TCL NXTFRAME Review: A Budget-Friendly 4K QLED Option Worth Considering?

cruets620

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First Impressions​

The TCL NXTFRAME TV is designed to look like a framed piece of art rather than a traditional TV. It comes with a faux light wood frame that is magnetically attached to the TVsoff-white borders. Overall, the TVsall-white designgives it a unique look, although the magnetic frame isnt very securely attached to the frame, as its easy to knock parts of it off.
The back of the TV is made entirely of plastic, and while theres nothing special about it when it comes to materials, its all-white design gives it a striking look. The inputs are recessed into the back, and this lets the TV sit completely flush with the wall when installed with TCLs proprietary wall mount. There are also channels on the back to help withcable management. Just keep in mind that this TV lacks any VESA mounting options, so using third-party wall mounts is more complicated than on other TVs.
The TVs build is solid overall, as there isnt much flex anywhere on its back plastic covering. However, the biggest issue lies with its magnetic frames; they just dont hold well enough. If you bump into the TV or if theres a stiff breeze coming through the room on a windy day, the bottom frame bezel can pop right off. If you poke it downwards, it also comes off. The frames are also hard to install flush with each other, requiring some finagling to get a seamless result.

Introduce​

Parameter
TCL NXTFRAME​
Picture​
TCLNXTFRAME.jpg
Reference Price​
$897.99​
Model Year​
2024​
Specific Uses​
[IN] Indeterminable - The product details mention gaming and smart home integration as potential uses, but a comprehensive list cannot be determined from the provided information.​
Built-In Media​
1x Power Cable, Wall Mount Bracket, 4x Magnetic Bezels, 2x Magnetic bezel screws, 1x Quick Start Guide, 1x TV Remote, 2x AAA TV Remote Batteries​
Highlight
Ultraslim Design: Depth of 1.1 inches (1.2 inches for 85-inch model)
Customizable Aesthetics: Off-white bezel & light wood magnetic frame
Immersive Viewing Experience: 4K Ultra HD resolution & QLED PRO Quantum Dot technology
Smart Capabilities: TCL AIPQ PRO processor, Art Library, AI Art, personal photo gallery mode

System​

Parameter
TCL NXTFRAME​
Operating System​
Google TV​
Internet Applications​
Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube​
Remote Control​
Bluetooth​
Controller Type​
Voice Control​
Control Method​
Voice​
System Experience
The TCL NXTFRAME offers a smooth and user-friendly experience with its Google TV version 12 interface. It boasts a wide selection of apps, making content discovery easy. Additionally, the ability to cast content from mobile devices or play videos from a USB stick enhances its versatility. However, the presence of non-disableable ads in the smart interface may detract from the overall viewing experience.

Display​

Parameter
TCL NXTFRAME​
Aspect Ratio​
16:9​
Display Technology​
QLED​
Screen Finish​
Matte​
Has Color Screen​
Yes​
Resolution​
4K​
Refresh Rate​
120 Hz​
HDR Format​
Dolby Vision​
Backlight Technology​
LED​
Backlight Setting​
[Multiple Values]​
Backlight Configuration​
Edge-Lit​
Picture Enhancement​
QLED PRO Quantum Dot technology, HDR ULTRA with Dolby Vision IQ​
Viewing Experience
The TCL NXTFRAME presents a mixed overall impression with its strengths and weaknesses in various aspects of performance. While it boasts a good native contrast and offers a very good HDR color gamut with solid DCI-P3 coverage, it struggles in contrast performance due to the lack of local dimming, leading to washed-out dark scenes and noticeable clouding in bright highlights.

Color accuracy is another concern, with vibrant colors appearing undersaturated and some minor mapping issues present, particularly in the broader Rec. 2020 color space. The TV's gray uniformity is adequate but marred by a dirty screen effect, and its black uniformity suffers from noticeable clouding, especially when highlights are displayed.

Its inadequate viewing angle limits its suitability for wider seating arrangements, as off-center viewing leads to significant degradation in image quality. Reflection handling is commendable, though the matte coating can diffuse glare in a way that detracts from perceived contrast.

