lack of local dimming technology, available in the model with the “Pro” designation, means that the black quality does not reach its full potential. In demanding scenes, such as nighttime shots in the film Sicario 2, the blacks take on a slightly bluish hue, which can somewhat weaken the sense of immersion. Overall, it’s good, but the use of local dimming could significantly improve the effect.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
HDR effect quality
5.3/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 93.5%, Bt.2020: 70.0%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
The measured point is the setting sun against a bright sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).
Result
370 nit
The measured point is the moon against a dark, starry sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).
Result
420 nit
The measured point is the flashlight on the rifle, which shines directly at the camera. Scene from the movie Gemini Man (Paramount Pictures).
Result
485 nit
The measured point is the tail light of a helicopter flying at night. This is a very small light point, the essence of the HDR effect. Scene from the movie Sicario 2: Soldado (Lionsgate).
Result
403 nit
The measured point is the sun visible directly between the clouds. The scene is very bright and should blind the viewer as in nature. Scene from the movie The Meg (Warner Bros. Pictures).
Result
455 nit
The quality of the HDR effect on TCL C655 / C69B looks quite promising. The average value in test patterns is about 450 nits, which already allows you to feel the brilliance of light effects and better image dynamics. However, as previously mentioned, this effect can be somewhat muted by slight differences in bright and dark colors, resulting from the lack of local dimming technology. However, the coverage of the DCI-P3 color palette at 94% deserves high praise, and this is possible due to the use of a quantum dot (QLED) matrix. As a result, colors are vibrant and well-reproduced when watching HDR content.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
Let's check how the television performs in demanding scenes where brightness exceeds the capabilities of most models in this segment. In a scene from the movie Pan, the contrast in bright areas is practically non-existent, which causes the image to lose depth. Despite this, the light effects, such as the sun or clouds on the horizon, are well-defined and do not blend together, which positively affects the overall perception. 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 on the skin are visible. Although the television has limitations in contrast, the picture is decent, and the dynamic tone mapping feature improves the overall perception by subtly adjusting the brightness. It's worth adding that in many other models from this brand, this feature does not work as well.
HDR luminance chart:
The TCL C655 / C69B TV handles various types of metadata well, which affects the quality of the displayed image. In the case of the same scene shown using static HDR10 and Dolby Vision, differences in detail reproduction can be observed. While HDR10 looks quite decent, there are noticeable shortcomings, such as fewer details in the background and subtler light play. 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, which means that the user does not have to worry about compatibility issues with formats used on well-known streaming platforms.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
4.2/10
The TCL C655 / C69B TV offers a movie mode that has been tested for color reproduction quality. Although this mode is called movie mode, it unfortunately has quite a few flaws that a director would certainly not want to see when recording their work. Starting with image analysis, it's worth looking at the white balance – both in HD and 4K HDR content, the white balance has significant errors. In both cases, the red color dominates, which makes the colors too warm, and the overall image takes on a pink or yellow tint. The Colour Checker test confirms these errors – the color samples shift to the wrong shades, affecting overall color fidelity. A lesser issue is the brightness characteristics. However, it is also not without flaws. The gamma chart shows a strong spike at the beginning, which can make the image excessively bright, and the EOTF curve responsible for brightness in 4K HDR content also has significant fluctuations – it is evident that the TV tries to maintain appropriate brightness, but it does not always succeed effectively.
Color reproduction after calibration
8/10
After calibrating the movie mode of the television TCL C655 / C69B , the white balance has been adjusted, and the colors appear as they should – which is confirmed by only slight deviations in the Colour Checker test. The gamma is really good, which means the television shouldn’t have issues with brightness in low-resolution materials. Unfortunately, a similar EOTF characteristic is still noticeable, which is a natural phenomenon in televisions that do not have local dimming – they simply struggle to "shine" brighter in a given part of the screen. Despite this design limitation that cannot be bypassed, we recommend adjustments in the settings because the overall color presentation is really very good.
Smoothness of tonal transitions
4.5/10
The tonal transitions in TCL C655 / C69B are really good and would deserve a high rating; however, the score has been clearly lowered for another reason - the image is artificially sharpened despite setting the "sharpness" parameter to 0. As a result, viewing the image is uncomfortable. While this may be unacceptable for purists, those who are less concerned with perfect image reproduction may find this effect appealing.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
5/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
The TCL C655 / C69B TV handles tonal transitions well in lower-quality content. The "Gradual Smoothing" feature at its lowest setting effectively eliminates visible banding, but it also results in a loss of detail, such as in the texture of objects. A plus is that it does not interfere with film grain, allowing the image to maintain a natural look.
In terms of digital processing, the TV adds a considerable amount of artificial sharpness, which may appeal to those who prefer a vivid image. For those who prefer a more subtle representation of details, this could be a drawback. Another downside is the rather aggressive overscan – the image is cropped, which leads to the loss of parts at the edges and limits the field of view.
