What Mini LED Changes Behind the Screen

Mini LED replaces conventional backlight LEDs with many much smaller LEDs. This allows the backlight to be divided into more independently controlled physical dimming zones. Each zone can respond to a smaller area of the image, dimming darker sections while keeping brighter elements illuminated.

Not all products labelled “Mini LED” deliver the same capability. The term describes the type of backlight technology being used, but it does not provide a complete measure of picture performance. (some feature edge-lit technology or no local dimming modules at all)

*All TCL Models named MiniLED will contain Full Array Local Dimming (FALD)

For viewers, this can mean clearer shadow detail, stronger highlights, and cleaner separation between bright and dark objects. For example, subtitles can appear with less visible glow against a black background, stars can retain sharper edges in a night sky, and stadium lights can remain bright without unnecessarily washing out surrounding areas.

https://preview.redd.it/okf8nlcuv3kh1.png?width=1919&format=png&auto=webp&s=6a2212f6d1f5e84134467b70163d16b167c4db11

High-performance Mini LED depends on several physical elements working together. These include the size of the LEDs, how densely they are arranged behind the panel and how many independently controlled local dimming zones the television can support.

The image shows the same frame running across several TCL Mini LED backlights, with the completed picture displayed above. Even without the LCD panels attached, you can see the backlights mapping the position of the man in the suit and the surrounding scene.

As you move into the higher-end models, the denser backlights reproduce more of the original image. On the most advanced versions, the man, his suit and details from the background are clearly recognisable before the LCD panel is even added.

Physical dimming-zone count is therefore an important specification. More zones allow the backlight to control smaller sections of the picture, improving precision between areas of light and darkness.

Zone count should not, however, be considered in isolation. The quality of the optical design, panel and intelligent dimming algorithms also matters. Hardware creates the foundation, while processing determines how quickly and accurately the individual zones respond to the content on screen.

The most useful question is therefore not simply whether a television carries a Mini LED label. It is how the complete backlight and image-control system has been designed.

65\" C8L

TCL SQD-Mini LED Series

Among TCL’s Mini LED technologies, SQD-Mini LED represents the latest development. It combines All-Domain Halo Control, Super Quantum Dot and advanced colour-filter technology to manage brightness, contrast and colour across the complete image, helping bright objects maintain cleaner edges with controlled blooming and stable colour.

TCL uses SQD-Mini LED across its 2026 European range, including the flagship X11L, C8L and C7L.

The X11L offers up to 20,736 Precise Dimming Zones, 10,000 nits of HDR peak brightness and 100% BT.2020 colour coverage. It also features a WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel, Audio by Bang & Olufsen and an ultra-thin design.

TCL QD-Mini LED Series

The Mini LED portfolio also extends to the P8L, giving more viewers access to TCL’s QD-Mini LED technology across different price points.

QD-Mini LED combines a Full Array Local Dimming backlight with Quantum Dot colour, bringing together precise light control, impactful brightness and a wider colour gamut.

The P8L also features a native 144Hz refresh rate for clear motion across films, sport and gaming, alongside a built-in Onkyo 2.1 Hi-Fi system for more immersive sound.

Link for FULL REVIEW

Simon Lucas is a freelance technology journalist and consultant, with particular emphasis on the audio/video aspects of home entertainment. Before embracing the carefree life of the freelancer, he was editor of What Hi-Fi? magazine and website – since then, he's written for titles such as Wired, Metro, the Guardian and Stuff, among many others. Should he find himself with a spare moment, Simon likes nothing more than publishing and then quickly deleting tweets about the state of the nation (in general), the state of Aston Villa (in particular) and the state of his partner's cat.

T3 Review:

“The C7L is not only a great advert for TCL’s Super Quantum Dot (SQD) technology, it’s also a great all-around picture-maker that serves up endlessly watchable, high-contrast HDR (high dynamic range) images from any source capable of delivering them. It uses its prodigious brightness in a thoughtful and mature way, rather than just turning it up to ‘11’ the entire time – and when you add in the great colour fidelity, fine motion-handling and undeniable advantages it brings to gaming, it's most certainly the real deal. Sound quality is nothing to write home about, it’s true, but that's fixed with a soundbar purchase.” Simon Lucas

The C7L full review - T3 website

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Sound Advice:

TCL 65C7L MiniLed 65'' Video Review - Youtube

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From our perspective at TCL, following the award-winning C7K was always going to be a challenge. It is encouraging to see the C7L’s SQD picture quality, controlled brightness and gaming performance recognised across both reviews. We also appreciate the clear criticism around reflections, off-axis viewing and sound, as this helps customers decide whether the C7L is right for their room and setup.

