TCL’s NXTVISION TV is launching in the U.K., giving consumers another alternative to Samsung Electronics’ iconic “The Frame” in the gallery TV category.
The Frame is a hugely popular television that doubles as a digital piece of art, with its chassis carefully disguised in such a way that it looks exactly like a picture frame when it’s hung on a wall. When not being used to watch movies, it can display famous artworks from the likes of Leonardo da Vinci and other art legends, enhancing the aesthetics of any room it’s installed in.
Samsung has long dominated the art TV category, and for years the Frame was the only real option available. One of its key characteristics is its matte display, which renders the digital artwork in a more realistic way, making it look as if it really is a painting.
The concept has proven to be extremely popular with consumers, but one issue is that Samsung’s Frames are fairly expensive. There’s a perception that people are paying over the odds for its aesthetics, for the actual specifications of the TV fall quite short of similarly priced “normal” televisions.
In the last couple of years, Samsung’s rivals have spotted an opportunity to cater to consumers who’d like a lower-cost art TV, and in the last couple of years we’ve seen alternatives such as Hisense’s Canvas TV and Skyworth’s Canvas Elite Art TV go on sale.
Unfortunately, while Hisense’s Canvas TV is much cheaper than the Frame, some may feel that it falls short in terms of picture quality with its edge-lit QLED display and complete lack of local dimming zones.
With the launch of the NXTVISION, TCL is now having a stab at the art TV market, but can it do any better than Hisense? We can’t yet say for sure, but unfortunately the NXTVISION TV’s specifications suggest it’s still not going to displace Samsung’s Frame from its throne any time soon.
The problem is that it doesn’t appear to be any better than the Canvas TV. Like that model, it’s an edge-lit QLED TV, and the company says nothing about having any local dimming zones. As such, it seems likely that the NXTVISION TV may struggle to match the contrast ratio found on many of today’s better Mini-LED TV sets.
It’s not all bad news though. The NXTVISION does feature a 144Hz refresh rate and it comes with a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports, which is quite a rarity for edge-lit QLED TVs. This means it can support gaming at 4K/120Hz and Variable Refresh Rates, ensuring a responsive experience for console gamers. Moreover, the TV looks the part, with a matte display to match that of the Frame and the Canvas TV, and a super-slim bezel that gives it the appearance of a picture frame. Moreover, the TV is just 2.8 centimetres thick, which means it will sit almost flush with any wall it’s hung on.
Perhaps the best thing about the TCL NXTVISION is the price tag, because the company is seriously undercutting its rivals. There are three sizes available, with the 55-inch model priced at £949, the 65-inch version selling for £1,199, and the 75-inch model retailing at £1,799.
In contrast, Hisense’s Canvas TV is available in a single 55-inch size, priced at £1,299, so you’re saving around £350 if you go with TCL’s model. Meanwhile, the Frame is very expensive, with the 55-, 65-inch and 75-inch options priced at £1,099, £1,799 and £2,599 respectively, meaning savings of up to £800 on the largest model.
