TCL 98P8L 98" specifications and in-depth review

TCL 98P8L 98"

Manufacturer: TCL

The TCL 98P8L is a large-screen television built around a 97.5″ Mini-LED QLED panel that combines LED backlighting with quantum dot technology to deliver a 4K UHD picture across its expansive display surface. Running a built-in smart TV platform, it supports Chromecast, AirPlay, Google Assistant, and Alexa, giving users several ways to interact with and control the set. Voice commands, a sleep timer, child lock, and USB recording round out a feature set oriented toward everyday usability.

On the display side, the TCL 98P8L offers a 144Hz refresh rate alongside AMD FreeSync adaptive sync, making it suited for fast-moving content, and its 5000:1 contrast ratio pairs with 10-bit color depth covering 1.07 billion colors. All major HDR formats are covered, including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG. Connectivity includes four HDMI 2.1 ports with ARC and eARC support, Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 5, and one USB port. Audio is handled by stereo speakers with a subwoofer, and the set supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS:X.

Pros
  • Supports all four major HDR formats — HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG — covering a wide range of HDR content sources
  • Four HDMI 2.1 ports provide ample high-bandwidth connections for multiple devices simultaneously
  • 144Hz refresh rate combined with AMD FreeSync adaptive sync reduces motion blur and screen tearing during fast-moving content
  • Built-in subwoofer alongside Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support delivers a more complete audio experience without requiring an external speaker system
  • Wide 178° horizontal and vertical viewing angles ensure consistent picture quality from off-center seating positions
  • Broad smart platform support includes Chromecast, AirPlay, Google Assistant, Alexa, voice commands, and smartphone remote control
Cons
  • At 52,800 g, the set's considerable weight makes installation and repositioning physically demanding
  • Only one USB port limits simultaneous connection of external storage or other USB devices
  • No external memory slot restricts local storage expansion options
  • Wi-Fi is limited to Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) with no support for Wi-Fi 6 or newer standards
  • The remote control is not rechargeable, requiring regular battery replacement
  • Siri and Apple HomeKit are not supported, limiting integration for users within the Apple ecosystem
Who is this for?

The TCL 98P8L is well suited to users who want a large-screen centerpiece for a dedicated home theater or spacious living room, where its 97.5″ Mini-LED QLED panel and full HDR format coverage — including Dolby Vision and HDR10+ — can be properly appreciated from a distance. The 144Hz refresh rate with AMD FreeSync also makes it a strong fit for console and PC gamers who connect via its four HDMI 2.1 ports and need smooth, tear-free motion. Those invested in a connected home will find the broad smart platform support — spanning Chromecast, AirPlay, Google Assistant, and Alexa — a practical match for multi-device households.

Who is this NOT for?

This set is not a practical choice for users working with limited space, as its 2178 mm width and 52,800 g weight demand a large, structurally suitable wall or stand installation that many rooms cannot accommodate. Users who rely heavily on the Apple ecosystem will find the lack of Siri and Apple HomeKit support a notable gap. Similarly, those who need to connect multiple USB devices or expand local storage will be constrained by the single USB port and the absence of an external memory slot.

Display:

display resolution 4K (UHD)
Display type Mini-LED, QLED, LED-backlit, LCD
screen size 97.5"
resolution 3840 x 2160 px
pixel density 45 ppi
display colors 1070 million
bit depth 10-bit
contrast ratio 5000:1
refresh rate 144Hz
supports HDR10
supports HDR10+
supports Dolby Vision
supports HLG
Adaptive synchronization AMD FreeSync
has anti-reflection coating
has an ambient light sensor
maximum horizontal viewing angle 178º
maximum vertical viewing angle 178º

The TCL 98P8L features a 97.5″ Mini-LED QLED LCD panel with a native 4K UHD resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels and a pixel density of 45 ppi, reproducing up to 1.07 billion colors at 10-bit depth. Its 5000:1 contrast ratio and 144Hz refresh rate are complemented by AMD FreeSync adaptive sync, while HDR coverage spans HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG. Viewing angles reach 178° both horizontally and vertically, and an anti-reflection coating along with a built-in ambient light sensor help maintain image clarity across varying lighting 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)
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 98P8L is equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports and one USB port, alongside a single RJ45 ethernet port for wired network access. Wireless connectivity is handled by Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) and Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), while Bluetooth 5.4 enables wireless peripheral pairing, and Miracast support allows screen mirroring from compatible devices. A 3.5 mm headset jack is present for direct audio output, and the set supports DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-C, DVB-S, and DVB-S2 broadcast standards. There is no external memory slot, VGA connector, or DVI connector included.

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 DTS:X
HDMI ARC / eARC HDMI ARC, HDMI eARC

The TCL 98P8L includes stereo speakers with a built-in subwoofer and supports a broad range of audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, Dolby Audio, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus, as well as DTS:X. Digital Out is supported for routing audio to external equipment, and the set offers both HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC for connection to compatible soundbars or receivers. Dolby Virtual and SRS TheaterSound HD are not supported on this model.

Design:

width 2178 mm
weight 52800 g
thickness 64 mm
height 1247 mm
volume 173821.824 cm³
Supports VESA mount
maximum operating temperature 35 °C
lowest potential operating temperature 5 °C

The TCL 98P8L measures 2178 mm wide, 1247 mm tall, and 64 mm thick, with a total volume of approximately 173,821 cm³ and a weight of 52,800 g. The set supports VESA mounting for wall installation and is rated for operating temperatures between 5 °C and 35 °C.

Features:

release date February 2026
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 98P8L runs a built-in smart TV platform with Chromecast and AirPlay support, and is compatible with both Google Assistant and Alexa for voice control, though it does not support Siri or Apple HomeKit. A smartphone can be used as a remote, and voice commands are available directly through the set, while the remote control itself is not rechargeable. Additional features include USB recording, a built-in web browser, a sleep timer, and a child lock. Standby power consumption is rated at 0.5W, and the set comes with a one-year warranty.

Final Verdict

The TCL 98P8L is a large-format television that brings together a capable display and a well-rounded feature set in a single package. Its 97.5″ Mini-LED QLED panel with 144Hz refresh rate, full HDR format support, and four HDMI 2.1 ports position it firmly as a living-room or home theater set built for both cinematic viewing and gaming use. The comprehensive smart platform integration — covering Chromecast, AirPlay, Dolby Atmos, and voice assistant compatibility — adds practical day-to-day versatility. Some constraints, including limited USB connectivity and the absence of Apple HomeKit support, will matter to certain users, and the sheer physical scale demands appropriate space and installation planning. For those whose environment and needs align with what this set offers, the TCL 98P8L represents a technically thorough option in the large-screen TV segment.