After attending MWave, a tradeshow featuring panels from top TV manufacturers, I gained valuable insights into the current TV market. While most displays were high-end OLEDs like the Samsung S95D and LG G4, and advanced Mini-LED models, like the Sony BRAVIA 9, this experience provided an excellent backdrop for reviewing the budget-friendly TCL Q6 Class TV (Q651G).
Priced at an attractive $499 at Best Buy for the 65" model, with larger sizes like the 85" at $999 and even a massive 98" at $1999, the 2024 Q6 enters the market as a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers. However, it's crucial to understand what you're trading off when opting for a budget TV.
Premium TVs in 2024 costing 2 or 3 times more offer advanced features that the Q6 lacks. LED Local dimming, absent in the Q6, results in somewhat raised black levels and lower contrast ratios compared to more expensive models. High-end TVs also boast significantly higher peak brightness for HDR content and more sophisticated picture processing capabilities, delivering a more dynamic and refined image.
Despite these trade-offs, the Q6 compensates with a well-rounded feature set that should satisfy the needs of most users. It strikes a balance between affordability and performance, offering a glimpse of higher-end features at a fraction of the cost of previous models.
Compared to last year's Q6, the 2024 model boasts an impressive 25% increase in brightness. While not reaching the dazzling peaks of OLED or high-end QLED TVs, this upgrade enhances the overall viewing experience, particularly with HDR content. The new Q6 also benefits from improved processing power, offering noticeable enhancements in picture quality and smart TV responsiveness.
Perhaps most impressively, the Q6's gaming performance rivals that of much more expensive sets, with one of the lowest input lag measurements on the market. This makes it an excellent choice for gamers on a budget who don't want to sacrifice responsiveness.
The TCL Q6 exemplifies modern TV design with its FullView 360 Metal Bezel-less Design. The edge-to-edge glass creates a seamless viewing experience, and the panel is reasonably slim at 2.7" thick. There is a small 'QLED Premium' badge on upper-right hand corner of the screen, and this attention to aesthetics gives the Q6 a premium look that belies its budget price point.
A notable improvement in the 2024 model is the redesigned stand. The feet are now positioned closer together, offering two significant benefits. First, it presents a more premium and streamlined appearance. Second, it increases versatility in terms of furniture placement, potentially fitting on smaller TV stands that may not have accommodated the wider stance of previous models. Even better, the 65", 75", and 85" models all have multiple positions that the feet can be place in.
The overall build quality of the TCL Q6 is solid, with materials that, while not extremely premium, are a notch above typical budget offerings. The TV's profile, though not as slim as the wallpaper-like thinness of modern OLEDs, is still relatively svelte for an LED-backlit TV. Wall-mounting is an option, but potential buyers should be aware that it won't sit as flush against the wall as some thinner models.
The TCL Q6 comes in an impressive range of sizes to suit various room dimensions and preferences: 43", 50", 55", 65", 75", 85", and 98". It's important to note the distinction in refresh rates across these sizes. The 43" to 75" models feature a 60Hz native panel, which is standard for most content. However, the 85" and 98" versions boast a 120Hz panel, offering smoother motion handling, particularly beneficial for sports and gaming.
At its core, the Q6 is a 4K UltraHD TV equipped with QLED PRO Quantum Dot Technology. This advanced display technology enables the TV to cover nearly the entire DCI-P3 color space, resulting in rich, vibrant colors that bring images to life with impressive accuracy and depth.
The High Brightness+ LED Backlight is a significant upgrade, producing brighter images that enhance the viewing experience across various content types. This improvement is particularly noticeable in HDR content, where the increased brightness allows for more impactful highlights and a more dynamic range overall.
Another upgrade from last year's model is the new TCL AIPQ Processor with Deep Learning AI. This powerful processor is the brain of the TV, optimizing color, contrast, and clarity in real-time. The result is an improved 4K HDR experience with better handling of image quality, reduced noise, and enhanced upscaling of lower resolution content.
