Home TCL QM9K Review: Is This 2025 Flagship TV Still Worth It in 2026?

onMarch 18, 2026

TCL QM9K Review: Is This 2025 Flagship TV Still Worth It in 2026?

Smart TV Review

15 min read

TCL’s QM9K arrived in 2025 as the company’s flagship television, packed with premium features that seemed almost too good to be true: Bang & Olufsen-engineered audio, built-in Google Gemini AI assistant, mini LED backlighting for exceptional contrast, and full gaming support, including 4K120Hz HDMI 2.1 ports.

But a year later, in 2026, the question becomes more nuanced: Is last year’s flagship still competitive against newer models? Does the AI assistant actually work as promised? Can mini LED truly compete with OLED in dark room viewing? And perhaps most importantly, does the price-to-performance ratio still make sense?

After extensive hands-on testing by Techno Dad, a home theater expert with 30 years of experience—including dark room picture quality analysis, Gemini AI functionality testing with real-world queries, gaming port evaluation, and audio performance assessment—the verdict reveals a TV that excels in some areas while falling short in others.

From impressive black levels that rival OLED to frustratingly limited AI capabilities, from Bang & Olufsen audio that pleasantly surprises to Gemini assistant failures on basic TV control—the QM9K tells a complex story of flagship ambitions meeting real-world limitations.

This comprehensive review breaks down everything: picture quality in daylight and dark rooms, AI assistant capabilities and failures, Bang & Olufsen audio performance, gaming features, setup considerations, and the critical verdict: Should you buy the QM9K in 2026?

Quick Verdict: Is the TCL QM9K Worth It in 2026?

TL;DR Summary

Model: TCL QM9K (2025 flagship, tested in 2026)
Size Tested: 75 inches (also available in other sizes)
Panel Type: Mini LED (local dimming zones)
AI Assistant: Google Gemini (built-in)
Audio: Bang & Olufsen-engineered actuators
Gaming: 4 HDMI ports (HDMI 2.1 support for 4K120Hz)
Brightness: Extremely bright (exact nits not specified, “super bright” noted)
Black Levels: Impressive for mini LED (rivals OLED in some scenes)
Ports: 4x HDMI, Optical audio out, 2x USB (including USB 3.0), Ethernet, Antenna
Power: Two-prong IEC connector
Reviewer Background: 30 years home theater experience

Key Strengths

✓ Exceptional black levels (mini LED performance rivals OLED in dark rooms)
✓ Extremely bright panel (excellent for daytime viewing, HDR highlights)
✓ Bang & Olufsen audio (pleasantly surprising built-in sound)
✓ 4K120Hz gaming support (HDMI 2.1 for Xbox Series X, PS5)
✓ Minimal reflections (performs well in bright rooms at noon)
✓ Price-to-performance ratio (last year’s flagship = discounted pricing)
✓ Dark room performance (black bars disappear like OLED)

Notable Limitations

○ Gemini AI is inconsistent (can’t answer complex TV questions, fails basic commands)
○ AI can’t control TV settings (no sleep timer, no setting adjustments)
○ AI calendar integration broken (promises features it can’t deliver)
○ Context-dependent AI (must use from home screen for best results)
○ HDMI port labeling unclear (Gemini can’t identify which for 4K120)
○ Extreme brightness shows bezels (very bright panel reveals TV frame in dark)

Verdict

8/10 – Still Excellent in 2026, But AI Disappoints

“At the end of the day, the price-to-performance ratio on this TV is great, especially since it is last year’s TV. So, to answer the question: Is it still good in 2026? That answer is a big fat yes.” The QM9K delivers flagship picture quality and audio at discounted pricing, but the Gemini AI assistant is more gimmick than game-changer. Buy it for the mini LED panel and B&O audio, not the AI.

Physical Design & Connectivity: Flagship Build Quality

Port Layout Overview

“On the back, we’ve got actuators from Bang and Olufsen. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen.”

