Over the past few years, large format TVs have become increasingly popular and (surprisingly) affordable. Let's compare two of 2024's most impressive offerings: the LG 97" OLED evo G4 Series ($24,999) and the TCL 98" QM8 Series ($7,999).
Before diving into specifics, let's break down what makes these TVs special. The LG uses OLED technology, where each pixel creates its own light. Think of it like millions of tiny lightbulbs that can turn completely off for perfect blacks. TCL's Mini-LED approach uses thousands of small LED lights behind the screen, organized in zones that can dim independently - similar to having a grid of spotlights that can adjust their brightness separately.
The LG OLED evo G4 delivers what many consider the best picture quality available today. When watching movies in a dark room, the perfect blacks and infinite contrast create an almost three-dimensional effect. Having tested both TVs, I can say the OLED's ability to show detail in dark scenes is unmatched - particularly noticeable in movies like "Dune" where shadow detail matters.
The TCL QM8 takes a different approach, focusing on brightness. Its Mini-LED system can get significantly brighter than the OLED, making it better suited for bright rooms or daytime viewing. Sports fans will particularly appreciate this - football games pop even in sunlit rooms.
Both TVs handle 4K content beautifully, but they excel in different scenarios:
LG OLED strengths:
TCL Mini-LED strengths:
Both TVs support modern gaming features:
The LG OLED has a slight edge for gaming with faster response times and G-Sync certification for PC gaming. However, most gamers would be perfectly happy with either option.
If you're building a dedicated home theater, there are some specific factors to consider. The OLED's perfect blacks are incredible in a dark room, creating that true cinema feel. However, the TCL's higher brightness can be beneficial with larger screens, especially if your room isn't completely light-controlled.
Both TVs support Dolby Atmos and other modern audio formats, though you'll likely want a dedicated sound system at this price point. I've found that mounting solutions and reflections are more critical with screens this large - the TCL's anti-reflective coating is particularly effective.
This is where things get interesting. The TCL QM8 delivers about 80-90% of the OLED's performance at roughly one-third the price. For most users, this makes it the more practical choice. However, if you're building a high-end home theater and want the absolute best picture quality, the OLED's premium might be justified.
Both TVs represent 2024 models with significant improvements over their predecessors:
LG OLED G4 improvements:
TCL QM8 improvements:
Consider choosing the LG OLED if:
Consider choosing the TCL Mini-LED if:
Both technologies continue to evolve. OLED is getting brighter while maintaining its perfect blacks, and Mini-LED is getting more precise with additional dimming zones. The LG OLED G4 and TCL QM8 represent the current state of the art in their respective technologies.
For most people, the TCL QM8 represents the better value, offering excellent picture quality and features at a more reasonable price point. However, if you're a video enthusiast or building a dedicated home theater where price is less of a concern, the LG OLED delivers the ultimate in picture quality, particularly for movie watching in controlled lighting.
Remember that at these sizes, proper installation and room setup become crucial factors in the viewing experience. Consider professional installation and take time to properly calibrate whichever TV you choose.
| LG 97" OLED evo G4 ($24,999) | TCL 98" QM8 ($7,999) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Determines core picture quality characteristics | |
| OLED with Micro Lens Array (perfect blacks, best contrast) | Mini-LED (brighter, no burn-in risk) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 1,500 nits (excellent for most content) | 2,800 nits (superior for bright rooms) |
| Local Dimming - Controls contrast and black levels | |
| Per-pixel dimming (perfect precision) | 2,300 zones (very good but can show blooming) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen consoles | |
| 4K/120Hz, VRR, G-Sync, <1ms response | 4K/120Hz, VRR, 4ms response |
| Smart Platform - Affects daily usability | |
| webOS 24 (refined but ads present) | Google TV (more apps, better recommendations) |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality | |
| 60W 4.2 channel (good for casual viewing) | 40W 2.1.2 channel (adequate but basic) |
| Value Proposition - Overall price-to-performance | |
| Premium price, ultimate picture quality | Excellent value, 80% of OLED performance at 33% cost |
| Best Use Case - Where each TV excels | |
| Dark room cinema, premium gaming | Bright rooms, sports, general entertainment |
The LG 97" OLED evo G4 offers superior overall picture quality, especially in dark rooms, with perfect blacks and infinite contrast. However, the TCL 98" QM8 performs better in bright rooms due to its higher peak brightness.
The TCL 98" QM8 performs significantly better in bright rooms due to its higher peak brightness and anti-reflective coating. The LG OLED is better suited for controlled lighting conditions.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: rtings.com - marketplace.sce.com - abt.com - youtube.com - walts.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - youtube.com - fullspecs.net - big-georges.com - techradar.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - camelcamelcamel.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - avsforum.com - bestbuy.com - greentoe.com - tcl.com