The Q6 supports a wide array of HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG. This comprehensive support ensures that you're getting the best possible picture quality regardless of the content source. The TV also features Motion Rate 240 with MEMC (Motion Estimation Motion Compensation) Frame Insertion, which helps to smooth out fast-moving scenes, reducing blur and judder.
The smart features of the Q6 are equally impressive. It runs on the Google TV platform, offering a user-friendly interface and access to a wide range of streaming apps. Features like Ambient Mode, Blue Light Filter, local media playback over USB, and built-in Chromecast are baked in. New for the 2024 model is Apple AirPlay 2 support, expanding its ecosystem compatibility. The TV is also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, offering versatile voice control options. TCL TV+ is included, offering 250+ free channels with limited ads.
An interesting and somewhat unique addition is the analog input for composite video and audio. This feature provides options for connecting legacy devices, which is increasingly rare in modern TVs and could be a selling point for users with older gaming consoles or media players.
Setting up the TCL Q6 is a user-friendly experience, largely thanks to the intuitive Google TV setup process. Upon first power-on, the TV guides you through connecting to your Wi-Fi network, signing into your Google account, and customizing your content preferences. The process is straightforward and should be manageable even for those less tech-savvy.
The physical setup is equally simple. The included feet attach easily with just two screws per foot, making the assembly process quick and hassle-free. For those preferring a wall-mounted setup, the TV is VESA mount compatible, though the mount itself is sold separately.
Initial picture settings are generally well-calibrated out of the box, but the TV does offer a variety of picture modes to suit different viewing preferences and environments. The menu system is intuitive, making it easy to fine-tune settings if desired. Happily, the interface is snappy and the remote easy to use. While backlighting would always be appreciated, it does feature voice control.
The TCL Q6 delivers impressive display performance, especially considering its price point. The QLED technology shines in color reproduction, covering nearly the entire DCI-P3 color space. This wide color gamut results in rich, vibrant colors that bring images to life with impressive accuracy and depth.
Brightness is a notable improvement in the 2024 model. While it may not reach the dazzling peaks of the latest OLED or Mini-LED displays, the Q6 still performs admirably. In our tests, we measured peak brightness levels that hit 610 nits in HDR mode, which is sufficient to provide impactful highlights and a satisfying HDR experience in most viewing environments. This increased brightness also enhances visibility in well-lit rooms, making the Q6 a versatile option for various lighting conditions.
The TV handles contrast well, thanks to its strong native contrast ratio. While the lack of local dimming does result in some slightly elevated blacks in high-contrast scenes, black levels are impressively deep for an LED TV in this price range. This contributes to a pleasing overall picture with good depth and dimensionality.
Motion handling on the Q6 is smooth, thanks to its Motion Rate 240 technology with MEMC (Motion Estimation Motion Compensation) Frame Insertion. This helps to reduce blur and judder in fast-moving scenes, although some viewers might notice occasional artifacts in very complex motion. Reflections are reasonably handled, though the screen is definitely glossy and reflective overall.
The new TCL AIPQ Processor with Deep Learning AI significantly enhances overall picture quality, as well as improving the interface responsiveness. It does an excellent job of optimizing color, contrast, and clarity in real-time. The improved processing power is particularly noticeable when upscaling lower resolution content to 4K, resulting in sharper images and reduced noise compared to its predecessor.
HDR performance is commendable, with broad support including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG. While it may not offer the same peak brightness as premium models, the Q6 still delivers a noticeable improvement in dynamic range and color volume when displaying HDR content.
The TCL Q6 features upgraded 30W speakers, an improvement over the 20W speakers in the previous model. This upgrade does provide a noticeable enhancement in overall audio quality and volume output. The built-in speakers offer clear sound reproduction, particularly for dialogue, which comes through crisp and intelligible in most scenarios.
