The TCL 98-inch QM8L immediately proves that TCL is no longer just the “value brand” of the TV world, but a serious contender at the very top of Mini-LED technology. After the impressive X11L, expectations were extremely high, and surprisingly, this 98-inch version comes remarkably close to that flagship experience — although with a few noticeable compromises. The first thing that stands out is the sheer HDR impact. With a self-measured peak brightness of 4612 nits in Filmmaker Mode, this television ranks among the brightest consumer TVs currently available. HDR content absolutely explodes off the screen. Sun reflections, explosions, neon lights, and specular highlights reach an intensity rarely seen outside professional mastering monitors. But brightness alone does not make a great TV. The real star of this 98-inch QM8L is the combination of that extreme luminance with an incredible 4032 local dimming zones. This results in outstanding contrast performance and significantly reduced blooming compared to previous Mini-LED generations. Dark scenes maintain impressively deep black levels while bright highlights still retain enormous punch. Fireworks, star fields, and high-contrast HDR scenes clearly demonstrate how far TCL has pushed Mini-LED technology. That said, OLED still retains an advantage in the most demanding darkroom conditions. In completely black environments, you can still notice the typical Mini-LED haze or slight haloing around bright objects. The 4032 zones do an excellent job, but OLED’s pixel-level dimming remains superior. On the other hand, in bright living rooms, this TCL gains a massive advantage: while OLED can lose impact due to full-screen brightness limitations, the QM8L remains incredibly bright and punchy at all times. Color performance is another major strength. Thanks to TCL’s new SQD (Super Quantum Dot) panel technology, the TV delivers extremely rich and vibrant colors without looking overly artificial. HDR content appears vivid and expansive with impressive BT.2020 coverage and excellent color volume. Filmmaker Mode also keeps the image surprisingly accurate, producing natural skin tones and a cinematic presentation. Viewing angles have improved noticeably compared to older TCL VA-based panels. For a Mini-LED display of this type, off-axis performance is better than expected, although sitting centered still provides the best contrast and color saturation. Processing has also improved significantly. Upscaling from 1080p to 4K looks cleaner and sharper than previous TCL generations. Sony still maintains a slight edge in refinement and motion processing, but TCL is closer than ever before. Where this television becomes less convincing is gaming. While input lag is low and full 144Hz HDMI 2.1 support is present, motion handling remains the weak point of this generation of TCL Mini-LED TVs. During fast camera pans or competitive gaming, noticeable motion blur is still present. For movie watching, this is far less distracting, but serious gamers will likely prefer a high-end OLED instead. Visually, the experience on a 98-inch screen is simply breathtaking. This feels less like watching television and more like having a private cinema at home. The combination of massive screen size and brutal HDR brightness creates an incredibly immersive experience that smaller displays simply cannot replicate. Pros: Outstanding HDR impact Self-measured 4612 nits in Filmmaker Mode 4032 local dimming zones deliver excellent contrast. Extremely vibrant SQD colors Exceptional bright-room performance Improved upscaling and image processing Massive cinematic experience at 98 inches Strong value for the performance offered Cons: Mini-LED blooming is still visible in difficult scenes Motion handling remains weaker than OLED Viewing angles improved, but still not perfect Less ideal for competitive gaming Conclusion: The TCL 98-inch QM8L is one of the most impressive Mini-LED televisions currently on the market. Not because it is flawless, but because it delivers a combination that is becoming increasingly rare: extreme brightness, thousands of dimming zones, gigantic screen size, and pricing that remains relatively attainable compared to flagship reference displays. For movie enthusiasts looking for a true home cinema experience with spectacular HDR performance, this TV is an absolute powerhouse. OLED still holds the technical advantage in black levels and motion clarity, but in terms of sheer scale, brightness, and HDR spectacle, this TCL is simply sensational.