TCL 98C8L 98-inch SQD-Mini LED 4K Google TV

The TCL 98C8L is the largest model in the C8L series at 98-inch, with 4032 precise dimming zones and HDR peak brightness of 6000nits, the same as the 85C8L and the highest in the C8L series. It suits families who have set aside a whole wall or a long TV cabinet and want to build a home cinema in the living room.

4032 precise dimming zones finely control light and dark across the 98-inch picture

It has the most zones in the C8L series, so when you dim the living room lights to watch a film, blooming around bright areas is reduced as well.

SQD-Mini LED backlighting produces ultra-pure white light through Super Quantum Dot. Light from neighbouring zones does not interfere, which avoids colour crosstalk and reduces colour shifts as a result.

All-domain Halo Control is made up of the Powerful Light-emitting Chip, Super Condensed Micro Lens and Micro-OD, giving each zone several times the blooming control of an ordinary zone. The Powerful Light-emitting Chip greatly improves brightness and energy efficiency over the previous-generation chip. TCL's in-house Super Condensed Micro Lens uses an arch-bridge design to control the direction of light point by point, giving an evenly spread backlight and clear detail.

In film scenes where light and dark are interwoven, 26-bit Dynamic Dimming makes the transitions between light and dark smooth and natural.

HDR 6000nits peak brightness, with bright highlights that still keep detail in dark areas

The TV supports Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, HLG and IMAX Enhanced video formats, with a colour gamut of up to 100% BT.2020. The TSR AiPQ picture processor combines AI with TCL's own tuned algorithms to optimise sharpness, contrast, colour and motion pixel by pixel, so action scenes look smooth and detailed.

The WHVA 2.0 Ultra panel uses a liquid crystal microstructure to improve native contrast, for clear light and dark on a big picture

This microstructure precisely controls the amount of light passing through and, together with upgraded colour filters, reproduces colour accurately. The panel has an ultra-wide colour viewing angle, so even when a family sits at either end of the sofa, the picture is less prone to colour shift.

When daytime sunlight shines into the living room, reflections on the screen are hard to avoid. The 0.5% Low Reflection Film reduces glare and keeps the picture clear and sharp.

The Micro-OD optical design keeps the body thickness to 54.4mm, and the Virtually ZeroBorder design narrows the black borders around the screen for a wide field of view.

Native 144Hz refresh rate keeps sports, action films and games smooth

The whole signal chain supports 4K 144Hz, so even fast-moving images are less likely to blur. When a 288Hz HDMI source is connected and runs at Full HD 1080p resolution, the refresh rate can rise further to 288Hz.

When gaming, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro reduces stutter and screen tearing. Gamebar has a dedicated screen for each of the three major games consoles, and commonly used tools and game modes are gathered in one interface, so you can adjust settings to your own preference before you start playing.

Google TV hands-free voice control, and Audio by Bang & Olufsen sound that changes the sound mood instantly

You can control the TV by voice without picking up the remote, and content from a phone or tablet can be cast to the TV via Google Cast, AirPlay 2 or Miracast, which makes it easy to watch together with the family.

Wireless connectivity supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4. The TV also has 4 HDMI ports, so games consoles, set-top boxes and other devices can be connected at the same time, with no need to keep unplugging them.

The same engineers who created B&O's classic sound systems helped design and tune the built-in speakers, and the TV also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats. Simply move the pointer on the circular Beosonic interface and the sound mood changes instantly; your favourite sound modes can be saved and used again at any time.

For everyday viewing you can use the built-in speakers directly. To strengthen dialogue, bass or surround sound further, you can add a soundbar via eARC.

98C8L or 85C8L? Picture and placement compared

Both have the same HDR brightness of 6000nits. The 98C8L's zones rise from the 85C8L's 3200 to 4032, and the screen grows from 85-inch to 98-inch.

On placement, the 98C8L is 2166mm wide with stand, and its stand footprint is 1855mm wide and 420mm deep. The 85C8L is 1880mm wide with stand, and its stand footprint is only 411 x 379mm. If your living room wall and TV cabinet are wide enough, you can choose the 98-inch big picture of the 98C8L. If space is limited, the 85C8L is easier to place.

Before you buy

• Dimensions with stand are 2166 x 1272 x 420mm (W x H x D). The stand footprint is 1855mm wide and 420mm deep, and the TV cabinet must be at least 1855mm wide and 420mm deep.
• VESA wall-mount pattern is 600 x 500mm, and the TV weighs 57.5kg without the stand.
• Package dimensions are 2384 x 1430 x 215mm and the package weighs 80.5kg. Please measure the lift, doorways and corridor turns before delivery.
• Hong Kong Grade 2 energy label, with annual energy consumption of 299kWh.
• Comes with a 3-year warranty.
• The C8L series is also available in 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch and 85-inch models.