Complete Port Configuration

HDMI Ports: 4 total (HDMI 2.1 support for gaming)
Antenna Input: “Old school antenna” (ATSC tuner)
Optical Audio Output: Digital audio out (soundbar/receiver connection)
USB Ports: USB 3.0 + standard USB
Ethernet: Wired network connection
Power: Two-prong IEC connector

Gaming Port Configuration

4K120Hz Support

The QM9K includes HDMI 2.1 ports for next-gen gaming consoles (Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5), enabling:

4K resolution @ 120Hz refresh rate
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)

The HDMI Port Mystery

One significant frustration emerged during testing:

“I wanted to know which HDMI port to use for 4K120 gaming on the Xbox Series X. When I asked [Gemini] that, I wanted to know which port to use. It just came back with, ‘Oh, you need to use an HDMI 2.1 high-speed cable.’ I’m like, ‘Okay, yeah, thanks.’ Already knew that part. Just needed to know which port to plug it into.”

The problem: Not all HDMI ports may support full HDMI 2.1 features, but Gemini AI couldn’t identify which specific port to use.

What This Means Practically

Users must:

Consult the manual (to identify proper HDMI 2.1 ports)
Trial-and-error testing (plugging into different ports)
Look for on-screen indicators (when connecting gaming consoles)

This is a basic question the AI assistant should answer but cannot.

Audio Connectivity

Optical Output

The optical audio output allows connection to:

Soundbars (digital audio transmission)
AV receivers (surround sound systems)
External speakers (powered studio monitors)

This is critical for users wanting to bypass the built-in speakers for dedicated audio systems.

Design Verdict

Comprehensive Connectivity

✓ 4x HDMI ports (adequate for most setups)
✓ HDMI 2.1 gaming support (future-proof)
✓ Optical audio out (external audio flexibility)
✓ Ethernet port (stable streaming connection)
✓ USB 3.0 (faster media playback)
○ HDMI port identification unclear (AI doesn’t help)

The port selection is comprehensive, but lack of clear labeling for HDMI 2.1 features creates unnecessary confusion.

Gemini AI Assistant: Promising Concept, Inconsistent Execution

The AI Promise

“Built-in Gemini AI… On paper, this thing should be awesome.”

What Works: Content Recommendations

Context-Aware Suggestions (Sometimes)

“If you’re in the YouTube app like we were earlier and ask for a comedy, it will give you comedies in YouTube itself.”

How it works:

In YouTube app → Ask for comedy → YouTube comedy suggestions
In HBO Max → Ask for comedy → HBO Max comedy suggestions
On home screen → Ask for comedy → Suggestions across all platforms

Best Practices Discovered

“If you are looking for content that you wanted to suggest, you should do that from the home screen.”

Recommendation strategy:

For app-specific content: Ask from within the app
For cross-platform search: Ask from home screen

What Works: Travel Planning (Partially)

Flight Information Queries

“I asked it to tell me about flights to Miami through a certain time period and it gave me some options. It let me know what the price ranges were for the different airlines.”

Impressive capabilities:

Flight search across date ranges
Price comparison across airlines
Route options presentation

What Doesn’t Work: Calendar Integration

The Broken Promise

“And then when I asked it to block off my calendar, it said sure, no problem.”

Expected result: Calendar dates blocked for Miami trip

Actual result: “I went to my calendar and those dates aren’t blocked off or at least it doesn’t show that I have a trip going on in that time period.”

The AI Contradiction

“So, I asked it again and then it says, ‘Well, I don’t have access to do that, so I can’t do that.’ But it just told me it could.”

The problem: Gemini makes promises it can’t fulfill, then contradicts itself when asked again.

What Doesn’t Work: TV Settings Control

Basic Commands Fail

“Hey Google, can you set a sleep timer?”

Gemini response: “I’m sorry, I can’t help with that.”

Assessment: “So it’s not anything about changing settings on the TV, just about looking for content.”

Critical Limitation

Gemini AI on the QM9K cannot:

Set sleep timers
Adjust picture settings
Change audio settings
Control TV functions
Answer technical questions (like HDMI port identification)

Overall AI Assessment

“I got to admit, some of it was really good and some of it was just not.”

When to Use Gemini

✓ Content discovery (from home screen)
✓ App-specific searches (within streaming apps)
✓ General information queries (flights, weather)

When NOT to Rely on Gemini

✗ TV setting adjustments
✗ Technical questions (HDMI ports, specifications)
✗ Calendar/task management (broken integration)
✗ Complex multi-step requests

AI Verdict

Marketing Hype > Reality

“Okay, so just kind of keep these things in mind when you’re using the Gemini functionality on the TCL QM9K.”

