{"id":176479,"date":"2023-12-12T12:48:03","date_gmt":"2023-12-12T12:48:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techweekmag.com\/?p=176479"},"modified":"2025-05-07T08:02:21","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T08:02:21","slug":"tcl-x955-review-top-level-performance-at-a-low-price","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/tv\/tcl-x955-review-top-level-performance-at-a-low-price\/","title":{"rendered":"TCL X955: Top-level performance at a low price"},"content":{"rendered":"

TCL recently introduced and launched a new family of premium QD-Mini LED TVs, the TCL X955.\u00a0This line provides the best image quality, and its main characteristics are its impressive size.\u00a0The X955 series is a mammoth 85-inch, 98-inch and 115-inch TV offering a visual range that meets the most demanding demands.<\/p>\n

The company dominates the widescreen segment with an iron fist, and the new TCL X955 immediately moves into the High-End segment.\u00a0In addition to the size, this is helped by the Full Array local dimming VA panel with over 5,000 local dimming zones and 5,000 nits of brightness, as well as support for major standards.\u00a0In the TCL 98X955 Mini LED 4K review, we will look at the main technological achievements of the new product.<\/p>\n

TCL X955 review<\/h2>\n

Design<\/h3>\n

\"TCL<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In terms of appearance, the TCL 98X955 TV has a typical TCL design.\u00a0Even at this price point, it doesn’t try to make a stunning impression, but at the same time it looks good.\u00a0The build quality also meets established standards.\u00a0The TV is quite durable and the construction is satisfactory.\u00a0The TV is a combination of metal and plastic, and our test unit doesn’t show any blemishes.<\/p>\n

The thickness of the case slightly exceeds 4 cm, which in relation to its diagonal (249 cm) seems visually imperceptible.\u00a0But compared to other Mini LED TVs, such as\u00a0the Samsung QN90C\u00a0, it is significantly thicker.\u00a0However, if you mount the TV close to the wall, it will fit perfectly into any interior, like a work of art.\u00a0Ports that face sideways and are close to the edge are also ideal for this installation method, making them easier to access.<\/p>\n

The TCL X955 TV can also be installed on a stand.\u00a0Metal legs 24 cm long keep the body from swaying forward\/backward in case of accidental contact.\u00a0Cables are also routed through holes in the legs, making them invisible.\u00a0Next to the power button is a button to turn on the TV microphone.\u00a0It allows you to adjust the volume hands-free.<\/p>\n

The remote control also has a traditional TCL design.\u00a0It is completely similar to the\u00a0TCL QM8\u00a0TV remote control , differing only in the purpose of the quick access buttons.\u00a0There are no numeric buttons; they are replaced by a button to turn on the virtual keyboard on the screen.\u00a0As usual, it is equipped with a built-in microphone for using the voice control function.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Image quality<\/h3>\n

There’s no doubt that the 98X955’s flagship technology is Mini LED.\u00a0This backlight divides the entire screen field into thousands of zones, illuminated by tiny LEDs.\u00a0The brightness of each zone is adjusted separately.\u00a0The 98-inch screen has 5184 such zones (54×96).\u00a0The 85-inch TCL X955 model has 5,184 dimming zones, the same as the 98-inch, so in theory it should offer better backlight control due to the smaller LCD panel.<\/p>\n

TCL calls its backlight technology Dual-5000 Mini LED.\u00a0This is explained by the use of a wide-angle lens over each zone in the form of a double-layer arched bridge.\u00a0This design helps to increase the uniformity of illumination, which ultimately makes the picture clearer.\u00a0But it\u2019s not just the precision control of local backlight dimming that makes this TV a flagship TV.<\/p>\n

The strength of the TCL X955 series is also its high brightness.\u00a0Full screen brightness reaches 900 nits, and peak HDR brightness increases to 5500 nits in the 5% window and 4500 nits in the 2% window.\u00a0Shooting outdoors is particularly impressive, with landscapes or oceans bathed in sunlight that look better than any OLED TV.<\/p>\n

