Choosing between Xiaomi TVs and TCL 2026 is more complex than ever. Both brands offer models with a high-performance model. 4K-permission, support HDR and smart features based on Android TV Google TV, But the approaches to implementation are radically different. Xiaomi is betting on the ecosystem and integration with other gadgets of the brand, while TCL It's traditionally strong in terms of price and quality, but what really matters to you is the brightness of the screen, the sound, the gaming experience, or the durability?
In this article, we’ll not just compare specifications, but we’ll look at real-world use cases, like why the Xiaomi Q2 QLED might be better for movies but loses to the TCL C745 in PlayStation 5 games. Or why the budget TCL P635 is often chosen over the Xiaomi A2, despite the lesser brand name, and we’ve analyzed owner reviews, expert tests, and even nuances like build quality and firmware updates that manufacturers prefer to keep quiet.
If you are looking for a TV for:
- 🎬 Movies and TV shows – Pay attention to Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support.
- 🎮 Games are priorities HDMI 2.1, 120 Hz and low input lag.
- 🏠 Smart home – compatibility with Mi Home or Google Assistant is important.
- 💰 Budget to 30,000 ₽ — Compare Xiaomi A2 and TCL P635 current-priced.
Now, let's get to the details, and let's start with the most important thing, the screen quality, where the differences between brands are most noticeable.
1. Screen quality: QLED vs VA-Panels and why it matters
The main difference between Xiaomi TVs and TCL Xiaomi in the top models (for example, in the matrices, Q2 QLED or TV Q1E) uses quantum dots (QLED), then TCL In most cases, it is limited VA-I can see the difference with the naked eye:
- 🌈 QLED (Xiaomi: wider color gamut (90% DCI-P3 85 percent VA), Best brightness in sunny rooms (up to 450 nits vs 350 nits).
- 🔦 VA (TCL): Deeper black and higher contrast (up to 6000:1), but worse shadows in dark scenes.
- 🔄 Hybrid approach: TCL C745 and C845 Mini-LED lighting is used to compensate for the disadvantages VA-panels.
A critical nuance: Xiaomi TVs with QLED They often suffer from a dirty screen" (DSE) — uneven lighting, especially visible in light backgrounds. TCL This problem is less common, but they VA-panels can "blur" text when viewed from the side (viewing angles up to 172)° 178° bal IPS Xiaomi A2).
| Parameter | Xiaomi Q2 QLED (55") | TCL C745 (55") | Xiaomi A2 (50") | TCL P635 (50") |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of matrix | QLED (VA) | VA + Mini-LED | IPS | VA |
| Brightness (thread) | 450 | 500 | 300 | 350 |
| Contrast | 5000:1 | 6000:1 | 1000:1 | 5500:1 |
| Support for HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | Dolby Vision, HDR10 | HDR10 | Dolby Vision, HDR10 |
⚠️ If you plan to hang your TV on the wall at an angle, Xiaomi A2 s IPS-The panel will be preferred. TCL P635 — The latter, when the deviation is more than 30° the colors begin to wash".
2.Sound: Dolby Atmos vs. "empty" speakers
Sound is the parameter where the difference between brands becomes apparent from the first minutes of listening. Xiaomi in premium models (Q2 QLED, TV Q1E) sets speakers with support for Dolby Atmos and a separate subwoofer, while TCL even in top models is often limited to standard 2×10 W stereo speakers.
But there are nuances:
- 🔊 Xiaomi Q2 QLED: 4 dynamics (2×12.5 Watt + 2×5 Wh with technology DTS-HD, But basses are often loud.
- 🎶 TCL C745: only 2×15 Wh, but with better medium-frequency workouts (voices sound more natural).
- 🚫 Budget models: and Xiaomi A2, and TCL P635 have a "flat" sound - without soundbar can not do.
💡
If you care about sound but have a limited budget, check out the TCL C645, which supports eARC for connecting external acoustics without loss of quality.
For an objective assessment, we tested both brands on three scenarios:
- Movie (Dolby Atmos): Xiaomi Q2 won on the volume, but the TCL C745 conveyed dialogue more clearly.
- Spotify: Both are less likely to be able to beat even cheap speakers, but TCL is less likely to distort high frequencies.
- Games (shooter): Xiaomi has better sound localization (important for Call of Duty), but bass makes it hard to hear footsteps.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs are below the Q-series (e.g, A2 or P1) There's no hardware support for Dolby Atmos, even if the specifications say otherwise. It's a software emulation that doesn't produce real surround sound.
3. Performance and Smart TV: Android vs Google TV
Both brands use Android-based operating systems, but the implementation approaches are different: Xiaomi installs MIUI TV (modified Android TV 9/10), and TCL in the new models switched to Google TV (based on Android 11/12).
- 🤖 MIUI TV (Xiaomi: Quick app launch (thanks to 4GB of RAM in top models); Integration with Xiaomi ecosystem (Mi Home, Mi Band); Lots of pre-installed junk (applications) WPS Office, AliExpress).
- 📺 Google TV (TCL): More modern interface with home screen recommendations: Google Stadia and GeForce support NOW "Out of the box. It works slower on budget models (1.5 GB of RAM in a single unit). P635).
Based on the test results:
- 🏆 Xiaomi Q2 QLED (MT9652, 4 GB of RAM) opens YouTube in 1.2 seconds against 2.8 seconds TCL C745 (2 GB of RAM).
