At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, TCL unveiled its latest flagship television, the X11L SQD-Mini LED TV, positioning it as a standout in brightness and color accuracy amid a sea of competing displays. The announcement comes as major manufacturers like Samsung and LG showcase their own advancements in RGB LED technology, but TCL is betting on a different approach to capture attention in the high-end market.
The X11L builds on existing mini-LED backlighting by incorporating blue LEDs enhanced with reformulated quantum dots and a new UltraColor Filter developed by TCL CSOT, the company's panel manufacturing arm. According to a report from The Verge, this combination allows the TV to achieve 100 percent coverage of the BT.2020, DCI-P3, and Adobe RGB color gamuts, delivering what TCL describes as unprecedented color vibrancy and precision. "The X11L is one of the brightest and most colorful TVs of CES," the report states, highlighting its peak brightness of up to 10,000 nits and as many as 20,000 dimming zones in the largest model.
CES, held annually at the Las Vegas Convention Center, has long been the stage for television innovations, and the 2026 edition is no exception. With RGB LED TVs from competitors claiming similar color gamut coverage, TCL emphasizes the X11L's advantages in real-world performance. The Verge notes that while RGB LED models can suffer from color crosstalk—where light from red, green, and blue LEDs bleeds into one another, reducing saturation—the X11L avoids this issue entirely. It relies on the quantum dots and color filter to generate colors without separate colored LEDs in the backlight, potentially offering more consistent results with actual content.
Tom's Guide, in a separate coverage of the event, echoed these technical details but focused on the practical implications for viewers. The publication reported that the 98-inch version of the X11L reaches the full 20,000 dimming zones, a threefold increase over TCL's previous QM9K model, which could translate to deeper blacks and less blooming in dark scenes. TCL officials at the show demonstrated the TV with high-dynamic-range content, showcasing its ability to handle bright highlights without washing out colors.
Beyond visuals, the X11L packs a suite of modern features designed for gamers and home theater enthusiasts. It includes four HDMI 2.1 ports, supporting high-frame-rate gaming and 8K resolution passthrough. Later this year, an over-the-air update will enable Dolby Vision 2 support, a next-generation HDR format that promises improved tone mapping and dynamic metadata. "We, of course, still need Dolby Vision 2 content to be created and released to take advantage of the HDR tech, but its inclusion futureproofs the TV," The Verge reported, citing TCL's commitment to ongoing software enhancements.
Gaming integration is another highlight, with an upcoming OTA update bringing the Xbox Game Pass app directly to the TV, allowing cloud-based play without a separate console. The platform runs on Google TV with Gemini AI integration, providing smarter search and recommendations. Audio capabilities round out the package, including support for Dolby Atmos Flex Connect, which lets users pair the TV with expandable TCL speakers and subwoofers. Built-in Bang & Olufsen speakers were praised in demos, with The Verge describing them as "easily one of the best TV speaker systems I’ve ever heard with an immersive soundscape and deep bass."
The debut of the X11L comes at a time when the TV industry is grappling with maturing technologies like OLED and mini-LED, pushing boundaries in brightness to compete with emerging micro-LED displays. TCL, a Chinese multinational known for affordable yet feature-rich electronics, has been climbing the premium ranks. Last year's X11K model, for instance, launched at a high price point but saw significant discounts over time, dropping from $9,999.99 for the 85-inch version to $3,499.99 by year's end. Industry analysts suggest this pattern could repeat with the X11L, making advanced tech more accessible to average consumers.
Preorders for the 85-inch and 98-inch models opened immediately following the CES reveal, with the 75-inch variant slated for availability a few months later, though no exact date has been announced. Pricing reflects the cutting-edge specs: $9,999.99 for the 98-inch, $7,999.99 for the 85-inch, and $6,999.99 for the 75-inch. TCL representatives emphasized value in interviews at the show, noting that early adopters get ahead of price reductions while enjoying immediate access to the new quantum dot technology.
While the X11L's specs sound impressive on paper, real-world testing will be key. The Verge pointed out that claims of 100 percent BT.2020 coverage are often measured with test patterns, and actual content rarely utilizes the full gamut. Still, the absence of color crosstalk could give TCL an edge over RGB LED rivals, where such issues have been reported in independent reviews. For context, BT.2020 is the ultra-high-definition standard for future-proofing, far surpassing the Rec. 709 gamut used in standard HD broadcasts.
TCL's strategy at CES aligns with broader trends in the consumer electronics sector, where companies are vying for dominance in the smart home ecosystem. The integration of Google TV and Xbox services positions the X11L as more than just a display—it's a hub for streaming, gaming, and audio. Competitors like Sony and Panasonic have similar ambitions, but TCL's focus on affordability could appeal to budget-conscious buyers upgrading from older sets.
Looking ahead, the X11L's launch later in 2026 will test its market reception. With CES wrapping up this weekend, more details on production timelines and international availability are expected soon. TCL has a track record of rapid iteration; the QM9K, released just last year, already incorporated mini-LED advancements that influenced the X11L's design. If history is any guide, prices could halve by Black Friday, broadening its appeal.
The event also underscored ongoing debates in TV tech about sustainability and manufacturing. Quantum dots, while enhancing color, raise questions about material sourcing, though TCL has not addressed this in announcements. Meanwhile, the push toward 10,000 nits brightness addresses the limitations of viewing in bright rooms, a common complaint with OLED panels that cap around 1,500 nits.
As the dust settles on CES 2026, the X11L stands out for its bold claims in a crowded field. Whether it overtakes RGB LED narratives remains to be seen, but early buzz suggests TCL is making a strong case for quantum dot innovation. Consumers eyeing a new TV this year may want to monitor price drops, as TCL's history indicates value improves with time.
In related CES news, other manufacturers unveiled competing models, such as Samsung's RGB LED S95F, which also targets 100 percent BT.2020 but relies on different backlight tech. Reports from CNET indicate Samsung prioritizes AI upscaling over raw brightness, offering a contrasting viewpoint on what defines premium viewing. TCL, however, maintains that its filter technology provides superior accuracy without the crosstalk pitfalls.
Ultimately, the X11L's success will hinge on content availability and user reviews post-launch. With Dolby Vision 2 and Xbox integration on the horizon, it could redefine home entertainment for tech-savvy households. For now, the Las Vegas reveal has set the tone for an exciting year in television advancements.