This is due to the fact that the brightness of MiniLED LCD TVs is not reduced to the full-screen OLED brightness of 200-250 nits, but on the contrary, it has a larger margin.\u00a0Bright scenes can last up to 5 seconds, after which the X955 drops to around 2200-2500 nits, the normal peak brightness level, to avoid overheating and damaging components.\u00a0Real content (movies) usually have lower peak brightness due to the complex light\/color composition in the scenes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Of course, it’s hard to imagine that we need 5000 nits for a 5% window (5% of the screen).\u00a0But this is necessary for tiny areas of the image of 0.05% or less if you want the stars to really sparkle, the reflections to sparkle, and the lamps to glow.\u00a0It’s a balance between power (brightness) and refinement: miniLED LCD delivers power and OLED delivers refinement.<\/p>\n

In terms of color, the X955 covers 97% of the DCI-P3 color gamut in Cinema mode (a shade below comparable TVs) and has a Delta-E value (color difference between source and screen) of 3.2.\u00a0True color reproduction is ensured by TCL AI-Color technology.\u00a0Coverage of the wider Rec.\u00a02020 is within 80% – most LCD TVs and even some OLED TVs can’t cover that much.<\/p>\n

As you would expect from the VA matrix that underlies the TCL X 955 QD-MiniLED TV, viewing angles are not expanded.\u00a0When you deviate from the center, the picture begins to fade, unlike\u00a0IPS panels\u00a0.\u00a0But with a sufficient distance from the TV, even with a wide seating of the audience, the angles of deviation from the center will be small.<\/p>\n

\"TCL<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Game Mode<\/h3>\n

In gaming mode, the X955’s local dimming is less effective.\u00a0This is not specific to TCL miniLED LCDs, but is simply a feature of local dimming.\u00a0The backlight control has a specific rise and fall time and has a separate controller chip.\u00a0And to reduce output lag while gaming, zone dimming is kept to a minimum.\u00a0This is one area where OLED continues to outperform the most advanced miniLED LCDs.<\/p>\n

Input lag is 13.5 ms at 60 Hz and 5.3 ms at 120 Hz.\u00a0The TVs even have a special 240Hz half-vertical resolution mode (Dual-Line Gate or DLG) that provides an output latency of 2.8ms.\u00a0Changing Local Dimming to “High” in Game Mode will increase output lag to around 15-17ms for 60…120Hz.\u00a0For gamers, the TCL X955 TV also supports Auto Low Latency mode, variable refresh rate up to 144 Hz and AMD FreeSync.<\/p>\n

Smart TV<\/h3>\n

The TV runs on the Android 12 intelligent system with the Google TV shell.\u00a0X955 is equipped with AiPQ 3.0 processor (based on MediaTek Pentonic 700 SoC) with TCL’s latest proprietary AI algorithms to deliver optimized clarity, contrast, HDR support, color and motion in various scenes.\u00a0The 85-inch variant is also certified by TUV Rheinland for its realistic visual experience.<\/p>\n

The OS interface is relatively easy to use and works well, with a large selection of apps to choose from.\u00a0Like most TVs on the market, the X955 suffers from advertising all over the screen and you can’t turn it off.\u00a0There is a Miracast function for displaying content from mobile devices.\u00a0The TCL Channel option allows you to watch content on demand and additional applications from TCL.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"TCL<\/p>\n

Sound<\/h3>\n

Although the X955 has an upgraded sound package compared to\u00a0the TCL C755\u00a0, a 98-inch home theater TV still requires better sound.\u00a0The X955 series offers compatibility with both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital+.\u00a0Moreover, the new product offers support for Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, Dolby\u2019s latest innovation in the field of immersive sound.<\/p>\n

