Hey there! If you‘re like most shoppers nowadays, you‘re likely torn trying to decide between affordable new TV brands like TCL and venerable premium leaders such as LG. Specifically considering if those expensive OLED screens are worth opening up the wallet for.
That‘s a really tough call – let me help break things down in this guide comparing LG‘s awestriking OLEDs versus TCL‘s budget-friendly FALD LED displays. My aim isn‘t to declare one brand superior, but instead highlight the ideal scenarios where each excels so you can best match a model to your own needs and room setup.
First, let‘s level-set on what display technologies we‘re talking about and how they differ…
LED vs. OLED: A 101 Breakdown
We‘re going to cover a ton of performance stats ahead. But understanding these fundamental display types is key to framing this comparison appropriately:
LED/QLED TVs use an LCD panel illuminated by hundreds or thousands of LEDs either along the edges or directly behind the screen. By dimming zones of LEDs in sync with the video signal, they can achieve impressive dynamic range between bright and dark areas of the picture.
OLED TVs utilize completely different display technology – each pixel in an OLED screen is self-emissive, meaning it can switch on or entirely off individually. This gives OLED the unique abilities like perfect blacks (pixels turn off to achieve infinite contrast) and extremely wide viewing angles without color shifting seen on LED TVs.
Now let‘s examine how TCL and LG leverage these two display technologies across their product lineups.
| Specs | TCL 6-Series QLED | LG C1 Series OLED |
|---|---|---|
| Display Type | VA-type LCD w/ Quantum Dot film | Self-emissive WOLED |
| Backlight Dimming Zones | Up to 240 | Per-pixel (Self-lit) |
| Resolution | 4K (3,840 x 2,160) | 4K (3,840 x 2,160) |
| Peak Brightness | Up to 600 nits (HDR) | 861 nits (HDR) |
| Contrast Ratio | 5,000:1 | Infinite |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 120Hz VRR | Up to 120Hz VRR |
| HDR Support | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG |
| Response Time | 8ms | 1ms |
| Viewing Angle | Avg: 20° excellent | Excellent uniformity at all angles |
| Color Gamut | Wide Color Gamut (72% Rec 2020) | 100% DCI-P3 |
LG‘s OLED panel advantages become clear looking at contrast, black uniformity, viewing angles and motion handling. But TCL‘s 6-Series Quantum Dot enhancements help it achieve impressive brightness, color and backlight control given its much lower price point.
Now let‘s examine where each brand has the edge across purchase consideration factors:
Picture Quality: LG OLED Shines Brighter
Simply put, no LED TV on the market today can match the sheer cinematic spectacle OLED enables thanks to lighting and color precision down to the pixel level. Inky blacks provide staggering contrast against eye-popping bright highlights. And colors don‘t wash out or shift even viewing extremely off-angle like most LEDs.
The downside? You‘ll pay over twice as much for a C1-series LG OLED versus TCL‘s bang-for-buck 6-Series in the same screen size class. Is that massive price premium worth it? Here‘s what reviewers and enthusiasts are saying:
"It produces the most impressive picture I’ve tested, with the deepest blacks and most vibrant colors." – CNet on LG‘s G1 Gallery Series
"Colorful, bright, and utterly immersive." – TechRadar on the LG C1 OLED
Of course TCL isn‘t slacking in the picture department either. Quantum Dot filter layers help the 6-Series achieve up to 600 nits peak brightness and 90% DCI-P3 wide color gamut coverage. Paired with advanced full array backlighting, it handily beats budget LCD sets:
“Deep black levels and excellent contrast…vibrant high dynamic range color" – Tom‘s Guide on the TCL 6-Series QLED
Clearly reviewers unanimously favor LG‘s latest OLED panels as delivering the pinnacle of home theater performance. But TCL‘s LED-powered lineup offers an incredible value aimed at more cost-conscious buyers.
Gaming: LG Leads with Next-Gen Features
The blisteringly fast response time and pixel-precise control of an OLED panel also pays big dividends for gamers:
"Sets a new bar in gaming displays…simply in a different league" – Forbes on using LG OLED TVs for gaming
LG also ensures their latest models like the G1 and C1 ship with HDMI 2.1 support enabling key gaming enhancements absent on TCL‘s HDMI 2.0-limited inputs:
- 4K/120fps high-framerate gaming
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) for smooth, tear-free visuals
- Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) for seamless game console integration
That said, the TCL 6-Series punches well above its weight with sub-15ms input lag and THX Certified Game Mode to flatten the playing field somewhat. Just be aware of the HDMI 2.1 gaming features lacking if future-proofing your setup.
