TCL C89B, 4K Mini LED UHD TV: OD5, 3,500 nits and 144 Hz

If the new TCL C89B (series 8) is placed in the Chinese manufacturer's range under the C955 which appeared at the end of 2023 (series 9), its specifications are nevertheless more upscale. Too recent to be renewed, the TCL C955 series therefore remains in the catalog. To see at the end of the year if TCL will offer a replacement, or not.

Like the TCL C845 model year 2023, the TCL C89B presented in 2024 by the Chinese manufacturer has four references, the TCL 65C89B (165 cm), TCL 75C89B (191 cm), TCL 85C89B (216 cm) and TCL 98C89B (249 cm). As you can see in the photos below, these televisions still display a premium design, with a very thin LCD panel frame without any protuberance at the bottom of the panel, a brushed aluminum color and a solid central stand.

TCL C89B, 6th generation OD5 Mini LED backlight system££££ Ultra HD 4K LCD VA 144 Hz models, TCL C89B TVs are equipped with an advanced sixth generation Mini LED system , here in its OD5 version (distance between the backlighting system and the LCD panel of 5 mm). The panel is of course native 10-bit. In terms of zones, nothing compares with the C845 models. In fact, their number has more than doubled from one year to the next. Judge for yourself: 1,344 for the 65C89B against 576 for the 65C845, 2,160 for the 75C89B against 720 on the 75C845, 2,304 for the 85C89B against 896 on the 85C845 and 2,160 for the 98C89B (no 98C845 in 20 23).

Namely, the sixth generation of the Mini LED backlighting system of TCL C89B screens indicates the presence of a double lens on each of the diodes, one to first concentrate the light signal in a single point (to avoid loss of brightness on the sides), another to then diffract the light and improve the viewing angle. Because, it must be remembered, all TCL TVs are equipped with LCD panels from the “in-house” manufacturer (CSOT) which only manufactures TV panels based on VA technology. Thus, TCL claims a wide viewing angle, similar to that of IPS LCD panels, and an extreme contrast ratio, the prerogative of VA LCD panels.

This sixth generation of Mini LED backlighting is then characterized by precise control of each of the diodes, on 16 levels of light intensity for a total of 65,635 levels offering unprecedented contrast precision, therefore more details in the image. This fine setting allows, for example, to specifically manage the brightness of areas adjacent to those displaying the subtitles of a film in the Cinemascope black band by imperceptibly graying out the black in order to eliminate the off-axis Blooming phenomenon.

Finally, the sixth generation of Mini LED backlighting allows a high density of diodes, up to 20,000 units as on the TCL 115X955 (see our news TCL 115X955, QD Mini LED TV 115" (292 cm ): update availability and price). Conclusion, this model scheduled for the month of April in France therefore already integrates a Mini LED Gen6 backlight.

Of course, with the sixth generation of the TCL Mini LED backlight, we finds a number of characteristics already present within the fifth generation. All strictly identical diodes, particularly in terms of efficiency (electrical efficiency, wavelength, power) to ensure perfect homogeneity of the image, but also in colorimetric terms to total uniformity and combat the Demura effect (also called Clouding) directly from the backlighting system and no longer only at the level of the LCD panel. Diodes capable of changing state extremely quickly, a period of time less than that necessary to display an image, even with a 120 hertz signal. Called Direct Drive by TCL, this feature eliminates shadow problems on moving objects.

TCL C89B, QLED Pro££££ The on-board Mini LED system is not the only major development of the C89B TV series. TCL announces QLED Pro technology within these QLED televisions via the use of a new alloy of Quantum Dot nanocrystals. Likewise, the encapsulation of these nanocrystals has been improved for colors of unprecedented purity. In the end, the richness of the colors is increased, the same goes for the brightness.

TCL C89B, main specifications££££ In the technical characteristics menu, the TCL C89B televisions display a peak light of 3,300 nits on the 65' ' and 3,500 nits for the 75'', 85'' and 98 inch specimens. QLED Pro technology allows 98% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut and the fluidity index indicates PPI 4800 on all TCL C89B references. We find the new AiPQ Pro Processor video processing. Precision, Imax Enhanced certification is on the menu, as is a new metal remote control. Concerning the stand of the C89B TVs, the 65''/75'' models benefit from a central stand, a double stand on the 85'' and 98 inches. Also worth mentioning are two adjustments for the height of the feet in order to easily slide a soundbar under the TV panel.

