Since this is a translation of an overseas article, there may be mistranslations.
https://www.avcesar.com/tv-tcl-c8l-la-8e-generation-sqd-mini-led-pour-democratiser-l-excellence-visuelle-47181
TCL C8L: 8th Gen SQD Mini LED to Democratize Visual Excellence
Following the launch of the TCL SQD Mini LED X11L series TV, a new C8L Mini LED SQD Gen 8 series is being introduced, adopting most of the core technologies but in a more accessible version.
This 2026 model maintains ultra-high density backlighting, high luminance, and 100% BT.2020 color gamut coverage. These offerings position the TCL C8L Mini LED TV series as one of the most ambitious products on the market.
The C8L series consists of five models: TCL 55C8L, 65C8L, 75C8L, 85C8L, and 98C8L. All utilize an 8th Gen SQD Mini LED backlight system employing blue LEDs and Super Quantum Dot technology. Positioned below the X11L series but above the C7L, the C8L aims to be the ideal compromise between high-end performance and controlled pricing.
Exploring the Evolution Points of the TV TCL C8L SQD Mini LED Gen 8
At the heart of the Gen 8 backlight lies a further optimized diode called 'Super Condensed Micro Lens' (holding 34 patents as of 2026) designed to solve the Color CrossTalk (color mixing at adjacent color levels) issue. Additionally, TCL's proprietary Deep Color system is incorporated, combining Super Quantum Dot (Super QLED) crystals with an UltraColor filter and a high-end color fidelity algorithm (26-bit internal processing compared to 23 bits in 2025). The goal remains the same: eliminate Color CrossTalk without using RGB LEDs, improve color purity, and maximize luminance.
TCL explicitly states that using RGB LEDs creates a series of problems when mixing the three primary colors. Therefore, the manufacturer has reverted to using blue LEDs in conjunction with high-concentration "pure color" Quantum Dots technology. Through high-density nano crystals, TCL claims to have achieved 95% purity for all three primary colors without RGB LEDs.
TV TCL C8L: Flat-Thin Design, WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel
As a benefit related to this backlight system structure, the screen thickness has been reduced to less than 5.5cm (OD 20 applied, see illustration above), which TCL names its Flat-Thin design. As another detail, TCL stated that it further reduced the halo effect (light blooming) that can occur in some images by uniformly managing the light emitted from the diodes through specific prisms, preventing shadows from appearing (see illustration below).
According to TCL, using RGB triplets is accompanied by increasing the distance between LEDs and panels to limit color bleeding, but this is not the case for blue LEDs. For reference, the LCD panel of the C8L display is of the WHVA 2.0 Ultra type.
TCL C8L : Up to 4,032 Zones, 6,000 Nits and 100% BT.2020
The specs of the TCL C8L series are still impressive. The TCL 98C8L has 4,032 zones and a peak luminance of 6,000 nits. The 85-inch model has 3,200 zones and 6,000 nits, the 75-inch model has 2,584 zones and 5,500 nits, the 65-inch model has 2,040 zones and 5,000 nits, and the 55-inch model has 1,008 zones and 3,000 nits.
TCL also announced that the C8L display covers 100% of the BT.2020 color gamut through its 8th generation Mini LED backlight. This is a remarkable achievement, being the first in the world and the first to achieve this using a method other than RGB. The combination of all these specs and expertise allows for finer control over the halo effect, reduces Color Cross Talk (color leakage at the sub-pixel level), widens the color gamut by 33%, and increases accuracy by 69%. The overall image gains realism and naturalness (see illustration above).
Returning to the zone issue, TCL reminds us that when using the same number of LEDs, its SQD displays calculate three times more independent zones than RGB Mini LED models. Logically, each RGB triplet corresponds to three independent blue LEDs. This contributes to the noticeable increase in luminance.
