TCL C8K Review – After 2 Days of Use
Build Quality & Design Aesthetics
The TV looks very premium, with a metal-shaded finish on the sides and minimal bezels that almost disappear when powered on. However, the inputs and power cable are on opposite sides, which is a major drawback for cable management. Overall, the design and build feel quite premium.
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Remote
The remote provided to Indian customers isn’t the same backlit version that comes with the QM8K. Instead, it’s the standard one included with most regular TCL models. The design feels basic, and the remote is a bit large for my liking.
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Inputs
You get 2× HDMI 2.1 ports (one eARC and one regular) and 2× HDMI 2.0 ports. So, if you have two gaming consoles and a soundbar, it might get tricky. There’s only one USB port, which feels limiting.
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Picture Quality
(Compared to my Samsung 75QN90B and LG 55C2 OLED — both used at maximum brightness. The C8K was calibrated to maximum brightness using RTINGS calibration settings.)
1. Brightness
The difference is instantly noticeable — the C8K is significantly brighter. The maximum brightness I previously achieved using “cheats” like Dynamic Contrast on my other TVs is available here by default… and even higher. During local dimming tests, whites on 20–30% windows were so bright they made me squint. After watching a few bright HDR videos, your eyes actually take time to adjust if you look away (especially in a dimly lit room).
2. Motion
Motion handling is excellent — one of the areas where the QN90B struggled. Moving white objects retain their shape with no visible ghosting. OLEDs are still better, but this comes very close. For instance, I watch a lot of F1, and the motion clarity here is precise and smooth — a definite upgrade from the QN90B.
3. Local Dimming & Blacks
This is where the C8K truly shines. Local dimming is outstanding — blacks are consistently deep and inky, and I haven’t noticed any blooming yet. Even in SDR mode at full brightness, it performs beautifully.
On the QN90B, white lines on the F1 track often caused bright spots due to local dimming inconsistencies — that issue is completely gone here. The C8K is brighter and more consistent. Compared to the C2 OLED, the blacks are slightly less pure but much brighter overall.
Subtitles are handled very well — no blooming. I did notice that portions of subtitles overlapping movie content appear brighter than the parts over the black bars — likely a deliberate adjustment to reduce blooming. Nothing concerning, just a small observation.
4. Colors & Contrast
After calibration, colors really pop. I prefer natural tones, and after a few tweaks, I’m very happy with the results. It’s definitely an upgrade from the QN90B, though OLED still leads in absolute color richness and contrast. That ultra-deep contrast pop — like seeing a car’s taillight on a dark road — remains an OLED specialty. The C8K comes close but doesn’t fully replicate that “wow” factor.
Overall: You won’t be able to use this TV at maximum brightness in a pitch-dark room unless you want your eyes fried — it’s that bright.
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Sound
The built-in speakers are surprisingly good, with decent bass at higher volumes. I haven’t used them much since I usually rely on a soundbar, but they’re more than adequate.
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Gaming
All essential gaming features are included. Using HGiG with the PS5 delivers excellent picture quality, and motion feels extremely smooth — even smoother than OLED in some cases. I’m so impressed that I’ve permanently moved my PS5 to this TV.
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Panel Quality
I seem to have gotten lucky — the panel is flawless. No dead pixels, almost zero vignette on the edges, and no dirty screen effect. TCL’s quality control for this batch seems solid.
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OS & Software
Runs on Google TV (Android 12). Initially, I was glad since it meant I could sell my Chromecast with Google TV (Android 14). All the essential apps are available, but the F1 app still doesn’t support UHD HDR streaming on Android 12. So, I’ll keep using my Chromecast until TCL updates the TV to Android 14.
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Price
I bought it for ₹1.35 lakh during the Flipkart sale. Feels like the kind of deal people got with the 85U7K — very happy with the purchase.
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Conclusion
For the first time in my life, I’m actually lowering the brightness from 100 — that’s how powerful this panel is. Call me Brightness Paglu, but this is exactly what I wanted from the C8K, and it delivered.
Local dimming performance was the biggest and most pleasant surprise, and overall, I’m thoroughly enjoying this TV.
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Content tested: Thunderbolts (4K Dolb
y Vision Blu-ray quality), Gen V (4K Dolby Vision), YouTube (SDR & HDR), John Wick (4K HDR10+), Playstation 5 (4K HDR HGiG)
Build Quality & Design Aesthetics
The TV looks very premium, with a metal-shaded finish on the sides and minimal bezels that almost disappear when powered on. However, the inputs and power cable are on opposite sides, which is a major drawback for cable management. Overall, the design and build feel quite premium.