Hey I'm Dan I work for TCL here on Reddit

We will be part of a HUGE display at Gamescom, it should be a real-show stopper!

I'll personally be attending from the 24th - 28th

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Come check out the display, If you have any questions I'd be happy to help!

I'm also super excited being a gamer - getting a free ticket for "work"

TCL is bringing AI Inspired Life to IFA 2026

TCL is heading to Berlin this September with its immersive Inspiration Habitat at IFA 2026.

The experience will bring together visual entertainment, connected home technology and smart living, showing how AI can make everyday experiences more intuitive and immersive.

TCL UK will be attending and sharing coverage from the event, including new products, hands-on impressions and a closer look at the technology on display.

If you’re attending IFA, you can find us here:

📍 Hall 21A, Messe Berlin
📅 4–8 September

As a gamer myself, I’ve had the fantastic achievement of reaching Bronze in Season 1.

Now we’re working with Martin “Rekkles” Larsson, whose record is slightly more impressive: four European championships, four MVP awards, three Finals MVP awards and a World Championship final appearance.

I’ll also be heading to Gamescom with TCL, where we’ll have a huge display of gaming monitors and TVs showcasing a brand-new playable game. I can’t wait to share more from the event!

https://reddit.com/link/1vg4nex/video/gn4sm7bwgjhh1/player

We're proud to announce that Rekkles is officially joining the TCL Team as our newest partner.

Martin “Rekkles” Larsson is one of the most recognisable names in European League of Legends.

During a professional career spanning more than a decade, Rekkles has become a four-time LEC champion, four-time LEC MVP and three-time Finals MVP, building a loyal fanbase across Europe.

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This is the TCL A400U currently at our new UK office.

I was recently asked about the differences between the A400U and A400 Pro, so I wanted to create a brief comparison to help you decide which TCL art TV best suits your home.

If we judge these two models purely on picture quality, the A400U is the clear winner. It offers substantially higher HDR brightness, more local dimming zones and a glossier HVA Pro panel, producing a brighter and more vibrant picture.

However, choosing the right model is not quite that simple.

Art TVs are designed to complement your home décor rather than look like a conventional television. Many art TVs compromise on picture quality by using edge-lit backlights with limited brightness and contrast. Both the A400U and A400 Pro use QD-Mini LED technology with full-array local dimming on the 55-inch models and above, but they approach the lifestyle TV concept differently.

A good art TV needs to work in two ways. It should blend naturally into the room when displaying artwork, but it should also deliver strong picture quality when used for films, television and gaming. The bezel, wall-mounted design and screen finish create the framed-art effect, while brightness and local dimming determine how well it performs as a TV.

The A400 Pro is the more traditional art display. Its light-walnut woodgrain bezel resembles a picture frame, while the matte HVA screen softens reflections and creates a paper-like finish. When displaying artwork, this combination makes the screen look much closer to a framed painting or canvas.

The A400U is the better choice if picture quality is your priority. It delivers 2,500 nits of HDR brightness and up to 1,344 Precise Dimming Zones, compared with up to 1,000 nits and 448 zones on the A400 Pro. Its low-reflection HVA Pro panel produces a brighter and punchier picture, while the flat design and matte-black border allow it to sit subtly against the wall.

For a bright room, the best model depends on how you intend to use it.

The A400U has substantially greater brightness, making it the stronger choice for daytime television, films, gaming and HDR content. The A400 Pro’s matte screen is better at softening direct reflections and creating a more convincing paper-like appearance when displaying artwork.

If you are looking for the best art TV for picture quality, the A400U is the stronger all-round choice. It combines the subtle appearance of a wall-mounted lifestyle TV with the brightness and local dimming performance expected from a premium Mini LED television.

If you want artwork to resemble a real painting and complement the rest of your home décor, the A400 Pro is the better art display. Its matte screen and woodgrain frame make it feel more like part of the room.

The A400 Pro is the better art display. The A400U is the better performance TV.

Brightness and dimming-zone figures vary by screen size.

https://reddit.com/link/1veezml/video/7u25p2voq5hh1/player

Pete Matheson heads to the beach... and explains 100% BT.2020 Colour

Pete Matheson breaks down TCL’s SQD Mini LED technology and explains how the TCL X11L and C8L combine Super Quantum Dot technology with an advanced Ultra Colour Filter. The result is high peak brightness, strong contrast and up to 100% BT.2020 colour coverage.

First off - I'm aware the thumbnail uses both Colour and Color...

SQD stands for Super Quantum Dot. The technology converts light into precise reds, greens and blues, helping the Mini LED backlight produce a wider range of colours while maintaining colour purity during bright HDR scenes.

