The Samsung Q80B is a higher-priced option that excels in gaming due to its low input lag and quick response time. Its performance in bright rooms is good, making it suitable for well-lit spaces. However, its dark room performance is average, which might detract from watching movies in low light.
The TCL R646, though less expensive, offers better overall picture quality, superior dark room and bright room performance, and great black uniformity, which is important for enjoying movies. It may not be as responsive as the Samsung for gaming, and its sound quality is lower.
The best choice depends on your priorities: if gaming and bright room performance are key, consider the Samsung Q80B; for better movie-watching in various lighting conditions at a lower price, the TCL R646 is a strong contender. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Samsung Q80B (LCD)
Good for upscaling
Very good motion processing
Good viewing angle
Advantages of the TCL R646 (LCD)
Very good for bright room
Good for dark room
Good for movies & TV
Very good for cartoons & animation
Very good reflections
Key differences
Picture Quality
7.1/10
7.9/10
5.33/10
CONTRAST
8.43/10
7.5/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
7.6/10
LED FALD
PANEL TYPE
miniLED FALD
IPS
PANEL SUB-TYPE
VA
The TCL R646 (LCD) and Samsung Q80B (LCD) both have good picture quality, though the TCL R646 (LCD) has somewhat better picture quality.
Movies & TV
6.4/10
7.8/10
5.33/10
CONTRAST
8.43/10
5.2/10
BLACK UNIFORMITY
6.8/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
5.9/10
Yes
HDR10 SUPPORT
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ SUPPORT
Yes
No
DOLBY VISION SUPPORT
Yes
The TCL R646 (LCD) is good for movies & TV, while the Samsung Q80B (LCD) is only fair.
The TCL R646 provides a superior movie-watching experience compared to the Samsung Q80B, primarily due to its higher contrast ratio, more effective local dimming, and better black uniformity, which are crucial for deep dark scenes typical in movies. However, the Samsung Q80B offers better viewing angles and color accuracy straight out of the box, which could be beneficial when watching content with a group or if immediate viewing without calibration is preferred.
Cartoons & Animation
7.6/10
8.4/10
7.3/10
COLOR GAMUT SCORE
7.6/10
7.5/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
7.6/10
8.8/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
9.1/10
7.8/10
COLORS OUT OF THE BOX SCORE
7.2/10
6.4/10
GRAY UNIFORMITY
8.0/10
The TCL R646 (LCD) is very good for cartoons & animation, while the Samsung Q80B (LCD) is good.
The Samsung Q80B and TCL R646 are both commended for watching cartoons and animation because they offer pleasing colors right out of the box and have a similar color gamut, which ensures a wide range of colors. However, while both are assessed as having 'good' performance on these aspects, the TCL R646 pulls ahead slightly due to its superior contrast, which can make images pop more, a factor that is somewhat important for this type of content.
Bright Room
7.4/10
8.9/10
7.4/10
VIEWING ANGLE
5.3/10
8.8/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
9.1/10
7.7/10
HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.3/10
6.0/10
REFLECTIONS SCORE
8.1/10
The TCL R646 (LCD) is very good for bright room, while the Samsung Q80B (LCD) is good.
The TCL R646 outperforms the Samsung Q80B in a bright room primarily because it has excellent SDR and very good HDR brightness, combined with very good handling of reflections, which helps maintain picture quality even in well-lit environments. In contrast, while the Samsung Q80B has very good SDR brightness and fair reflection handling, these factors make it slightly less optimal than the TCL R646 for viewing in bright rooms.
Cost
$1,998
$1,800
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Samsung Q80B (LCD) has a price of $1,998 and the TCL R646 (LCD) costs $1,800.
The Samsung Q80B (LCD) and TCL R646 (LCD) are both only fair for sports.
The Samsung Q80B and TCL R646 both have a good response time which is crucial for sports, but the Samsung Q80B has a lower reflection handling capability which can be a drawback in well-lit rooms. Although the Samsung has wider viewing angles which is beneficial for viewing with a group, the TCL R646 handles reflections better, making it preferential in brighter environments; both have similar motion processing capabilities, but neither excels at gray uniformity which is somewhat important for sports viewing..
Gaming
8.2/10
8.2/10
8.1/10
RESPONSE TIME SCORE
8.0/10
10.0/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
7.6/10
8.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
5.3/10
60.0/100
GAMING LOCAL DIMMING
70.0/100
8.0/10
GAME HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.7/10
The Samsung Q80B (LCD) and TCL R646 (LCD) are both very good for gaming.
The Samsung Q80B is excellent for gaming due to its very good response time and the best input lag performance, which ensures smooth and responsive gameplay. Similarly, the TCL R646 also offers very good gaming performance, thanks to its very good response time and good input lag, although it may not be quite as responsive as the Samsung model.
News, Talk, & Other TV
7.8/10
7.5/10
8.8/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
9.1/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
5.9/10
The Samsung Q80B (LCD) and TCL R646 (LCD) are both good for news, talk, & other TV.
The Samsung Q80B excels at upscaling lower-resolution content and provides very good SDR brightness, making it suitable for watching news and talk shows. The TCL R646, while offering excellent SDR brightness for clear images even in well-lit rooms, also boasts good upscaling capabilities and deep contrasts, enhancing viewing experiences for regular TV programs.
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How the Samsung Q80B (LCD) and the TCL R646 (LCD) compare to other TVs
"For most people its picture, sound, and price make it a midrange TV worth considering. HDR brightness was generally exceptional. Its viewing angles are shockingly good, among the very best we’ve seen recently from any non-OLED TV. For gamers input lag isn’t too shabby."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Q80B (LCD) or the TCL R646 (LCD)
About Samsung
Samsung, a South Korean electronics manufacturer, holds the title of being the largest global TV vendor in terms of units sold. They offer a diverse lineup of TV products that cater to various budget ranges. A notable achievement in recent years is the development of Quantum Dots, a technology that enhances color reproduction, resulting in richer and more vibrant hues. Samsung TVs are well-regarded for their high manufacturing quality and user-friendly software, making them an excellent choice for consumers seeking an intuitive viewing experience.
About TCL
TCL, the highly recognizable TV brand from China, has firmly established itself as the second-largest manufacturer in terms of sales volume. Renowned for striking an impressive balance between affordability, picture quality, and design, TCL TVs deliver a compelling overall package. While they have traditionally excelled in the low-end and midrange TV segments, TCL has recently made remarkable strides in the realm of high-end televisions, introducing impressive models that rival top competitors. Most TCL TVs use Roku software which is very user friendly and easy to use, but they have a few other models that use Google TV which has the largest app selection, but is not as user friendly as Roku.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec TVs team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest TV information and makes it digestible for you.
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