TCL 6-Series vs Samsung: What’s the Better TV Value?

Key Points

• TCL 6-Series and Samsung are competing in the TV manufacturing industry, with TCL offering budget-friendly options and Samsung focusing on premium performance.
• Samsung TVs use the Quantum Processor and Quantum HDR Picture technology for excellent picture quality, while TCL TVs use the AIPQ Engine to optimize different shots and adjust brightness based on the environment.
• Samsung TVs have advanced smart features like Quantum Dot technology, Motion Xcelerator, Object Tracking Sound Lite, and Multi-View, while TCL TVs have Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and hands-free control.

Dubbed the king of television, Samsung has always been one step ahead of its competitors in the TV manufacturing industry. But over the years, new players have emerged and are threatening to dethrone Samsung from its position.

LG and Sony are Samsung’s biggest rivals. However, none has attacked the market more aggressively in the past few years than TCL, especially with their 6-Series models, which are budget-friendly and perform exceptionally.

Samsung saw TCL as a potential threat, so they released the Samsung Q60B and Q60C, two cost-effectivity premium TVs that don’t shy away from excellent performance. Unfortunately, consumers are faced with the biggest challenge.

Though we love this TV battle between brands, it puts us in a peculiar situation because we must identify the right model to buy. Luckily, we have done our due diligence on the Samsung Q60B, Q60C, and TCL 6-Series and identified key differences that will help you choose the best option.

Below is an in-depth review of the TCL 6-Series vs. Samsung. Let’s get to it!

TCL 6-Series vs. Samsung: Side-by-Side Comparison  

TCL 6-Series vs. Samsung: What’s the Difference?

The TCL 6-Series has emerged as a budget-friendly, well-performing TV that can rival mid-range TVs from other manufacturers. But Samsung is known for its premium TVs that always perform outstandingly. So, what sets these TVs apart? Keep reading to find out.

Design

With an edge-to-edge display, both TCL TVs have a seamless design that makes them attractive at first glance. Moreover, TCL incorporated a brushed metal finish around both 6-Series TVs to make them more stable.

However, the TVs’ cable management system and stand differentiate them. The Google TV TCL 6-Series model boasts two stands, while the Roku model has an adjustable middle stand that we normally see on the latest TVs on the market.

Our Pick

TCL 75" Class 6-Series 4K Mini-LED QLED

$1,573.65

• 4K Ultra HD
• Mini-LED backlight technology
• Quantum dot technology delivers more than a billion colors with greater precision
• Up to 240 localized contrast control zones

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09/20/2023 08:23 am GMT

Samsung attacked the market with their Q60B and Q60C TVs, which have an air-slim design that perfectly blends into any wall. Furthermore, the TVs’ curves are eye-catching and perfect for your interior décor, especially if you hang other paintings beside them.

Overall, this battle has no outright winner, as all models have decent designs. However, there is something unique about TCL TVs’ edge-to-edge display that makes them stand out.

Picture Processor

Running on the Quantum Processor, the Q60B and Q60C upscale image quality in real-time, delivering HD pictures when streaming content. Moreover, Samsung paired this processor with 4K AI upscaling, which is software that uses AI to boost your content’s image quality to 4K, making images clear, sharp, and more detailed.

Adding to both TVs’ specs is their adaptive picture, which allows your TV to adapt to your environment. So, if you’re watching a film in a well-lit room, these Samsung TVs will automatically adjust their brightness settings to accommodate the room’s current condition.

But where these Samsung TVs shine the most is their Quantum HDR Picture technology, which Samsung perfectly paired with controlled backlights. As such, these TVs automatically create blacks in dark-themed movies, making the images more realistic.

