The TV market in 2025 is more competitive than ever, with consumers demanding sharper visuals, faster gaming performance, smarter interfaces, and better sound — all without paying luxury-brand prices. This is where TCL has been carving out its identity. In the Australian market, TCL has consistently positioned itself as a brand that delivers flagship-level features at more approachable prices compared to Samsung, LG, and Sony.
The TCL C8K Mini LED TV is the company’s new flagship for 2025, directly competing with models like the Samsung QN90C, Hisense U8K, and mid-range OLEDs. It promises ultra-bright HDR performance, superior local dimming, a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system, and next-gen gaming features, all wrapped in a stylish design.
But the big question for Australians is: does it live up to the hype and is it worth your money compared to the competition? In this TCL C8K Review, we dive deep into its design, display, gaming performance, sound, smart features, and overall value. By the end, you’ll know whether the TCL C8K 65, 75, or 85-inch models deserve a spot in your living room.
Design & Build Quality: Premium Looks, Practical Execution
When you first unbox the TCL C8K, the immediate impression is that TCL has gone all-in on a premium aesthetic. The TV comes in a sleek silver-grey bezel with ultra-slim borders that instantly give it that high-end look. For Australian buyers who often position their TVs in open-plan living rooms where aesthetics matter just as much as performance, this slim design works beautifully.
The TV stand is central and sturdy, meaning it can fit easily on most TV cabinets without needing wide furniture. However, TCL also offers VESA wall mounting support, which is perfect if you’re planning to set up a home theatre experience with a clean, wall-mounted design.
On the rear, TCL has positioned the ports to the side for easy access — an underrated but important detail. The C8K comes with four HDMI ports, and here’s the crucial part: two of them are full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth at 48 Gbps, supporting advanced features like 4K 144Hz gaming for PC and 4K 120Hz with Dolby Vision for consoles. The other two ports are HDMI 2.0, suitable for streaming devices, Blu-ray players, or soundbars.
The remote control deserves a special mention. Unlike many budget-friendly TVs that include a generic plastic remote, the C8K ships with a brushed silver-metal remote, which feels far more premium. It’s minimalist yet intuitive, with quick-access buttons for Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video — the staples of Australian streaming life.
Yes, much of the TV is still built from lightweight plastic, but this doesn’t take away from the impression of quality. And realistically, once the TV is mounted or set up, you won’t notice the materials — what you’ll appreciate is the slim profile, premium remote, and ease of installation.
Display Quality: Mini LED Brilliance in Action
The heart of the TCL C8K is its Mini LED panel with the new CrestGlow WHVA technology, which improves both brightness and viewing angles — two areas where traditional LCDs have often lagged behind OLED competitors.
For Australians who often watch TV in bright living rooms with lots of natural sunlight, this is a game-changer. The C8K’s peak brightness was measured at 3,170 nits on a 10% HDR window, and even higher at 4,400 nits on a 5% window. To put this in perspective, that’s significantly brighter than most OLEDs and even some of Samsung’s high-end QLED models. HDR content on Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ looks spectacular, with highlights that pop without crushing shadow details.
TCL has also implemented an advanced local dimming system with 1,680 dimming zones on the 65-inch model. This reduces the “halo effect” that plagues many LED TVs, delivering deep blacks closer to OLED performance while still maintaining OLED-beating brightness. Watching dark, atmospheric shows like The Mandalorian or Stranger Things feels immersive, with black bars staying convincingly dark rather than turning grey.
Color accuracy is another strength. The TCL C8K covers 95% of the DCI-P3 gamut and up to 77% of BT.2020, meaning you get vibrant but realistic colors. Skin tones look natural, and sports — whether it’s AFL, NRL, or cricket — benefit from the crisp sharpness and balanced hues.
Perhaps the most impressive improvement is the 40% wider off-axis viewing angle. Traditionally, VA-type LCD panels lose contrast when viewed from the side, but TCL’s WHVA panel allows for family or group viewing without significant color or brightness loss.
For Australians, where TVs are often placed in shared spaces, this is a huge practical win. Whether you’re sitting dead centre for movie night or off to the side during a big footy game, the C8K keeps the picture quality consistently strong.
Gaming Performance: Built for Next-Gen Consoles & PC Gaming
If you’re a gamer, the TCL C8K is one of the best value TVs in 2025. With full HDMI 2.1 support, it’s capable of 4K 120Hz with Dolby Vision on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, plus 4K 144Hz or even 1080p at 288Hz on PC gaming rigs.
Input lag is also impressively low. In testing:
- 13.2ms at 4K 60Hz
- 9.2ms in performance mode
- 4.8ms at 4K 120Hz
That makes it one of the fastest TVs for gaming in its class, competing directly with premium gaming monitors. Motion handling is smooth, and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) means gamers won’t suffer screen tearing or stutter during fast-paced action.
