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News Devices May 9, 2026, 8:00 AM
Emerging

I spent weeks testing the TCL QM8L TV, and I'm a believer in its new SQD mini-LED technology

Screen type: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" SQD-Mini LED "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Refresh rate: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" 144Hz "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" HDR support: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Smart TV: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Google TV "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" HDMI ports: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" 4x HDMI 2.1 "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Built-in tuner: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" ATSC 3.0 "}}]]},"position":7},{"type":"section","id":"b9a1e109-982e-4531-bf29-c698e23ca7c9","data":{"text":"TCL QM8L review: Benchmark results","nav":"Benchmark results","headingType":"h2","excludeFromNav":false},"position":8},{"type":"embed","id":"85e77b71-e22e-4f22-902c-65ec64cad013","data":{"source":"flo.uri.sh","embedtype":"iframe","position":"center","attributes":{"src":"https:\/\/flo.uri.sh\/story\/3672808\/embed","allow":"","height":"600px","width":"100%","id":"","style":""}},"position":9},{"type":"section","id":"4923d4bf-1ad7-4fc2-8c23-8689388d06e1","data":{"text":"TCL QM8L review: Features","nav":"Features","headingType":"h2","excludeFromNav":false},"position":10},{"type":"image","id":"77aae4c0-eea7-4daa-87f8-4e8bd02af6ce","data":{"src":"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UNP38kNiuoixQiVvfnuBuh.jpg","width":5712,"height":3213,"alt":"Setting up the TCL QM8L's Google Gemini is straightforward, including some tips on how to use it.","credit":"Future \/ James Holland","name":"TCL QM8L Google Gemini","id":"UNP38kNiuoixQiVvfnuBuh","caption":"","align":"middle","layout":"","fullscreen":false,"link":{"href":"","rel":[],"target":""},"mos":null,"dimensions":{"width":5712,"height":3213,"aspectRatio":1.778},"mediaType":"image\/jpeg","lazy":true,"links":[],"href":"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UNP38kNiuoixQiVvfnuBuh.jpg","status":"processed","crop":null,"endorsement":null},"position":11},{"type":"list","id":"a5b40009-95cc-4648-87cd-79fd718ebb86","data":{"items":[" Supports the full range of HDR and spatial audio formats "," Uses a few different TCL technologies to improve picture quality "," Hands-free control via Google Gemini "],"type":"ul","schemaRef":null,"start":"1","listType":"ul","schema":null},"position":12},{"type":"text","id":"88d63fb8-42e2-49d1-b4ca-37c849b9c067","data":{"paragraphs":["The TCL 75QM8L has a good amount of features, as it should for TCL\u2019s almost flagship TV. It has all the various HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS support one could need, which no rivals from LG, Sony or Samsung offer in their entirety.","The TV also utilizes some proprietary features to improve picture quality. This piece sits on 1 source layers, but the real value is showing why the story should not be skimmed past too quickly.

