TCL rides AI‑driven big screen wave at IFA 2026

Chinese technology brands dominated IFA 2026, and leading the way was TCL, which used the show to reinforce its dominance across TVs, audio and emerging AI‑powered devices.

TCL’s expertise in ultra‑large TVs was on full display. SQD‑Mini LED models were led by the 98‑inch X11L, which supports native 144Hz refresh rates and Audio by Bang & Olufsen.

The 85‑ and 98‑inch versions reach up to 10,000 nits peak brightness, with the 98‑inch model offering 20,736 dimming zones. TCL confirmed to Inside CI that the largest model would not be coming to the UK, which will be a disappointment to integrators.

However, we will see that screen size in the form of the C8L SQD‑Mini LED, also delivering 144Hz gaming performance and B&O sound tuning. TCL’s more affordable C7L is available for streaming enthusiasts and gamers, with VRR.

When asked whether ultra‑large TVs had reached their limit in affordability and quality, TCL Industries CTO Daniel Sun said it depends on panel technology and production constraints, a hint reinforced by the presence of two 163‑inch Micro LED prototypes. These monsters deliver 10,000‑nit HDR brightness, nano‑second response times and more than 24 million self‑emissive chips, offering a glimpse of TCL’s future direction.

Sun said that new AI processing technologies are allowing advances in picture quality, particularly at super large screen sizes. Fahad Durrani, Group Product Manager for Google TV, joined Sun on a post keynote panel, added that AI was also transforming the user experience, improving content curation with more naturalistic voice search.

TCL also demonstrated a 32‑inch glasses‑free 3D 8K monitor. This prototype produced convincing foreground dimensional effects when viewed from the sweet spot. TCL also leaned into immersive wearables, unveiling RayNeo iO Smart Glasses and RayNeo GT Max AR Glasses.

The GT Max is the world’s first Dolby Vision‑certified AR eyewear, offering a wide cinematic field of view and vivid colour reproduction.

Audio wasn’t an afterthought. TCL introduced new soundbars tuned by Bang & Olufsen, led by the Q95K, an 11.1.4‑channel Dolby Atmos system with 1,420W of power and 22 drivers across the bar, wireless subwoofer and wireless rears (again not coming to the UK). Instead our flagship is the Q85K, a 7.1.2‑channel design without rear speakers, while the Q75K and slimline A65K round out the range.