TCL has announced its first 4K Google TV models set to launch in Europe later this year. The TVs include the TCL P735 and C635 ranges, and they will be available in multiple sizes ranging from 43- to 75-inches, the company said.
When the models launch, TCL will become one of only two major TV brands to sell 4K Google TVs in Europe, alongside Sony. The Chinese firm launched its first 8K Google TVs last year, namely the TCL 6-Series 8K QLED TV, but that model was exclusive to the U.S. only.
The switch to Google TV didn’t go too smoothly for the TCL 6-Series TVs though, as the models were briefly pulled from sale by Best Buy, one of the biggest online retailers in the U.S., due to numerous complaints of sluggish, buggy software. TCL did at least fix the problems fairly promptly.
The TCL P735 and C635’s predecessors last year both ran the Android TV platform. The transition to Google TV means they get a refreshed homescreen interface with more personalised content recommendations and various other features. Even so, the basic capabilities are the same, with multiple apps such as Netflix and Amazon Prime preinstalled, built-in Chromecast and Google Assistant, and many more apps available via the Google Play Store.
The P735 is a line of affordable 50hz and 60Hz LCD TVs that offer 4K resolution. Sizes include 43-, 50-, 55-, 65- and 75-inch options, and the TVs will come with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support. That said, there is no form of LED local dimming so don’t expect true HDR-level picture quality.
As for the TCL C635 (pictured), this offers a few more features. Notably, they’re QLED TVs with quantum dots ensuring better colour accuracy and contrast. They also have better speakers made by Onkyo. Even so, there are no local dimming capabilities so the overall image quality will likely still fall short of higher-end TVs. The C635 TVs will have a refresh rate of either 50Hz or 60Hz and size options include 43-, 50-, 55-, 65-, and 75-inches.
Both models will go on sale in Europe sometime in April, TCL said.
TCL said it will announce more feature-packed mid-range and high-end LCD TVs for Europe later in 2022. At CES, it also announced a range of affordable, monster-sized QLED TVs for the North American market, including its 98-inch R754 TV.