TCL C89B, connectivity and HDR££££ The connectivity has four HDMI 2.1 connectors certified HDCP 2.3, with HFR 4K/120, eARC (HDMI 4), VRR (from 48 Hz to 144 Hz), FreeSync Premium Pro and ALLM. Also present are a Composite input, an optical output, a USB 2.0 port, an Ethernet port, plus a CI+ port.

Management of HDR10, HDR10+, HDR HLG and HDR Dolby Vision technologies associated with Dolby Vision IQ functionality (brightness sensor) is required. We can also mention MEMC 120 Hz motion compensation, a new anti-reflective treatment and an anti-blue light mode.

TCL C89B, 2.1 and 60 W sound section££££ The 2.1.2 sound equipment for the 65''/75'' screens and 2.2.2 for the 85''/98'' screens is still from Onkyo , placed at the back of the screen, for a total power of 60 W (6 x 10 W). Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatibility are on the program. Precision, the TCL C89B screens are equipped with a DVB-T2, DVB-S2 and DVB-C tuner. Latest info on the sound section of TCL C89B TVs, the possibility of a Dolby Atmos FlexConnect update.

TCL C89B, Smart Google TV££££ Of course, like their predecessors , TCL C89B TVs include the Smart Google TV function (Android 12). For connectivity, the Wi-Fi 6 function is required in addition to Bluetooth 5.0. In addition to having an internet browser, Voice Search and Chromecast functions, offering access to the Google Play Store with several thousand free applications, we find multi-account management, PIP, the Cast function efficient on Ultra HD content, multitasking management to navigate between several applications, quick access to favorite content via an overlay side information bar, Google Assistant compatibility, the Google Meet application and the Hands Free Voice Control function ( voice control of the TV) without the need for a remote control (microphone integrated into the TV).

TCL C89B, Game Master Pro 3.0 function with DLG 240 Hz££££ TCL does not forget game lovers video game with the new Game Master Pro 3.0 functionality. In addition to managing the 144 Hz frequency, FreeSync Premium Pro, and direct access to various TV settings to optimize the video game experience, TCL C89B TVs feature minimal Input Lag, less than 6 ms in the presence of a 120 hertz signal. Finally, as on the TCL C845 TVs, DLG (Dual Line Gate) technology is required on the C89B. The latter, by halving the vertical resolution (therefore to 1080p and not 2160p), offers a 240 Hz display for a smoother and more pleasant video game experience.

Availability planned for the month of April. Indicative prices still unknown.

Reminder of the key characteristics of TCL C89B TVs:

• 10-bit panel

• LCD panel

• Ultra HD/4K panel

• 144 Hz panel

• Processor: Quad Core

• Mega Contrast contrast enhancement function

• Wide Color Gamut function

• UHD Color Extender function

• UPnP (DLNA) multimedia gateway function

• DVR function

• eARC function

• VRR function

• ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) function

• 4K HFR 120 function

• Quantum Dots function

• PPI 4800 function

• DLG 240 Hz function

• Game Master 3.0 function

• UHD Deep Learning AI SR function

• AiPQ Pro function

• HDR10 and HDR HLG

• HDR10+ compatibility

• HDR Dolby Vision compatibility

• HEVC compatibility

• DTS:X compatibility

• Dolby Atmos compatibility

• HBBTV compatibility

• CEC compatibility

• Channel Ready compatibility

• Bluetooth 5.0 compatibility

• Dolby Vision IQ compatibility

• HDCP 2.3 compatibility

• Wi-Fi ax compatibility

• FreeSync Premium Pro compatibility

• Imax Enhanced certification

• Filmmaker Mode certification

• Outputs: 1 optical

• Inputs: 4 HDMI 2.1 inputs, 1 Composite, 1 port USB Host 2.0, 1 Ethernet port, 1 CI+ port

• AirPlay 2 multimedia

• Google Assistant multimedia

• Google TV multimedia

• Google Meet multimedia

• Compensation for MEMC movement

• Mini LED Local Dimming backlighting system

• Input Lag: < 6 ms

• Number of zones: 1,344 for the 65C89B, 2,160 for the 75C89B, 2,304 for the 85C89B and 2,160 for the 98C89B

• Peak light: 3,300 nits for the 65'', 3,500 nits for the 75''/85''/98''

• Mini LED technology: yes

• DVB-T2 tuner

• DVB-C tuner

• DVB-S2 tuner

• Sound section: 2.1.2

• Power: 60 W (6 x 10 W)

• Other: Hands-Free Voice Control function

• Energy label: nc