Hisense 85A6Q 85" VS TCL 98QM9K 98"

Both the Hisense 85A6Q and the TCL 98QM9K share the same 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution, 10-bit color depth, and 1070 million colors, meaning neither has an inherent advantage in raw color volume or pixel count. Their pixel densities are virtually identical (52 ppi vs 54 ppi), so at typical viewing distances the sharpness of each image will be indistinguishable. Both panels also cover the full spectrum of HDR standards — HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG — along with anti-reflection coating, an ambient light sensor, and wide 178° viewing angles in both axes, making these shared traits effectively a draw.

The most significant differentiators lie in panel technology and motion handling. The TCL uses a QLED Mini-LED panel, which combines quantum dot color enhancement with a densely packed Mini-LED backlight for superior local dimming, higher peak brightness, and better contrast compared to the Hisense's conventional LED-backlit LCD. Equally important is the refresh rate gap: the TCL runs at 144Hz versus the Hisense's 60Hz. In practice, 144Hz delivers markedly smoother motion in fast-paced content like sports and action films, and is a substantial advantage for gaming with compatible sources. At 60Hz, the Hisense can show some motion blur in these scenarios that the TCL largely avoids.

The TCL 98QM9K holds a clear display advantage in this group. Its QLED Mini-LED technology raises the ceiling for contrast and brightness performance, and its 144Hz refresh rate is a meaningful real-world upgrade over 60Hz for any motion-heavy use case. The Hisense 85A6Q competes on all the fundamentals — resolution, HDR support, viewing angles — but its standard LCD backlight and lower refresh rate put it a step behind. The size difference (85″ vs 97.5″) is also substantial and worth factoring in for room fit, but as a pure display technology comparison, the TCL is the stronger panel.

On the wired side, both TVs share a solid foundation: HDMI 2.1 across all ports, two USB ports, and a single RJ45 Ethernet port. The TCL edges ahead here with 4 HDMI ports versus the Hisense's 3 — a practical difference for users running multiple 4K or high-refresh-rate devices simultaneously (a console, a soundbar, a streaming stick, and a Blu-ray player, for instance) without needing a separate switch.

Wireless connectivity is where the gap widens more meaningfully. The TCL supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) in addition to the older Wi-Fi 4 and 5 standards that both TVs share. Wi-Fi 6 delivers higher throughput, lower latency, and better performance in congested network environments — relevant for 4K HDR streaming, which is bandwidth-hungry, especially on a near-100-inch screen. On Bluetooth, the TCL's version 5.4 improves on the Hisense's 5.0 with better connection stability and efficiency, which matters for wireless headphones or audio accessories. The Hisense counters with a 3.5mm audio jack — absent on the TCL — which is a small but genuine advantage for users who want a direct wired headphone connection without an adapter or Bluetooth pairing.

The TCL 98QM9K has a clear connectivity edge overall. The extra HDMI port, Wi-Fi 6 support, and newer Bluetooth version give it a more future-ready and versatile setup. The Hisense's 3.5mm jack is a niche win for a specific use case, but it does not offset the TCL's broader connectivity advantages.

For the most part, these two TVs are evenly matched on audio credentials. Both support Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Audio, DTS:X, and Digital Out, and both include HDMI ARC and eARC — the latter being particularly important, as eARC carries lossless audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio to a connected soundbar without compression losses.

The single differentiator in this group is Dolby Atmos, which the TCL 98QM9K supports and the Hisense 85A6Q does not. Dolby Atmos adds a height dimension to the surround sound mix, creating a more immersive, three-dimensional audio experience compared to standard surround formats. On the TV's built-in speakers alone the practical impact is limited, but it becomes significant when passing audio to an Atmos-capable soundbar or AV receiver via eARC — in that scenario, the TCL can deliver the full object-based Atmos signal while the Hisense cannot.

The TCL holds a narrow but real audio edge solely due to Dolby Atmos support. Users who plan to pair their TV with a capable external audio system will appreciate the TCL's ability to pass through that richer format. For those relying entirely on built-in speakers, the two sets are functionally equivalent in this group.

Size differences dominate this category, as expected from an 85″ versus a 97.5″ panel. The TCL 98QM9K is considerably larger in footprint — wider by roughly 274mm and taller by about 137mm — and its weight of 56 kg versus the Hisense's 36 kg is a logistically significant gap. Moving, wall-mounting, or repositioning the TCL is genuinely a two-or-more-person job, and wall brackets rated for that load class are essential. Buyers should factor in structural wall requirements and room dimensions carefully before committing.

Where the TCL surprises is in its 54.1mm thickness, nearly half the Hisense's 101mm depth. This is a direct consequence of its Mini-LED construction, which allows for a slimmer chassis despite the larger screen. The practical payoff is a more wall-hugging profile that looks cleaner in a living space, particularly on a wall mount. Interestingly, despite its much larger screen area, the TCL's overall physical volume (≈144,830 cm³) is actually lower than the Hisense's (≈210,010 cm³), meaning the Hisense's bulk is concentrated in its depth rather than its footprint.

There is no clear overall winner here — the right choice depends entirely on use case. The Hisense's lighter weight and shallower footprint commitment make it easier to install and reposition, while the TCL's dramatically slimmer profile rewards those who wall-mount and prioritize aesthetics. Both support VESA mounting and share identical operating temperature ranges, so neither has an environmental advantage. Buyers should treat this group as a practical fit-and-installation checklist rather than a performance differentiator.

Across the smart feature set, these two TVs are remarkably alike. Both carry built-in smart TV platforms, AirPlay, Google Assistant, Alexa, smartphone remote support, USB recording, voice commands, and the same 0.5W standby consumption. Neither supports Siri/Apple HomeKit, and neither ships with a rechargeable remote. For the vast majority of daily use cases — streaming, voice control, smart home integration — the experience on paper is effectively identical.

The one meaningful differentiator is the warranty period. The Hisense covers the TV for 3 years, while the TCL offers only 1 year. On a large-screen premium purchase — especially one as substantial in size and price as a 98″ TV — the length of manufacturer coverage carries real financial weight. A longer warranty reduces the risk exposure for panel or component failures that fall outside the first year, which are not uncommon in large LCD panels.

The Hisense 85A6Q takes a clear edge in this group purely on the strength of its 3-year warranty. It is the only differentiator in an otherwise feature-identical comparison, but it is a consequential one. Buyers investing in the TCL's larger screen should factor in the cost of extended third-party coverage if long-term protection is a priority.