Screen type: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" SQD-Mini LED "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Refresh rate: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" 144Hz "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" HDR support: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Smart TV: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Google TV "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" HDMI ports: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" 4x HDMI 2.1 "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Built-in tuner: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" ATSC 3.0 "}}]]},"position":7},{"type":"section","id":"b9a1e109-982e-4531-bf29-c698e23ca7c9","data":{"text":"TCL QM8L review: Benchmark results","nav":"Benchmark results","headingType":"h2","excludeFromNav":false},"position":8},{"type":"embed","id":"85e77b71-e22e-4f22-902c-65ec64cad013","data":{"source":"flo.uri.sh","embedtype":"iframe","position":"center","attributes":{"src":"https:\/\/flo.uri.sh\/story\/3672808\/embed","allow":"","height":"600px","width":"100%","id":"","style":""}},"position":9},{"type":"section","id":"4923d4bf-1ad7-4fc2-8c23-8689388d06e1","data":{"text":"TCL QM8L review: Features","nav":"Features","headingType":"h2","excludeFromNav":false},"position":10},{"type":"image","id":"77aae4c0-eea7-4daa-87f8-4e8bd02af6ce","data":{"src":"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UNP38kNiuoixQiVvfnuBuh.jpg","width":5712,"height":3213,"alt":"Setting up the TCL QM8L's Google Gemini is straightforward, including some tips on how to use it.","credit":"Future \/ James Holland","name":"TCL QM8L Google Gemini","id":"UNP38kNiuoixQiVvfnuBuh","caption":"","align":"middle","layout":"","fullscreen":false,"link":{"href":"","rel":[],"target":""},"mos":null,"dimensions":{"width":5712,"height":3213,"aspectRatio":1.778},"mediaType":"image\/jpeg","lazy":true,"links":[],"href":"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UNP38kNiuoixQiVvfnuBuh.jpg","status":"processed","crop":null,"endorsement":null},"position":11},{"type":"list","id":"a5b40009-95cc-4648-87cd-79fd718ebb86","data":{"items":[" Supports the full range of HDR and spatial audio formats "," Uses a few different TCL technologies to improve picture quality "," Hands-free control via Google Gemini "],"type":"ul","schemaRef":null,"start":"1","listType":"ul","schema":null},"position":12},{"type":"text","id":"88d63fb8-42e2-49d1-b4ca-37c849b9c067","data":{"paragraphs":["The TCL 75QM8L has a good amount of features, as it should for TCL\u2019s almost flagship TV. It has all the various HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS support one could need, which no rivals from LG, Sony or Samsung offer in their entirety.","The TV also utilizes some proprietary features to improve picture quality. The signal is strong enough to deserve attention, but it still needs to be read as something developing rather than fully settled.

Quang Huy Devices and Digital Infrastructure Editor
Emerging The topic has initial corroboration, but the newsroom is still waiting on stronger confirmation.
Reference image for: I spent weeks testing the TCL QM8L TV, and I'm a believer in its new SQD mini-LED technology
Reference image from TechRadar. TechRadar

Screen type: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" SQD-Mini LED "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Refresh rate: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" 144Hz "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" HDR support: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Smart TV: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Google TV "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" HDMI ports: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" 4x HDMI 2.1 "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Built-in tuner: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" ATSC 3.0 "}}]]},"position":7},{"type":"section","id":"b9a1e109-982e-4531-bf29-c698e23ca7c9","data":{"text":"TCL QM8L review: Benchmark results","nav":"Benchmark results","headingType":"h2","excludeFromNav":false},"position":8},{"type":"embed","id":"85e77b71-e22e-4f22-902c-65ec64cad013","data":{"source":"flo.uri.sh","embedtype":"iframe","position":"center","attributes":{"src":"https:\/\/flo.uri.sh\/story\/3672808\/embed","allow":"","height":"600px","width":"100%","id":"","style":""}},"position":9},{"type":"section","id":"4923d4bf-1ad7-4fc2-8c23-8689388d06e1","data":{"text":"TCL QM8L review: Features","nav":"Features","headingType":"h2","excludeFromNav":false},"position":10},{"type":"image","id":"77aae4c0-eea7-4daa-87f8-4e8bd02af6ce","data":{"src":"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UNP38kNiuoixQiVvfnuBuh.jpg","width":5712,"height":3213,"alt":"Setting up the TCL QM8L's Google Gemini is straightforward, including some tips on how to use it.","credit":"Future \/ James Holland","name":"TCL QM8L Google Gemini","id":"UNP38kNiuoixQiVvfnuBuh","caption":"","align":"middle","layout":"","fullscreen":false,"link":{"href":"","rel":[],"target":""},"mos":null,"dimensions":{"width":5712,"height":3213,"aspectRatio":1.778},"mediaType":"image\/jpeg","lazy":true,"links":[],"href":"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UNP38kNiuoixQiVvfnuBuh.jpg","status":"processed","crop":null,"endorsement":null},"position":11},{"type":"list","id":"a5b40009-95cc-4648-87cd-79fd718ebb86","data":{"items":[" Supports the full range of HDR and spatial audio formats "," Uses a few different TCL technologies to improve picture quality "," Hands-free control via Google Gemini "],"type":"ul","schemaRef":null,"start":"1","listType":"ul","schema":null},"position":12},{"type":"text","id":"88d63fb8-42e2-49d1-b4ca-37c849b9c067","data":{"paragraphs":["The TCL 75QM8L has a good amount of features, as it should for TCL\u2019s almost flagship TV. It has all the various HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS support one could need, which no rivals from LG, Sony or Samsung offer in their entirety.","The TV also utilizes some proprietary features to improve picture quality. For instance, the TCL Deep Color System is meant for a wider color range, to get up to a claimed 100% BT.2020 color coverage. TechRadar is the main source layer for now, and the rest should be read as a signal that is still widening. On the device side, the useful angle is whether a technical change actually alters feel, lifespan, or upgrade cost in real use.

