TCL launches Thunderbird Q9 QD-Mini LED gaming monitor with 240 Hz refresh rate

TCL has been steadily building momentum in the gaming monitor market this year with models like the high-refresh Thunderbird F6, the versatile 32-inch 4K Thunderbird 32U8, and even the massive 57-inch 57R94 ultrawide. Its latest addition is the Thunderbird Q9, a 34-inch QD-Mini LED gaming monitor that pairs an ultrawide curved display with advanced backlighting and a 240 Hz refresh rate. The monitor is currently available in China for 3,999 yuan, which is about $560, with early buyers receiving a complimentary mechanical arm.

As mentioned above, the Thunderbird Q9 features a 34-inch, 21:9 curved panel that features a 3440 × 1440 WQHD resolution and a 1500R curvature. It uses CSOT’s Apex Fast HVA panel technology to achieve a 240 Hz refresh rate and a 1ms GTG response time. To maintain smooth gameplay without visual artifacts, the display is compatible with both AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync technologies.

The Q9’s backlight system uses Mini LED technology with 2,304 local dimming zones, which helps it achieve a 4,000:1 static contrast ratio and a 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. It also reaches a peak brightness of 1,600 nits and has VESA DisplayHDR 1400 certification. For color reproduction, it covers 98% of the DCI-P3 gamut and 100% of sRGB with a factory-calibrated color accuracy of ΔE<2. The Q9 also holds TÜV Rheinland certifications for both low blue light and flicker-free operation.

The monitor’s physical design and connectivity suite are also comprehensive, as it comes equipped with two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, and a USB-C port that supports 90W reverse charging. Additional ports include two USB-A ports, a USB-B uplink for KVM functionality, and a headphone jack. The KVM switch allows users to control two separate PCs with one set of peripherals. The ergonomic stand supports adjustments for tilt, swivel, height, and rotation, and the monitor is compatible with VESA wall mounts.

Design elements include integrated dual 3W speakers, a “Dancing Light” RGB system on the back panel, and a hidden headphone hook. The unit weighs 10.3kg with the stand and has a width of 806.6mm and a height of 360mm without it. The package includes HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, and USB-B to USB-A cables. The Thunderbird Q9 enters a competitive market that includes recent releases from other manufacturers. LG, for instance, has recently launched the UltraGear OLED 45GX900A gaming monitor.

This model uses a Gen 2 WOLED panel, offering a 1440p resolution combined with a 240 Hz refresh rate. The LG monitor provides an exceptionally fast 0.03 ms GtG response time, 275 nits of peak SDR brightness, and a USB Type-C port capable of 65W power delivery. However, the UltraGear OLED is a bit more expensive, with the 45-inch model coming in at $1,299 and the 35-inch version going for $799.