Xiaomi vs TCL: Which TV is the best to buy in 2026? honest comparison on 7 key parameters

Choosing between Xiaomi TVs and TCL 2026 is more difficult than ever: both brands offer models with a high-performance model. 4K-It’s not just resolution, Dolby Vision support, and voice assistants, but the approaches to image quality, sound, and ecosystem are radically different. If you are looking for a TV for a movie with a deep black color, the priorities will be the same, for gaming with 120 Hz – completely different, and for a budget option for everyday viewing – the third.

In this article, we will analyze the real differences between Xiaomi and TCL on 7 criteria: matrixes (VA vs IPS), brightness/contrast, sound, Smart TV, gaming capabilities, reliability and price/quality ratio. Without marketing slogans, only technical data, tests and user experience. For example, why the Xiaomi Q2 QLED loses the TCL C745 in brightness but wins in motion processing, or why budget TCL models often suffer from backlighting, and Xiaomi from a slow interface.

Spoiler: There is no clear winner, but after reading, you will know exactly which model is right for your tasks, whether it’s watching Netflix in a dark room, streaming Twitch or connecting the PS5 console.

Type of matrix and image quality: VA for TCL vs IPS for Xiaomi

The main difference between these brands lies in the type of matrix. TCL 90% of the time it is used VA-panels (vertical alignment), and Xiaomi — IPS (The difference is critical for contrast and viewing angles:

• 🔹 VA (TCL): deep black (contrast ratio 4000:1-6000:1), but the viewing angles are worse - when viewed from the side, the picture fades.
• 🔹 IPS (Xiaomi: more natural color reproduction and wide viewing angles (up to 178)°), but gray shade of black (contrast 1000:1-1500:1.

Example: in the TCL C745 (VA) model, black scenes in the velvet-deep movies look grayish, while in the Xiaomi TV A2 43 (IPS), they look grayish. However, if you watch TV with friends sitting on the sides of the sofa, the IPS from Xiaomi will prevent color distortion.

Another nuance is backlighting. TCLs in budget models (for example, TCL P735) often save on zone lighting, which causes the effect of “blooming” around bright objects. Xiaomi in the QLED line (for example, Xiaomi Q2 55) uses more uniform backlighting, but also costs 20-30% more.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to hang the TV on the wall at an angle, IPS-Xiaomi matrix will prevent color distortion when viewing lying on the sofa. VA-matrix TCL In this case, it will give a purple or green tint at the edges of the screen.

2.Brightness and HDR support: who will win on a sunny day?

The leadership is clearly for TCL. Even budget brand models (for example, TCL P635) It is estimated that it will produce 350-400 nits, while similar Xiaomi A2 The difference is critical if the TV is opposite the window or in a well-lit living room.

In the HDR segment, the picture is more complex:

For a full-fledged HDR-content (Netflix, Disney)+, 4K Blu-ray: Minimum brightness should be 400+ Only top-end models meet these requirements: TCL C745 Xiaomi Q2. But TCL local dimming, which improves contrast in dynamic scenes (e.g., explosions in action movies).

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To check the actual brightness of the TV in the store, turn on HDR-Mode and open the test video with sun glare (for example, on YouTube on request "HDR brightness test. Compare how well the details are visible in the brightest parts of the frame.

3.Sound: Why Embedded Speakers Are the Weakness of Both Brands

Not Xiaomi, not TCL It's not famous for sound quality. In budget models (up to 50,000). ₽) You'll get 10 to 20 watts of stereo speakers with flat bass and hard voices:

• 🔊 TCL in the C-series models (e.g, C745) It uses Dolby Atmos technology, but surround sound effect is achieved only with an external sound panel.
• 🔊 Xiaomi QLED-a subwoofer adds to the line, but its effect on the bass is minimal without setting the equalizer.
• 🔊 Both brands support eARC for connecting soundbars, but Xiaomi often has trouble syncing sound when transferring Dolby Digital Plus.

If sound is important, you should start budgeting for external acoustics. TV Soundbar (around 10,000) ₽) or TCL Ray-Danz (15 000 ₽) Solve the problem of flat highs and lack of bass.

⚠️ Note: In the TVs Xiaomi with MIUI TV Sometimes the sound settings are lost after updating the firmware. → Sound. → The mode is "Film" and not "Standard" or "Music".

4. Smart TV: MIUI TV vs Google TV (Roku in the US)

Xiaomi and TCL are going their separate ways.

• 📺 MIUI TV (Xiaomi: a simple shell based on Android TV, But with a bunch of Chinese services pre-installed (you can turn them off), performance depends on the model: Xiaomi A2 the lags when switching channels, in Q2 — smoothly.
• 📺 Google TV (TCL Europe/Russia: pure Android with Google recommendations, but no extra apps. TCL Roku is used TV — The most convenient ecosystem for streaming.

Key differences:

For Russia, TCL with Google TV benefits from the lack of superfluous software and better optimization. However, if you want integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem (smart home, Mi Band, robot vacuum cleaner), then MIUI TV will be more convenient.

5. Gaming Opportunities: 120Hz, ALLM and Delayed Entry

If you’re connecting to a PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC, pay attention to:

• 🎮 Update frequency: Only TCL C745 Xiaomi Q2 Supports 120 Hz in 4K. In budget models, the maximum is 60 Hz.
• 🎮 ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode: Automatically switches the TV to game mode. Everyone has it. TCL Google TV And Xiaomi's Q-series.
• 🎮 Delayed input (Input Lag): Y TCL C745 — ~10ms, Xiaomi Q2 — ~15 ms. the difference is noticeable only in competitive shooters (CS2, Fortnite).

For gaming, the TCL C745 is the best choice thanks to HDMI 2.1 (support for 4K@120Hz) and low input lag. However, the Xiaomi Q2 has better motion processing (MEMC 120Hz), which reduces blur in dynamic scenes.

HDMI 2.1 support (for 4K@120Hz)

ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)

Delayed input less than 15 ms

Support VRR (Variable Refresh Rate for smoothness-->

Reliability and Warranty: What breaks down more often?

According to service centers (2023-2026), TCL and Xiaomi have different “weaknesses”:

• 🔧 TCL: Frequent problems with the power supply (especially in the models of the P-series) and backlight (burn out) LED-Warranty - 1 year, but in Russia there are authorized service centers.
• 🔧 Xiaomi: Firmware (hangs, settings resets) and Wi-Fi module (loss of connection) warranty 1-2 years, but parts are often imported from China (long repairs).

According to statistics, TCL is more likely to break at the hardware level (physical defects), and Xiaomi is more likely to break at the software level (software flicks). If you are not ready to mess with firmware, you should choose TCL. If software stability is important, look at models on Google TV (they are updated directly from Google, not from the manufacturer).

⚠️ Note: Before buying, check if your city has an authorized service center for the selected brand. TV It takes up to 3 weeks due to logistics of spare parts.

7.Price and Quality Relationship: Which is Better in 2026?

Compare models of one segment (55 inches, 4K, Smart TV):

Conclusions on price/quality:

• 💰 Budget up to 40,000 ₽: Xiaomi A2 — if you need wide viewing angles, TCL P735 — if contrast is important.
• 💰 40 000–60 000 ₽: TCL C745 — for gamers, Xiaomi Q2 — cinematically.
• 💰 Over 60,000 ₽: It is better to look at Samsung. Q60C or LG B2 — They're superior to Xiaomi, and TCL by all means.

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If your budget is limited to 35,000 ₽, better buy TCL P735 Xiaomi A2 — 3,000-dollar difference ₽ justified by better contrast and brightness, which is critical for comfortable viewing.

FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing between Xiaomi and TCL