The TCL QM8K represents a significant leap forward in mini LED technology, delivering flagship-level performance that challenges both premium OLED and competing mini LED displays. This 2025 model features TCL's new WHVA panel technology with up to 3,800 dimming zones, peak brightness exceeding 3,000 nits in testing, and comprehensive gaming support including 4K at 144Hz and 1080p at 288Hz. The television employs quantum dot enhancement for vibrant color reproduction and supports all major HDR formats including Dolby Vision and HDR10+. While out-of-box color accuracy requires calibration for critical viewing, the combination of deep uniform blacks, exceptional brightness control, and Bang & Olufsen-tuned audio creates a compelling package that trades blows with displays costing substantially more.^[1][2][3]

Design and Build Quality

The TCL QM8K employs a thoughtful industrial design that prioritizes screen real estate while maintaining structural integrity. The television features an ultra-thin bezel design that TCL markets as "ZeroBorder," creating an almost edgeless appearance that enhances the premium aesthetic. The frame appears to be constructed from aluminum or similar metal materials, lending appropriate rigidity to the large panel. Cable management receives adequate attention with cutouts and guides on the rear panel, though the input placement faces rightward and sits inset, potentially complicating access for wall-mounted installations.^[9][8][1]

The included stand has drawn criticism from users who question its stability, suggesting aftermarket mounting solutions for larger screen sizes. After several weeks of operation, some units develop an audible buzzing sound at various brightness levels, with the phenomenon appearing more pronounced on the 98-inch variant. Multiple owners have reported similar experiences across online forums, indicating this may represent a broader quality control concern rather than isolated defects. The television's construction utilizes high-quality plastics for non-structural components, and the overall assembly demonstrates no significant gaps or alignment issues in professional testing.^[7][8][1]

Performance in Real Use

Peak brightness represents perhaps the QM8K's most impressive technical achievement, with laboratory measurements exceeding 3,000 nits on specular highlights and sustaining high full-screen brightness levels that few competitors can match. In controlled testing, the display reached 972 nits on small bright elements and maintained 556 nits across larger windows when configured with Dynamic Tone Mapping set to Brightness Priority mode. This exceptional light output translates directly to real-world benefits, allowing the television to render HDR content with genuine impact even in challenging ambient lighting conditions.^[6][3][1]

The local dimming implementation distributes 1,680 zones across the 65-inch panel, scaling up to 3,760 zones in the flagship 98-inch configuration. Zone precision testing reveals excellent performance with minimal trailing halos around fast-moving bright objects, though some perceptible flicker occurs as elements transition between adjacent zones. Blooming and haloing remain well controlled, particularly when viewed head-on, with some increased visibility at extreme angles.^[9][4][1]

Out-of-box color performance presents a mixed picture with vibrant saturated colors demonstrating excellent luminance but overall accuracy falling short of reference standards. Pre-calibration measurements reveal a white balance delta E of 4.57 in SDR and 17.03 in HDR, indicating noticeable deviations from the D65 standard illuminant particularly in HDR content. Professional calibration dramatically improves accuracy, bringing both white balance and color tracking into acceptable ranges for critical viewing.^[1]

Gaming Performance and Ease of Use

The QM8K delivers elite gaming credentials across multiple dimensions, beginning with measured input lag below 10 milliseconds across all supported resolutions and refresh rates in Game Master mode. The native 144Hz panel refresh rate provides smooth motion for high-framerate PC gaming and supports the full resolution at 4K, accommodating the latest graphics cards' capabilities. An innovative Game Accelerator 288 feature extends VRR support up to 288Hz when running at 1080p or 1440p resolutions, offering competitive esports players the ultra-responsive experience typically reserved for dedicated gaming monitors.^{[10][3][9][1]}

Google TV version 12 powers the user interface, providing access to major streaming services and content aggregation across multiple sources. Users consistently praise interface responsiveness, noting smooth navigation and minimal lag during menu operations. The included remote features backlighting, voice control via built-in microphone, and dedicated buttons for popular streaming platforms. The MediaTek Pentonic 700 SoC provides adequate processing power with 52GB total storage and 46GB available after system files.^[7][8][1]

Reliability and Long-Term Ownership

Long-term ownership feedback remains limited given the television's 2025 release, though early adopters report sustained satisfaction across diverse usage scenarios. The absence of burn-in risk compared to OLED alternatives provides peace of mind for users who display static content or play games with persistent HUD elements. However, reliability concerns have emerged regarding buzzing sounds that develop after extended use, particularly on larger screen sizes. Multiple owners have reported similar experiences across online forums, indicating this may represent a broader quality control concern.^{[15][8][7][1]}

Bang & Olufsen contributed tuning expertise to the QM8K's integrated speaker system, resulting in notably better performance than typical television audio. Multiple users reported surprise at the bass response, with one owner describing feeling floor vibrations from the television's speakers alone before connecting external audio equipment. The system supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based audio formats, passing these signals through eARC to compatible receivers or soundbars.^[8][1]

Use Cases and Versatility

Bright room performance stands out as a primary strength, with the exceptional peak brightness easily overcoming glare from windows and overhead lighting that would compromise lesser displays. Users consistently report excellent daytime viewing quality, making the QM8K particularly suitable for family rooms and living spaces with abundant natural light. The anti-reflective coating provides moderate protection against direct reflections, though glossy screen characteristics remain visible when bright light sources align with viewing angles.^[6][4][7][1]

Dark room performance approaches OLED quality with deep uniform blacks and minimal blooming around bright elements, creating an immersive home theater experience. The contrast ratio and local dimming precision deliver the shadow detail and highlight separation that HDR content demands, though some crushing occurs in the deepest blacks. Sports viewing receives mixed feedback with most users satisfied but some detecting motion issues during fast-paced sequences, suggesting individual sensitivity to the display's motion handling characteristics varies considerably. Value considerations dominate customer commentary, with numerous comparisons highlighting the QM8K's ability to deliver near-flagship performance at midrange positioning.^{[12][6][7][8][1]}