TCL touts SQD-MiniLED as top TV option at Paris showcase

TCL used its recent Paris trade showcase to unveil its 2026 TV line-up, with a clear emphasis on its evolving premium LED strategy and the growing role of SQD-MiniLED.

Inside CI was invited for an early look at the new screens, and the standout impression was TCL’s confidence in SQD-MiniLED as its lead TV technology. While RGB-MiniLED, favoured by Sony, Samsung and Hisense, will be part of the portfolio, the company’s messaging suggested that Super QLED currently sits at the top of its premium roadmap.

SQD-MiniLED combines a quantum dot film with TCL’s new Ultra Color Filter, which the brand says expands colour gamut coverage by 33 per cent. Built around TCL CSOT’s WHVA 2.0 panel, the technology is claimed to achieve full BT.2020 colour coverage, while also improving black level precision through dense full-array local dimming.

For integrators and AV professionals, the practical benefits are easier to map: reduced colour crosstalk, improved halo suppression on difficult high-contrast material, and cleaner motion handling for sport and cinema applications. TCL attributes this to its proprietary light and shadow control algorithm, combined with processing from its TSR AiPQ chipset.

RGB-MiniLED remains important to the range, particularly in larger, more price-sensitive premium installations, but TCL indicated that model positioning is determined primarily by dimming zone count rather than the underlying panel type. It’s a pragmatic approach that could make specification conversations simpler when navigating multiple premium tiers.

The flagship X11L was the headline model in Paris and arguably the screen that drew the most attention. Available in 75-inch, 85-inch and 98-inch sizes, it uses TCL’s SQD-MiniLED architecture with up to 20,736 local dimming zones on the 98-inch model. Peak brightness reaches 10,000 nits, while the 75-inch and 85-inch variants offer 11,520 and 14,400 zones respectively, with peak luminance of 9,000 and 10,000 nits.

In person, the screen impressed with exceptional colour depth and notably disciplined black-level control, especially on demanding HDR demo material. The near-zero bezel design, with no visible black matrix around the image, further strengthens its appeal for premium media-room installations.

Audio is supplied by Bang & Olufsen, and the set supports Dolby Atmos FlexConnect. It can also integrate with TCL’s Z100 FlexConnect speaker system and optional subwoofer for expanded room audio.

The C8L broadens TCL’s SQD proposition into more mainstream premium territory. It launches in 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, 85-inch and 98-inch sizes, delivering 4,032 dimming zones and a quoted 6,000 nits peak brightness. Like the X11L, it also features Bang & Olufsen audio.

For installers, this model looks likely to be a strong fit where flagship-level performance is desired without moving into ultra-high-zone counts.

Also shown in Paris was the C7L, available in the same 55-inch to 98-inch spread. This series uses 2,176 dimming zones and reaches 3,000 nits peak brightness, positioning it as a more accessible SQD-MiniLED solution for larger-screen family rooms and dedicated entertainment spaces.

Flying the RGB-MiniLED flag are the RM9L and RM7L. The RM9L will be available in 85-inch, 98-inch and 115-inch sizes, while the RM7L covers 65-inch, 75-inch, 85-inch and 98-inch.

Although TCL places these beneath its SQD tiers due to lower dimming zone counts, they remain strategically important for cost-conscious large-format projects.