However, like many built-in TV speakers, the Q6's audio system has its limitations. While watching action-packed movies like "Top Gun: Maverick," the lack of bass depth and impact becomes apparent. The roaring jet engines and explosive sequences that should shake you to your core fall somewhat flat, failing to deliver the cinematic experience that the visuals deserve.
The TV supports Dolby Atmos Audio and DTS Virtual:X, which aim to create a more immersive sound experience. These technologies do add some dimension to the audio, creating a wider soundstage and a sense of spatial awareness. However, the physical limitations of the speakers mean that the effect is subtle rather than transformative.
For casual TV viewing, news, and dialogue-heavy content, the Q6's audio performance is more than adequate. It provides clear vocals and a reasonably wide sound field that fills an average-sized room. However, for those seeking a truly immersive audio experience, especially for movies, sports, or gaming, we recommend pairing the Q6 with a dedicated soundbar or home theater system. Finally, Bluetooth connections are also available, allowing the pairing of headphones.
The Q6 truly excels as a gaming TV, offering performance that rivals much more expensive models. We conducted thorough input lag tests using a Leo Bodnar Lag Tester, and the results were impressive. At 1080p60, we measured an input lag of just 9.2ms, which is not only excellent for a TV in this price range but for any price range. Great job, TCL.
The suite of gaming-specific features further enhances the gaming experience. Auto Game Mode (ALLM) automatically detects when a game console is connected and switches to the optimal low-latency settings. Game Accelerator 120 provides smooth gameplay, particularly beneficial on the larger 85" and 98" models with 120Hz panels.
For console gamers, the Q6 supports variable refresh rate (VRR) technology, which helps eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, resulting in smoother gameplay. While it doesn't have HDMI 2.1 bandwidth for 4K 120Hz gaming, it still offers an excellent experience at 4K 60Hz or 1440p 120Hz for supported games.
The QLED display's vibrant colors and improved brightness also contribute to an immersive gaming experience, bringing game worlds to life with rich, accurate colors and impactful HDR highlights. Even in games without explicit HDR support, the TV's wide color gamut ensures that visuals pop.
Given its price point, the TCL Q6 offers gaming performance that punches well above its weight class. It's an excellent choice for gamers on a budget who don't want to compromise on responsiveness and visual quality.
The Q6's main competition comes from its predecessor, the TCL 65Q650G, as well as other budget-friendly options from brands like Hisense and Vizio. Compared to the 65Q650G, the new model offers several significant improvements:
When compared to similarly priced models from other brands, the Q6 holds its own with its comprehensive feature set, particularly in gaming performance and smart TV capabilities. Its increased brightness also gives it an edge in well-lit environments.
The TCL Q6 Class TV (65Q651G) emerges as a standout option in the 2024 budget TV market, embodying the principle of "budget price, premium performance". It strikes an impressive balance between affordability and capability that warrants our recommendation.
One area where the Q6 truly excels is gaming. "Lightning-fast for gamers" aptly describes its performance, with an impressively low 9.2ms input lag and a suite of gaming-centric features. This level of responsiveness rivals much more expensive sets, making the Q6 an excellent choice for gamers who don't want to compromise on performance but need to watch their budget.
In terms of picture quality, the Q6 delivers vibrant colors and improved brightness over its predecessor, thanks to its quantum dot technology. The enhanced processing power contributes to better overall performance, from smoother smart TV operations to improved upscaling of lower resolution content.
The Q6's value proposition is where it truly shines. It brings several features typically associated with higher-end TVs - like quantum dot technology and support for multiple HDR formats - to a much more accessible price point. This makes it an attractive option for those looking to upgrade their viewing experience without breaking the bank.
The TCL Q6 Class TV (QM651G) sets a benchmark for budget TVs in 2024. It's an excellent choice for mixed-use scenarios, excelling particularly in gaming, and offering good performance for movies, TV shows, and sports. Whether you're looking for a primary TV for a mid-sized living room or a secondary set for a bedroom or gaming space, the Q6 deserves serious consideration. At its price point, it's certainly one of the best values available.
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