TCL C655 QLED TV Detailed Review with Pros and Cons

The TCL C655 QLED TV represents a significant advancement in home entertainment technology, combining cutting-edge features with an affordable price tag. As part of TCL's mid-range lineup, this model offers a host of premium features typically found in higher-end models, making it an attractive option for those looking to upgrade their viewing experience without breaking the bank.

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Key Specifications

Model: TCL C655 QLED TV
Technology: QLED PRO
Processor: AiPQ PRO Processor
Resolution: 3K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Available Sizes: 43", 50", 55", 65", 75", 85"
Key Features: Dolby Vision•Atmos, HDR10+, Motion Clarity, T-SCREEN PRO

The TCL C655 is designed to deliver exceptional picture quality, vibrant colors, and deep contrast, all powered by the QLED PRO technology. This TV also integrates the AiPQ PRO Processor, which uses AI to enhance both picture and sound quality. Available in various sizes, the C655 caters to different room sizes and viewing preferences. This review will delve into every aspect of the TCL C655, providing a detailed analysis of its features, performance, and value.

Unboxing and Package Contents

When you unbox the TCL C655 QLED TV, you'll find everything you need to get started, whether you're setting it up on a stand or mounting it on a wall.

Package Includes:

TCL C655 QLED TV unit
Remote control with batteries
Stand/base for tabletop installation
Power cable
Quick start guide
Wall-mounting bracket (optional in some regions)

Pros:

Comprehensive Package: The package includes all essential components, including the remote, stand, and power cable, ensuring a smooth setup process.
Optional Wall Mount: Some regions offer a wall-mounting bracket, providing flexibility in installation options.

Cons:

Wall Mount Availability: The wall-mounting bracket is not included in all regions, which might require additional purchases depending on your location.

Design and Build Quality

The TCL C655 QLED TV is a blend of modern aesthetics and robust build quality, designed to fit seamlessly into any home environment.

Design:

Slim & Uni-body Design: The TV boasts a slim and sleek design, with a uni-body construction that gives it a seamless and modern look.
Materials: Premium build quality with metallic finishes, adding a touch of elegance to the overall design.
Stand: The TV comes with adjustable stand options, allowing it to fit various spaces comfortably.

Build Quality:

Anti-Glare Screen: The anti-glare screen ensures comfortable viewing even in brightly lit environments, reducing reflections that can distract from the viewing experience.
Viewing Angle: With a ＞178° viewing angle, the TCL C655 ensures consistent picture quality from virtually any position in the room.
VESA Compatibility: The TV supports VESA wall-mounting, making it easy to mount on the wall if preferred.

Pros:

Elegant Design: The slim and uni-body design with metallic finishes gives the TV a premium appearance.
Adjustable Stand: The adjustable stand offers flexibility in placement, making it suitable for different furniture setups.
Excellent Viewing Angle: The wide viewing angle ensures that everyone in the room gets the best possible picture quality.

Cons:

Fragile Stand: While the stand is adjustable, it might not be as sturdy as wall mounting, especially for larger screen sizes.
Fingerprints and Smudges: The metallic finishes, while stylish, are prone to fingerprints and smudges, requiring frequent cleaning.

Display and Picture Quality

The display is the centerpiece of any TV, and the TCL C655 doesn't disappoint with its QLED PRO technology, offering a viewing experience that rivals many higher-end models.

Panel Type:

QLED PRO (Quantum Dot LED): The Quantum Dot technology enhances brightness and color reproduction, delivering vibrant and lifelike images.

Resolution:

3K UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels): The 3K resolution ensures sharp and detailed images, making it perfect for watching high-definition content.

HDR Support:

HDR10+ and Dolby Vision: The TCL C655 supports both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, providing superior dynamic range and contrast.
Dolby Vision•Atmos: This feature synchronizes picture and sound quality, offering a more immersive viewing experience.

Brightness:

25% Brightness Enhancement: The TV offers a 25% brightness enhancement, making it suitable for viewing in bright rooms without losing picture quality.

Contrast Ratio:

5x Contrast Enhancement: The enhanced contrast ratio ensures deep blacks and bright whites, adding depth and realism to the picture.

Motion Technology:

MEMC (Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation): This technology ensures smooth motion in fast-paced scenes, reducing motion blur.

Refresh Rate:

60Hz Refresh Rate and 144Hz Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): The high refresh rate supports fluid motion and reduces screen tearing, especially in fast-moving scenes.

Wide Color Gamut:

95% DCI-P3 Color Gamut: The wide color gamut covers 95% of the DCI-P3 spectrum, ensuring rich and vivid colors.

Color Accuracy:

ΔE<0.99: The TV boasts a color accuracy of ΔE<0.99, meaning the colors are highly accurate and true to life.

No Fading:

Guaranteed No Fading for 100,000 Hours: The TCL C655 is designed to maintain its color accuracy and brightness for up to 100,000 hours, ensuring long-term reliability.