✓ Good for content recommendations (primary use case)
✓ Works well within apps (context-aware)
○ Inconsistent feature delivery (promises what it can’t do)
○ Cannot control TV settings (major limitation)
○ Broken integrations (calendar sync doesn’t work)
✗ Not reliable for technical questions

The Gemini AI is a nice-to-have feature for content discovery, but it’s not a reason to buy this TV. Expect frustration if you rely on it for anything beyond basic searches.

Audio Performance: Bang & Olufsen Surprises

The Built-In Audio Approach

“When it comes to sound, I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by the Bang & Olufsen system in the TV.”

The Reviewer’s Perspective

Home Theater Expert Context

“Now, I’m not one to say it’s the end all be all. Of course, I’m a home theater guy. I want to run like 13 channels in that room for sure.”

Translation: As someone who typically demands dedicated multi-channel audio systems, the fact that he was “pleasantly surprised” by built-in TV speakers is significant praise.

Real-World Gaming Audio Test

Call of Duty Testing

“I played a lot of Call of Duty and for those of you that know me, when I play Call of Duty, I turn off the game music and I put on Spotify.”

The Audio Hack

“It’s actually a nice little hack. Now you got Spotify music with all the game sound effects and you are good to go.”

What this tests:

Simultaneous music + game audio (dynamic range)
Sound effect clarity (directional audio cues)
Music reproduction quality (Spotify playback)
Volume handling (mixed sources)

Result: The B&O system handled this complex audio mix well enough for extended gaming sessions.

The Limitation: Stereo Imaging

Why External Speakers Were Added

“However, I went ahead and added some powered speakers so I can get a nice stereo image.”

The issue: Built-in TV speakers, even premium ones, struggle with proper stereo imaging due to:

Narrow speaker spacing (limited to TV width)
Rear-firing or side-firing drivers (not front-facing)
Acoustic positioning (TV placement limits speaker angles)

The Solution Offered

“If you need help doing that kind of thing, I made a video about it. I’ll link it down in the description below or with a card up top.”

The reviewer created dedicated content on adding external powered speakers for improved stereo imaging.

The Verdict on Built-In Audio

“But overall, you could get by with the built-in TV sound.”

What This Means

For a home theater expert to say built-in TV speakers are “good enough” is rare. This suggests the B&O-engineered system:

✓ Adequate for casual viewing (no soundbar needed immediately)
✓ Handles gaming audio well (sound effects clear)
✓ Decent music playback (Spotify quality acceptable)
✓ Better than typical TV speakers (B&O engineering shows)
○ Not replacement for dedicated audio (stereo image limited)
○ Upgradeable with external speakers (optical out available)

Audio Verdict

Pleasantly Surprising Built-In Sound

✓ Bang & Olufsen engineering delivers (noticeable improvement)
✓ Good enough for most users (no immediate soundbar need)
✓ Gaming audio capable (tested extensively with CoD)
✓ Music playback acceptable (Spotify quality decent)
○ Stereo imaging limited (TV speaker inherent limitation)
○ Audiophiles will upgrade (but that’s expected)

For a built-in TV audio system, the B&O-engineered solution punches above its weight. Most users won’t need immediate audio upgrades.

Picture Quality: Where the QM9K Truly Shines

Daytime Performance: Bright Room Capability

Testing Conditions

“Now, these next few clips are with both of the shades up, and this is around 12 noon in the house.”

Reflection Handling

“And there you can tell that there are reflections coming from the back of the room and sometimes from the side of the room, depending on where you sit.”

Bright Room Verdict

“Overall, in the daytime, this TV did a great job with a little bit of reflection that I couldn’t really notice when watching content.”

Key Finding

Active viewing: Reflections minimal, not distracting
Black screens: “Definitely you could see the backyard”

What this means: While watching movies/shows, the brightness overcomes reflections. Only on dark/black screens do reflections become obvious.

Dark Room Performance: The Mini LED Achievement

The OLED Comparison Context

“Here it is, ladies and gentlemen. The dark room content. This is where the TV really shined.”