TV TCL C8L : Dolby Vision 2, Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, HDMI 2.1 and Bang & Olufsen's 2.2.2 Sound System
Other notable features of the TCL C8L television include Virtually ZeroBorder, a screen where 100% of the LCD panel is used for the image (but a metal frame surrounds the panel to maintain overall rigidity), an automatic and self-learning TSR AIPQ processor, new Super Resolution 2.0 video processing, HDR10+ and HDR Dolby Vision compatibility (Dolby Vision 2 is scheduled for a summer update, while HDR10+ Advanced is still under discussion), Dolby Atmos FlexConnect compatibility, a native 144Hz LCD panel, four HDMI 2.1 144Hz inputs (finally possible!),
thanks to the upcoming HDR Dolby Vision 2 that will require a Pentonic 800 chip capable of managing four HDMI 2.1, and Bang & Olufsen's signature 2.2.2 sound system. All this is powered by Google TV, which will arrive next fall with Gemini (3 years of updates guaranteed up to Android 17).
TV TCL C8L : Price, Availability and Practical Details
Finally, the TCL C8L display comes with a single backlight remote (with assignable buttons).
The launch is scheduled between April and June. The recommended retail prices are as follows:
• TCL 55C8L: €1,199
• TCL 65C8L: €1,799
• TCL 75C8L: €2,299
• TCL 85C8L: €2,999
• TCL 98C8L: €3,999
Key Features of the TCL C8L TV:
• 10-bit Panel
• LCD Panel
• Ultra HD 4K Panel
• 144Hz Panel
• WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel
• Processor: Quad Core MT9655 (Pentonic 800 Derivative Model)
• Wide Color Gamut Function
• UPnP(DLNA) Multimedia Gateway Function
• DVR Function
• eARC Function
• IMAX Enhanced Function
• VRR Function
• ALLM(Auto Low Latency Mode) Function
• 4K HFR 120 Function
• Game Master Pro 2.0 Function
• DLG 288Hz Function
• Super Resolution 2.0 Function
• TSR AIPQ Function
• Super Quantum Dot(SQD) Function
• HDR10 and HDR HLG Compatibility
• HDR10+ Compatibility
• Miracast Compatibility
• HDR Dolby Vision Compatibility
• HEVC Compatibility
• Dolby Atmos Compatibility
• HBBTV Compatibility
• FreeSync Compatibility
• CEC Compatibility
• Canal Ready Compatibility
• DTS Virtual:X Compatibility
• DTS Compatibility
• HDCP 2.3 Compatibility
• HDR10+ Adaptive Compatibility
• Wi-Fi 6 Compatibility
• Wi-Fi ax Compatibility
• Chromecast(Built-in) Compatibility
• HDR Dolby Vision IQ Compatibility
• Bluetooth 5.4 Compatibility
• HDR Dolby Vision 2 Compatibility
• 100% BT.2020 Compatibility
• IMAX Enhanced Certified
• Outputs: Optical Audio Out 1, Headphone Jack 1
• Inputs: HDMI 2.1 Input 4, USB Host 3.0 Port 1, USB Host 2.0 Port 1, Ethernet Port 1, CI+ Port 1
• Multimedia AirPlay 2
• Multimedia HomeKit
• Multimedia Google Assistant
• Multimedia Works with Alexa
• Multimedia Google TV
• Multimedia Google Gemini
• MEMC Motion Compensation
• Mini LED Local Dimming Backlight System
• Input Lag: Less than 6ms at 2,160p/60
• Number of Zones: 55-inch 1,008, 65-inch 2,040, 75-inch 2,584, 85-inch 3,200, 98-inch 4,032
• Peak Brightness: 55-inch 3,000 nits, 65-inch 5,000 nits, 75-inch 5,500 nits, 85/98-inch 6,000 nits
• Mini LED Technology: Yes
• DVB-T2 Tuner
• DVB-C Tuner
• DVB-S2 Tuner
• Sound Section: 2.2.2
• Output: 60W (2 x 15 + 2 x 10 + 2 x 5)
