CES is always good for at least a few TV announcements that sound borderline unreal on paper, and TCL’s new X11L SQD Mini LED series definitely fits that bill. The company used CES 2026 to roll out what it calls its new flagship TV, one that is supposed to end the long running OLED versus LED argument once and for all. That is a tall order, but TCL is clearly swinging for the fences here.
The big talking point is brightness paired with black levels. TCL says the X11L can push up to 10,000 nits of peak brightness while also using as many as 20,000 local dimming zones. Those are wild numbers, especially when you consider that many premium TVs still sit far below that zone count. The idea is simple enough – keep the punchy highlights people love from LED TVs, but tighten up the backlight control enough to avoid washed out blacks and blooming.
Color is the other pillar of TCL’s pitch. The X11L uses what the company calls SQD Mini LED, backed by a new Deep Color System with Super Quantum Dots and additional filtering designed to keep colors clean and consistent. TCL is claiming full coverage of the BT2020 color space, which is something manufacturers love to promise and rarely deliver cleanly. TCL says this setup reduces color crosstalk and blooming artifacts, which is one of the common complaints with very bright LCD based TVs.
Under the hood, the panel itself is new as well. TCL is using an updated WHVA 2.0 Ultra panel that is supposed to improve native contrast, widen viewing angles, and cut down reflections. There is also a near borderless design, which helps the TV feel more like a sheet of glass than a traditional slab once it is on the wall.
Processing is getting an upgrade too, at least according to TCL. The X11L moves to a new 26 bit backlight controller paired with an updated Halo Control System that is meant to better manage shadow detail and light uniformity. On top of that sits a refreshed AI processor that handles upscaling, motion, contrast, color tuning, and audio adjustments. As always, the real question is whether this feels natural in daily use or if it leans too hard into artificial smoothing and sharpening.
On the smart side, the TV runs Google TV with Gemini integration. TCL says this makes voice control more conversational, letting you ask for recommendations or find content without digging through menus. There is also hands free voice support and a backlit remote, which is always appreciated in a dark room.
Audio is handled by an integrated system tuned by Bang and Olufsen, but TCL is also pushing a modular angle. Buyers can add a wireless subwoofer and later expand with compatible Dolby Atmos speakers for surround sound. It is an interesting approach for people who want better sound over time without committing to a full soundbar setup on day one.
Design wise, TCL is clearly chasing the wall mounted crowd. The cabinet is just 0.8 inches deep with a flat back, so it sits flush against the wall. Art Mode and an art gallery are included, because no high end TV announcement is complete without promising that your screen can double as decor when it is not showing sports or movies.
As you can imagine, none of this comes cheap. The 75 inch model is priced at $6,999.99, the 85 inch jumps to $7,999.99, and the 98 inch monster lands at $9,999.99. Preorders are already live.
