I had the privilege to review one of them, the TCL C645 (a 55″ QLED Smart TV). In the last quarter of 2023 this brand (which is the world’s No. 2 TV brand and No. 1 98-inch TV and Google TV brand globally) unveiled its new range of Smart TVs – this model was one of them.
Here’s my review of the TCL C645 55″ QLED Smart TV
Setting up the TCL C645 was a breeze because it has the Google TV interface built-in. It’s basically the same procress that you follow on the Google Chromecast 4th generation. I though I mounted the feet wrong, but then I found out that the feet can be attached in two positions – bonus!
The C645 55″ screen is huge (yes, I know that would sound weird for someone who is used to a 50″ TV). The C645 exhibits commendable detail levels, especially excelling in rendering lifelike skin tones. The overall color palette is characterized by naturalism and convincing vibrancy. It showcases the kind of variation and subtlety in tones and shades that essentially defines the essence of QLED technology.
The TCL C645 is compatible with HDR standards like HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. Its panel is powered by the ‘AiPQ 3.0’ processing engine, with MEMC responsible for motion control. Wireless connectivity includes Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-band Wi-Fi, while physical connections consist of three HDMI sockets, USB-A 3.0, Ethernet, composite video, digital optical output, and aerial binding posts.
The TCL C645 features a 2.1 standard HDMI input with eARC functionality, ALLM, and AMD FreeSync, offering a ‘Game Accelerator’ for 4K/120Hz images, albeit with halved vertical resolution. Despite some limitations, the TCL C645 accommodates various soundtrack formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD, with a two-channel audio system powered by 20 watts.
Even though it was the same interface as the TCL 43P635, the interface was a bit slower than I expected it would be.
However, once opened, apps for streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ and Showmax were quick and responsive. Installing apps also took longer than expected. To be honest, this TV was slower than my Google Chromecast Fourth Generation.
Would I recommend this TV to someone? Yes, but to someone who has never owned a Smart TV. The TCL C645 QLED TV is a great entry level TV. Most people will be happy with it. If you’re someone who is used to Smart TVs with fast interfaces, this might not be the TV for you. The recommended retail price for this TV is R9999.
Watch this space for updates in the Cool Stuff category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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