TCL 98C8K 98"

Manufacturer: TCL

The TCL 98C8K is a large-screen television built around a 98-inch Mini-LED, QLED-backlit LCD panel running at 4K UHD resolution. It sits at the higher end of TCL's lineup in terms of screen real estate, catering to those who want a commanding presence in a living room or dedicated viewing space. The set runs a built-in smart TV platform with support for Chromecast, AirPlay, Google Assistant, and Alexa, and it accepts input from smartphones as a remote.

On the technical side, the panel delivers a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels at 45 ppi and covers a 144Hz refresh rate with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro adaptive sync, making it relevant for both broadcast content and gaming use. Brightness is rated at 5000 nits typical, and HDR coverage includes HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG. The set offers four HDMI 2.1 ports, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, Bluetooth 5.4, and one USB port. Audio support spans Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS-HD High Resolution, and HDMI eARC, with a subwoofer included in the built-in speaker system.

Pros

The 144Hz refresh rate combined with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support makes the display well-suited for smooth motion handling in both broadcast content and gaming scenarios
All four major HDR formats — HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG — are supported, giving the set broad compatibility with HDR-encoded content
Five DVB tuner standards are built in, covering terrestrial, cable, and satellite reception without needing an external tuner
The audio system includes a subwoofer alongside stereo speakers, and supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for multi-dimensional sound formats
Both Chromecast and AirPlay are built in, and the set is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, offering flexibility across different smart home ecosystems
All four HDMI ports run at version 2.1, and HDMI eARC is included for lossless audio passthrough to compatible external audio devices

Cons

Only a single USB port is available, which limits simultaneous connection of USB devices
There is no 3.5 mm headset jack, so wired headphone or audio adapter connections are not possible directly from the set
The remote control is not rechargeable, requiring periodic battery replacement
The set does not support Siri or Apple HomeKit, limiting integration within Apple-centric smart home setups
At 56,000 g, the physical weight of the unit makes repositioning or wall-mounting a more demanding installation task
No external memory slot is available, so local storage expansion is not an option

Who is this for?

The TCL 98C8K is well-matched for users who want a large, fixed installation in a dedicated living room or home cinema setup, where the 98-inch screen size can be appreciated from a comfortable viewing distance. The combination of a 144Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro makes it a capable choice for console and PC gamers who want smooth, tear-free visuals on a big screen, particularly given the four HDMI 2.1 ports that support modern gaming hardware. Viewers who regularly consume HDR content will also find the set accommodating, as it covers all four major HDR formats — HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG — while the built-in Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, paired with a subwoofer, suits those who want a more immersive audio experience without immediately needing external speakers.

Who is this NOT for?

This set is not a practical fit for users with limited or smaller room dimensions, as the physical footprint and 56 kg weight demand a purpose-built space and careful installation planning, particularly for wall mounting. Those who rely heavily on Apple's ecosystem will find the lack of Siri and Apple HomeKit support a notable gap, as smart home integration is limited on that side. Additionally, users who need flexible audio output options — such as wired headphone connections or multiple simultaneous USB peripherals — will be constrained by the absence of a 3.5 mm jack and the single USB port available on the set.

Display:

display resolution	4K (UHD)
Display type	Mini-LED, LED-backlit, LCD, QLED
screen size	98"
resolution	3840 x 2160 px
pixel density	45 ppi
display colors	1070 million
bit depth	10-bit
brightness (typical)	5000 nits
refresh rate	144Hz
supports HDR10	✓
supports HDR10+	✓
supports Dolby Vision	✓
supports HLG	✓
Adaptive synchronization	AMD FreeSync, AMD FreeSync Premium, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
has anti-reflection coating	✓
has an ambient light sensor	✓
maximum horizontal viewing angle	178º
maximum vertical viewing angle	178º

The TCL 98C8K features a 98-inch Mini-LED, QLED-backlit LCD panel with a native 4K UHD resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels at 45 ppi, rendering up to 1070 million colors at 10-bit depth. Brightness is rated at 5000 nits typical, and the display supports a full range of HDR formats including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG. The 144Hz refresh rate is paired with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro adaptive sync, making it suited for fast-moving content, and both horizontal and vertical viewing angles reach 178 degrees. An anti-reflection coating and an ambient light sensor are also included, helping the panel adapt to different room conditions.

