TCL X11L Review: An impressive blend of display excellence and surprisingly great audio

For some time, TCL has been steadily asserting its presence in the premium television market. Following the strong showing of models like the QM8K and QM9K, the X11L stands as a definitive statement, marking TCL’s most ambitious TV release to date.

What sets the X11L apart is its innovative Super Quantum Dot (SQD) technology. Unlike the industry trend towards RGB Mini-LED backlights, TCL has opted for a single-color LED backlight, enhanced with a new generation of quantum dot particles and an advanced color filter. This approach results in a wider color gamut, exceptionally high brightness, and a thinner panel compared to current RGB Mini-LED alternatives. After extensive testing, it’s clear that TCL’s decision was a success.

However, this level of innovation comes with a price tag that is notably higher than what consumers typically expect from TCL. The 85-inch model, for instance, is priced at $7,999. While a significant investment, its value becomes apparent when considering that OLED panels of a comparable size often cost substantially more and cannot rival the X11L’s peak brightness.

TCL X11L Specifications

TCL X11L Design: A True Premium Experience

This television represents a significant leap in design and build quality compared to previous models. The TCL X11L boasts a remarkably slender panel, measuring only about two centimeters thick—a notable achievement for a Mini-LED of this size and considerably thinner than the company’s prior flagship displays. The minimalist bezel treatment from previous lineups is retained, creating a captivating edge-to-edge visual effect on this expansive screen.

Departing from the gunmetal finish of the QM8K and QM9K, the X11L features a warm, bronze-toned frame that encircles the display. This aesthetic, combined with its new two-leg support system (replacing the former center stand), gives it a sleeker profile. The construction feels exceptionally solid and premium, lacking any creaking, flexing, or hollow sensations. It truly embodies the quality expected from a high-end television.

A prominent design element is the full-width Bang & Olufsen speaker system integrated below the screen, adding a couple of inches to the overall height. This addition is discreet in dimly lit environments and enhances the visual appeal when visible. Crucially, its audio performance is outstanding.

Connectivity options are robust, featuring four HDMI 2.1 ports, all supporting 4K at 144Hz, with one dedicated for eARC. A convenient USB 3.0 port is located on the right edge, ideal for those who plan to wall-mount the TV. Additional ports include USB 2.0, Ethernet, optical audio out, and an ATSC 3.0 tuner for 4K over-the-air broadcasts. All connections are directly integrated, eliminating the need for external boxes.

A note of caution regarding the stand: its widely spaced feet necessitate a console or surface significantly wider than average if you’re not wall-mounting the television.

The remote control is a definite highlight, retaining the useful backlight from previous high-end TCL remotes. It features a metallic silver finish, a comfortable weight, and introduces several highly practical controls, including dedicated buttons on the right edge for backlight brightness adjustment and cycling through picture modes. The brightness control, in particular, proved invaluable for adjusting viewing in varying ambient light conditions.

Design score: 10/10

TCL X11L Interface: Google TV Optimized

Running on Android 14, Google TV remains one of the most capable native television platforms available. On the X11L, the experience is remarkably fluid, with applications loading quickly, intuitive navigation, and an overall highly responsive user interface.

The standout feature is Gemini, Google’s AI assistant. Surprisingly effective for a television-based AI, Gemini adeptly handles complex, multi-step queries, successfully finding movies and TV shows across specific genres and streaming platforms.

While some users may prefer external streaming devices for their specific ecosystems, Google TV on the X11L offers a top-tier native operating system experience. Google Cast and AirPlay 2 are also built-in for seamless content sharing.

Interface score: 9/10

TCL X11L SDR Picture: Unmatched Color and Brightness in LED TVs

Understanding the SQD technology is key to appreciating this TV’s picture quality. Traditional Quantum Dot Mini-LED TVs use blue or white LED backlights, relying on quantum dots to produce color. A common issue is color desaturation as brightness increases. TCL’s SQD addresses this with two hardware innovations: a quantum dot layer with particles significantly smaller than standard QD panels, and an improved UltraColor Filter. Together, these enhancements allow the panel to maintain vibrant, saturated colors even at extreme brightness levels, where conventional quantum dot TVs would typically falter.

This approach also offers practical benefits. RGB Mini-LED backlights can suffer from light mixing between adjacent red, green, or blue LEDs, leading to unwanted color tints. SQD bypasses this entirely because all LEDs in the array are a single color, eliminating cross-contamination. This simpler backlight architecture also facilitates the integration of over 20,000 dimming zones into a panel just two centimeters thick. An RGB array would typically require more physical space between LEDs and the screen for proper color blending, resulting in either a thicker chassis or fewer dimming zones.

When measured in Filmmaker Mode at 100 nits with all processing disabled, the X11L demonstrated near-reference level color accuracy even before calibration. Out of the box, it achieved a Delta E of approximately 2.0, improving to under 1.0 after calibration.

The X11L truly excels in gamut coverage. It covers 99% of Rec. 709 and achieves high 90s for DCI-P3 coverage. Most impressively, its Rec. 2020 coverage pushes into the low 90s, a figure rarely seen outside of OLED displays.

