TCL 55X7

Should the name of TCL still be new to you, it’s most definitely time you became acquainted with the brand. It is Chinese, but not to be confused with the no-name or casually-branded TVs that turn up in bargain stores. Indeed TCL has ranked third or fourth in size for TV manufacturers worldwide for a number of years (above the likes of Panasonic), and recently beat out Samsung to become the biggest-selling brand in the US (26% of North American TV units sales against 22% Samsung, according to IHS Markit). It has been around nearly 40 years, operates in more than 80 cities across the world, with 20 manufacturing units and 35 R&D centres through which it is one of China’s biggest patent creators. Among its relevant current TV developments are printed OLED, quantum dot technology and the increasingly interesting Mini LED display technology. As for quality, it has won awards globally, including a 2019 Sound+Image Award.

So, having established the brand’s general credentials, let’s get specific! The shiny new TV under review is the X7, which has an RRP of $2199, the same price as the X4 which last year won that Sound+Image award. But, of