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TCL won't dethrone Samsung if it doesn't aim for the art
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(Image credit: TCL)
- TCL's new art TV has a high-end mini-LED panel
- Sized from 55 to 98 inches, with super-slim design
- Launching in China first but expected in the US in early 2026
TCL has unveiled a new Nxtvision TV, the TCL A400 Pro, that's a direct rival to the Samsung The Frame Pro – but while it looks like it'll triumph in the tech department, it lacks two of the key things that have helped make The Frame TVs so popular.
Let's start with the tech. Behind the traditional matte panel that all art TVs have appears to be a high-spec mini-LED panel. The TCL A400 Pro is a quantum dot mini-LED, and appears to be one of TCL's better panels – Samsung's The Frame Pro uses its most basic mini-LED panel, which apparently is edge-lit.
The TCL's is a true mini-LED panel with lights behind the whole screen, which means it's likely to deliver a more accurate display – which is nice whether you're watching a movie or looking at a work of art.
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What's missing from the TCL A400 Pro
However, there are two important things that Samsung's art TV offers that the TCL A400 Pro doesn't. The first is the One Connect box which in both its wired and wireless iterations (wired on the standard The Frame TV, wireless on The Frame Pro) dramatically reduces cable clutter – important when you're buying a TV to hang on the wall like a picture.
With the TCL, if you have four HDMI cables, a power cable and tuner cable working with it, then you have to deal with six cables.
The second, and to my mind more important, difference is that Samsung's virtual art gallery is many times bigger than TCLs: according to FlatpanelsHD, TCL offers "over 100" artworks whereas Samsung has over 4,000 pieces from major museums and institutions.
TCL is reportedly working on expanding the collection, although there's no indication of when or by how much. And of course artwork is the key selling point of an arty TV, so while it's possible to provide your own images that isn't as convenient.
Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inboxContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.As for the rest of the specs, they're very good: 144Hz refresh rates for gaming at 4K, which can be doubled at half resolution; variable refresh rate and Auto Low Latency Mode for gaming too; HDMI 2.1 and Wi-Fi 6; Dolby Atmos and DTS:X; and an Onkyo-made speaker system.
There will be models at 55, 65, 75, 85 and 98 inch sizes and the A400 Pro will launch first in China before coming to the US and other territories next year.
We'll no doubt get much more detail on this and other new TCL TVs at CES 2026, which is only a few weeks away.
The best TVs for all budgetsOur top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons➡️ Read our full guide to the best TVs1. Best overall:LG C52. Best under 1000:US: Hisense U8QGUK: TCL C7K3. Best under 500:US: Roku Plus SeriesUK: TCL C6K
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TOPICS TCL Samsung 4K
Carrie MarshallSocial Links NavigationContributor
Writer, broadcaster, musician and kitchen gadget obsessive Carrie Marshall has been writing about tech since 1998, contributing sage advice and odd opinions to all kinds of magazines and websites as well as writing more than twenty books. Her latest, a love letter to music titled Small Town Joy, is on sale now. She is the singer in spectacularly obscure Glaswegian rock band Unquiet Mind.
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