Connectivity:

Has Bluetooth	✓
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
HDMI ports	4
supports Wi-Fi	✓
Wi-Fi version	Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Bluetooth version	5.4
USB ports	1
RJ45 ports	1
supports Miracast	✓
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack	✕
has an external memory slot	✕
has a VGA connector	✕
DVB standards	DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-C, DVB-S, DVB-S2
has a DVI connector	✕

The TCL 98C8K is equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports alongside one USB port and one RJ45 Ethernet port for wired networking. Wireless connectivity covers Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, and Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.4 is also built in, with Miracast supported for wireless screen mirroring. Tuner support spans DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-C, DVB-S, and DVB-S2 standards. The set does not include a 3.5 mm headset jack, an external memory slot, a VGA connector, or a DVI connector.

Audio:

supports Dolby Digital	✓
supports Digital Out	✓
supports Dolby Digital Plus	✓
has SRS TheaterSound HD	✕
has stereo speakers	✓
has Dolby Atmos	✓
has Dolby Audio	✓
supports Dolby Virtual	✕
has a subwoofer	✓
has a DTS-HD High Resolution	✓
has DTS:X	✓
HDMI ARC / eARC	HDMI ARC, HDMI eARC

The TCL 98C8K supports a broad set of audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, Dolby Audio, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus, though Dolby Virtual and SRS TheaterSound HD are not supported. On the DTS side, both DTS:X and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio are present. The built-in speaker system includes stereo speakers and a subwoofer, and Digital Out is available for external audio routing. Both HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC are supported, allowing compatible soundbars and receivers to be connected with full audio passthrough capability.

Design:

width	2166 mm
weight	56000 g
thickness	54 mm
height	1236 mm
volume	144567.504 cm³
Supports VESA mount	✓
maximum operating temperature	35 °C
lowest potential operating temperature	5 °C

The TCL 98C8K measures 2166 mm wide, 1236 mm tall, and 54 mm thick, with a total volume of 144,567.504 cm³ and a weight of 56,000 g. VESA mount support is included for wall installation. The set is rated to operate within a temperature range of 5 °C at the low end and 35 °C at the maximum.

Features:

has Chromecast built-in	✓
has AirPlay	✓
has built-in smart TV	✓
compatible with Google Assistant	✓
works with Alexa	✓
works with Siri/Apple HomeKit	✕
supports a remote smartphone	✓
has a rechargeable remote control	✕
supports USB recording	✓
standby power consumption	0.5W
has a search browser	✓
has a sleep timer	✓
has a child lock	✓
warranty period	1 years
has voice commands	✓

The TCL 98C8K includes a built-in smart TV platform with Chromecast and AirPlay support, and it is compatible with both Google Assistant and Alexa for voice commands, though Siri and Apple HomeKit are not supported. Smartphones can be used as a remote, and a built-in web browser is available. Additional utilities include a sleep timer, child lock, and USB recording functionality. Standby power consumption is rated at 0.5W, and the remote control is not rechargeable. Siri/Apple HomeKit compatibility is absent, and the set comes with a one-year warranty.

Final Verdict

The TCL 98C8K positions itself as a large-format television built around a well-rounded specification sheet, combining a 98-inch Mini-LED QLED panel with 5000 nits brightness, 144Hz refresh rate, and full HDR format coverage into a single unit that covers a wide range of viewing and gaming scenarios. Its four HDMI 2.1 ports, broad smart platform support, and comprehensive audio format compatibility give it genuine versatility for a fixed home installation. Where it falls short — a single USB port, no headset jack, no Apple HomeKit support, and a considerable physical footprint — these are trade-offs that prospective buyers in smaller spaces or Apple-centric households should weigh carefully. For those with the right room and setup, however, the TCL 98C8K delivers a technically thorough package that holds up across movie watching, gaming, and everyday smart TV use.