TCL 55C815K, A Comprehensive Review of the 55-Inch QLED 4K Ultra HD Android TV

TCL is fast reaching the top of the pyramid in terms of television technologies that offer good performance, lots of features, and competitive pricing. The TCL 55C815K will grab you if it’s a premium viewing experience you’re after, but without the high-end price-tag. In this review, we will explore the design, picture quality, smart features, and overall value that the TCL 55C815K offers, to help you determine whether or not this is what you’re looking for in a TV.

Unboxing, Setup, and First Impressions

When the 55C815K arrived packed in a bubble-wrapped box with intricate pieces that clicked and slid into place, there was no question that this television was in a whole other league. The package was simple yet modern, the manual clear and intuitive, and the entire menu was a breeze to navigate. And, with the touch of a button, there was no disputing the clarity of the 55-inch QLED 4K Ultra HD display. I felt like I’d walked into another universe.

The Power of QLED: A Deep Dive into Picture Quality

The 55-inch QLED display on the TCL 55C815K is a real attention-getter. Quantum dots in QLED make possible an incredible colour gamut, so what you see on-screen is way more saturated and realistic than the colours on an oldish LED TV. Soaring sunsets and the multi-coloured worlds of nature docs looked incredible. And the 4K Ultra HD resolution (that’s 3,840 x 2,160 pixels) makes for ultra-sharp details that will make you feel like you’re on airlift duty alongside a rescued child.

To better gauge the capabilities of QLED, I tested the TCL 55C815K with a mixed catalog, watching nature documentaries, movies and action films. In each case, I was wowed by the content on screen: colours came off the screen and details were extra sharp. TCL 55C815K: good overall performance, improved contrast, excellent HDR support The HDR support is an advantage with the TCL 55C815K. Dolby Vision HDR and HLG are also part of the mix, and potentially result in even better picture quality; some content creators prefer Dolby Vision, while others might prefer HLG, and HDR10 is present as well.

As mentioned above, dimensions of video and colour space have increased quickly, and the TV should support as many of those dimensions as possible: once an image is created using a wider colour space, like HDR, it’s quite difficult to bring it back under SDR again, because so much information is lost that way. The overall HDR image quality for movies was very good, with fine detail both in darker and brighter areas.

In the same way, Blade Runner 2049’s dystopian vision of Los Angeles, dark yet marbled with dripping neon reflections, appeared far more vivid and tangible to me thanks to the TCL 55C815K’s support for HDR: the light seeping from each storefront and neon sign looked perfectly natural against the shadows that all but engulfed the grimy downtown alleys and walkways.

Android TV: A User-Friendly Smart Platform

The TCL 55C815K runs Android TV, which means there’s an immense selection of smart features and apps to wade through, and the user interface (UI) is intuitive enough that it’s easy to locate the main streaming services – Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Disney+, for starters, plus literally hundreds of other apps and games – as well as the array of options they come with. The Google Assistant built into the TV can be summoned with hands-free voice control for easy searching, volume adjustment or operation of other smart devices under your digital roof. One of my favourite features of Android TV is the Chromecast integration, which lets you cast content from your phone or tablet to your TCL 55C815K. This turns it into a smart technology hub you can share with the entire family, for photo, video and music sharing.

Sound: A Decent Performance, But Not Stellar

The TV’s integrated speakers are fine; but, like almost all TVs, they are not particularly powerful. The audio is mostly accurate, with a good level of clarity and a strong sense of crisp, but it is very thin; a distinct lack of richness and depth. For casual TV viewing, the 2 x 10W speakers will be fine but, for an all-encompassing cinema-like experience, you will probably want to connect the TV up to a soundbar or external speakers.

The Dolby Atmos support touches more on immersion than actual depth, however, and that additional immersion almost feels like an insult, given the presence of those integrated speakers. That’s fine, but better quality audio is to be had elsewhere. I did improve the audio by hooking up a high-end soundbar to the TCL 55C815K, and the effect was startling. Sound was so much bigger and more immersive, with improved detail, and the whole experience simply more exciting as a result.

