Just ahead of CES 2023, Tech Reader reported that TCL was intending to ship its first TV based on QD-OLED technology by the end of the year. This reporting was based on information given to Tech Reader as well as many other media outlets both during a private press briefing and in press materials issued ahead of the show. Now, however, it’s pulling back on those comments. In a phone call, with Editor-at-large, Caleb Denison, a spokesperson said that the details concerning TCL’s QD-OLED plans were issued in error.
We’ve reached out to get an official statement from TCL, and when we get it, we’ll update this post.
While this is disappointing news, we can’t say we’re entirely surprised. After reporting on TCL’s stated QD-OLED ambitions, we pointed out that there was a strong chance the company wouldn’t make good on its promise. TCL’s historical track record hasn’t been exactly stellar. The company said it would debut its first mini-LED OD Zero TV in 2021. Then it said it again at the start of 2022. Now that we’re in the first weeks of 2023, and there’s still no sign that the much-anticipated 8K X9 will ever hit retail.
Perhaps it was simply too good to be true. TCL is known for delivering impressive TVs at rock-bottom prices, so a TCL QD-OLED TV would likely end up costing far less than Samsung and Sony — the only other companies in the QD-OLED game, so far.
TCL didn’t give up any specifics on its QD-OLED strategy at its CES event, and now that it has pulled back on a 2023 launch, we’re probably not going to get key info any time soon. Specs like price, availability, screen sizes (55- and 65-inch models are all but guaranteed, but what about something bigger?), resolution (likely 4K), smart TV platforms (Roku or Google TV?), and will it adopt the same native 144Hz refresh rate that Samsung has announced for its 2023 S95C QD-OLED TV will all remain speculation for the foreseeable future.
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