Reviewer background: “You guys know I’m a huge OLED fan, and my main thing about OLED is turning the lights off and the black bars just disappear into the darkness.”

The Black Level Achievement

“And I was actually impressed with the black levels on this TV.”

OLED-Like Performance

“Now, that did work in a few different scenes just like an OLED.”

Critical finding: In multiple scenes, the mini LED black levels matched OLED performance—black bars disappeared into darkness.

The Brightness Trade-Off

The Double-Edged Sword

“One thing I did notice is that this TV is super bright. Super bright.”

The Consequence

“So, you might be actually getting a lot of brightness out of the TV to where you can now see that it’s not really dark around the TV. So, you can kind of still see the black bars.”

What This Means

The extreme brightness of the panel creates an interesting phenomenon:

HDR highlights: Incredibly bright, impactful (major advantage)
Dark room viewing: TV brightness illuminates room slightly
Black bars: Sometimes visible due to ambient light from TV itself
Context matters: Scene-dependent performance

When Black Bars Disappear

“But there were times when the black bars just disappeared.”

The Achievement Significance

“And this is a huge, huge step in the right direction for mini LED TVs. Getting that level of black is amazing. So, good job, TCL.”

Picture Quality Breakdown

Mini LED Advantages Demonstrated

Local dimming: Precise control of backlighting zones
Black levels: Rival OLED in many scenes
Brightness: Far exceeds OLED capability (“super bright”)
HDR performance: Exceptional highlight detail
Daytime viewing: Overcomes reflections easily

OLED Advantages (Not Matched)

Infinite contrast: Perfect blacks in all scenes (QM9K: most scenes)
No blooming: OLED has none, mini LED may show minimal
Pixel-level control: Individual dimming vs zones

Picture Quality Verdict

Mini LED Excellence

✓ OLED-like blacks in many scenes (huge achievement)
✓ Extreme brightness (HDR highlights, daytime viewing)
✓ Minimal reflections in bright rooms (noon testing)
✓ Dark room performance impressive (black bars disappear)
✓ “Huge step in right direction” for mini LED (expert assessment)
○ Brightness reveals TV bezels sometimes (trade-off)
○ Not perfect OLED blacks in every scene (scene-dependent)

For those who want OLED-like dark room performance with superior brightness for HDR and daytime viewing, the QM9K mini LED panel delivers.

Gaming Performance: 4K120Hz Capable

Console Compatibility

“We checked the gaming ports.”

Tested Gaming Setup

Console: Xbox Series X (mentioned specifically)
Game: Call of Duty (extensively tested)
HDMI: 2.1 high-speed cable required

Gaming Features

Expected HDMI 2.1 Capabilities

4K @ 120Hz: Full resolution, high refresh rate
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate): Eliminates screen tearing
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode): Automatic game mode activation

Audio During Gaming

As noted in audio section, the B&O speakers handled:

Call of Duty sound effects (directional cues)
Simultaneous Spotify music playback
Extended gaming sessions (hours of testing)

Gaming Verdict

Fully Console-Ready

✓ HDMI 2.1 support (4K120Hz capable)
✓ Tested with Xbox Series X (confirmed compatibility)
✓ Audio quality good for gaming (B&O system)
✓ Brightness excellent for HDR gaming
○ HDMI port labeling unclear (which port for 4K120?)
○ AI can’t answer technical questions (Gemini limitation)

The QM9K handles next-gen console gaming well, though users must identify the correct HDMI 2.1 port manually.

2026 Value Proposition: Last Year’s Flagship Advantage

The Critical Question

“Is it still good in 2026?”

The Verdict

“That answer is a big fat yes.”

Why Last Year’s Model Makes Sense

Price-to-Performance Excellence

“At the end of the day, the price-to-performance ratio on this TV is great, especially since it is last year’s TV.”

What You’re Getting

Flagship picture quality: Mini LED black levels, extreme brightness
Premium audio: Bang & Olufsen-engineered sound
Gaming capability: HDMI 2.1, 4K120Hz support
2026 pricing: Discounted from 2025 MSRP

What You’re NOT Getting (And Why It’s Okay)

AI Assistant Reality Check

Gemini works for content discovery (main use case)
Gemini doesn’t control TV settings (disappointing but not essential)
Gemini has broken features (calendar sync, but who uses TV for calendar?)