While the full benefits of this expanded gamut may not be realized with today’s content, which is largely mastered within DCI-P3, the X11L is future-proofed, ready for content that will eventually leverage its full capabilities.

SDR brightness on the X11L is simply astonishing. It doesn’t just cut through ambient light; it obliterates it. Even on a bright, sunny afternoon with open windows, the image remained vivid and perfectly viewable. For those who find OLED’s brightness insufficient in brightly lit rooms, this television offers a compelling solution. Indeed, its intensity was sometimes deemed «too bright» for evening viewing, but thankfully, the remote’s dedicated brightness control allowed for easy adjustment.

SDR picture score: 10/10

TCL X11L HDR Picture: A New Benchmark for Mini-LED

The X11L truly justifies its premium price through its HDR performance. The synergy of extreme brightness, over 20,000 independently controlled dimming zones, and Dolby Vision IQ support creates an HDR image that is breathtaking and surpasses any other Mini-LED display encountered. Bright specular highlights cut through with remarkable intensity, yet unlike some ultra-bright panels, the X11L maintains deep black levels without compromise. The local dimming system is exceptional, preserving profound blacks with minimal blooming throughout dark scenes.

Dolby Vision content looks magnificent on this TV, benefiting from dynamic metadata and refined tone-mapping that render movies brighter and more natural than HDR10+ alone. TCL has also announced a firmware update for later this year, which will introduce Dolby Vision 2.0 support, promising even further advancements in tone-mapping.

Beyond Dolby Vision, the X11L supports HDR10+, HLG, and IMAX Enhanced, ensuring compatibility with a wide array of HDR content formats.

The only area where the X11L doesn’t quite dominate is motion handling. Fast camera pans and high-speed action can sometimes exhibit a faint trailing effect behind moving objects. While not distracting during typical viewing, it is present and represents an advantage where OLED’s instant pixel response still excels.

For gamers, the X11L is exceptionally well-equipped. All four HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K at 144Hz, along with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. Input lag is excellent for a television, and a Game Accelerator mode can boost 1080p content to an impressive 288Hz refresh rate.

HDR picture score: 10/10

TCL X11L Audio: The Pinnacle of Integrated TV Sound

Building on the praised audio performance of the QM9K, the X11L now claims the title for the best built-in audio ever heard on a television, by a considerable margin.

The integrated Bang & Olufsen speaker array spans the entire width of the television. It incorporates forward-firing drivers for clear left, center, and right channels, complemented by a set of side-firing speakers and two substantial woofers mounted on the back.

The sound produced remarkably fills the room, a quality rarely experienced with integrated TV speakers. There is genuine channel separation, a smooth and articulate mid-range, and sufficient low-end presence to eliminate the immediate need for a soundbar. Dialogue clarity is also outstanding.

Both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are supported, providing immersive audio experiences. For those desiring an even more expansive soundstage, TCL’s FlexConnect system allows for the addition of wireless surround speakers without the hassle of running cables across the living space.

Audio score: 9/10

Should you buy the TCL X11L?

For discerning buyers in search of a large, premium television that offers the ultimate Mini-LED picture quality currently available, the TCL X11L is a top contender. Its brightness, color reproduction, and contrast are in a league of their own for an LED-based display, and its integrated audio system is the best experienced from any TV.

This is undeniably a premium product, with the 85-inch model priced at $7,999, representing a significant shift from TCL’s traditional value-first market position. However, if the X11L follows the pattern of previous TCL flagship models, substantial price reductions can be anticipated over the coming year. When compared to similarly sized OLED panels, which command significantly higher prices and cannot match the X11L’s brightness capabilities, its value proposition becomes remarkably compelling.

If the current price point is prohibitive, TCL plans to introduce SQD panels to more affordable sets later in the year, which should bring this advanced technology to a wider audience.

Consider these alternatives:

• TCL QM9K: Still an excellent television offering a substantial portion of the X11L’s picture quality at a more accessible price. While it lacks SQD and the extreme peak brightness, its visual performance remains impressive, and it also features excellent built-in Bang & Olufsen audio.
• LG C5 OLED: If your priority is infinite contrast and you are willing to accept a trade-off in peak brightness, LG’s mid-range OLED offers a strong alternative. Expect to pay more for equivalent screen sizes, but its contrast levels are unparalleled.
• Sony Bravia 9: A formidable premium competitor, often available at a slightly lower price point. It delivers outstanding contrast, brightness, and Dolby Vision support, along with near-reference color accuracy after calibration.

How the TCL X11L was tested

The TCL X11L served as a primary daily television for several weeks. During this period, it was used for a diverse range of content, including movies, TV shows, Formula 1 races, and various streaming content from platforms like YouTube. The testing encompassed cinematic presentations, live sports, and cable television broadcasts.

Both the native Google TV operating system and an external streaming device were utilized for testing. Performance measurements were conducted using a professional display calibrator and calibration software on Windows 11, supplemented by extensive personal observations gleaned from years of evaluating numerous television displays.