TCL 98X11L 2026

While the competition is moving toward RGB Mini LED backlighting, TCL is taking a different path. This 98-inch model tops the 2026 lineup and combines eighth-generation Mini LED backlighting with highly concentrated quantum crystals. The brand claims 20,736 dimming zones and a peak brightness of 10,000 nits, with full coverage of the BT.2020 color space.

Why TCL is steering clear of RGB Mini LED

The acronym SQD stands for Super Quantum Dot. Rather than combining triplets of red, green, and blue LEDs as RGB Mini LED does, TCL keeps blue LEDs and entrusts color generation to a high-density nanocrystal layer, supported by an UltraColor filter. This approach addresses a known flaw of RGB Mini LED: color leakage between neighboring subpixels, which engineers call color crosstalk. By returning to monochrome blue backlighting, the brand reduces this unwanted mixing and claims 95% purity across the three primary colors. Another practical consequence is that, with the same number of LEDs, an SQD diffuser has about three times as many independent zones as an RGB system, since each color triplet uses three diodes where SQD uses only one.

Twenty thousand dimming zones at work

On the 98-inch panel, the backlighting is divided into 20,736 independently controlled zones. Each one can switch off or increase in intensity without spilling too much onto its neighbors, which limits the light halo around bright objects set against a dark background. Peak brightness rises to 10,000 nits on small portions of the image, enough to make HDR highlights stand out. The panel itself is WHVA 2.0, a VA variant with high native contrast, which helps deepen blacks even before the backlighting comes into play. The TV reads the main high dynamic range formats (HDR10, HLG), with support for Dolby Vision IQ and IMAX Enhanced certification.

Color pushed to 100% of BT.2020

The stated coverage reaches 100% of the BT.2020 space, the widest reference standard used today for consumer video. Reaching this target without resorting to RGB LEDs remains rare, and TCL makes it a central selling point of its eighth generation. Internal color processing moves up to 26 bits, compared with 23 bits on the previous generation, which leaves more headroom for gradients and reduces the risk of visible banding in skies or shadow areas. The panel renders 10-bit color, achieved through an 8-bit base supplemented by FRC.

A 2 cm screen with almost no bezel

The choice of blue backlighting has a direct physical benefit: the screen measures only 2 cm in thickness. RGB systems require a greater distance between the LEDs and the panel to blend colors properly, a constraint TCL avoids here. The metal frame surrounding the panel remains discreet, with the display surface taking up almost the entire front face. A central stand supports the whole unit, with two adjustable heights depending on whether or not a soundbar is placed beneath the screen. One thing remains significant: the panel is over 2.1 meters wide, something to plan for before buying, both for the furniture and for access to the room.

Gaming up to 288 Hz

The panel runs at a native 144 Hz, a frequency already comfortable for recent consoles and PCs. By activating Dual Line Gate (DLG), the TV goes up to 288 Hz at reduced resolution, a mode reserved for gamers seeking maximum smoothness. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and FreeSync Premium Pro certification synchronize the display with the graphics card to prevent screen tearing. All four HDMI inputs are 2.1 standard and accept 4K at 144 Hz, whereas many TVs reserve that bandwidth for only one or two ports. Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and very low input lag complete this gaming package. The AiPQ processor handles real-time image optimizations, including upscaling lower-resolution sources.

Sound tuned by Bang & Olufsen

The integrated audio system is tuned by Bang & Olufsen, the Danish manufacturer partnered with TCL on its high-end TVs. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, two formats that place sound effects above and around the listener. Several profiles are provided depending on the content: movie, music, voice, game, sport, or night listening, the latter reducing volume differences late in the evening. On a screen of this size, a soundbar or dedicated system still makes perfect sense to match the picture, and the HDMI eARC port allows it to be connected with no loss in quality.

Google TV and everyday connectivity

The TV runs on Google TV, the interface that brings together streaming apps and recommendations on a single home screen. Google Assistant responds by voice thanks to a built-in microphone, and wireless streaming works via both Chromecast and AirPlay 2 for Apple devices. On the network side, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 handle wireless connections. The USB port reads files up to 4K at 60 Hz, records programs, and manages the TimeShift function, which pauses live television. Three tuners cover terrestrial TV, cable, and satellite.

Technical specifications

General

• Screen type: SQD-Mini LED
• Diagonal: 98 inches (249 cm)
• Resolution: Ultra HD 4K (3840 × 2160 pixels)
• Aspect ratio: 16 / 9
• Chassis: MT9655
• Operating system: Google TV
• Processor: AiPQ Pro (A73 ×4)
• RAM: 3 GB
• Internal storage: 64 GB
• Tuner: terrestrial, cable, and satellite
• Energy certification: yes

Picture quality

• Display technology: SQD-Mini LED
• Number of dimming zones: 20736
• Peak brightness: 10000 cd/m² (nits)
• Color gamut coverage: 100% BT.2020
• Color depth: 10 bits (8 bits + FRC)
• Native panel refresh rate: 144 Hz
• MEMC: 120 Hz
• Viewing angle: 178° (horizontal / vertical)
• UltraColor anti-reflective filter
• HDR compatibility:
  • HDR10
  • HLG
  • Dolby Vision IQ
  • IMAX Enhanced
  • FreeSync Premium Pro

Gaming performance

• Frequency up to 288 Hz (VRR / DLG)
• Native refresh rate: 144 Hz
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
• FreeSync Premium Pro
• AI optimizations via AiPQ Pro processor

Audio

• Audio system: Bang & Olufsen
• Configuration: 2.0 channels
• Audio power: 2 × 10 W
• Compatibility:
  • Dolby Atmos
  • DTS:X
• Sound modes: movie, music, speech, game, sport, night, custom

Smart TV

• Google TV
• Hands-free Google Assistant (built-in microphone)
• Built-in Chromecast
• AirPlay 2
• Gboard
• Virtual remote control
• Electronic program guide (EPG)
• Parental controls

Connectivity

• Wi-Fi 6
• Bluetooth 5.4
• HDMI CEC
• USB media playback
• Supported audio formats: MP3, MKV, WMA, AVI
• Supported photo formats: JPEG, PNG, BMP, HEIF
• Supported video formats: H.264, H.265, MPEG-1 / 2 / 4, WMV, VC1, VP8, VP9, AV1

USB connectivity

• File playback up to 4K at 60 Hz
• USB recording
• TimeShift function

Design

• Ultra-slim design
• Thickness: 2 cm
• Nearly bezel-less screen
• Discreet central stand

Dimensions and weight

• With stand:
  • Dimensions: 2168 × 420 × 1313 mm
  • Weight: 67.5 kg
• Without stand:
  • Dimensions: 2168 × 24 × 1267 mm
  • Weight: 66 kg
• Wall mount: VESA 600 × 400 mm compatible

Power consumption

• Maximum power consumption: 870 W
• Standby power consumption: 0.5 W
• Power supply: 220-240 V / 50 Hz

Included accessories

• RC933 remote control (2 AAA batteries included)
• Power cord
• Documentation