Pros:

Exceptional Brightness and Color: The QLED PRO technology delivers stunning brightness and color accuracy.
High Dynamic Range: Support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision ensures superior contrast and dynamic range.
Smooth Motion Handling: The MEMC technology and 144Hz VRR ensure smooth motion, making it ideal for action-packed scenes and sports.

Cons:

Limited Local Dimming: The TV has fewer local dimming zones compared to higher-end models, which might affect contrast in certain scenes.
Potential Over-Saturation: The vibrant colors might appear slightly over-saturated to some viewers, depending on personal preference.

Audio Performance

The audio quality of the TCL C655 QLED TV is designed to complement its impressive visual performance, ensuring an immersive viewing experience.

Speakers:

ONKYO 2.1CH Speakers: The TV is equipped with premium ONKYO 2.1CH speakers, delivering clear and powerful sound.

Audio Technology:

Dolby Atmos: Provides immersive surround sound, creating a theater-like experience at home.
DTS Virtual

and DTS-HD: These technologies offer a virtualized 3D sound experience, enhancing the sense of depth and space in audio.

Sound Modes:

Multiple Sound Modes: The TV offers various sound modes, including Standard, Movie, Music, and Sports, allowing you to customize the audio experience based on the content.

Output Power:

Suitable for Medium to Large Rooms: The audio output is powerful enough to fill medium to large rooms, making it suitable for most home environments.

Pros:

Immersive Audio: Dolby Atmos and DTS technologies provide a rich and immersive sound experience.
Customizable Sound: Multiple sound modes allow for tailored audio settings based on your viewing preferences.

Cons:

Mid-Range Audio Performance: While the audio quality is good, it may not satisfy audiophiles who prefer more bass or clarity.
External Sound System Recommended: For a truly premium audio experience, an external sound system or soundbar may be necessary.

Connectivity

Connectivity is a crucial aspect of modern TVs, and the TCL C655 offers a wide range of options to connect your devices and access content.

HDMI Ports:

Multiple HDMI 2.1 Ports: The TV comes with several HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing you to connect gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and other devices.

USB Ports:

USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 Ports: These ports enable you to play media directly from USB drives, offering flexibility in content playback.

Wi-Fi:

Built-in Wi-Fi: The built-in Wi-Fi ensures seamless wireless connectivity for streaming and online services.

Bluetooth:

Bluetooth Support: You can connect wireless audio devices, such as headphones or speakers, via Bluetooth.

Ethernet Port:

Wired Internet Connection: The Ethernet port provides a stable and fast internet connection, especially useful for streaming high-definition content.

Audio Output:

Optical Audio Output: The optical audio output allows you to connect soundbars or other audio equipment for enhanced sound quality.

Pros:

Comprehensive Connectivity: Multiple HDMI and USB ports, along with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, provide ample connectivity options.
Stable Internet Connection: The Ethernet port ensures a reliable wired connection for uninterrupted streaming.

Cons:

Limited USB 3.0 Ports: The TV has only one USB 3.0 port, which might be insufficient for users with multiple high-speed devices.
No HDMI 2.1 Features on All Ports: Not all HDMI ports support the full range of HDMI 2.1 features, which could be a limitation for some users.

Smart Features

The TCL C655 QLED TV is equipped with a suite of smart features that

enhance its usability and entertainment options.

Operating System:

Google TV Platform: Runs on the Google TV platform, offering a user-friendly interface and access to a wide range of apps and services.

Voice Control:

Integrated Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa: Voice control functionality allows you to manage the TV and other smart devices using voice commands.

App Store:

Google Play Store: Access to the Google Play Store enables you to download a variety of apps, including streaming services and games.

Streaming Services:

Pre-installed Apps: The TV comes with pre-installed apps for popular streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video.

Screen Mirroring:

Chromecast Built-in: Allows you to mirror your mobile device's screen onto the TV, making it easy to share content.

T-SCREEN PRO:

Advanced Screen Technology: Enhances the overall viewing experience by improving color accuracy and brightness.

Pros:

User-Friendly Interface: Google TV provides an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface.
Voice Control Integration: Voice control with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa adds convenience and hands-free operation.
Wide Range of Apps: Access to a broad selection of apps and streaming services enriches the entertainment options.

Cons:

App Performance: Some users may experience occasional app performance issues or slow loading times.
Limited Regional Availability: Certain smart features and apps might not be available in all regions.

Gaming Features

For gamers, the TCL C655 QLED TV offers several features designed to enhance the gaming experience.

Game Mode:

Low Latency Mode: Reduces input lag, ensuring more responsive gaming.

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR):

144Hz VRR Support: The high refresh rate supports smoother gameplay and minimizes screen tearing.

Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM):

Automatic Mode Switching: Automatically switches to low latency mode when a gaming console is detected.