BT.2020 is a wider colour standard than DCI-P3. It gives compatible films, games and HDR content access to a broader range of colours, from subtle natural tones to more vivid reds, greens and blues.

“All Scenes Wide Colour Gamut” means this wider colour range is not limited to bright or highly saturated demo footage. SQD Mini LED is designed to maintain pure, stable colours across different content, including dark scenes, natural-looking films and colourful HDR animation.

The X11L is TCL’s flagship Mini LED TV, offering the highest levels of brightness, local dimming and light control. The C8L is a more accessible premium option that brings many of the same SQD Mini LED colour benefits to a wider audience. You also have our introductory SQD model C7L, however that's not mentioned in this video - so lets move on.

Watch the video to learn how TCL SQD Mini LED works and what its wider colour gamut means for real-world picture quality.

Disclaimer: This video was sponsored by TCL.

The 85-inch TCL RM9L RGB Mini LED is now set up in the studio. There are no curtains currently, so you can see how it handles bright living spaces.

After spending time with it:
Watching Movies, Animation, Gaming and random colour tests on YouTube.

RGB Mini LED technology delivers exceptional colour. Whether you’re watching films, gaming, or streaming.

Dolby Vision content, the picture quality is seriously impressive. *It will also feature Dolby Vision 2 Max variation, once updated.

The 85-inch TCL RM9L features 8,736 Precise Colour Zones (2,912 Dimming zones) , delivers up to 4,000 nits peak HDR brightness. It’s available in 85-inch, 98-inch, and an enormous 115-inch version the latter of which I had the chance to see in Paris, and it’s an absolute showstopper.

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The reason we position our SQD X11L above the RM9L as the pinnacle of Mini LED technology comes down to several key advantages.

The X11L can accommodate substantially more local dimming zones because it does not require colour zones made up of RGB diodes.

While RGB Mini LED technology offers certain benefits, it is significantly more complex and expensive to manufacture.

By focusing on a white Mini LED backlight, the X11L is able to achieve a much higher zone count and greater peak brightness while not having the drawback of colour crosstalk. (Crosstalk is like blooming but with colours)

As Arsenal’s Official Global Partner, and following the club’s 2025/26 Premier League title triumph, we thought it was the perfect time to upgrade the TCL box at Emirates Stadium ahead of the new season.

We’ve refreshed everything from the TV and décor to the cabinetry and storage.

At the centre of the upgrade is the new 65-inch TCL A400U Premium Wallpaper QD-Mini LED TV, replacing the previous TCL C6K.

The 65A400U features 576 precise dimming zones and up to 2,500 nits HDR peak brightness, delivering stronger contrast and a brighter picture overall. So a BIG upgrade in performance in all areas (apart from perhaps sound which is ONKYO 2.0) this is due to the flush fitting nature but we're planning to add a soundbar anyways!

That additional performance should be particularly useful during daytime Arsenal matches when sunlight is pouring into the box. (can't drink outside) or winter when you need a break from the cold weather.

The A400U’s incredibly slim design also fits perfectly into the new cabinet and gives the entire space a much cleaner finish.

I can’t wait for the 2026/27 Premier League season to begin and see the upgraded TCL box being put to proper use.

A look inside TCL UK’s new office – including the 85-inch RM9L RGB Mini-LED

Hey, it’s Dan from TCL here. I wanted to share the major upgrade to our UK home: our new office!

As you walk in, you’re now greeted by the TCL signage and a 75-inch C7K mounted on the wall. On the opposite side, we have an A300W on its art stand, paired with the matching white A65K soundbar. It features Audio by Bang & Olufsen, a 3.1.2-channel configuration, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Monitors there are various different options - The newest addition is the 27P3A, QD-MiniLED with 180 Dimming Zones.

Our largest meeting room is home to the 98-inch Q7C. This model is going to be discontinued this year, but the picture quality is still incredible, so it could be worth considering while it’s still available.

It might not look especially large in the photos, but a 98-inch TV is enormous once you get it home. We found that out the hard way when we had to carry it up four flights of stairs through the fire escape!

We also have the new 55-inch A400U, which combines Mini-LED local dimming with a razor-thin design that allows it to sit almost flush against the wall.

Elsewhere in the meeting rooms, we have a 75-inch P8K and a 75-inch C6K.

Finally, our TikTok studio and showroom is home to the -inch RM9L RGB Mini-LED. I’m planning to bring in my PlayStation or connect the Xbox so I can properly test it for myself.

Work is tough sometimes…

As we continue to develop our UK office and showroom, I’d love to know what you would like to see from us in the future. We’re planning some big collaborations here on Reddit, along with giveaways, event coverage and more opportunities to involve the community.

Let me know what you’d like us to cover!