For Australians into competitive eSports or casual console gaming, this is an excellent middle ground between a gaming monitor and a cinema-size screen. Titles like Call of Duty, FIFA 25, and Forza Horizon feel fluid and responsive, while cinematic games like Cyberpunk 2077 benefit from the HDR punch and wide color gamut.
This makes the C8K one of the most gamer-friendly TVs under AU$5,000 in 2025, especially when compared to the much pricier Samsung QN90C or Sony X95L.
Sound Quality: Bang & Olufsen Brilliance Built-In
TCL has partnered with Bang & Olufsen (B&O) for the C8K’s audio system, and it’s one of the biggest surprises of this TV. Unlike many slim TVs that require a soundbar for decent audio, the C8K packs a 6.2.2 channel setup with front, side, and upward-firing speakers, plus mid-bass drivers on the rear.
For Australians who don’t want the hassle or extra expense of adding a soundbar, this is a massive plus. Watching Top Gun: Maverick or Dune feels cinematic, with wide sound staging and a genuine sense of immersion. The Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support means you get surround sound effects that actually travel around the room.
The bass is surprisingly deep for built-in TV speakers, and dialogue remains clear even at higher volumes — something that budget TVs often struggle with. That said, if you’re an audiophile or building a full home cinema, pairing it with a B&O sound system or a premium soundbar will elevate the experience even further.
Still, for the average household, the C8K delivers sound quality that rivals mid-range soundbars, saving both space and money.
Smart TV Features: Google TV with Australian Optimisation
The TCL C8K runs on Google TV, and in 2025, TCL has finally added Australia-specific optimisations, including support for local catch-up apps like ABC iView, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now, and 10 Play. This is a crucial improvement for Aussie buyers who don’t want to rely solely on global apps like Netflix and YouTube.
Navigation is smooth thanks to TCL’s improved processing power, and you can customise rows to prioritise your favourite streaming apps. Google Assistant voice control works well, and the TV also supports Chromecast built-in and Apple AirPlay, giving you flexibility no matter your ecosystem.
Gamers also benefit from Game Master Mode, which automatically optimises settings for low latency and high refresh rates. For families, there’s Google Kids Mode with content filtering and parental controls.
Overall, the Google TV platform on the TCL C8K feels polished, responsive, and future-proof, making it easy to integrate into any Australian household.
Price & Value for Money in Australia
Here’s where the TCL C8K really shines. In Australia, TCL continues to undercut premium brands while offering nearly the same flagship-level experience.
As of late 2025, the pricing is approximately:
- TCL C8K 65-inch – Around AU$2,999
- TCL C8K 75-inch – Around AU$3,999
- TCL C8K 85-inch – Around AU$5,499
When compared to rivals:
- Samsung QN90C 75-inch – AU$5,999+
- Sony X95L 75-inch – AU$6,499+
- Hisense U8K 75-inch – AU$4,499
This makes the C8K one of the best-value Mini LED TVs in Australia for 2025. You’re getting flagship performance at mid-range prices, making it ideal for Australians who want premium home entertainment without overspending.
Verdict: Should You Buy the TCL C8K in 2025?
The TCL C8K Mini LED TV is a standout in 2025 because it bridges the gap between high-end performance and accessible pricing. Australians who want a bright, cinematic display, excellent gaming features, and immersive Bang & Olufsen audio without paying Samsung or Sony premiums will find the C8K hard to beat.
✅ Perfect for:
- Movie lovers who want HDR brightness and deep blacks.
- Gamers needing 4K 120Hz / 144Hz and ultra-low input lag.
- Families who need wide viewing angles and catch-up apps.
- Australians looking for flagship performance at a lower cost.
❌ Not ideal for:
- Absolute purists who demand OLED-level blacks in every situation.
- Those who already own a high-end sound system (since B&O audio won’t be as critical).
Final Word: If you’re shopping for a Mini LED TV in Australia under $5,000, the TCL C8K (65, 75, or 85-inch) is easily one of the best choices of 2025. It delivers brilliance in display, sound, and gaming, while keeping the price competitive.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy the TCL C8K
Top 5 Reasons to AVOID the TCL C8K
It reaches over 3440 nits in Filmmaker Mode, making HDR truly pop.
The 65-inch model features an impressive 1680 individually dimmable Mini-LED zones.
Yes, it supports 4K gaming at 144Hz VRR with excellent input lag.
About the Author: YouTube’s best resource for TV technology reviews & features based on scientific testing and calibration plus home entertainment, Hi-Fi & technology reviews, news and tutorials from Europe’s largest audio visual home consumer electronics community.
- Source: TCL C8K review
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