Best Smart TV

TCL 65-Inch 6-Series R635

$1,653.09

• Dolby Vision HDR
• 3840 x 2160 panel resolution
• Quantum Dot Technology (better brightness and wider color volume)
• Up to 240 localized zones for a striking contrast
• Roku Smart TV

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09/20/2023 05:53 am GMT

Conversely, TCL TVs use the AIPQ Engine for picture processing. Like Samsung’s Quantum Processor, the AIPQ Engine uses AI to upscale your movie’s visual appeal in real-time. But the stand-out feature in these TCLs is the TVs’ ability to identify and optimize different shots to make them more realistic.

For instance, the AIPQ Engine can recognize the difference between night and day scenes in real-time, which allows it to enhance the picture quality of that specific scene to make it lifelike. Moreover, thanks to the AIPQ Engine, these TCL TVs can adjust the TV’s brightness based on your current environment.

Overall, the picture quality in these Samsung TVs is reliable since they can stand the test of time, but we cannot completely discredit the benefits of TCL’s AIPQ Engine.

Even though this picture processor debate is close, the Samsung TVs slightly edge the TCL TVs out because of the different technologies included to improve picture quality.

Gaming Experience

You can game every day after work thanks to Samsung’s gaming hub that doesn’t require a gaming console; you can stream select Xbox games on your TV.

Besides eliminating the financial costs of buying a gaming console, you won’t have to hassle with these games, as they are readily available on the Xbox gaming platform for free. Moreover, the Q60B and Q60C boast a 60Hz refresh rate, which isn’t mind-blowing but is decent for moderate gaming.

On the other hand, you can play like a pro with the TCL 6-Series TVs. They have an auto gaming mode, which reduces the TV’s input lag. As such, you don’t have to worry about slow responses, even during intensive gaming.

Best Mid-Range Option

SAMSUNG 75-Inch QLED Q60B (2022 Model)

$1,247.95

• Dual LED backlights
• Voice control capable with Alexa
• Quantum Processor Lite with 4K upscaling
• Quantum HDR delivers an expanded range of color and contrast

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09/20/2023 08:14 am GMT

Adding to the TCL TVs’ gaming specs is a 120Hz refresh rate, which ensures smooth pictures that make the games more realistic. Moreover, the Roku TCL TVs have a Game Studio Pro, giving you the ultimate cinematic gaming experience.

Overall, we seem to have a tie in this case because you risk losing something if you choose one TV. So, the only solution is to choose the gaming TV that suits your needs.  

Other Smart Features

Let’s now talk about other intelligent features. Thanks to Samsung’s Quantum Dot technology, you will notice jaw-dropping vibrant colors that allow you to experience these TVs’ High Dynamic Range (HDR) potential. Moreover, the Q60C and Q60B are dual LED TVs, meaning they have two LEDs that shine warm and cold lights. 

Adding to the Samsung TVs’ value is the Motion Xcelerator, which eliminates blur in fast-paced games or movies. You will experience smooth motions even at average refresh rates.

But the main appeal of these Samsung TVs is their Object Tracking Sound Lite feature, which allows you to experience 3D sound. And with Samsung’s Q-symphony 3.0 feature, you can easily pair these TVs with a Samsung soundbar to get an orchestra-like sound experience.

In addition, the Samsung Q60B has a Multi-View feature that allows you to watch two things simultaneously, including displaying your smartphone’s content on one side of the screen. And thanks to the pre-installed Google Duo, you can hold conference meetings on your big screen.

Our Pick

SAMSUNG 75-Inch Q60C (2023 Model)

$1,077.95

• Quantum Dot technology 
• Quantum Processor Lite with 4K Upscaling
• Quantum HDR (deep blacks and impressive contrast)
• Motion Xcelerator
• 3D surround sound

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09/20/2023 08:19 am GMT

Lastly, the TVs have Samsung Health, which helps you burn calories and stay in shape. The app has multiple workout videos and tracks your daily activities.

Conversely, TCL 6-Series TVs have Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, which deliver superior 4K visuals while immersing you in the best surround sound. Adding to their specs is the hands-free control feature that lets you use voice commands. Moreover, the Roku TV user interface is impressive and navigation is easy, which is a bonus for TCL enthusiasts.

