Micro RGB TVs Were Everywhere at CES, but TCL’s QM8L Could Put Them to Shame

TCL’s 2026 TVs are here, and it’s an impressive list featuring the new QM8L and QM7L Super Quantum Dot TVs and the RM9L Micro RGB TV. Prices start at $1,200.

The high-end QM8L follows on from the excellent QM8K and offers even greater brightness than before, as well as improved color, thanks to Super Quantum Dots. The Super QDs, or “SQD-MiniLED” as TCL calls them, are a refined version of the existing dots, and they are the same ones that make up the backlight of the the company’s flagship product, the X11L. They also allow TVs to display more colors than ever before: the company claims they are capable of reproducing 100% of the hard-to-obtain BT.2020 color space.

See also: Best TVs of 2026

TCL says the QM8L TV includes up to 4,000 discrete local dimming zones, as well as the company’s Halo Control system, which should lead to even better contrast. Additionally, the peak brightness has been increased to 6,000 nits, an increase of 2,000, which would make this one of the brightest TVs ever produced. At a preview event, the company said the TV’s expanded brightness was designed to take advantage of the Dolby Vision 2 Max standard.

Other improvements to the QM8L include the Ultra CSOT WHVA 2.0 panel for wider viewing angles with better colors and higher contrast, as well as an anti-reflective layer. This last point differentiates it from the X11L which is a rather reflective television.

Meanwhile, the QM7L retains the SQD-MicroLED system for color, but uses a slightly less advanced HVA 2.0 Pro panel, with half the dimming zones (2,100) and brightness (3,000 nits). The TV should still be very bright and the Super QDs should make it look punchy in terms of colors.

Meanwhile, the company will have its own RGB-Mini LED TV, the RM9L, which features the upgraded Halo control systems, high-contrast CSOT WHVA 2.0 Ultra panel, and TSR AI Pro processor. The company still prefers its own SQD-MicroLED, but if you want an RGB micro-LED, this is it.

The company also announced that it would keep the QM6K for another year. The QM6K is a great TV, and while it’s darker than most competitors, it was still one of my favorite models of 2025. The company will keep the lineup for 2026 and add an additional 50-inch size.

TCL has consistently released the TVs to beat, according to our own CNET testing, and if the improvements contribute to better picture quality at affordable prices, it’s a win for everyone.

TCL QM8L models are available now.

• QM8L 65 inches: $2,500
• QM8L 75-inch: $3,000
• 85-inch QM8L: $4,000
• 98-inch QM8L: $6,000

The RM9L is available for pre-order:

• RM9L 115 inches: $30,000
• 98-inch RM9L: $10,000
• 85-inch RM9L: $8,000

In the meantime, the TCL QM7L models are available for pre-order:

• 55-inch QM7L: $1,200
• QM7L 65-inch: $1,500
• QM7L 75-inch: $2,000
• 85-inch QM7L: $2,500
• 98-inch QM7L: $4,000