TCL challenges RGB LED at CES with its X11L SQD-Mini LED TV

CES is poised to be the story of RGB LED, with almost every major TV manufacturer set to show off their latest models using the technology. But TCL is hoping to change that narrative, or even overtake it, with its own story — that of the X11L SQD-Mini LED TV. The X11L uses blue LEDs for its backlight, much like current mini-LED TVs, but it includes two important color improvements — reformulated quantum dots that provide more color than previously, and the UltraColor Filter from TCL CSOT (the company’s panel division) to take advantage of those new QDs and deliver more accurate color per pixel. It means the X11L can achieve 100 percent of the BT.2020, DCI-P3, and Adobe RGB color gamuts. It’s also one of the brightest displays ever released, capable of up to 10,000 nits of peak brightness, and has up to 20,000 dimming zones (with presumably the 98-inch model hitting that number), which is three times more than on TCL’s QM9K. I don’t expect we’ll see any other TV this year with both these new quantum dots and an improved color filter. When compared to RGB LED TVs, both technologies claim 100 percent of BT.2020, but that’s while using test patterns. With real content (of which there’s very little using the full BT.2020 gamut), RGB LED TVs can experience color crosstalk, where the light from the different colored LEDs bleed into one another and can cause a lack of color saturation. Since the X11L uses the same color LEDs for its backlight, instead relying on the new quantum dots and improved color filter to create color, there’s no color crosstalk or loss of saturation. The X11L will be one of the few TVs in 2026 that will support Dolby Vision 2, which it will receive in an OTA update later in the year. We, of course, still need Dolby Vision 2 content to be created and released to take advantage of the HDR tech, but its inclusion futureproofs the TV. It also has four HDMI 2.1 ports, will support the Xbox Game Pass app for playing games without a console (also an OTA update down the line), and includes Gemini for Google TV. TCL continues its support of Dolby Atmos Flex Connect technology, allowing for the connection of TCL Flex Connect speakers and sub to expand your home theater. Saying that, the Bang & Olufsen speakers built in to the TV perform incredibly well. I heard a demo in December, and it’s easily one of the best TV speaker systems I’ve ever heard with an immersive soundscape and deep bass. We won’t have to wait long to see the X11L, as the 85- and 98-inch models are available for preorder now with the 75-inch version coming a few months later (no firm date yet for it). It’s not a cheap TV out of the gate (what new technology is?), with the 98-inch coming in at $9,999.99, the 85-inch at $7,999.99, and $6,999.99 for the 75-inch. But TCL has a tendency to drop its prices as the year gets on. The 85-inch X11K was originally $9,999.99 at release and its price has now plummeted to $3,499.99. Fingers crossed the same happens later in the year with the X11L.