It used to be that purchasing a truly powerful 85-inch TV for less than $1,000 meant making significant compromises on picture quality or smart TV performance. The TCL T7 changes that. It’s now just $999.99 on Amazon, a savings of $400 off the list price of $1,399.99, and it brings QLED picture quality, a 144Hz panel, and Google TV to a screen size that fits in most living rooms and was previously not possible in most budgets.
What you get
QLED is the right starting point here. Quantum Dot color technology increases brightness and color volume compared to standard LED panels at this price, which makes a significant difference on such a large screen where inconsistencies in image quality are much harder to miss. HDR support adds depth to the image and the high brightness panel ensures things are visible even in rooms with a lot of ambient light.
The 120Hz to 144Hz refresh rate is a welcome addition to a TV in this price range, covering both smooth motion processing for movies and sports as well as low latency gaming performance for current generation consoles. Most TVs of this size and price still ship with 60Hz panels, so the T7’s refresh rate capability is a real differentiator worth considering when making your decision.
Thanks to Dolby Atmos audio support, compatible content delivers spatial sound without the need for a separate decoder. The integrated speakers do not replace a soundbar, but they form a solid basis for a television in this category. Google TV takes on the duties of a smart platform with a clean interface, extensive app support, and Alexa voice control for hands-free navigation and smart home management.
Why it’s worth it
The TCL T7 is in a market segment where size usually comes at the expense of technical features. An 85-inch 144Hz QLED for $999 is a configuration that rival brands typically price at around $1,300 or more, and the $400 savings brings it to the point where the math is just good for anyone who’s been waiting to make the jump to a really big screen.
The end result
TCL’s $999.99 85-inch T7 QLED is the large-format TV offering I’d point most people toward if screen size is a concern. The QLED panel, 144Hz refresh rate, and Google TV platform combine to create a well-rounded package that beats its price, and the $400 savings makes it one of the clearer TV buys currently available in this screen size.
