To RGB or to not RGB, that’s the quandary TCL finds itself in with its 2026 line-up.
TCL is the self-anointed Mini LED king. It’s made it its mission in life to promote extra Mini LEDs than the competitors and by all accounts, it has achieved that purpose.
You’ll presume then, that it wish to promote every type of Mini LED however at its NXT Roadshow occasion in Paris, it despatched out a somewhat complicated message, one that implies that it’s not notably fussed about RGB TVs.
RGB will get no respect
I’ve solely seen a number of RGB TVs so I’m not going to hope on the altar and say they’re the following coming of the TV Gods. However they could characterize an inflection level, a brand new degree of Mini LED efficiency that’s accessible at each premium and extra inexpensive value factors from the get-go.
It may, successfully, change your normal Mini LED and I ponder if TCL is ever so barely perturbed by this.
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You’ve obtained Hisense who appear ecstatic in regards to the potential of RGB. Sony are cautious like somebody who has a giant secret however doesn’t need to inform anybody simply but. Samsung sees RGB as its subsequent mountain to overcome.
Philips and LG come throughout laissez-faire about RGB, believing that OLED remains to be the image king. TCL doesn’t even like OLED – they’re all about Mini LED and out of all of the TV producers their stance is one I can’t comprehend. They appear disinterested to the purpose of being underwhelmed.
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The press launch for the 2026 fashions raves about Tremendous QD Mini-LEDs. However RGB TVs? They get two sentences with no point out of the mannequin numbers.
The chasm between the thrill of SQD Mini-LED versus RGB Mini-LED couldn’t be bigger.
There’s an implication that TCL doesn’t consider the expertise is sort of there but, one thing to be refined for its day within the limelight in a pair years’ time as soon as the expertise has matured. But when that’s the case, it makes little or no sense to me.
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Whereas others shall be making strides in enhancing RGB TV tech, TCL shall be specializing in its SQD TVs. However will SQD be a long-term concern? I’m undecided there’s a protracted shelf life with these fashions.
TCL would be the solely firm that makes them – they’re, in impact, a branding train in the identical means that Samsung’s Neo QLEDs had been Mini LED with a flowery title.
The entire TV market is shifting in direction of RGB indirectly, which appears to be the long run, a minimum of for the following few years, and TCL appear non-plussed about it.
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Maybe this speaks to TCL’s confidence, a mirrored image of its present standing out there the place it could possibly throw a disdainful take a look at RGB. This endorsement of SQD is a energy not a weak spot, an indication that TCL goes its personal means and received’t be made to comply with the identical path as others.
But when RGB takes off it’d discover itself having to play catch-up.
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It’s a danger, I believe, that TCL shouldn’t be exerting extra of a affect on RGB Mini LED. If RGB does take off, TCL shall be caught between supporting its flagship SQD TVs whereas attempting to spice up its RGB fashions. Producing two fashions may imply they cannibalize one another’s gross sales.
Or RGB may wrestle to take off and TCL can be proper, so long as SQD makes an impression. By some means, I don’t suppose that may occur.
2026 will mark the true take a look at of TCL’s standing out there. It’s not taking part in catch-up as a lot within the UK anymore, it’s tussling with the skilled gamers in the identical ring. However not grappling with RGB TV tech may see them inclined to an surprising knockdown.
