TCL 98QM851G 98" specifications and in-depth review

TCL 98QM851G 98"

Manufacturer: TCL

The TCL 98QM851G is a large-screen television built around a 97.5″ Mini-LED LCD panel with QLED enhancement, delivering a native 3840 x 2160 resolution at a pixel density of 45 ppi. Designed for home entertainment at scale, it supports a broad range of HDR formats including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG, giving it flexibility across a wide variety of streaming and broadcast content. An ambient light sensor and anti-reflection coating are included to help maintain image consistency in varying room conditions, while horizontal and vertical viewing angles each reach up to 178 degrees.

On the connectivity side, the TCL 98QM851G is equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports, three USB ports, a single RJ45 ethernet port, and support for Wi-Fi 6 alongside Bluetooth. Audio capabilities include Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS-HD High Resolution, Dolby Digital Plus, and a built-in subwoofer with stereo speakers, complemented by both HDMI ARC and eARC outputs. The smart platform integrates Chromecast, AirPlay, and voice assistant compatibility with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri, while AMD FreeSync Premium Pro adaptive sync support is also present for variable refresh rate use cases.

Pros
  • All four HDMI ports run at version 2.1, supporting high-bandwidth sources across every input
  • HDR coverage spans four formats — HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG — accommodating a wide range of content
  • AMD FreeSync Premium Pro adaptive sync is included, reducing screen tearing for variable frame rate content
  • Audio decoding covers both the Dolby and DTS ecosystems, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS-HD High Resolution, alongside a built-in subwoofer
  • Voice assistant support extends across Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri with Apple HomeKit simultaneously
  • Wi-Fi 6 is supported alongside wired ethernet, offering flexibility in network setup
Cons
  • At nearly 69 kg, the set is exceptionally heavy, making installation and repositioning a physically demanding task
  • The remote control is not rechargeable, requiring ongoing battery replacement
  • No external memory slot is available, limiting storage expansion options despite USB recording being supported
  • A front camera is absent, ruling out any built-in video calling functionality
  • The warranty period covers only one year
  • Pixel density sits at just 45 ppi given the panel size, which may affect perceived sharpness at closer viewing distances
Who is this for?

This TV is well suited to users who want a large-screen home cinema setup with broad HDR format coverage, as the 97.5″ panel supports HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG alongside a full Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio stack with a built-in subwoofer. Those invested in both Apple and Google ecosystems will find the simultaneous support for AirPlay, Chromecast, Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri with Apple HomeKit particularly convenient. It also suits console and PC users who need AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and four HDMI 2.1 ports, making it a capable display for high frame rate and variable refresh rate content across multiple connected sources.

Who is this NOT for?

Users with limited wall or floor space will struggle with this set, as its width of over 2.1 meters and weight of nearly 69 kg demand a dedicated, structurally suitable installation environment. Those who prefer a simpler, self-contained viewing experience may find the absence of a front camera a drawback if video calling is part of their intended use. Additionally, viewers who sit relatively close to the screen may notice the limits of a 45 ppi pixel density, as fine detail resolution at short distances is constrained by the combination of panel size and screen resolution, making this a better fit for larger rooms with longer viewing distances.

Display:

display resolution 4K (UHD)
Display type QLED, LED-backlit, Mini-LED, LCD
screen size 97.5"
resolution 3840 x 2160 px
pixel density 45 ppi
display colors 1070 million
bit depth 10-bit
refresh rate 120Hz
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 98QM851G features a 97.5″ QLED Mini-LED LCD panel with a native 3840 x 2160 resolution at 45 ppi, capable of reproducing over 1.07 billion colors at 10-bit depth. Its 120Hz refresh rate is paired with AMD FreeSync, FreeSync Premium, and FreeSync Premium Pro adaptive sync technologies. HDR support spans HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG, ensuring broad format compatibility across content sources. Both horizontal and vertical viewing angles reach 178 degrees, and the panel includes an anti-reflection coating along with an ambient light sensor to help maintain consistent picture quality under 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), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
USB ports 3
RJ45 ports 1
supports Miracast
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
has an external memory slot
has a VGA connector
has a DVI connector

The TCL 98QM851G offers a well-rounded connectivity setup, headlined by four HDMI 2.1 ports and three USB ports, alongside a single RJ45 ethernet port for wired network access. Wireless connectivity covers Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), complemented by built-in Bluetooth and Miracast support for screen mirroring. A 3.5mm headset jack is also present for direct audio output. The TV does not include 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 98QM851G supports a broad range of audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, Dolby Audio, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus, though Dolby Virtual and SRS TheaterSound HD are not present. On the DTS side, both DTS:X and DTS-HD High Resolution audio are supported. The built-in speaker system consists of stereo speakers and a subwoofer, with Digital Out also available for external audio routing. HDMI audio return is covered by both HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC, allowing flexible connection to compatible soundbars and receivers.

Design:

width 2179.3 mm
weight 68991 g
thickness 40.6 mm
height 1249.7 mm
volume 110572.931126 cm³
Supports VESA mount
maximum operating temperature 35 °C
lowest potential operating temperature 5 °C

The TCL 98QM851G measures 2179.3 mm wide, 1249.7 mm tall, and 40.6 mm thick, with a total volume of approximately 110,572.9 cm³ and a weight of roughly 69 kg. The TV supports VESA mounting, providing a standard wall-mount option for installation flexibility. Operating temperatures are rated between 5 °C and 35 °C, defining the environmental range within which the set is designed to function reliably.

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 98QM851G includes a built-in smart TV platform with an integrated web browser, Chromecast, and AirPlay, allowing content to be cast or streamed directly from compatible devices. Voice control is supported through Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri with Apple HomeKit, and the TV can also be operated via a smartphone used as a remote. USB recording and a sleep timer are both available, along with a child lock for parental control. The remote control is not rechargeable. Standby power consumption is rated at 0.5W, and the set comes with a one-year warranty.

Miscellaneous:

has a front camera
Final Verdict

The TCL 98QM851G is a feature-dense large-format television that brings together a strong set of display and audio credentials in a single unit. Its comprehensive HDR format support, full Dolby and DTS audio ecosystem, and four HDMI 2.1 ports with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro make it a technically capable option for dedicated home cinema rooms and multi-source entertainment setups alike. The sheer physical scale and weight of the set mean it demands careful planning around installation, and users should be mindful of viewing distance given the panel's pixel density. For those who can accommodate it, the TCL 98QM851G represents a well-specified 98-inch television with broad ecosystem compatibility and a thorough feature set that covers most mainstream use cases without significant omissions.