We’ve already seen a couple of big launches from the budget-friendly television brand TCL this year, namely the launch of the “world’s first artistic TV with QD-Mini LED” during April, and shortly before that, four new affordable TV series. Now, the brand is going a little more premium than those affordable options by introducing the new C7L-UK and C8L-UK models with SQD.

As the name would suggest, these are for the UK market and they both utilize TCL’s Super Quantum Dot Mini LED technology to allow for high peak brightness and precise backlight control. TCL claims the technology offers “a 69% increase in color accuracy” when compared to regular Quantum Dot panels. Both new models have sizes ranging from 55 inches to 98 inches.

✓ TCL introduces new C7L and C8L models to the UK

• C7L-UK and C8L-UK feature SQD-Mini LED backlight technology
• Both models offer 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″, and 98″ sizes
• C7L-UK starts at £1,099, while the C8L-UK starts at £1,199
• 4,032 dimming zones for the C8L-UK, and 2,176 for the C7L-UK
• Up to a massive 6,000 peak brightness for the top model; this is halved for the C7L-UK
• Both televisions feature 144Hz at native 4K, or up to 288Hz VRR with TCL Game Boost
• Retailer listings are now starting to show up online

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Press release in full

London, May 2026: TCL, a global leader in consumer electronics and the world’s No.1 Ultra-large, Mini LED and Google TV brand, has announced the C7L-UK and C8L-UK SQD-Mini LED TVs, two premium models designed to combine high peak brightness, precise backlight control, and immersive audio to create a more cinematic viewing experience in the home.

TCL believes that everyday viewing should be exceptional by design, which is why the C7L-UK and C8L-UK are designed to fit into any home while bringing true flagship-quality features to users.

At the core of each of these exceptional new TVs is TCL’s new Super Quantum Dot technology, delivering a 69% increase in colour accuracy versus regular Quantum Dots. This is the same screen technology that powers our flagship model.

The new C7L-UK and C8L-UK SQD-Mini TVs leap forward when it comes to brightness, colour, and clarity, representing the next generation of Mini LED technology and a true step up in home viewing performance.

SQD-Mini LED: A truly next-gen upgrade

The TCL C7L-UK and C8L-UK push well beyond the performance of their predecessors thanks to TCL’s bespoke Super Quantum Dot layer, offering greatly improved saturation, contrast, and control over colour.

At the centre of TCL’s SQD-Mini LED technology is the Deep Colour System, which controls lightbleed between dark and light areas, addressing a key concern with regular Mini-LED displays.

In addition to the mentioned 69% increase in quantum dot performance, SQD-Mini LED panels offer up to 33% better colour gamut. As such, the C7L-UK and C8L-UK can both produce 100% coverage of the BT.2020 All Scenes Wide Colour Gamut, with levels of contrast that approach OLED TVs.

The C7L-UK and C8L-UK both have a remarkable number of precise dimming zones for TVs at such accessible price points, which gives both models impressive contrast and helps to control colours.

The C7L-UK has up to 2,176 precise dimming zones, while the C8L-UK boasts up to 4,032 precise dimming zones. Both models increase the maximum number of dimming zones versus the previous generation.

A bright, fast, and smart experience

Combining a dense array of precise dimming zones with TCL’s SQD-Mini LED technology means the C7L-UK and C8L-UK are able to achieve fabulous brightness, which dazzles through the day and night.

The C7L-UK offers up to 3,000 nits of peak HDR brightness, and the C8L-UK can provide up to an astounding 6,000 nits of peak HDR brightness.

Furthermore, both models support all leading HDR formats for dynamic metadata such as HDR10+, HDR10, Dolby Vision HQ, and IMAX Enhanced viewing, to bring a truly cinematic experience to home viewing.

But a great viewing experience is about more than brightness alone. Whether tracking the action in a game or keeping up with the action in live sports, the C7L-UK and C8L-UK make it easy to keep up with even the fastest on-screen motion.

Both TVs can reach up to 144Hz in their native 4K resolution, or up to a blazing fast 288Hz Variable Refresh Rate when scaled to FHD with TCL Game Boost.

And that speed of motion is backed up by TCL’s TSR AiPQ processor, giving users access to the full suite of TCL’s AI upscaling and motion processing tools.

Sight and sound in perfect parallel

Choosing the right TV is about more than just picture performance, and while the TCL C7L-UK and C8L-UK amaze with their SQD-Mini LED panels, there’s no slacking when it comes to audio.

TCL has partnered with Bang and Olufsen to fit its C-series models with room-filling speakers, and both the C7L-UK and C8L-UK offer a 2.1 surround sound experience with Dolby Atmos support.

And with a sleek design and large surface-to-screen ratio, both the C7L-UK and C8L-UK can find a place in any room.

The C8L-UK in particular comes equipped with TCL’s ZeroBorder display, the same as the flagship X11L, which minimises the black space in between the active display and the bezel.

The TCL C7L-UK SQD-Mini LED TV is available in the following sizes and at the following price points:

• 55-inch: £1,099
• 65-inch: £1,299
• 75-inch: £1,699
• 85-inch: £2,299
• 98-inch: £3,299

The TCL C8L-UK SQD-Mini LED TV is available in the following sizes and at the following price points:

• 55-inch: £1,199
• 65-inch: £1,899
• 75-inch: £2,299
• 85-inch: £2,999
• 98-inch: £3,999

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