The subpixel layout could pose challenges for PC use, impacting text clarity, though this may not affect all users. Overall, the TCL NXTFRAME offers decent performance but falls short in key areas that could affect the viewing experience, particularly in terms of contrast and color accuracy.

Audio​

Parameter
TCL NXTFRAME​
Surround Sound​
Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X​
Audio Output​
Stereo, Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X​
Audio Input​
HDMI, Optical​
Speaker Description​
Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X​
Audio Experience
Overall, the TV presents a clear sound profile that excels in dialogue clarity, making it suitable for shows and conversations. However, it suffers from a significant lack of bass, rendering it inadequate for music and action-packed movie experiences. The distortion issues are a notable drawback, becoming pronounced at higher volumes, which further limits its audio performance. While it may serve well for specific viewing purposes, its audio limitations prevent it from being a well-rounded choice for varied content.

Features​

Parameter
TCL NXTFRAME​
Video Encoding​
H.264, H.265 (HEVC), VP9​
Tuner Type​
ATSC​
D x W x H​
1.1"D x 57.17"W x 32.95"H​
Line Voltage​
110 VAC 60 Hz​
Other Features​
Built-In Speaker, Game Mode, Multiple Voice Assistance, Chromecast, Amd freesync​
Motion Smoothing
The TCL NXTFRAME delivers competent performance with low-quality content, effectively smoothing out artifacts, though this comes at the cost of some detail loss. Its response time is commendable for fast-moving scenes, minimizing blur, yet it struggles with black smearing during dark transitions. The use of pulse width modulation for backlight dimming may be a concern for sensitive users due to noticeable flickering at lower brightness levels, but it remains flicker-free above a certain brightness threshold. Additionally, while the motion interpolation feature enhances clarity in slower scenes, it falls short in faster scenarios, potentially introducing artifacts. Overall, the TCL NXTFRAME provides a mixed experience, excelling in certain areas while facing limitations in others.

Connectivity​

Parameter
TCL NXTFRAME​
Connectivity Technology​
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RF, Ethernet, HDMI​
Bluetooth Version​
5​
Wireless Technology​
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi​
Usb Ports​
2​
USB2.0 Ports​
1​
USB3.0 Ports​
1​
HDMI Ports​
3​
Connector Type​
HDMI, Ethernet, RF​
Sharing Direction​
Mobile to TV​
Connecting TV
The TCL NXTFRAME offers an impressive gaming experience with its incredibly low input lag, particularly in PC Mode and Game Mode, making it highly responsive for gamers. With capabilities of 1080p at 240Hz and 4.6 ms input lag, it ensures seamless interaction between controls and on-screen action. It is fully compatible with the latest gaming consoles, supporting resolutions up to 4K at 120Hz, and includes features like HDMI Forum VRR and Auto Low Latency Mode for optimal performance without manual adjustments.

The television is equipped with HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on its first two ports, allowing for high-refresh-rate gameplay, although the eARC port on HDMI 1 limits the availability of high-speed connections if a soundbar is used. Additionally, it supports all HDR formats, enhancing visual quality, and offers eARC support for high-quality audio transmission to compatible audio devices. Overall, the TCL NXTFRAME is a well-rounded choice for both gaming and media consumption, excelling in low input lag and versatility in audio-visual compatibility.

User Feedback​

Pros:
Design & Appearance: The sleek, frame-like design is perfect for wall mounting.
Picture Quality: Decent performance with fine-tuning options available.
Internet Connectivity: Generally works well for streaming, with potential for improvement using extenders.
Photo Display: Pre-installed photos are visually appealing.

Cons:
Installation Challenges: Wall-mounting can be tricky, requiring proper outlet and cable management.
Audio Quality: Subpar internal speakers, even when paired with a soundbar.
User Interface: Cluttered and less intuitive Google-based interface compared to TCL's Roku platform.
Screen Issues: Removal of the plastic screen protector can leave scratches and a foggy residue.

Overall Impression:
The TCL Nextframe offers stylish aesthetics and decent functionality but is hindered by significant flaws such as screen scratches, audio quality, and installation difficulties. While it has potential, considering alternatives like the Hisense Canvas TV may be worthwhile. The TV earns an 8/10 for its design and usability, but improvements are needed.
 
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