Design and Build Quality: A Sleek and Modern Aesthetic

The TCL 55C815K is a good-looking TV, with paper-thin, black bezels that help to enhance the picture. It’ll happily blend into just about any modern home décor. The stand is properly sleek too, and manages to hold the TV with a minimalist elegance that gives you confidence about its stability. Physical quality is good. It has a satisfactory heft and a premium feel.

Connectivity: A Wide Range of Options

Ports include 3 x HDMI ports, 2 x USB ports (one USB 3.0), an Ethernet port, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (version unspecified, so check for yourself in the fine print of the Amazon page) and cable/satellite boxes or antennas. This range allows connection to the TV of nearly all acronym devices, so fret not: the TCL 55C815K has you covered. If you plan to work/game/stream/exercise along with your favourite TV programs (or if you have kids to be quiet for, too), you’ll be pleased to discover a Bluetooth connection in the TV. This means you can just reach for your favourite pair of wireless headphones.

TCL 55C815K: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Excellent picture quality with QLED technology and HDR support
• Sleek and modern design
• Comprehensive smart features with Android TV
• Affordable price point
• Good connectivity options

Cons:

• Average sound quality
• Limited viewing angles

The Verdict: A Great Value for a 55-Inch QLED TV

The TCL 55C815K is a great buy today if you’re market is the just-right balance between features and performance in a beautiful 55-inch QLED 4K Ultra HD display. Excellent picture quality, thoughtful smart features and a super low price tag, plus a design tailor-made for watchers who don’t demand exacting image quality — all combine to make a hard-to-beat entertainment centre for movie, music and game lovers alike.

Okay, its so-so (middle of the road) speakers and narrow viewing angles will be a significant compromise for the person who cares about sound and viewing angle, so take that into consideration with your purchase. Other than those few shortcomings, the balance the TCL 55C815K delivers between low price and performance should put a smile on your face no matter what your viewing preferences happen to be.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between QLED and OLED?

QLED has better colour and brightness (by using quantum dots, which are very small semiconductor particles), and OLED (which stands for organic light-emitting diode) has better black levels and angle viewing. QLED is generally cheaper than OLED.

Does the TCL 55C815K support gaming?

Considering this a gaming TV is a stretch, but it does have low input lag and a 60Hz refresh rate so it’s sufficient for most gamers who aren’t looking to play professional esports online.

Is the TCL 55C815K compatible with Alexa?

The TCL 55C815K works with Google Assistant, but not Alexa. But you can command the TV (and apps such as Netflix) and engage in two-way conversations with Google Assistant, and control the TV with voice commands using an Amazon Echo (or any other compatible Alexa-enabled device).

What is the warranty on the TCL 55C815K?

Unless otherwise noted in the manufacturer’s warranty booklet or on the product packaging, a 1-year limited warranty applies to commonly replaced parts and labour for the TCL 55C815K. The manufacturer’s warranty covers parts and labour, but there may be an additional cost for shipping and handling. For further details on the warranty, visit the manufacturer’s website or contact them via the information printed on your product packaging.

TCL 55C815K: A Comparison to Other TVs in its Class

This is the TCL 55C815K, a low-cost rival in the 55-inch mid-range QLED TV market, which competes with similar offerings from the behemoths Samsung, LG, and Sony. Here's a quick table that highlights the differences and similarities:

Samsung QN55Q60A

• Similar picture quality with QLED technology and HDR support
• More powerful sound system
• Higher refresh rate for smoother gaming
• More expensive

LG OLED55C1PUB

• Superior picture quality with OLED technology and wider viewing angles
• More immersive sound system
• More expensive

Sony X80J

• Solid picture quality with 4K HDR support
• Affordable price point
• Less impressive smart features

In the end, what will be best for you is a question of personal priorities. If you regard picture quality overwhelmingly as the most important factor, features, value and perhaps size next, the TCL 55C815K will not disappoint. If audio quality, gaming performance or off-angle viewing are more important to you, you may wish to explore other choices.