Featured offer

Patrick Tech Store Open the AI plans, tools, and software currently getting the push Jump straight into the store to see what Patrick Tech is pushing right now.

What is happening now

Screen type: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" SQD-Mini LED "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Refresh rate: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" 144Hz "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" HDR support: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Smart TV: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Google TV "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" HDMI ports: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" 4x HDMI 2. 1 "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Built-in tuner: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" ATSC 3. 0 "}}]]},"position":7},{"type":"section","id":"b9a1e109-982e-4531-bf29-c698e23ca7c9","data":{"text":"TCL QM8L review: Benchmark results","nav":"Benchmark results","headingType":"h2","excludeFromNav":false},"position":8},{"type":"embed","id":"85e77b71-e22e-4f22-902c-65ec64cad013","data":{"source":"flo. uri. sh","embedtype":"iframe","position":"center","attributes":{"src":"https:\/\/flo. sh\/story\/3672808\/embed","allow":"","height":"600px","width":"100%","id":"","style":""}},"position":9},{"type":"section","id":"4923d4bf-1ad7-4fc2-8c23-8689388d06e1","data":{"text":"TCL QM8L review: Features","nav":"Features","headingType":"h2","excludeFromNav":false},"position":10},{"type":"image","id":"77aae4c0-eea7-4daa-87f8-4e8bd02af6ce","data":{"src":"https:\/\/cdn. mos. cms. futurecdn. net\/UNP38kNiuoixQiVvfnuBuh. jpg","width":5712,"height":3213,"alt":"Setting up the TCL QM8L's Google Gemini is straightforward, including some tips on how to use it. ","credit":"Future \/ James Holland","name":"TCL QM8L Google Gemini","id":"UNP38kNiuoixQiVvfnuBuh","caption":"","align":"middle","layout":"","fullscreen":false,"link":{"href":"","rel":[],"target":""},"mos":null,"dimensions":{"width":5712,"height":3213,"aspectRatio":1. 778},"mediaType":"image\/jpeg","lazy":true,"links":[],"href":"https:\/\/cdn. jpg","status":"processed","crop":null,"endorsement":null},"position":11},{"type":"list","id":"a5b40009-95cc-4648-87cd-79fd718ebb86","data":{"items":[" Supports the full range of HDR and spatial audio formats "," Uses a few different TCL technologies to improve picture quality "," Hands-free control via Google Gemini "],"type":"ul","schemaRef":null,"start":"1","listType":"ul","schema":null},"position":12},{"type":"text","id":"88d63fb8-42e2-49d1-b4ca-37c849b9c067","data":{"paragraphs":["The TCL 75QM8L has a good amount of features, as it should for TCL\u2019s almost flagship TV. TechRadar form the main source layer behind the core facts in this piece.

Where the sources line up

TechRadar is the main source layer for now, and the rest should be read as a signal that is still widening. It has all the various HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS support one could need, which no rivals from LG, Sony or Samsung offer in their entirety. ","The TV also utilizes some proprietary features to improve picture quality. TechRadar form the main source layer behind the core facts in this piece.

Featured offer

Patrick Tech Store Open the AI plans, tools, and software currently getting the push Jump straight into the store to see what Patrick Tech is pushing right now.

The details worth keeping

For instance, the TCL Deep Color System is meant for a wider color range, to get up to a claimed 100% BT. 2020 color coverage. On the device side, the useful angle is whether a technical change actually alters feel, lifespan, or upgrade cost in real use. The readers who should care most are the ones planning to replace a device, buy an accessory, or upgrade a work setup in the next few months. The next step is to see whether the current signals harden into a durable change or fade as a short-lived experiment.