Dolby\u00a0Atmos FlexConnect\u00a0is a new feature that seamlessly connects your TV’s audio system with additional wireless speakers, delivering a larger, more immersive Dolby Atmos sound experience.\u00a0The TV has two 10 W woofers, but you won’t hear impressive bass sound.\u00a0To be more immersed in the atmosphere of the film, you should consider purchasing a soundbar.\u00a0For example,\u00a0TCL X937U\u00a0.<\/p>\n

Connections<\/h3>\n

We find all the X955 ports on the left side when viewed from the rear.\u00a0As always, the power jack is the only port we see on the right side.\u00a0Looking through all ports from top to bottom, we get the following.\u00a0An Ethernet port for a wired connection to a local network, four HDMI ports (two of them are version 2.1), antenna jacks, a USB port, a composite video input (via an adapter), a headphone output and a digital optical audio output.\u00a0Wireless communication \u2013 WIFi6 and Bluetooth 5.2.\u00a0The USB 3.0 port is located on the side of the TV, which is very convenient for connecting flash drives.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h3>\n

If you really need top-level performance but aren’t tied to one of the big three brands Sony, LG or Samsung, then the TCL X955 is a great choice.\u00a0It combines amazing options with a rather reassuring value that is hard to find these days when prices have increased significantly.<\/p>\n

TCL X955 Specifications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Panel<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Permission<\/td>\n4K UHD 3840\u00d72160<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aspect Ratio<\/td>\n16:9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diagonal size<\/td>\n249 cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Type<\/td>\nVA QLED MiniLED<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Update frequency<\/td>\n144 Hz VRR +240 Hz DLG<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HDR<\/td>\nHDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Color depth<\/td>\n10 bits<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Contrast<\/td>\n6000:1 (typ.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brightness<\/td>\n5000 nits (max) \/ 720 nits (typ)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Backlight<\/td>\nDirect FALD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Local dimming<\/td>\n5184 zones<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Audio<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
System<\/td>\n4.2.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
general power<\/td>\n160 W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of speakers<\/td>\n8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Subwoofer<\/td>\n2×10 W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dolby Atmos<\/td>\nYes, FlexConnect<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Smart TV<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
operating system<\/td>\nAndroid 12\/Google TV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CPU<\/td>\nAIPQ 3.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Operating \/ built-in memory<\/td>\n3 GB \/ 64 GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Google Assistant<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Miracast<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Game center<\/td>\nGame Master Pro 2.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Game options<\/td>\nVRR 144 Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Improves clarity in games<\/td>\nGame Accelerator 240 Hz (DLG)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Connections<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HDMI<\/td>\n2 x 2.1, 2 x 2.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
USB<\/td>\n1 x 2.0, 1 x 3.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Audio output<\/td>\nDigital optical<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Analog video input<\/td>\nYes, via adapter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Headphone output<\/td>\nMinijack 3.5 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LAN port<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WiFi<\/td>\n5 \/ 2.4 GHz + WiFi6 802.11 ax \/ ac \/ b \/ g \/ n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nutrition\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Working consumption<\/td>\n600 W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Annual energy consumption<\/td>\n485 kWh\/year<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dimensions and weight<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size with stand (WxHxD)<\/td>\n2178 x 1287 x 418 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size without stand (WxHxD)<\/td>\n2178 x 1250 x 41 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight with stand<\/td>\n69 kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vesa mount<\/td>\n600 x 600<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

TCL recently introduced and launched a new family of premium QD-Mini LED TVs, the TCL X955.\u00a0This line provides the best image quality, and its main characteristics are its impressive size.\u00a0The X955 series is a mammoth 85-inch, 98-inch and 115-inch TV offering a visual range that meets the most demanding demands. The company dominates the widescreen […] More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10402,"featured_media":176496,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[641],"tags":[778],"class_list":{"0":"post-176479","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tv","8":"tag-reviews"},"acf":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176479","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10402"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=176479"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176479\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":465674,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176479\/revisions\/465674"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/176496"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=176479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=176479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=176479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}