Blur and motion smoothness
7.5/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 144Hz
Film motion smoothing option: Yes
Blur reduction option: Yes
BFI function 60Hz: No
BFI function 120Hz: No
Unlike the smaller versions, the 98” model stands out with significantly better motion fluidity. Instead of the standard 60 Hz, this colossal screen is equipped with a full-fledged 144 Hz matrix, which opens up completely new possibilities – both for gamers and movie enthusiasts. With full motion smoothing, the TV provides incredible image fluidity, eliminating motion blur and improving the viewing comfort of dynamic scenes. It is worth emphasizing that this technology operates across the full refresh rate range, meaning there is no need to compromise between fluidity and quality. Additionally, the "Flicker Reduction" feature allows you to adjust the fluidity to your own preferences – you can opt for a more cinematic effect with visible frame drops or a maximally smooth image.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Console compatibility and gaming features
9.8/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
48 - 144Hz
- Dolby Vision Game Mode:
Yes
- Correct implementation of HGIG:
Yes
- 1080p@120Hz:
Yes
- 1440p@120Hz:
Yes
- 4K@120Hz:
Yes
- Game bar:
Yes
The 98-inch TCL C655 / C69B is excellently equipped for gamers. Full-fledged HDMI 2.1 ports and a 144 Hz panel allow you to enjoy games in 4K resolution at 120 Hz, providing smoothness and responsiveness that will impress even the most demanding.
The TV supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which eliminates screen tearing, and the Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM) ensures that games start instantly, without the need to manually switch settings. There’s also support for Dolby Vision and HGiG, making the image quality in games even better - details are sharp, colors natural, and contrast perfectly balanced.
Additionally, the TV offers a dedicated gaming panel that allows for quick adjustment of image settings without having to leave the game. It’s a device that meets practically all the requirements of the modern gamer.
Input lag
10/10
An input lag of below 15 ms is truly an impressive result. Regardless of the selected mode – even in Dolby Vision – the delay is virtually imperceptible. This ensures that every reaction is instantaneous, providing an excellent experience both in gaming and while watching dynamic content.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 13 ms | 2160p60: 14 ms | 2160p60 DV: 14 ms |
| 1080p120: 9 ms | 2160p120: 9 ms | 2160p120 DV: 9 ms |
| 2160p60: 13 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 8 ms |
Compatibility with PC
7.6/10
Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Very Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Average
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 13ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR
Max refresh rate: 144Hz
G-Sync: Yes
The TV will have no problem serving as a monitor (although it's hard to imagine a desk that can accommodate a 100-inch screen). You can easily connect a PC to it, and with a 144 Hz refresh rate and support for G-Sync and FreeSync technology, it will be a great choice for gamers. As for text readability, the TV also performs well, although very small fonts may have their drawbacks – sometimes the pixel lines are slightly interrupted. Of course, with such a screen and a distance of several meters, 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 are weak. TCL plans to improve this aspect starting in 2025, but for now, it doesn't look great. Considering the enormous screen size, which will often be viewed from different angles, the effect is simply disappointing. Even IPS panels, although they offer weaker contrast, perform better in this regard.
TV efficiency during daytime
5.6/10
Matrix coating: Satin
Reflection suppression: Average
Black levels during daytime: Good
Overall, the TCL C655 / C69B offers decent brightness, reaching around 480 nits. This makes the TV suitable for bright rooms and allows for comfortable viewing even during the day. Unfortunately, the satin coating of the screen moderately reduces reflections, which in strong sunlight can worsen image visibility. Nevertheless, in most cases, the TV's brightness is sufficient to provide decent image quality.
Matrix brightness
Average luminance SDR
TCL C655 / C69B 98': 484 cd/m2
Details about the matrix
Software version during testing: v8-r75pt01-lf1v195.000731
Image processor: RTD6748 2GB RAM
Subpixel Structure:
Panel uniformity:
Backlight Type: PFS LED
TV features
7.1/10
System operacyjny: Google TV
TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
- Recording to USB (terrestrial TV):
No
- Recording programming:
No
- Picture in Picture (PiP):
No
- Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast):
Yes
- AirPlay:
Yes
- Voice search in native language:
Yes
- Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse:
Yes
- Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV:
Yes
- Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker:
Yes
- Audio only mode:
No
- RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen):
RF
- Backlit remote control:
No
- Teletext:
Yes
The TCL C655 / C69B television operates on Google TV, an upgraded system based on Android TV. This solution provides users with personalized recommendations based on their preferences and previous choices. The interface is clear and intuitive, making it easy to browse apps, series, or movies. The platform supports the most popular streaming services—from Netflix to Disney+—giving access to a wide content library. With Google Assistant, it is possible to control the television using voice commands and integrate it with a smart home ecosystem.
In terms of connectivity, the TCL C655 / C69B offers AirPlay, allowing for quick media streaming from Apple devices. Bluetooth ensures seamless connection to peripherals, such as headphones or keyboards, enhancing the comfort of using the television. Unfortunately, this model does not offer content recording features or a picture-in-picture (PiP) mode, which may be a disappointment for users accustomed to more versatile solutions.
As for its appearance, the TCL C655 / C69B is sturdy and modern. Although it is not the thinnest, and its bezels are not the narrowest, the overall look is neat and elegant. The adjustable metal legs deserve special attention, as they can be set in a narrow configuration. This practical solution makes it easier to place the television on different types of tables, making it more versatile for various home spaces.
Playing files from USB
8.3/10
| Maximum photo resolution: | Supported photo formats: |
|---|---|
| 4 Mpix | JPEG |
| 6 Mpix | HEIC |
| 8 Mpix | PNG |
| 10 Mpix | GIF |
| 12 Mpix | WebP |
| 16 Mpix | TIFF |
| 20 Mpix | BMP |
| 24 Mpix | SVG |
| 28 Mpix | |
| 32 Mpix |
Thanks to the built-in media player, the TCL C655 / C69B can play most popular formats from connected devices. This is a convenient solution that facilitates access to favorite 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 way, multimedia 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 features a better audio system compared to the smaller models, offering a more dynamic and spatial sound. Combined with a subwoofer branded by Onkyo, the sound gains depth and clarity. As a result, the device is suitable not only for watching movies but also for listening to music or watching concerts.