LG 100QNED85AU 100" VS TCL 98C7K 98"

At their core, both the LG 100QNED85AU and TCL 98C7K share the same fundamental display DNA: native 4K (3840 × 2160) resolution, 10-bit color depth capable of rendering 1.07 billion colors, a 144Hz refresh rate, and identical 178° horizontal and vertical viewing angles. Both are Mini-LED LCD panels with anti-reflection coatings and ambient light sensors, meaning day-to-day brightness management and glare control are on equal footing. The marginal pixel density difference — 44 ppi on the LG versus 45 ppi on the TCL — is imperceptible at normal viewing distances for screens this large.

The real divergence lies in panel technology and HDR ecosystem support. The TCL 98C7K uses a QLED layer on top of its Mini-LED backlight, which typically translates to a wider color gamut and more saturated, vivid images compared to a standard LED-backlit LCD like the LG. More critically for HDR content, the TCL supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ in addition to the baseline HDR10 and HLG that both TVs share. This matters because streaming services and Blu-ray releases increasingly use these dynamic metadata formats to optimize brightness and color on a scene-by-scene basis — without support, the LG must rely on static HDR10 tone-mapping, which is noticeably less precise. For gamers, the TCL also adds AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, which enforces Low Framerate Compensation and HDR requirements on top of standard FreeSync Premium, delivering smoother, tear-free gaming in high-dynamic-range environments.

The LG's sole display advantage is its larger physical footprint — 100.3″ versus the TCL's 97.5″ — which may be meaningful if maximizing screen real estate is the primary goal. However, on display quality and versatility, the TCL 98C7K holds a clear edge: its QLED technology, broader HDR format compatibility (Dolby Vision + HDR10+), and enhanced adaptive sync tier combine to deliver a more capable panel for both premium streaming content and high-fidelity gaming.

Wired connectivity is nearly identical between the two TVs: both offer 4 HDMI 2.1 ports and a single RJ45 ethernet jack, which means full-bandwidth 4K/144Hz passthrough is available on every HDMI input for either set. Where they diverge is in USB and analog audio. The TCL 98C7K edges ahead with 3 USB ports versus the LG's 2 — a small but practical advantage when juggling storage drives, streaming sticks, or service dongles simultaneously. More notably, only the TCL includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, which remains relevant for users who want to route private audio to wired headphones without relying on Bluetooth or an external DAC.

Wireless tells a more nuanced story. The LG 100QNED85AU supports Wi-Fi 6E, extending connectivity into the 6GHz band — a meaningful upgrade in congested environments where the 2.4GHz and 5GHz spectrums are crowded with neighboring devices. The TCL tops out at Wi-Fi 6, which is capable but lacks access to that less-congested 6GHz channel. On Bluetooth, the TCL carries version 5.4 against the LG's 5.3, a generational step that brings marginal improvements in connection stability and power efficiency — noticeable mainly for peripherals like soundbars or headphones used over extended periods, but not a decisive differentiator in practice.

Neither TV has a clear sweep here — it comes down to use case. The LG 100QNED85AU holds the Wi-Fi edge with its 6E support, which is the more impactful wireless advantage for future-proofing in dense network environments. But the TCL 98C7K is more practical for everyday peripheral use, thanks to its extra USB port and the addition of a headphone jack. Users prioritizing a cleaner wireless setup should lean LG; those who value physical connectivity flexibility will find the TCL better equipped.

For the vast majority of audio specs, these two TVs are indistinguishable: both carry stereo speakers with a built-in subwoofer, support the full Dolby suite — including Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus — and implement both HDMI ARC and eARC for lossless audio passthrough to external soundbars or AV receivers. The eARC port in particular is worth highlighting, as it enables uncompressed formats like Dolby TrueHD to travel from the TV back to an amplifier, which matters most for users with a dedicated home theater setup rather than relying on the built-in speakers.

The sole differentiator is DTS:X support, which is present on the TCL 98C7K and absent on the LG. DTS:X is an object-based surround format — comparable in concept to Dolby Atmos — that is commonly used on Blu-ray discs and some streaming content. Without it, the LG must either downmix DTS:X tracks or fall back to a standard DTS core, which means reduced spatial audio fidelity for that content. For users who regularly watch physical media or access DTS:X-encoded streams, this is a genuine gap rather than a theoretical one.

Overall, the TCL 98C7K has a narrow but real advantage in audio format coverage. The LG's Dolby-only approach covers the majority of modern streaming content comfortably, but the TCL's addition of DTS:X makes it the more versatile option for users who want comprehensive surround format support across all content sources.

Given that the LG 100QNED85AU has a larger screen, its greater width and height are expected — but the weight gap between these two sets is striking. The LG tips the scales at 68.1 kg, while the TCL 98C7K weighs only 55.3 kg, a difference of nearly 13 kg. At this size category, that delta is highly consequential: wall-mounting a 68 kg panel typically requires more installers, heavier-duty mounting hardware, and a more rigorous wall-stud assessment. The TCL's relative lightness meaningfully simplifies logistics for both professional installation and long-term structural load on the wall.

The thickness dynamic runs in the opposite direction. The LG is noticeably slimmer at 50.8 mm versus the TCL's 61 mm — a 10mm difference that translates to a flatter, more flush appearance against the wall, which matters for users prioritizing a clean, minimalist aesthetic. Interestingly, despite its smaller screen dimensions, the TCL's greater depth results in a larger overall volume (approximately 165,826 cm³ versus the LG's 144,738 cm³), suggesting more internal chassis space — possibly accommodating its additional hardware components. Both sets support VESA mounting, so bracket compatibility is not a differentiating factor.

Design-wise, neither TV wins outright — the trade-offs point in different directions depending on priorities. The LG 100QNED85AU has the slimmer profile, which wins on wall aesthetics. But the TCL 98C7K's significantly lower weight is the more practically impactful advantage, reducing the complexity and cost of safe installation for panels in this size class.

Functionally, these two TVs are remarkably well-matched on smart features. Both run built-in smart TV platforms with browser search, smartphone remote support, USB recording, voice commands, and identical 0.5W standby consumption. Practical household conveniences like sleep timers and child locks are present on both. Neither offers a rechargeable remote or Apple HomeKit/Siri integration, so users embedded in the Apple ecosystem will find the same limitation regardless of which set they choose.

The single concrete differentiator is Amazon Alexa compatibility, which the LG 100QNED85AU supports and the TCL 98C7K does not. Both TVs work with Google Assistant and AirPlay, but for households already built around an Alexa ecosystem — smart lights, thermostats, routines — native Alexa support on the LG means the TV can participate directly in those automations without a workaround device. For TCL users in that ecosystem, voice control would need to be routed through a separate Alexa-enabled device rather than the TV itself.

On features, the LG 100QNED85AU holds a narrow edge purely by virtue of its broader voice assistant coverage. That said, for the majority of users who rely on Google Assistant or don't have a heavily Alexa-integrated home, the gap is negligible — the two TVs are otherwise functionally equivalent in this category.