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TCL QM7L SQD TV review: Near-premium performance at a midrange price

Created at 21 Jul · 7:00 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

The TCL QM7L SQD TV offers impressive bright, colorful performance for its price point, rivaling higher-end technologies. While it has minor drawbacks like screen reflectivity and off-center viewing, its black levels and contrast are notable for an LED-backlit TV.

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Key Numbers

75-inchreview unit size
44 poundsTV weight
14.5 inchespedestal length
4HDMI 2.1 ports
144Hzgaming refresh rate support
55 to 98 inchesavailable sizes
2,100dimming zones
100%BT.2020 color gamut potential

Who's Involved

TCL
manufacturer of the QM7L SQD TV
Ryan Waniata
Business Insider reviewer
Gemini
voice command system used by the TV
Bang & Olufsen
speaker manufacturer for the TV
TCL QM7L SQD TV review: Near-premium performance at a midrange price

↳ Why This Matters

The TCL QM7L SQD TV demonstrates that advanced display technologies like Super Quantum Dots can deliver near-premium picture quality at a more accessible midrange price, offering consumers a strong value alternative to more expensive high-end televisions.

Key facts

  • The TCL QM7L SQD TV uses new Super Quantum Dot (SQD) technology for enhanced color and brightness.
  • It delivers impressive black levels and contrast for an LED-backlit TV.
  • The TV features a stylish design but has a reflective screen and a large pedestal.
  • It offers four HDMI 2.1 ports, with two supporting 144Hz gaming.
  • The QM7L supports major HDR formats including Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

The TCL QM7L SQD TV represents TCL's latest advancement in quantum dot technology, aiming to compete with premium displays like RGB LED and OLED. This midrange model, featuring Super Quantum Dot (SQD) technology, delivers bright and colorful visuals with notable black levels and contrast, especially for an LED-backlit television.

Despite its strong performance, the QM7L exhibits some limitations characteristic of its price point, including a reflective screen that can cause noticeable glare and less-than-ideal viewing angles when not directly in front of the display. These minor shortcomings prevent it from reaching true premium status but position it as a compelling value proposition.

The TV is available in five sizes, ranging from 55 to 98 inches. The 75-inch review unit is stylish with slim bezels, though its included faux-metal stand is quite large. The screen's reflectivity is a significant drawback, making it less suitable for brightly lit rooms compared to TVs with matte finishes.

For connectivity, the QM7L offers four HDMI 2.1 ports, with two capable of supporting gaming features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) up to 144Hz. The TV supports all major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+, along with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio. However, it omits ATSC 3.0 support, a feature becoming less common across brands.

Internally, the QM7L employs a Mini LED backlight system with up to 2,100 dimming zones, enhanced by TCL's SQD technology and a specialized color filter, aiming for full coverage of the BT.2020 color gamut. The built-in speakers, while featuring dual woofers, are best supplemented by an external sound system for optimal audio quality.

Frequently asked questions

SQD is TCL's newly developed quantum dot technology designed to enhance TV colors and brightness, aiming to compete with technologies like RGB LED and OLED.

The main drawbacks are its reflective screen, which causes glare, and so-so off-center viewing angles.

Yes, two of its four HDMI 2.1 ports support gaming features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) at up to 144Hz.

It supports all major HDR flavors, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

What Happens Next

01Further testing of the QM7L's gaming performance and HDR capabilities.

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Cadence

How It Developed

TCL's new Super Quantum Dot (SQD) technology is featured in the QM7L TV.
The QM7L TV offers bright, colorful performance with impressive black levels and contrast for an LED-backlit set.
The TV has a stylish design but features a reflective screen and a large pedestal stand.
It includes four HDMI 2.1 ports, with two supporting 144Hz gaming.
The QM7L supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X, but lacks ATSC 3.0 support.
The TV utilizes a Mini LED backlight system with up to 2,100 dimming zones and SQD technology for enhanced color.

Sources

T1
TCL QM7L SQD TV review: Near-premium performance at a midrange priceBusiness Insider

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