TCL 98X11K

Two meters fifty diagonally, more than 14,000 local dimming zones, brightness brushing up against 6,500 nits, and a 120-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system: the 98X11K is the most ambitious TV in TCL’s 2025 lineup. It succeeds the X11H marketed in Asia in 2024, retaining its optical base while adding the CrystGlow HVA panel and the seventh-generation halo control system.

QD-Mini LED backlighting pushed to its limits

QD-Mini LED technology layers Mini LED backlighting with a Quantum Dot layer. The 98X11K takes this logic far: TCL claims up to 14,112 local dimming zones on the 98-inch version, or about one zone per 7 cm² of screen surface. As a point of reference, the brand’s QM8K models top out at around 5,000 zones.

The direct gain is measured in the simultaneous handling of highlights and shadows. Scenes with a starry sky against a black background, a notoriously difficult scenario for Mini LED, produce fewer light halos around bright objects. TCL groups several technologies under the “Halo Control System” name: six-crystal LED chips (which, according to TCL, gain 33.5% brightness compared with the previous generation), condensed micro-lenses to direct light more narrowly, and a reduced optical distance between the backlight and the panel (Super Micro-OD), which helps limit lateral light spread and keep the TV’s profile to 27 mm thick without the stand.

The stated peak brightness reaches 6,500 nits in HDR, a figure measured in TCL’s lab that may vary depending on conditions. In practice, this reserve of luminous power gives HDR content strong visual impact, especially on specular highlights and direct light sources in the image.

The CrystGlow HVA panel, a compromise between contrast and viewing angle

The 98X11K uses a CrystGlow HVA panel made by CSOT, TCL’s display subsidiary. It is a variant of a VA panel whose native contrast reaches 7,000:1, about five times that of a standard IPS screen. The liquid crystals are paired with nanometer-scale polyimides to form a butterfly wing-shaped microstructure, allowing more effective light blocking in the “black” position.

The screen surface receives a nanostructured anti-reflective treatment, intended to disperse ambient light without dulling blacks or reducing color saturation. On a screen of this size, that matters: a 2.49 m diagonal catches a lot of reflections.

One point to note: the X11K uses an HVA panel, not WHVA (Wide HVA). TCL’s QM8K and C9K models use the WHVA panel, whose viewing angles are wider. On the X11K, viewers sitting far off-center from the screen axis will notice more marked degradation in contrast and colors. For a setup where viewing is mainly head-on, the difference is negligible; in a large open living room with offset seating, it is worth taking into account.

Colors, HDR, and image processing

The covered color space reaches 97% of DCI-P3, on a 10-bit panel. Calibration can be fine-tuned via 1D and 3D LUT tables (17×17×17), making it compatible with professional calibration using a probe.

On the HDR format side, the 98X11K supports Dolby Vision IQ (which adjusts the image according to ambient brightness), HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG. Few TVs support both Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+, two formats usually carried by competing ecosystems.

The AiPQ Pro processor handles upscaling, noise reduction, motion compensation (MEMC), and color adjustment according to the type of content detected. Upscaling relies on a deep learning algorithm, which benefits content broadcast in 1080p or 720p, still the majority on streaming platforms and terrestrial TV.

120 watts of sound by Bang & Olufsen

The audio system is a 6.2.2 120 W configuration, with two integrated subwoofers. The speakers were designed and tuned by Bang & Olufsen engineers. With this kind of power, the TV can operate without a soundbar in most common use cases: movies, series, sports broadcasts.

The Beosonic function, specific to Bang & Olufsen, offers a circular interface for modifying the sound rendering in real time according to preference. The 7-band equalizer remains accessible for finer adjustment.

The TV supports Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X, and Dolby TrueHD. One point of caution, however: passing Dolby TrueHD Atmos tracks to an amplifier via eARC may cause difficulties with the built-in Plex app, according to user feedback. Compressed Atmos tracks (EAC3) pass through correctly.

A 2.49 m playground for gamers

All four HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K at 144 Hz throughout the entire chain, from input signal to display. VRR (variable refresh rate), ALLM (automatic low latency mode), and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro certification are supported. TCL’s Game Master Pro 3.0 mode groups these functions together and adds an in-game status bar.

Playing on a screen of this size at 144 Hz with FreeSync changes the perception of gaming, especially on fast-paced titles. On the other hand, frame interpolation (MEMC) remains unavailable in game mode, as on most TVs on the market.