Smart TV Platforms: A Matter of Preference
It ultimately comes down to your streaming preferences here rather than one platform clearly edging out the other:
LG webOS
Sleek, intuitive menus with seamless Alexa/Google Assistant access. All core apps supported plus LG‘s value-added content. Dolby Vision IQ auto-tuning based on ambient light is handy for movie nights.
TCL Roku TV
Dead simple navigation and the most comprehensive app support outside a dedicated streaming box. Objective search and recommendations. Automatic updates keep things humming along.
Both smart TV systems rate well in reviews and will likely meet most households‘ needs. It‘s worth noting reports of occasional lag with LG‘s webOS interface versus Roku TV‘s very snappy performance.
Audio Quality: External Sound System Recommended
This is one area where both brands could use improvement. Reviewers found the TCL 6-Series and LG C1 OLED lacking sufficient bass impact with somewhat flat, lifeless sound:
"Sound is the TV‘s main weak spot. With poor bass response." – Rtings on the LG C1
"Thin profile TVs mean small speakers with weak bass." – CNet on the TCL 6-Series
Of course few buyers are expecting giant soundstage from wafer-thin premium displays anyway. Factor in a sound bar at minimum, or preferably a multichannel surround system to unlock the Dolby Atmos height channel potential these sets support.
Design & Build Quality: LGSets New Standards
Here‘s an often overlooked area where owners residing with their TV day-to-day really come to appreciate LG‘s engineering prowess…
By manufacturing their own display panels, LG can tightly integrate and optimize every aspect of the build. The result? Incredibly slim, strikingly gorgeous TVs like their new 2021 G1 “Gallery" series with under 0.8" thin wall-hugging profiles.
meanwhile maintains cost savings through simplified, pragmatic designs using off-the-shelf LCD componentry. That‘s not inherently bad, as build quality remains robust. But style usually takes a backseat to affordability in TCL‘s lineup compared to LG‘s more premium finishes.
Ultimately this section comes down to your own tastes and room aesthetics. But there’s no denying LG is setting the pace with forward-thinking industrial design befitting their display innovations.
Price Analysis: Value Dilemma for Mid-Budget Shoppers
We‘ve clearly established LG‘s C1 and other 2021 OLED models claiming "best TV" bragging rights on virtually every metric that matters to home theater enthusiasts. What we haven‘t covered is the massive price delta staring back at more budget-conscious buyers. Let‘s break this down:
| Model | 55" Price | 65" Price | 75" Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCL 6-Series QLED | $949 | $1199 | $1599 |
| LG C1 OLED | $1499 | $1996 | $2799 |
| Cost Difference | 57% more | 66% more | 75% more |
At under 65", the TCL 6-Series lands at less than half the cost of a like-sized LG C1. So you‘re paying $700 – $1000 extra for the OLED panel upgrades. Once we hit the popular 65-75" screen sizes, that premium nearly doubles into quadruple digit territory!
Many buyers with more flexible budgets will aim for that middle ground – seeking an immersive big-screen experience with strong picture quality that doesn‘t completely break the bank. If you have the room and funds to accommodate, my sincere recommendation is putting that money toward the LG C1 class…you likely won‘t regret paying more every time you power it on.
That said, stretching into 55-65" OLED territory requires a considerable outlay bordering on diminishing returns for lower-priority TV rooms in your home. Here‘s where TCL 6-Series shoppers reap big savings while still enjoying quantum-dot enhanced 4K entertainment. My advice is to be realistic about your space, seating distance and barttering power with the finance minister (aka your spouse!) when debating this classic value dilemma.
The Best TV Brand For You
If you stuck with me this long scrolling through specs, features and opinions…hopefully it paints a clearer picture (pun intended) of the TCL and LG decision at hand. Let‘s recap quickly:
LG OLED TVs are unmatched performers offering a transcendent viewing experience…if your budget allows. Perfect blacks and vibrant color nitricity simply have no equal. Just brace for serious sticker shock once sized above 65 inches.
TCL 6-Series LED TVs deliver astonishing picture quality at their price point. Contrast and brightness can‘t touch OLED, but quantum dot color and full array local dimming help close the gap for mixed usage.
So which is better for you? As always, it depends!
Gamers, cinephiles and critical viewers wanting that immersive display showpiece should save up for LG‘s C1 or G1 gallery series. Compromising on picture quality will only lead to future envy and regret down the line as newer content continues raising the bar.
More casual viewers prioritizing maximum screen size over best-in-class fidelity will love what TCL brings to the table. Just temper expectations around contrast and black levels compared to the almighty OLED.
There‘s no universally right answer here. But armed with the facts above, identifying the best TV technology is simply a matter of matching sets to your budget, aesthetics and performance needs in a deeply personal buying decision.
Hopefully this guide gave you some useful pointers to make sense of the TCL vs LG dilemma. Let me know if any other questions come up in your shopping process – happy to dig in and offer my two cents!
