Name: TCL T7
Brand: TCL

The 55T7 is a native 120 Hz television. Its 65-, 75- and 85-inch siblings are 144 Hz, even though some retail selectors use the larger figure across the line. For a console that outputs at up to 120 Hz, the smaller panel already reaches the relevant ceiling. Screen size and picture quality deserve more attention than the missing 24 Hz.

Picture & Sound

55-inch QLED LCD
Google TV

Yahoo Tech’s Rick Broida set up a 55-inch set in a bedroom and compared it with a Hisense E6. A common YouTube clip looked similar on the two sets, while he preferred the E6’s color on Netflix. That is a viewer’s preference on particular material, not a measurement of color accuracy. He also found the T7’s bass light and louder listening rather harsh. ¹

Gaming

55 inches: 4K/120Hz
65, 75 & 85 inches: 4K/144Hz

A gaming PC that can output 144 Hz is one reason to consider a larger T7. A console player should first confirm that the game offers a 120 fps mode and use the correct input settings. A panel able to display 120 frames cannot make a 30 fps game supply them. No exact input-lag figure follows from the refresh label.

Size & Installation

55-inch installed depth: 10.8 in
55-inch VESA: 300 × 300 mm

With the feet attached, the 55-inch T7 is 48.2 inches wide, 30 inches high and 10.8 inches deep. TCL’s drawing shows 36.4 inches between the marked foot positions. The tips splay beyond those marks, so allow more room on the cabinet. The 65- and 75-inch models have narrow and wide foot positions. If you mount the 55-inch set instead, it takes a 300 × 300 mm VESA bracket.

Backlighting & HDR

Direct LED backlight
Global dimming
Dolby Vision & HDR10+

The T7 uses a direct LED backlight with global dimming. The quantum dots contribute to color, while the backlight adjusts across the picture as a whole. In a scene with white subtitles on a dark background, it cannot dim just the area around the words. The TV accepts both Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Compare the Mini LED QM6K if dark-room contrast is a higher priority than the format list.

Smart TV & Audio

Google TV
AirPlay 2 & Google Cast
55-inch audio: stereo, 20 W

Google TV can play streaming apps directly, and both AirPlay 2 and Google Cast can start compatible content from a phone. The 55-inch T7 has a 20-watt stereo system. Given the thin bass Yahoo Tech heard on that size, an existing soundbar is worth trying with a film you know. Use the eARC connection for it and plug consoles into the TV’s other HDMI inputs. ¹

Alternatives

The 55-inch QM6K is worth the step up for a dark room: its Mini LED backlight can dim separate areas of the picture. It also has two inputs that accept 4K at 144 Hz. The 55-inch T7 tops out at 120 Hz. If your console or cable box supplies no more than 120 Hz, compare the two for their backlighting before paying extra for the higher refresh ceiling.

Verdict

The 55-inch T7 is the sensible size to consider for a smaller console room. Move up for more screen area or a PC that can use 144 Hz. Buy separate audio if clear impact at higher volumes is important to the setup.

TCL T7 review

Pros

Cons