Google TV, connectivity, and everyday use

The 98X11K runs Google TV (based on Android TV 12), with about 50 GB of internal storage. Access to Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV+, and Disney+ is direct. Google Assistant is built in with a microphone in the TV for hands-free voice control. Chromecast is built in for streaming from a smartphone or tablet.

Connectivity includes four HDMI 2.1 ports (including one eARC on port 1), one USB 2.0, one USB 3.0, an optical audio output, an Ethernet port, and a triple tuner (DVB-T2/C/S2 with CI+ 1.4 and DiSEqC/Unicable compatibility). Dual-band Wi‑Fi 6 and Bluetooth complete the package.

Footprint, weight, and installation

With its 2.18 m width, 1.29 m height with stand, and 70.3 kg weight, the 98X11K sets its own terms. The feet are widely spaced: you need a unit at least 2 m wide, stable, and capable of supporting the weight. Wall mounting to the VESA 600×400 mm standard is an option worth seriously considering, but it requires a load-bearing wall and ideally two people for installation.

The chassis is brushed aluminum, with a design free of visible borders. The 27 mm thickness without the stand is restrained for a Mini LED of this size. The stand adds about 4 cm of depth and 4 cm of height.

In terms of power consumption, the TV is rated G for energy (SDR and HDR). It consumes 198 W in SDR, 570 W in HDR, and up to 595 W at peak. The difference between SDR and HDR is considerable: activating the thousands of backlight zones at high brightness has a direct energy cost.

Technical specifications

Display and picture

• Screen type: QD-Mini LED
• Diagonal: 249 cm (98 inches)
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (UHD 4K)
• Native refresh rate: 144 Hz
• HDR brightness: up to 2200 nits
• Performance index: PPI 5500
• Color technology: Quantum Dot Pro (QLED Pro)
• Color depth: 10-bit panel
• Contrast: Mega dynamic
• Noise reduction: yes
• Picture processor: AiPQ Pro
• Upscaling: UHD AI Super Resolution (deep learning)
• Color management: advanced 1D LUT / 3D LUT 17x17x17 calibration
• Supported HDR formats: Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG

Audio

• Total power: 120 W
• Audio system: Bang & Olufsen 6.2.2
• Built-in subwoofer: yes
• Equalizer: 7 bands
• Audio processing: virtualization and upmix
• Supported audio technologies:
  • Dolby Atmos
  • DTS Virtual:X
  • Dolby TrueHD / AC4

Smart TV system

• Operating system: Google TV (Android TV 12)
• Apps: Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV+, etc.
• Voice assistant: built-in Google Assistant (TV microphone)
• Built-in Chromecast
• Internal memory: approximately 50 GB
• Wireless connectivity:
  • Wi-Fi 6 (ax / ac / n, dual-band)
  • Bluetooth (A2DP, HID)
• DLNA: yes

Connectivity

• HDMI: 4 x HDMI 2.1
  • HDMI eARC: yes (HDMI 1)
• USB: 1 x USB 2.0 + 1 x USB 3.0
• Ethernet (RJ45): yes
• Optical audio output: yes
• Tuner:
  • DVB-T2 / C / S2
  • CI+ 1.4
  • Satellite compatibility: DiSEqC / Unicable

Gaming

• Full HDMI 2.1
• VRR: yes
• AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
• ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
• Native refresh rate: 144 Hz
• Game Master Pro 3.0

Design and dimensions

• Design: bezel-less
• Finish: brushed aluminum
• Dimensions with stand: 2177 x 1290 x 418 mm
• Dimensions without stand: 2177 x 1246 x 27 mm
• Weight with stand: 70.3 kg
• Weight without stand: 68.8 kg
• VESA wall mount: 600 x 400 mm

Power consumption and power supply

• Energy class: G (SDR / HDR)
• Power consumption:
  • SDR: 198 W
  • HDR: 570 W
  • Maximum: 595 W
  • Standby: 0.5 W
• Power supply: 100-240 V / 50-60 Hz

Additional features

• Automatic game mode
• Sports mode
• Multi-display (PAT)
• USB recording (depending on media)
• Smartphone / tablet compatibility
• HDMI CEC (T-Link)
• Programmable standby

General information

249 cm (98-inch) QD-Mini LED TV in UHD 4K resolution, equipped with the AiPQ Pro processor and Quantum Dot Pro technology. It features a Bang & Olufsen 6.2.2 audio system with 120 W of power and support for Dolby Atmos. Running on Google TV (Android TV 12), it includes four HDMI 2.1 ports compatible with advanced gaming features (VRR, ALLM, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro) at a native 144 Hz. Its connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, built-in Chromecast, and Google Assistant.