TCL 6-Series 2023 Model R655 Review: The Best Value TV Right Now
I’m a sucker for easy to use products. There’s nothing better than a device that can be easily unboxed, plugged in and turned on without hacking the manual or downloading a PDF file.
So why am I still so obsessed with the TCL 6 series? I’ve said in the past that the 6 Series was the best TV for most people based mostly on how good the screen looks for your money. It wasn’t about TCL’s looks, elegant interfaces and apps – there were and are plenty of other mid-range options from Vizio, Hisense and others that do the job right.
But the latest 6 Series wins due to its physical simplicity. It comes with a center stand and you hardly have to touch the settings menu. You can easily place it anywhere, and it automatically reads data like game consoles, disc players, and soundbars (as well as room brightness and more) without any action.
Plus, it still has the great Roku interface, isn’t too expensive, has quantum dots and mini LED backlighting, and looks really fantastic when playing everything. If you are looking for a new TV, you should still start here.
Model from last year?
The TCL 6 Series I’m writing about is the 2022 R655 model and it’s practically brand new. It was launched at the end of last year, so it remains an up-to-date model that can be bought in stores. At CES earlier this month, TCL announced a new model naming structure (and their specifications) coming later in 2023. If this seems confusing, it is. But you’re reading the wrong review. This is the latest model that ranges in size from 55 to a whopping 85 inches.
Things that make it different from the 2020 6 Series include the addition of that center pedestal mount, a higher refresh rate of 144Hz, and much-improved mini-LED backlight performance that makes scenes more vibrant. and best contrast.
I didn’t get a chance to look at the two models side by side, but I can tell you that the highlights on the new 6 Series seemed noticeably brighter and the colors stood out more than I remember on the last model. Light blooming – where bright objects against a dark background can look like they’re strangely illuminated by inner teleangels – has also been improved for my eyes, though you’ll still see some of it.
Automatically everything
With voice search built into the remote and easy access to all major streaming apps through Roku’s elegant interface, there’s practically nothing online that you can’t find and start watching on this TV in minutes.
Plug in a Nintendo Switch, an HD Blu-ray player, and a soundbar like I did, and the TV almost instantly recognizes what each one is and adjusts its settings when you switch to that input (it’s also easy to see at the top Roku). interface). It’s amazingly simple and easy.
Gamers will love that it has a 120Hz refresh rate at 4K resolution, which is the highest that a modern Xbox or Playstation 5 can deliver, meaning the smoothest gaming and sports viewing in general.
Other brands aren’t far behind in smooth and easy integration between the streaming interface and the TV’s settings menu, but I haven’t seen anything like it anywhere else. Hisense’s Google TV interface comes closest, and I like the simple streaming from my Android phone, but it’s not as streamlined. However, if you’re coming to Roku for the first time, there’s a bit of a learning curve, although the most annoying part is logging into all of your accounts for the first time.
Right track
Speaking simple: Thank God for the pedestal in the center. This makes it much easier to install the device on existing TV boxes, especially if you choose a larger TV model. I love how easy it is to place the soundbar under or in front of the screen. The stand is not deep (about 13 inches) so I was able to place the soundbar on the front easily, but you can also place it on the front of the stand, allowing you to place the TV on an even smaller table or stand. .
I also like that the ports are easily accessible on the right side of the TV. You get four HDMI connections (one labeled eARC for your soundbar), a cable connection, an Ethernet connection, an optical audio output, and an antenna input (handy for sports fans).