HDMI 2.1:

Support for Next-Gen Consoles: HDMI 2.1 ports support high frame rates and resolutions from next-gen gaming consoles.

Pros:

Responsive Gaming: Low latency mode and VRR ensure a smooth and responsive gaming experience.
Future-Proofing: HDMI 2.1 support makes the TV compatible with the latest gaming technologies.

Cons:

Limited Gaming-Specific Features: While the TV offers good gaming performance, it lacks advanced gaming-specific features found in dedicated gaming monitors.
Variable Performance Across Sizes: Gaming performance may vary slightly depending on the screen size chosen.

Energy Efficiency

The TCL C655 QLED TV is designed with energy efficiency in mind, balancing performance with environmental considerations.

Power Consumption:

Energy-Efficient Performance: The TV operates efficiently, reducing overall power consumption.

Standby Power:

Low Power Consumption in Standby Mode: The TV consumes minimal power when in standby mode, helping to save energy when not in use.

Energy Certification:

Global Standards Compliance: Meets international energy efficiency standards, ensuring responsible energy use.

Pros:

Energy Efficiency: The TV's energy-efficient performance helps reduce electricity bills.
Low Standby Power: Minimal power consumption in standby mode contributes to overall energy savings.

Cons:

No Advanced Power-Saving Features: Lacks some advanced power-saving features found in higher-end models.
Energy Consumption Varies by Size: Power consumption may vary depending on the screen size.

Additional Features

The TCL C655 QLED TV includes several additional features that enhance its functionality and user experience.

Storage:

32GB Internal Storage: Provides ample space for apps and content, allowing for a more seamless user experience.

Parental Controls:

Content Management: Features to manage content access, helping parents control what their children can watch.

Custom Picture Modes:

Multiple Picture Modes: Various picture modes cater to different content types, such as movies, sports, and games.

On-Screen Guide:

Easy Navigation: An on-screen guide simplifies channel and app selection, making it easier to find and access content.

Voice Search:

Content Discovery: Voice search functionality enables quick and easy content discovery by speaking directly to the TV.

Multiple Eye Care:

Eye Care Features: Designed to reduce eye strain during extended viewing sessions, promoting comfortable viewing.

Pros:

Ample Storage: 32GB internal storage offers plenty of space for apps and content.
Customizable Viewing Experience: Custom picture modes and eye care features enhance comfort and convenience.
Voice Search Functionality: Simplifies content discovery and navigation.

Cons:

Limited Parental Controls: While useful, the parental controls might not be as comprehensive as those on dedicated parental control devices.
Complex On-Screen Guide: The on-screen guide, while functional, might be overwhelming for some users due to its complexity.

Pricing

The pricing of the TCL C655 QLED TV varies based on screen size and region, positioning it as a mid-range option in TCL's lineup.

Pricing:

Varies by Size and Region: The price fluctuates depending on the screen size and market, with larger sizes generally costing more.

Value for Money:

Competitive Pricing: Offers a range of premium features at a competitive price point, providing good value for money compared to other models in its segment.

Pros:

Affordable Premium Features: The TV offers high-end features at a mid-range price, making it accessible for a wide audience.
Good Value: Competitive pricing with a broad range of features provides excellent value for money.

Cons:

Price Variability: The price may vary significantly based on location and screen size, potentially impacting budget planning.
Mid-Range Positioning: While affordable, it may not have some advanced features found in higher-end models.

Summary with Overall Pros and Cons

The TCL C655 QLED TV is a well-rounded option for those seeking a high-quality viewing experience at a reasonable price. It combines advanced display technologies with comprehensive smart features, making it a versatile choice for various entertainment needs.

Pros:

Exceptional Color Accuracy and Brightness: Thanks to QLED PRO technology, the TV delivers vivid colors and high brightness.
AI-Enhanced Picture and Sound: The AiPQ PRO Processor enhances overall picture and sound quality.
Advanced HDR Support: Dolby Vision•Atmos and HDR10+ offer superior dynamic range and immersive audio.
Gaming-Friendly Features: Features like 144Hz VRR and low latency mode ensure a great gaming experience.
Comprehensive Smart Features: Google TV, voice control, and a wide range of apps enhance usability.
High Energy Efficiency: The TV is energy-efficient, helping to reduce power consumption.

Cons:

Limited Local Dimming Zones: Fewer local dimming zones compared to higher-end models may affect contrast performance.
Mid-Range Audio Performance: While good, the built-in speakers may not satisfy audiophiles, and an external sound system might be needed.
Varies in Performance by Size: Performance may vary depending on the chosen screen size, with larger models potentially offering different experiences.

Overall, the TCL C655 QLED TV is a solid choice for those looking for a feature-rich TV that offers excellent performance without the premium price tag. Whether you're a movie buff, a gamer, or simply looking for a TV that delivers vibrant visuals and smart functionality, the TCL C655 is worth considering.