We’ve finally moved into our new UK office, which means I’ll now have access to more TVs for hands-on testing, comparisons and future content.

The main attraction, though, is in the showroom: the 85” TCL RM9L RGB Mini LED. Ideally we would have a X11L but they're currently out for review.

I first saw the RM9L at TCL’s European launch event in Paris in colossal 115", but having the 85” model set up in the office means I can finally spend more time with it properly.

The 85RM9L combines RGB Mini LED, up to 4,000 nits peak brightness, 8,736 colour-control zones and 100% BT.2020 colour coverage. It also supports native 144Hz, HDMI 2.1, VRR and FreeSync Premium Pro, with audio tuned by Bang & Olufsen.

The signage still says "QLED"... but don't let that fool you (check the stand).

The showroom is still a work in progress, so there are a few leftovers from our previous office. I've not had a chance to fully revamp everything yet, but that's next on the list.

Hopefully it won't be long before the whole space reflects the 2026 line-up properly.

Other models still include

75" C7K

98" Q7C

55" A300

Global Brand Ambassador Eileen Gu cheered on La Roja and celebrated the passion of football with us. I had seen a few photo's here but had a few more!

[I removed all water markers using advanced cropping skills.]

London, 01^(st) July 2026: TCL, a global leader in consumer electronics and the world’s No.1 Ultra-large, Mini LED and Google TV brand, today announces the opportunity for consumers to claim Five-Year promotional warranty, underwritten/provided by Opia, offering consumers warranty coverage across its range of 2026 televisions**. The programme combines TCL's standard two-year manufacturer warranty with an additional three-year promotional warranty, delivering a full five years of peace of mind from the date of purchase.  

The announcement marks a moment for a brand that has gone from strength to strength in the UK market, building on the quality and reliability of its products. From the moment of purchase, TCL’s standard two-year manufacturer warranty provides complete coverage against defects and faults. At the 24-month mark, consumers can now extend their protection free of charge for a further three years by registering via TCL’s dedicated online redemption portal at https://www.tclpromotions.com/platform/extendedwarranty/en-GB,   which went live on 1 July 2026. Full terms and conditions are available at the same address. Consumers wishing to claim must do so no later than 30 June 2027, all submissions received by that date will be fully processed within 30 days. 

Consumers who have already purchased an eligible 2026 TCL product are equally entitled to the benefit. Existing customers can register via the portal, with proof of purchase confirming their eligibility and receipt re-dating available where required. The warranty claim is only available from select retailers* in the UK within the time period specified. 

TCL also recently announced the launch of Google Gemini across a range of TCL TV models in Europe, combining premium display performance with more intuitive smart experiences for consumers. This update extended to the brands 2025 TV models, with availability dependent on individual device eligibility and system update progress, showcasing its commitment to UK Consumers. 

With Google Gemini users can interact with TCL TVs more naturally by just using their voice, making it easier to discover content, ask questions, control compatible smart home devices, play music, or access personalised recommendations. Google TV with Gemini also supports more conversational search, helping viewers refine what they want to watch without needing exact titles or direct commands. 

The Five-Year Warranty and Google Gemini update feeds into TCL’s wider ambition to compete at the high end of the premium consumer electronics market. As the brand’s footprint continues to grow, initiatives such as this reflect a belief that TCL can make products and promises it is proud to keep. 

*UK only and selected retailers. For more information please check retailer websites and https://www.tclpromotions.com/platform/extendedwarranty/en-GB for more details.  

**Applicable models include: 85X11L-UK, 75X11L-UK, 98RM9L-UK, 85RM9L-UK, 98C8L-UK, 85C8L-UK, 75C8L-UK, 65C8L-UK, 55C8L-UK, 115C7K-UK, 98C7L-UK, 85C7L-UK, 75C7L-UK, 65C7L-UK, 55C7L-UK, 85RM7L-UK, 75RM7L-UK, 65RM7L-UK, 85Q7D-UK, 75Q7D-UK, 65Q7D-UK, 75A400 PRO-UK, 65A400 PRO-UK, 55A400 PRO-UK, 43A400 PRO-UK, 98A400U-UK, 85A400U-UK, 75A400U-UK, 65A400U-UK, 55A400U-UK, 98A400M-UK, 85A400M-UK, 75A400M-UK, 65A400M-UK, 55A400M-UK 

‘Super Rob’ celebrates the Gunners’ Premier League win in Guangzhou! 

As a global partner of Arsenal, TCL invited the Invincibles legend Robert Pires to meet fans, celebrate the victory and watch the city’s landmark shine. 

Rob also got hands on with TCL's flagship SQD-Mini LED TV and an exclusive visit to the TCL air conditioner smart manufacturing base!