- 🐢 Xiaomi. A2 (1 GB of RAM) lags when switching between applications - it is better to immediately buy an Android-set-top box.
- 🔄 TCL More often releases firmware updates, but they often "break" the remote.
How to turn off advertising in MIUI TV?
Check the amount of RAM in the characteristics (minimum 2 GB for comfortable work)
Run the test for lags (switch applications 10 times in a row)
Check support for Google Play (without it sold in China)
Make sure the port is available USB 3.0 (necessary for external drives)-->
4. Gaming capabilities: HDMI 2.1, 120 Hz and input lag
If you’re planning to plug in a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or a powerful PC, this section is for you. Here, TCL unexpectedly beats Xiaomi in key ways:
| Parameter | Xiaomi Q2 QLED | TCL C745 | Xiaomi A2 | TCL P635 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI 2.1 | ❌ No, only. HDMI 2.0) | ✅ Yes (2 ports) | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| 120 Hz | ✅ Yes, but only with 1080p) | ✅ Yes (full-fledged) 4K@120 Hz) | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| Input lag (ms., 4K@60) | 12 | 10 | 18 | 15 |
| ALLM (Auto Low Latency) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
Key findings for gamers:
- 🎮 TCL C745/C845 — sole option PS5/Xbox Series X with full support 4K@120 Hz and VRR.
- 🖥️ Xiaomi Q2 QLED It is suitable for PC games, but only if your video card does not require HDMI 2.1. for example, RTX 3060 Ti still costs HDMI 2.0).
- 🚫 Budgetary models (Xiaomi) A2, TCL P635) Not suitable for modern games - high input lag and lack of ALLM.
💡
If you need a TV for gaming, the TCL C745 is the best choice among the models in question thanks to HDMI 2.1 and full support for 4K@120Hz.
🔹 Test in practice: Call of Duty: Warzone PS5 Difference between input lag TCL C745 (10 ms and Xiaomi Q2 (12ms) is almost invisible, but in racing simulators (Gran Turismo 7) TCL It gives you a clearer feedback loop.
5. Design and Assembly: Plastic vs Metal
Both brands’ TVs look modern on the outside, but on closer inspection, the differences are striking: Xiaomi is betting on minimalism and thin bezels, while TCL often skimps on materials.
Comparison of key aspects:
- 🖼️ Frame: Xiaomi Q2: 2.5 mm (thinnest in class). TCL C745: 6 mm, but with metal finish.
- 🔧 Assembly: Xiaomi: back panel of matte plastic, but mounts for VESA slug-fly. TCL: In the C-series models, an aluminum body is used, but a leg is made of fragile plastic.
- 🔌 Connectors: Xiaomi: ports are located sideways (convenient for desktop accommodation). TCL: All the connectors behind, with wall installation access is difficult.
How to check the quality of the assembly when buying?
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs are below the Q-series (e.g, A2 or P1) There is a problem with overheating of the power supply, if after 2-3 working hours the back panel becomes hot, this can reduce the life of the matrix.
Price and price-quality ratio
One of the main arguments for TCL is price: TCL TVs are 15-20% cheaper than Xiaomi TVs on average, but there are some hidden nuances to consider:
- 💰 Budget up to 30 000 ₽: TCL P635 (50") vs Xiaomi A2 (50"): TCL cheaply 3 000-5 000 ₽, But it loses in brightness and sound. TCL: Better contrast and support for Dolby Vision.
- 💎 Premium (50,000-80,000) ₽): Xiaomi Q2 QLED (55") vs TCL C745 (55): price difference ~10 000 ₽ favorably TCL. Xiaomi win: better color reproduction and sound, but TCL offer HDMI 2.1.
- 📉 Xiaomi rarely gives up on price (except Black Friday"). TCL It is often cheaper by the end of the year (models are updated less often).
💡
If the budget is limited, TCL P635 It gives the best value for money and quality at the expense of VA-High contrast panels, but for long-term use (5)+ It is better to pay for Xiaomi for years Q2 — It takes longer to get updates.
🔹 Where to buy? Official stores (Mi Store, TCL Shop) give a guarantee of 24 months, but often overpriced. Wildberries and Ozon can be found cheaper, but you risk running into a "gray" model without Russian firmware.
7. Durability and Updates: What Breaks More Often?
Both brands are not perfect, but their problems are different, and an analysis of the feedback from owners (over 10,000 comments on Yandex.Market and OTZOVIK) showed the following trends:
- 🛠️ Xiaomi: Frequent problem: burning out pixels on the QLED-post-model 2-3 Wi-Fi problems (connection falls off) 5 GHz. Firmware updates are coming out once in a while. 3-4 months, but often "break" the remote.
- 🔧 TCL: Weakness: power supplies (burn out after power surges) in budget models (P635) After a year, the backlights dim. Updates come out less often, but more stable (no critical bugs).
Service life according to the data of service centers:
- Xiaomi Q2 QLED: 5-7 years (with careful operation).
- TCL C745: 4-6 years (condensers in the power supply often fail).
- Xiaomi A2/TCL P635: 3-5 years (budget models are not designed for long service).
💡
To extend the life of the TV, use a network filter with protection against voltage surges and avoid prolonged operation at maximum brightness (especially important for QLED).