TCL announces new 6 and 5 series TVs with Google TV instead of Roku

TCL has long been the flagship of Roku TVs. The company’s 6 Series is one of the best performing sets you can buy for under $ 1,000. It presents a fantastic picture with the help of Mini LED backlighting – TCL beat Samsung and LG for implementing this technology – and quantum dot HDR color. The Roku TVs in the 5 and 4 series are also no slouch in their respective price points.

But now TCL is taking a step that could dramatically shake up the US TV market: it is expanding beyond Roku and will release updated versions of its most popular TVs with Google TV on board. Software that debuted on Google’s Chromecast 2020 (and also works on recent Sony TVs) will now be offered on the latest 5 and 6 Series TVs.

I recently spoke with some of the executives at TCL who made it clear that the company is not in the process of moving to Google TV. in place from Roku or getting away from his longtime partner. Instead, TCL expects the TV operating system landscape to follow smartphones and ultimately consolidate into two choices: Roku OS and Google TV. TCL wants to offer consumers a choice between one or the other, and existing Roku TVs in the 6 and 5 series will remain on sale. This position just seems a little dismissive of Samsung’s Tizen TV platforms and LG’s webOS.

The Google TV versions keep the same prices as the Roku models, but there are a few tweaks and upgrades since it’s newer hardware. On the one hand, the TCL 6 series with Google TV will be capable of 4K at 120Hz, an improvement over the Roku model, which can only reach 120Hz at 1440p. This is a big deal for PS5 and Xbox Series gamers. The Google TV version comes with two HDMI 2.1 ports (one of which is eARC), with two additional HDMI 2.0 ports.

Series 6 and 5 with Google TV will also support HDR10 +. And in what some people might perceive as a controversial move, TCL is equipping its Google TVs with always-tuned microphones that can be used for voice commands. There is a physical switch on the back of TVs to mute the microphones if you’d rather stick to the remote control long-press method of Google Assistant controls.

The cheaper 5 Series doesn’t include 4K at 120Hz, but it still gives you full local dimming and both variable refresh rate and low auto latency mode when gaming.

TCL highlights the content-driven interface of Google TV, which differs significantly from the UX of the Roku home screen in the app grid. Here’s what the company says the new software offers customers:

With the addition of Google TV, TCL’s latest offerings will also include notable features such as the For You tab where users will find new content based on their interests, across all of their streaming services; Watchlist to refine recommendations by clicking content and saving to watch later, even from a browser or phone; and the built-in Live TV channel guide where recommendations for streaming content are visible alongside the live program listings. Moreover, it is possible to quickly find TV shows and movies by title, genre and even actors by pressing the dedicated Google Assistant button on the remote control and saying the command; or just make Google TV the hub of any smart home by easily controlling your connected devices.

Pre-orders for TCL’s first Google TVs in the US start today: I’ve included their Best Buy links below. The company tells me that the new 5 Series will ship in the next few weeks and the 6 Series should follow shortly thereafter. A 75-inch Series 6 model is expected to arrive later.

TCL 6 Series with Google TV
65 inches: $ 1,299
55 inches: $ 999

TCL Series 5 with Google TV
75 inches: $ 1,299
65 inches: $ 899
55 inches: $ 649
50 inches: $ 599

It’s worth noting that TCL’s best TVs, which include 8K-capable 8 and 6-series, will still run Roku OS exclusively in North America. But whatever, I’m curious to see how this will evolve over the next few months. As I said earlier, TCL has always been the number one brand for Roku TV. The company’s vertical integration and in-house panel production have placed it in a situation where, for example, Amazon’s Fire TVs from Toshiba and other brands have been unable to compete in terms of quality. ‘picture. Now Google TV is about to receive a huge boost by serving as the backbone of this awesome material.

There are some upgrades here (especially on the 6 Series) that might push people to the new Google TV TCLs instead of the previous Roku sets. But you will also have people who swore they never brought a television with microphones into their house – mute switch or not. I can’t wait to take a closer look at TCL’s Google TVs in the coming weeks.