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Google TV first came to life on last year’s Chromecast, then spread to Sony’s fairly expensive Bravia TVs earlier this year. Now, however, the platform is coming to something more affordable. TCL is releasing several Google TV models this month, and I had the chance to check them out in person.
I was recently able to spend some time taking a in-person look at the TCL 5 and 6 models, which work on Google TV. Starting with the hardware, these were pretty typical for 4K HDR TVs. TCL built its brand in the United States by making good panels at affordable prices, and these fit the model. Everything I saw looked good, with demos showing 120Hz and HDR.
However, what caught my attention more than the picture quality were some of the hardware features. On the one hand, these TVs support Google Assistant via built-in far-field microphones, which activate “Hey Google” commands like on a smart speaker. A nice touch, too, was support for a physical switch that can mute the microphone.
Some other cool add-ons that TCL offers include the ability to adjust the foot placement on the larger models, something I quickly realized was one of those “I didn’t know I needed it.” “. Finally, TCL also makes its own webcam for use with Google Duo. You will be able to use your own webcam via USB if you wish, but what I found nice about TCL’s option is the magnetic mounting. At $ 80, however, it’s definitely a bit pricey.
The big question, however, is performance. TVs with Android built in can go from super fast to terribly slow, the latter of which is more common when we talk about this more affordable side of the spectrum. The good news? These leave a great first impression when it comes to performance.
In my demo, I didn’t notice any noticeable Google TV interface lag on any of the models shown. As someone who uses a Chromecast with Google TV on a daily basis, I was really happy to see that TCL offered better performance on televisions that are in an affordable price range. It’s hard to say how these will age, but it looks like there is at least a little bit of headroom before things start to slow down.
The company didn’t provide exact specs for the chipsets and memory found under the hood, but it’s clear that’s enough to deliver a decent experience.
I also asked TCL about software updates. All of these models launch with Android 11 – a newer version than Google’s Chromecast – under the hood, but the company was unable to provide details of an update policy, only highlighting a close relationship with Google. and its background. I wouldn’t expect this to mean that these will receive constant updates or major releases in a timely manner, but more so that they aren’t ignored, as is too often the case with television brands.
Finally, I want to touch the remote that you will be using to control these televisions. It’s not one of Google’s benchmark designs that we love so much, but the design isn’t all that different. The longer remote is easy to hold and has a nice layout for the buttons. I’m not the biggest fan of the overall look or the side volume buttons, but the job is pretty well done and the buttons are quiet when pressed.
You will be able to purchase TCL Series 5 and Series 6 TVs with Google TV later this month. Stay tuned for our full reviews. Pricing starts at $ 599 for Series 5 and $ 999 for Series 6. Preorders are open today.
Note: TCL paid 9to5Google’s travel and accommodation costs for this briefing, but in no way influenced the coverage or saw it prior to its publication.
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