The Honest Assessment

The AI assistant is a bonus feature that works adequately for content recommendations. It’s not why you should buy this TV. You buy it for:

Exceptional picture quality (mini LED excellence)
Surprisingly good audio (B&O engineering)
Gaming support (HDMI 2.1)
Value pricing (last year’s flagship discount)

Who Benefits Most from 2026 Purchase

Ideal Buyers

Value seekers: Flagship features at reduced cost
Dark room viewers: OLED-like blacks without OLED pricing
Bright room users: Extreme brightness overcomes reflections
Gamers: 4K120Hz HDMI 2.1 support
Audio-conscious buyers: B&O sound eliminates immediate soundbar need

2026 Value Verdict

Smart Buy for Right Buyers

✓ Flagship picture quality (mini LED excellence intact)
✓ Discounted pricing (last year’s model advantage)
✓ Premium audio (B&O still impressive)
✓ Gaming-ready (HDMI 2.1 remains current)
✓ Technology not obsolete (still competitive)
○ AI gimmicky (but not why you buy it)

“So, to answer the question: Is it still good in 2026? That answer is a big fat yes.”

Who Should Buy the TCL QM9K?

Perfect For

Home Theater Enthusiasts (Budget-Conscious)

✓ Want flagship picture quality without flagship pricing
✓ Appreciate mini LED black levels (OLED-like performance)
✓ Value extreme brightness (HDR highlights, daytime viewing)
✓ 30-year home theater expert recommends it

Gamers (Console & PC)

✓ Xbox Series X / PS5 owners (4K120Hz support)
✓ HDR gaming enthusiasts (extreme brightness advantage)
✓ Call of Duty tested extensively (audio quality confirmed)
✓ HDMI 2.1 future-proofing

Bright Room Viewers

✓ Living rooms with windows (noon testing successful)
✓ Daytime viewing priority (overcomes reflections)
✓ HDR content lovers (brightness excels)
✓ Anti-glare performance good

Dark Room Cinephiles

✓ Movie watching after dark (black bars disappear)
✓ OLED-like blacks without burn-in risk
✓ Mini LED local dimming excellence
✓ Impressive contrast performance

Audio-Conscious Buyers (Without Soundbar Budget)

✓ Want better-than-average built-in sound
✓ Bang & Olufsen engineering appeals
✓ Gaming audio quality matters
✓ Can delay soundbar purchase (built-in sufficient initially)

Value Shoppers

✓ Want 2025 flagship in 2026 (discounted pricing)
✓ Price-to-performance priority
✓ Don’t need latest model year
✓ Smart about technology depreciation

Not Ideal For

AI Assistant Enthusiasts

✗ Expecting comprehensive Gemini integration
✗ Want AI to control TV settings (can’t do it)
✗ Need reliable smart assistant (inconsistent performance)
✗ Believe marketing hype (AI underwhelms)

OLED Purists

✗ Demand perfect blacks in every scene (QM9K: most scenes)
✗ Hate any blooming (mini LED may show minimal)
✗ Want pixel-level control (OLED advantage)
✗ Prefer infinite contrast (OLED still superior)

Small Room / Close Viewing

✗ 75-inch may be too large (tested size)
✗ Extreme brightness overwhelming (very bright panel)
✗ Prefer smaller screens
✗ Limited viewing distance

Audiophiles

✗ Demand reference-quality audio (external system needed)
✗ Need precise stereo imaging (built-in speakers limited)
✗ Want multi-channel surround (TV speakers can’t deliver)
✗ 13-channel Atmos systems planned (reviewer’s preference)

Latest Technology Demanders

✗ Must have 2026 model year (this is 2025)
✗ Need absolute latest features
✗ Brand-new technology priority
✗ Depreciation doesn’t matter

The Sweet Spot Buyer

The ideal TCL QM9K buyer:

