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 slate starring the new QM8L and QM7L Super Quantum Dot TVs and the RM9L Micro RGB TV. Prices start at $1,200.

The premium QM8L is the follow-up to the excellent QM8K, and boasts even greater brightness than before, as well as upgraded color, courtesy of Super Quantum Dots. The Super QDs, or “SQD-MiniLEDs” 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 company’s flagship X11L. They also enable the TVs to hit more colors than ever before — the company says they’re capable of reproducing 100% of the hard-to-obtain BT.2020 color space.

See also: Best TVs of 2026

TCL says the QM8L TV features up to 4,000 discrete local dimming zones, as well as the company’s Halo Control system, which should lead to even better contrast. In addition, there is an increase to 6,000-nit peak brightness — up by 2,000 — which would make it one of the brightest TVs ever produced. At a preview event, the company said the TV’s expanded brightness is designed to take advantage of the Dolby Vision 2 Max standard.

Other upgrades to the QM8L include the CSOT WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel for wider viewing angles with better color and higher contrast, and an antireflective layer. This last point sets it apart from the X11L, which is a rather reflective TV.

Meanwhile, the QM7L keeps 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 plenty bright, and the Super QDs should help it look punchy, color-wise.

Meanwhile, the company will have its own RGB-Mini LED TV, the RM9L, which includes the Enhanced Halo Control systems, high-contrast CSOT WHVA 2.0 Ultra panel and the 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 was keeping the QM6K on for another year. The QM6K is a great TV, and despite being dimmer than most competitors, it was still one of my favorite models from 2025. The company will keep the range on for 2026 and add an extra 50-inch size.

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

The TCL QM8L models are available now.

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

The RM9L is available for preorder:

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

Meanwhile, the TCL QM7L models are available for preorder:

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