Top critical review
1.0 out of 5 starsIssues right from the start, bad screen distortion
Reviewed in Canada on April 3, 2022
I ordered this TV after having a very good experience the the 43 inch TCL. I love the fact that it's Android and syncs with my Google account. The built-in chromecast has also been a great feature on the 43 inch.
I bought this TV on February 26th, 2022 and I have had issues with the 50 inch TV almost immediately. The first problem was that the Chromecast feature did not work well, specifically when streaming live sports. The internet router and modem are in the same room as the TV, so it's hard to make sense of why the chromecast doesn't work well. I've been able to work around it by using a HDMI cable to connect my laptop, but the built in Chromecast was a major reason for purchasing this TV so it's disappointing that it doesn't work properly.
The other, more major issue was that after just barely over a month of owning the TV, the right edge of the screen randomly became warped and distorted, leaving a dark shadow on the screen. There has been no intense pressure put on the screen or TV, or any cleaning of the screen with spray products. In fact, I used the TV in the early afternoon and it was fine, but when I turned it on only a few hours later, the warping was instantly evident.
I did some research and a lot of sources say that this is likely a manufacturer defect, either from poor installation of the backlit screen or from the brightness enhancement film being effected by static in the factory or other issues.
I'm quite disappointed because it will likely cost almost as much as the TV to repair this issue. I will likely purchase a brand new TV from a more reliable manufacturer (Sony, Samsung, etc.) and will also be contacting TCL directly to see if there is anything they can do.
My advice is that because TCL is a lower tier brand, expect inconsistencies with their products. My 43 inch TCL has been perfect, but I have not had the same experience with the 50 inch. I'm not saying don't purchase a TCL, but be mindful that sometimes it's worth paying more for quality and reliability. Lower price often means lower quality, even if that's not evident right away.