TCL X11L: New mini-LED TVs offer up to 10,000 nits and thousands of dimming zones

TCL is probably a well-known budget brand for TV shoppers in the US and many other regions. The Chinese manufacturer is now expanding its lineup with the X11L, although details on a global launch are not available thus far. In China, the X11L is available in 75, 85, and 98 inches for prices roughly ranging from $2,900 to $8,500.

The exact technical specifications for these mini-LED TVs from TCL depend on the screen size. The 75-inch version has 14,400 dimming zones, while the 98-inch version has 20,736 dimming zones. A higher number is usually better, as individual pixels do not light up on their own. Instead, there are many small LEDs placed behind the panel. The more accurately these can be adjusted, the better the picture quality.

For the 98-inch model, TCL claims a peak brightness of 10,000 nits. This number should be taken with a certain amount of caution, as it certainly does not refer to full-screen brightness. Rather unsurprisingly, these are 4K TV and make use of SQD Mini-LED technology, which is intended to prevent color accuracy errors caused by chromatic aberration. According to the TCL, the BT.2020 color space is fully covered, and a color deviation of Delta E < 1 is advertised.

Needless to say, the TCL X11L is a smart TV that can access the usual streaming services without an external media player. Alternatively, devices can be hooked up at resolutions up to 4K at 144Hz. Lastly, the audio system includes three speakers and two woofers for better bass. USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports are also available, as is Ethernet and WiFi.