When you’re wanting for a TV that maximizes image efficiency with a minimal hit to your finances, it’s possible you’ll need to hold the fortunate quantity 7 in thoughts. For the previous few years, Hisense’s U7 sequence TVs have provided a few of the greatest efficiency you may get for the cash, together with this 12 months’s punchy U7N (8/10, WIRED Recommends), whereas TCL’s 2023 Q7 and the upgraded QM7 are related high performers.
The QM7 often prices greater than the U7N, nevertheless it rewards you with a classier design and a barely more-refined image. From a pure efficiency perspective, you’ll have a tough time getting extra with out spending up, particularly when you discover it on a superb sale.
Sadly, the software program that drives the expertise is more durable to face behind. Throughout my preliminary analysis, adjusting the TV’s SDR image modes additionally affected the HDR modes, which is problematic for quite a lot of causes. TCL offered a repair for me, however there’s no broad replace for consumers but, and at the very least one different reviewer had an identical concern.
In any other case, there’s little or no to complain about in a TV that provides to its nice efficiency with top-line gaming options and considered one of my favourite good interfaces. When you don’t thoughts rolling the cube on TCL’s potential software program bugs, the QM7 may repay handsomely.
A Slick Setup
Cobbling the QM7’s lengthy pedestal stand collectively takes a bit extra effort than rivals with dual-leg stands, and its 4-pound heft brings the 65-inch mannequin I reviewed to a weighty 50 kilos. The payoff is a sturdy and classy base, matched by slim chrome bezels and a checkered bottom with a middle woofer for a complicated, if not altogether distinctive aesthetic.
The appropriate-side enter hub contains 4 HDMI inputs, two of which supply HDMI 2.1 assist for gaming options like VRR (Variable Refresh Fee) at as much as 144 Hz and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Just like the U7N, TCL gives a separate HDMI eARC port, which means you received’t lose a treasured gaming port when connecting a soundbar or receiver. That’s all the time appreciated; the QM7’s Onkyo sound system is respectable, however I nonetheless suggest a separate audio setup.
{Photograph}: Ryan Waniata
The backlit distant gives some useful fast keys and a built-in microphone for Google Assistant instructions. It’s also possible to summon Google hands-free by way of the TV’s onboard microphone, however when you’re not into an always-listening machine you may disable it by flipping the swap beneath the entrance plate.
