If you prioritize a more versatile television that performs better overall and has slightly higher quality for watching movies, sports, and gaming, and you don't mind paying more, the Samsung AU8000 would be the suitable option. However, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly TV and can accept slightly lower performance, especially in brighter rooms and with less motion clarity for sports and gaming, the TCL S446 could be a good choice. Keep in mind that the Samsung model may offer a better experience with smart features and connectivity. 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 AU8000 (LCD)
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) has no clear advantages over the TCL S446 (LCD).
Advantages of the TCL S446 (LCD)
Good viewing angle
Key differences
Picture Quality
6.6/10
5.8/10
6.71/10
CONTRAST
5.37/10
6.3/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
6.0/10
LED
PANEL TYPE
LED
VA
PANEL SUB-TYPE
IPS
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) has only fair picture quality, while the TCL S446 (LCD) has poor picture quality.
Bright Room
6.3/10
5.8/10
5.5/10
VIEWING ANGLE
7.5/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
6.0/10
5.7/10
HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
5.4/10
7.8/10
REFLECTIONS SCORE
7.2/10
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is only fair for bright room, while the TCL S446 (LCD) is poor.
The Samsung AU8000 performs better in a bright room compared to the TCL S446 because it has better SDR brightness, which is very important for such environments, and it handles reflections more effectively. While both TVs have similar contrast and color performance, which are somewhat important, the superior brightness of the Samsung AU8000 and its ability to minimize reflections make it the preferable choice for viewing in well-lit areas.
Cost
$648
$400
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) has a price of $648 and the TCL S446 (LCD) costs $400.
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and TCL S446 (LCD) are both poor for movies & TV.
The Samsung AU8000 and TCL S446 both struggle with movie and cinematic TV viewing due to their lack of local dimming, leading to lower contrast and poorer black uniformity which is essential for dark scenes. Additionally, both TVs may not display colors accurately straight out of the box and have limited color volumes, reducing the richness and realism desired for immersive cinematic experiences.
Sports
6.5/10
6.4/10
6.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
4.6/10
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
10.0/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
8.0/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
7.5/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
6.0/10
Yes
HLG SUPPORT
Yes
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and TCL S446 (LCD) are both only fair for sports.
The Samsung AU8000 is fair for watching sports mainly due to its excellent motion handling which is vital for fast-moving scenes, but the limited viewing angles could be a downside for wider seating arrangements. On the other hand, the TCL S446 also offers a fair sports watching experience with good reflection handling and wider viewing angles, however, its motion handling isn't as strong, which may result in blurrier action during fast-paced games.
Gaming
5.8/10
5.8/10
5.9/10
RESPONSE TIME SCORE
6.2/10
10.0/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
8.0/10
6.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
4.6/10
0.0/100
GAMING LOCAL DIMMING
0.0/100
5.8/10
GAME HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
5.6/10
The TCL S446 (LCD) and Samsung AU8000 (LCD) are both poor for gaming.
The Samsung AU8000 and TCL S446 both have 60Hz refresh rates which are not ideal for gaming that benefits from higher refresh rates, and the TCL S446's lower score for motion processing could lead to blur during fast-moving scenes. Additionally, although the Samsung AU8000 has a better score for input lag, which is critical for gaming responsiveness, both TVs are rated as having poor response time, potentially resulting in motion blur and reduced clarity in fast-paced games.
Cartoons & Animation
6.9/10
6.4/10
6.1/10
COLOR GAMUT SCORE
5.8/10
6.3/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
6.0/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
6.0/10
7.2/10
COLORS OUT OF THE BOX SCORE
9.1/10
6.8/10
GRAY UNIFORMITY
6.0/10
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and TCL S446 (LCD) are both only fair for cartoons & animation.
The Samsung AU8000 provides good colors out of the box, whereas the TCL S446 delivers excellent colors initially, which is significant for the appealing and vibrant visuals needed for cartoons and animation. However, the AU8000 has a fair color gamut, indicating a wider range of colors than the S446, which is poor in this aspect and could result in less vivid color representations for certain hues.
News, Talk, & Other TV
6.7/10
6.4/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
6.0/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
7.5/10
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and TCL S446 (LCD) are both only fair for news, talk, & other TV.
The Samsung AU8000 performs fairly in upscaling and has good SDR brightness, ensuring that news, talk shows, and TV programs look clear and are visible even in well-lit environments. The TCL S446, on the other hand, while it also has fair upscaling, lags in SDR brightness and might not display content as vibrantly in bright rooms; however, it offers excellent colors out of the box, which might make the initial viewing experience more appealing.
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How the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and the TCL S446 (LCD) compare to other TVs
"To put it directly: you’d never see a mid-range 4K TV hitting this black levels half a decade ago. AU8000 plays the part of a higher-end TV thanks to its sleek design. If you’re upgrading to a smart TV for the first time, the software is a great way to dip your toes in the streaming water."
Get a great deal on the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) or the TCL S446 (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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