TCL 98QM8K 98" specifications and in-depth review

TCL 98QM8K 98"

Manufacturer: TCL

The TCL 98QM8K is a large-screen television built around a 97.5-inch QLED Mini-LED LCD panel, offering a 4K UHD resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels at 45 ppi. Designed for immersive home viewing, it features a 144Hz refresh rate alongside AMD FreeSync, FreeSync Premium, and FreeSync Premium Pro adaptive sync technologies, making it a versatile option for both broadcast content and high-frame-rate gaming.

On the display side, the TCL 98QM8K supports a broad HDR lineup including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG, with 10-bit color depth and a reported 1,070 million colors. Connectivity includes four HDMI 2.1 ports, two USB ports, one RJ45 port, Bluetooth 5.4, and Wi-Fi 5, while the audio system integrates stereo speakers, a subwoofer, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Audio, DTS:X, and both HDMI ARC and eARC. Smart features cover Chromecast built-in, AirPlay, Google Assistant, Alexa compatibility, voice commands, and USB recording support.

Pros
  • Supports a full HDR lineup including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG, covering a wide range of content formats
  • Four HDMI 2.1 ports provide ample connections for high-bandwidth devices such as consoles and media players
  • AMD FreeSync, FreeSync Premium, and FreeSync Premium Pro adaptive sync support reduces screen tearing at the 144Hz refresh rate
  • Audio system includes a subwoofer, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and HDMI eARC, offering a relatively complete built-in sound setup
  • Smart platform integrates Chromecast, AirPlay, Google Assistant, Alexa, voice commands, and smartphone remote support in a single device
  • Anti-reflection coating and a 178-degree viewing angle in both directions help maintain image clarity across a wide seating area
Cons
  • At 56,001 g, the set is very heavy, which complicates wall mounting and repositioning without assistance
  • Pixel density of only 45 ppi on the 97.5-inch panel means individual pixels may be discernible at closer viewing distances
  • No 3.5mm headset jack limits direct headphone connectivity without an adapter or external solution
  • Wi-Fi support tops out at Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), with no Wi-Fi 6 available
  • The remote control is not rechargeable, requiring periodic battery replacement
  • Warranty period is limited to one year
Who is this for?

The TCL 98QM8K is well suited to users who want a large-screen centerpiece for a dedicated home theater or spacious living room, where its 97.5-inch QLED Mini-LED panel can be appreciated from a comfortable viewing distance. The full HDR format coverage — HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG — alongside Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and a built-in subwoofer makes it a practical choice for those who consume a wide variety of films and streaming content without a separate sound system. It also serves AMD FreeSync-compatible PC and console gamers well, given the 144Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium Pro support across four HDMI 2.1 ports, and the integrated smart platform with Chromecast, AirPlay, Google Assistant, and Alexa suits households that rely on voice control and multi-ecosystem device casting.

Who is this NOT for?

This television is a poor fit for anyone working with limited floor space or looking for something straightforward to mount, as its dimensions of over 2,179 mm wide and a weight of 56 kg demand a large room and typically require professional installation assistance. Users who sit relatively close to the screen may find the 45 ppi pixel density insufficient for sharp detail at short distances, making it less suitable for compact viewing setups. Those who rely on a direct headphone connection will be inconvenienced by the absence of a 3.5mm audio jack, and anyone expecting the latest wireless networking standard will find Wi-Fi 5 limiting if their home network infrastructure is built around Wi-Fi 6 or newer.

Display:

display resolution 4K (UHD)
Display type QLED, LED-backlit, LCD, Mini-LED
screen size 97.5"
resolution 3840 x 2160 px
pixel density 45 ppi
display colors 1070 million
bit depth 10-bit
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 98QM8K features a 97.5-inch QLED Mini-LED LCD panel delivering a 4K UHD resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels at 45 ppi, with 10-bit color depth capable of reproducing up to 1,070 million colors. It supports a comprehensive HDR range covering HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG, while a 144Hz refresh rate pairs with AMD FreeSync, FreeSync Premium, and FreeSync Premium Pro for adaptive sync. Viewing angles reach 178 degrees both horizontally and vertically, and the display also includes an anti-reflection coating and an ambient light sensor for automatic brightness adjustment.

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 2
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 98QM8K offers a well-rounded connectivity setup centered on four HDMI 2.1 ports, two USB ports, and one RJ45 Ethernet port for wired networking. Wireless options include Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) and Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), along with Bluetooth 5.4 and Miracast support for screen mirroring. The TV does not include a 3.5mm headset jack, an external memory slot, or VGA and DVI connectors.

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 98QM8K includes stereo speakers and a subwoofer, with audio format support spanning Dolby Atmos, Dolby Audio, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus, as well as DTS:X for object-based surround sound. Digital Out is supported, and the TV provides both HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC for external audio system connections. It does not support SRS TheaterSound HD or Dolby Virtual.

Design:

width 2179.3 mm
weight 56001 g
thickness 54.1 mm
height 1235.9 mm
volume 145712.770667 cm³
Supports VESA mount
maximum operating temperature 35 °C
lowest potential operating temperature 5 °C

The TCL 98QM8K measures 2179.3 mm wide, 1235.9 mm tall, and 54.1 mm thick, with a total volume of approximately 145,712.77 cm³ and a weight of 56,001 g. It supports VESA mounting for wall installation and is rated for operating temperatures between 5 °C and 35 °C.

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 98QM8K ships with a built-in smart TV platform that includes Chromecast, AirPlay, a web browser, and support for voice commands via Google Assistant and Alexa, though Siri and Apple HomeKit are not supported. Smartphones can be used as a remote control, while the physical remote is not rechargeable. Additional everyday features include USB recording, a sleep timer, and a child lock, and standby power consumption is rated at 0.5W. The unit comes with a 1-year warranty.

Final Verdict

The TCL 98QM8K is a large-format television that brings together a strong set of display and smart platform credentials in a single unit. Its 97.5-inch QLED Mini-LED panel with 144Hz refresh rate, full HDR format support, and four HDMI 2.1 ports make it a technically capable option for dedicated home theater setups and AMD FreeSync-compatible gaming alike, while the integrated Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio system, paired with Chromecast, AirPlay, and voice assistant compatibility, reduces dependence on external hardware. The unit's considerable size and weight naturally narrow its practical audience to those with the space and installation resources to accommodate it, and a few connectivity omissions — notably the absent 3.5mm jack and Wi-Fi 5 ceiling — are worth noting. Overall, the TCL 98QM8K represents a specification-rich choice for users prioritizing screen scale and display versatility above all else.

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