Wants flagship picture quality (mini LED black levels)
Values extreme brightness (HDR, daytime viewing)
Appreciates good built-in audio (B&O engineering)
Games on next-gen consoles (Xbox Series X, PS5)
Prioritizes value pricing (last year’s flagship discount)
Has mixed viewing conditions (bright days, dark nights)
Doesn’t care about AI gimmicks (buys for picture/audio)
Wants 75-inch screen (or other available sizes)

Final Verdict: 8/10 – Flagship Picture, Disappointing AI

Rating Breakdown

Picture Quality: 9/10 (OLED-like blacks, extreme brightness, mini LED excellence)
Audio Quality: 8/10 (B&O engineering impressive, but not reference)
Gaming: 8.5/10 (4K120Hz support, good performance, unclear port labeling)
AI Assistant: 4/10 (content discovery works, everything else disappoints)
Connectivity: 8/10 (comprehensive ports, HDMI 2.1 included)
Bright Room Performance: 9/10 (overcomes reflections, noon tested)
Dark Room Performance: 9/10 (OLED-like in many scenes)
Value (2026): 10/10 (last year’s flagship pricing, still competitive)

Overall: 8/10 – Excellent TV, Forget the AI

What Makes It Special

Mini LED Achievement

“And this is a huge, huge step in the right direction for mini LED TVs. Getting that level of black is amazing. So, good job, TCL.”

The QM9K demonstrates that mini LED technology has matured to the point where it can deliver OLED-like blacks in many scenes while maintaining superior brightness.

The Bang & Olufsen Surprise

“I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by the Bang & Olufsen system in the TV.”

From a 30-year home theater expert, this is significant praise. The built-in audio genuinely exceeds typical TV speaker performance.

The 2026 Value Play

“At the end of the day, the price-to-performance ratio on this TV is great, especially since it is last year’s TV.”

Buying flagship technology one year later delivers premium features at reduced pricing—smart shopping.

What Holds It Back

The AI Reality Check

Can’t control TV settings (sleep timer fails)
Can’t answer technical questions (HDMI port mystery)
Broken integrations (calendar sync promises, doesn’t deliver)
Inconsistent performance (works for content, fails for everything else)

Minor Picture Quality Caveats

Extreme brightness shows TV bezels (very bright panel trade-off)
Not perfect blacks in every scene (OLED still superior in this regard)
Scene-dependent performance (most scenes excellent, not all)

Should You Buy It?

Buy the TCL QM9K if:

✓ You want flagship picture quality at reduced cost
✓ You appreciate mini LED black levels (OLED-like performance)
✓ You value extreme brightness (HDR, daytime viewing)
✓ You game on next-gen consoles (Xbox Series X, PS5)
✓ You want good built-in audio (B&O engineering)
✓ You prioritize value (last year’s flagship discount)
✓ You don’t care about AI gimmicks (picture/audio priority)

Skip it if:

✗ You need comprehensive AI assistant (Gemini disappoints)
✗ You demand perfect OLED blacks every scene
✗ You hate anything less than latest model year
✗ You need reference-quality built-in audio
✗ You want smaller screen size (if 75″ too large)

Consider alternatives if:

○ OLED absolute blacks matter (LG/Sony OLED)
○ AI integration critical (though most TV AI underwhelms)
○ Latest 2026 models priority (QM9K is 2025)

The Recommendation

“So, to answer the question: Is it still good in 2026? That answer is a big fat yes.”

The TCL QM9K delivers where it matters:

Exceptional picture quality (mini LED black levels + extreme brightness)
Surprisingly good audio (Bang & Olufsen engineering)
Gaming capability (HDMI 2.1, 4K120Hz)
2026 value pricing (last year’s flagship discount)

The Gemini AI assistant is disappointing, but it’s a bonus feature, not a core capability. Don’t buy this TV for AI—buy it for the mini LED panel that rivals OLED in dark rooms and exceeds it in brightness.

Final Thought

“On paper, this thing should be awesome.”

In practice, the QM9K delivers on its picture quality and audio promises while falling short on AI ambitions. For buyers who prioritize what actually matters—exceptional image quality, good sound, and gaming support—this 2025 flagship remains an excellent choice in 2026.

Forget the AI. Focus on the mini LED panel that made a 30-year home theater expert say, “Good job, TCL.”

Last year’s flagship, this year’s smart buy.