Overall, both Samsung and TCL TVs boast multiple advanced features that we don’t usually see in some QLED TVs on the market. However, Samsung TVs’ smart features are unmatched, which is unsurprising considering the innovative technology we see in other Samsung products.

Price

Last but not least, we have the prices. We are used to expensive Samsung products, but in our case, the Q60B and Q60C TVs are cheaper than the TCL 6-Series TVs. For example, the 75-inch Q60B TV costs $999.99, while a similar-sized Q60C costs $1399.99.

On the other hand, a 75-inch 6-Series TV with Google TV or Roku TV costs $1799.99 and $1499.99, respectively.

Samsung TVs give you more options, as you can choose a 32”, 43”, 50”, 55”, 65”, 70”, 75”, or 85” TV. In contrast, TCL 6-Series TVs are only available from 55 inches onwards.

History of TCL 6-Series TVs

The TCL 6-Series’ history dates back to 2014 when TCL introduced its first QLED TV that used Quantum Dot Color technology. Before then, TCL was mainly an LED TV manufacturer. However, releasing a QLED TV that uses Roku TV was a game changer.

The TCL 3-Series was TCL’s first TV under their “Series” umbrella. It boasted multiple cutting-edge features that were famous in 2020. Moreover, their biggest selling point at the time involved producing premium TVs at a lower price.

Fast forward to 2022, TCL released their 6-Series TVs, an upgrade to their predecessor, the 5-Series TVs. Besides the advanced features in the 6-Series TVs, TCL incorporated Google TV into one of the models, their biggest change compared to the 3-Series TVs that used Android TV.

Overall, the TCL 6-Series TVs depict the massive improvements TCL has made to its TVs to compete with other large brands like Samsung and LG.

History of Samsung TVs

To understand the history of the Q60B and Q60C TVs, we must first look at Samsung’s rich history. As such, we must travel back in time to 1969, when Samsung joined the electronics industry with their black and white TVs, which were impressive at the time.

However, it wasn’t until 2017 that Samsung figured out a way to manufacture QLED TVs, which gave rise to the Samsung Q-Series TVs. The Q60A premiered in 2021 and set the pace for the next TV, the Samsung Q60B. Samsung later released the Q60C, cementing its position as the leading QLED TV manufacturer.

TCL 6-Series Vs. Samsung: 5 Must-Know Facts

1. The Samsung Q60B and Q60C TVs are cheaper than the TCL 6-Series TVs, which is surprising considering they have multiple advanced features that make them stand out.
2. Samsung’s Quantum processor boosts the TV’s picture quality and is similar to TCL’s AIPQ Engine.
3. Some TCL 6-Series TVs use Roku TV, while others use Google TV.
4. The smallest TCL 6-Series TV you can buy is a 55-inch one. Samsung has a 32-inch TV that perfectly suits those on a budget.
5. Samsung TVs have a gaming hub feature, allowing you to stream Xbox games without connecting the main console.

TCL 6-Series vs. Samsung: Which One Is Better?

You probably know both smart TVs’ specs, but which one is better? Well, it depends on your needs but, looking closely, the Samsung TVs edge out the TCL 6-Series TVs. The reviewed Samsung TVs don’t have the boundary-breaking design seen in the TCL TVs, but their picture quality is jaw-dropping thanks to Samsung’s Quantum processor.

Moreover, Samsung is known for its innovative technology, which we can see from the Q60B and Q60C’s intelligent features. In addition, the reviewed Samsung TVs are cheaper and have more sizes than TCL TVs, which is an added advantage.

However, we cannot completely discredit TCL TVs, as they have notable outstanding features, like their 120Hz refresh rate. Overall, choose a TV that meets all your needs to ensure you get value for money.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©8th.creator/Shutterstock.com.