---
Remote
The remote provided to Indian customers isn’t the same backlit version that comes with the QM8K. Instead, it’s the standard one included with most regular TCL models. The design feels basic, and the remote is a bit large for my liking.
---
Inputs
You get 2× HDMI 2.1 ports (one eARC and one regular) and 2× HDMI 2.0 ports. So, if you have two gaming consoles and a soundbar, it might get tricky. There’s only one USB port, which feels limiting.
---
Picture Quality
(Compared to my Samsung 75QN90B and LG 55C2 OLED — both used at maximum brightness. The C8K was calibrated to maximum brightness using RTINGS calibration settings.)
1. Brightness
The difference is instantly noticeable — the C8K is significantly brighter. The maximum brightness I previously achieved using “cheats” like Dynamic Contrast on my other TVs is available here by default… and even higher. During local dimming tests, whites on 20–30% windows were so bright they made me squint. After watching a few bright HDR videos, your eyes actually take time to adjust if you look away (especially in a dimly lit room).
2. Motion
Motion handling is excellent — one of the areas where the QN90B struggled. Moving white objects retain their shape with no visible ghosting. OLEDs are still better, but this comes very close. For instance, I watch a lot of F1, and the motion clarity here is precise and smooth — a definite upgrade from the QN90B.
3. Local Dimming & Blacks
This is where the C8K truly shines. Local dimming is outstanding — blacks are consistently deep and inky, and I haven’t noticed any blooming yet. Even in SDR mode at full brightness, it performs beautifully.
On the QN90B, white lines on the F1 track often caused bright spots due to local dimming inconsistencies — that issue is completely gone here. The C8K is brighter and more consistent. Compared to the C2 OLED, the blacks are slightly less pure but much brighter overall.
Subtitles are handled very well — no blooming. I did notice that portions of subtitles overlapping movie content appear brighter than the parts over the black bars — likely a deliberate adjustment to reduce blooming. Nothing concerning, just a small observation.
4. Colors & Contrast
After calibration, colors really pop. I prefer natural tones, and after a few tweaks, I’m very happy with the results. It’s definitely an upgrade from the QN90B, though OLED still leads in absolute color richness and contrast. That ultra-deep contrast pop — like seeing a car’s taillight on a dark road — remains an OLED specialty. The C8K comes close but doesn’t fully replicate that “wow” factor.
Overall: You won’t be able to use this TV at maximum brightness in a pitch-dark room unless you want your eyes fried — it’s that bright.
---
Sound
The built-in speakers are surprisingly good, with decent bass at higher volumes. I haven’t used them much since I usually rely on a soundbar, but they’re more than adequate.
---
Gaming
All essential gaming features are included. Using HGiG with the PS5 delivers excellent picture quality, and motion feels extremely smooth — even smoother than OLED in some cases. I’m so impressed that I’ve permanently moved my PS5 to this TV.
---
Panel Quality
I seem to have gotten lucky — the panel is flawless. No dead pixels, almost zero vignette on the edges, and no dirty screen effect. TCL’s quality control for this batch seems solid.
---
OS & Software
Runs on Google TV (Android 12). Initially, I was glad since it meant I could sell my Chromecast with Google TV (Android 14). All the essential apps are available, but the F1 app still doesn’t support UHD HDR streaming on Android 12. So, I’ll keep using my Chromecast until TCL updates the TV to Android 14.
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Price
I bought it for ₹1.35 lakh during the Flipkart sale. Feels like the kind of deal people got with the 85U7K — very happy with the purchase.
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Conclusion
For the first time in my life, I’m actually lowering the brightness from 100 — that’s how powerful this panel is. Call me Brightness Paglu, but this is exactly what I wanted from the C8K, and it delivered.
Local dimming performance was the biggest and most pleasant surprise, and overall, I’m thoroughly enjoying this TV.
---
Content tested: Thunderbolts (4K Dolb
y Vision Blu-ray quality), Gen V (4K Dolby Vision), YouTube (SDR & HDR), John Wick (4K HDR10+), Playstation 5 (4K HDR HGiG)
I'm done babysitting my C4, will probably pick a 75" C8K for my hall and move C4 to bedroom.
