With this in mind, we’ve been paying close attention to TCL’s formal announcement this week of its full 2021 TV range for Australia. And we’re pleased to say that this time around, it looks as if all of TCL’s latest cutting edge goodies are going to be on the menu. 

Particularly good to see are TVs using TCL’s latest Mini LED technology. Both the X925 8K series and C825 4K series benefit from the extra light density and control associated with Mini LED lighting (a technology TCL has pioneered for the TV market), and so should enjoy contrast and HDR standards far beyond anything you get with traditional LCD technology. 

The X925 and C825 models also use Quantum Dot technology to deliver a colour range wide enough to ‘keep up’ with the intense brightness their mini LED lighting makes possible, and they accompany their cutting-edge pictures with sound systems designed by respected audio brand Onkyo, complete with Dolby and DTS-HD decoding. 

Both of the mini LED models support all the latest HDMI 2.1-based gaming features. Namely variable refresh rates (including AMD Freesync in the X925’s case), 4K at 120Hz, and automatic low latency mode (ALLM) switching. 

There’s decoding of both the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ dynamic HDR formats too, which provide extra scene by scene picture data compatible TVs can use to deliver more dynamic, accurate HDR images. All X925 and C825 models boast TCL’s AIPQ picture processing engine as well, and have even earned IMAX Enhanced certification for doing justice to the extra picture quality delivered by sources mastered in IMAX’s ultra-pristine home entertainment format.

When it comes to smart features, both of TCL’s new Mini LED TV ranges for Australia draw on Android TV/Google TV for their smarts (though Google TV will only arrive in full following a firmware update in the second half of 2021).

The X925 will be available in Australia from July, in 75-inch and 65-inch screen sizes priced from $4,499. The C825s will be available in 85, 75, 65 and 55-inch versions, starting at $2,499, from June. 

If TCL’s Mini LED’s charms are beyond your budget, the next models down in the Chinese brand’s range are the C725 series. The 75, 65, 55 and 50-inch 4K models in this range also lose full array with local dimming lighting support - but they retain plenty of strong features too. 

Quantum Dot colour support is still present and correct, for instance, as is support for the HDR10+ and Dolby Vision premium HDR formats. TCL’s AIPQ processor is on hand again to bolster picture performance, and gamers will be delighted to learn that the much more affordable (prices start from $1,099) C725 series still support the latest 4K at 120Hz, variable refresh rates and ALLM gaming features. 

The C725s get another Onkyo-designed built-in sound system capable of decoding Dolby Atmos, and the set’s smarts continue to be provided by Android/Google TV. The C725 series will be available in Australia from June. 

Wrapping up TCL’s Australian offering for 2021 are the P725 models. These 4K Android TVs lose the Quantum Dot colour support and HDR10+ playback, and don’t benefit from an Onkyo-designed audio system. There’s still support for both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos sound, though, and the AIPQ processing system is still on hand to get the most from the P725s’ screen specs. 

Best of all - if you’re a gamer, anyway - the P725s retain both variable refresh rate and automatic low latency mode support. Excellent news for TVs that will be available from just $899 when they start to appear in June. The P725s will ultimately be available in no less than six different sizes: 85, 75, 65, 55, 50 and 43 inches.

TCL is also pushing for serious retail coverage in 2021, with TVs set to be available through the likes of Appliances Online, JB Hifi, Harvey Norman, Bing Lee, Bi-Rite, Leading Appliances, Betta Electrical, Retravision, and The Good Guys.

While most of TCL’s new TVs boast built-in Onkyo sound systems and so might not need much extra audio help, TCL is nonetheless bringing to Australia a trio of new soundbars. 

The TS8132 is a 3.1.2-channel model that ships with a wireless subwoofer, and supports Dolby Atmos decoding. It also works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice control systems, and Apple Airplay is on hand for enhanced content sharing with Apple devices.

The TS8111 drops the channel count to 2.1 channels, but still features dual built-in subwoofers and Dolby Atmos decoding. The entry-level TS6110 model, finally, is a 2.1-channel soundbar, partnered with a wireless subwoofer, which trades Dolby Atmos support for more traditional, non-object-based Dolby Digital audio. 

The TS8111 and TS6110 will be available from June for $499 and $399 respectively, while you’ll have to hold out until August for the $699 TS8132.