Why this matters most

The signal is strong enough to deserve attention, but it still needs to be read as something developing rather than fully settled. With 1 source layers on the table, the part worth reading most closely is where firm facts meet the market's early reaction. ","I\u2019ll go into our test results in the next section, but I\u2019ll briefly mention that the TV does decently but doesn\u2019t actually get to that 100% color coverage for either BT. 2020 or DCI-P3 in our measurements.

What to watch next

The next readout is price, device coverage, and whether the change feels real once the hardware reaches users. Patrick Tech Media will keep checking rollout speed, user reaction, and how TechRadar update the next pieces. From 1 early signals, the piece keeps 1 references that are useful for locking the main details in place.

Context Worth Keeping

Screen type: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" SQD-Mini LED "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Refresh rate: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" 144Hz "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" HDR support: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Smart TV: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Google TV "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" HDMI ports: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" 4x HDMI 2. 1 "}}],[{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" Built-in tuner: "}},{"type":"celldata","data":{"text":" ATSC 3. 0 "}}]]},"position":7},{"type":"section","id":"b9a1e109-982e-4531-bf29-c698e23ca7c9","data":{"text":"TCL QM8L review: Benchmark results","nav":"Benchmark results","headingType":"h2","excludeFromNav":false},"position":8},{"type":"embed","id":"85e77b71-e22e-4f22-902c-65ec64cad013","data":{"source":"flo. uri. sh","embedtype":"iframe","position":"center","attributes":{"src":"https:\/\/flo. sh\/story\/3672808\/embed","allow":"","height":"600px","width":"100%","id":"","style":""}},"position":9},{"type":"section","id":"4923d4bf-1ad7-4fc2-8c23-8689388d06e1","data":{"text":"TCL QM8L review: Features","nav":"Features","headingType":"h2","excludeFromNav":false},"position":10},{"type":"image","id":"77aae4c0-eea7-4daa-87f8-4e8bd02af6ce","data":{"src":"https:\/\/cdn. mos. cms. futurecdn. net\/UNP38kNiuoixQiVvfnuBuh. jpg","width":5712,"height":3213,"alt":"Setting up the TCL QM8L's Google Gemini is straightforward, including some tips on how to use it. ","credit":"Future \/ James Holland","name":"TCL QM8L Google Gemini","id":"UNP38kNiuoixQiVvfnuBuh","caption":"","align":"middle","layout":"","fullscreen":false,"link":{"href":"","rel":[],"target":""},"mos":null,"dimensions":{"width":5712,"height":3213,"aspectRatio":1. 778},"mediaType":"image\/jpeg","lazy":true,"links":[],"href":"https:\/\/cdn. jpg","status":"processed","crop":null,"endorsement":null},"position":11},{"type":"list","id":"a5b40009-95cc-4648-87cd-79fd718ebb86","data":{"items":[" Supports the full range of HDR and spatial audio formats "," Uses a few different TCL technologies to improve picture quality "," Hands-free control via Google Gemini "],"type":"ul","schemaRef":null,"start":"1","listType":"ul","schema":null},"position":12},{"type":"text","id":"88d63fb8-42e2-49d1-b4ca-37c849b9c067","data":{"paragraphs":["The TCL 75QM8L has a good amount of features, as it should for TCL\u2019s almost flagship TV. It has all the various HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS support one could need, which no rivals from LG, Sony or Samsung offer in their entirety. ","The TV also utilizes some proprietary features to improve picture quality. For instance, the TCL Deep Color System is meant for a wider color range, to get up to a claimed 100% BT. 2020 color coverage. TechRadar is the main source layer for now, and the rest should be read as a signal that is still widening. On the device side, the useful angle is whether a technical change actually alters feel, lifespan, or upgrade cost in real use. With devices, the real difference rarely lives on the spec sheet; it lives in whether daily use becomes better or more annoying. This is still a developing thread, so the useful part is knowing which source signals are hardening and which ones still need caution.

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