TCL QM7 TV Review: Great Picture, Suspect Software

In the event you’re trying for a TV that maximizes image efficiency with a minimal hit to your price range, it’s possible you’ll need to maintain the fortunate quantity 7 in thoughts. For the previous few years, Hisense’s U7 sequence TVs have supplied among the finest efficiency you will get for the cash, together with this 12 months’s punchy U7N (8/10, WIRED Recommends), whereas TCL’s 2023 Q7 and the upgraded QM7 are related high performers.

The QM7 normally prices greater than the U7N, however it rewards you with a classier design and a barely more-refined image. From a pure efficiency perspective, you’ll have a tough time getting extra with out spending up, particularly when you discover it on a great sale.

Sadly, the software program that drives the expertise is tougher to face behind. Throughout my preliminary analysis, adjusting the TV’s SDR image modes additionally affected the HDR modes, which is problematic for a wide range of causes. TCL supplied a repair for me, however there’s no broad replace for patrons but, and not less than one different reviewer had a similar issue.

In any other case, there’s little or no to complain about in a TV that provides to its nice efficiency with top-line gaming options and one in all my favourite good interfaces. In the event you don’t thoughts rolling the cube on TCL’s potential software program bugs, the QM7 may repay handsomely.

A Slick Setup

Cobbling the QM7’s lengthy pedestal stand collectively takes a bit extra effort than rivals with dual-leg stands, and its 4-pound heft brings the 65-inch mannequin I reviewed to a weighty 50 kilos. The payoff is a sturdy and trendy base, matched by slim chrome bezels and a checkered bottom with a middle woofer for a complicated, if not altogether distinctive aesthetic.

The appropriate-side enter hub consists of 4 HDMI inputs, two of which supply HDMI 2.1 help for gaming options like VRR (Variable Refresh Fee) at as much as 144 Hz and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Just like the U7N, TCL gives a separate HDMI eARC port, that means you received’t lose a valuable gaming port when connecting a soundbar or receiver. That’s at all times appreciated; the QM7’s Onkyo sound system is first rate, however I nonetheless advocate a separate audio setup.

The backlit distant presents some helpful fast keys and a built-in microphone for Google Assistant instructions. You can even summon Google hands-free through the TV’s onboard microphone, however when you’re not into an always-listening system you possibly can disable it by flipping the swap beneath the entrance plate.