Serena Anderson
Member
Catalogs Hide
- 1 First Impressions
- 2 Introduce
- 3 System
- 4 Display
- 5 Audio
- 6 Features
- 7 Connectivity
- 8 User Feedback
First Impressions
The design is extremely basic and lightweight and doesn't look very premium. The bezels are rather thick, and overall, the entire package looks a bit cheap.The back of the TV is very plain and looks cheap. The inputs are housed in a larger section of the back, near the center of the TV. There'sno cable management.
The TCL 32S350G has mediocre build quality. Its mostly made of cheap plastic, and theres some flex in the plastic panels around the inputs. Fortunately, the TV barely wobbles on its stand due to being so lightweight.
Introduce
| Parameter | TCL S3 |
|---|---|
Picture |  |
Reference Price | $149.99 |
Model Year | 2023 |
Specific Uses | Home Viewing |
Built-In Media | Stand, Remote Control, 2x Remote Control Batteries, Power Cord, Quick Start Guide |
Highlight | • Display Size: 32-inch • Resolution: Full HD 1080p • Smart Platform: Roku TV • Connectivity: 3 HDMI ports (one with ARC) • Voice Control: Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit |
System
| Parameter | TCL S3 |
|---|---|
Operating System | Roku OS |
Internet Applications | Netflix |
Controller Type | Voice Control |
Control Method | Voice |
System Experience | Overall Impression: The TV offers a user-friendly experience with Google TV OS version 11, showcasing a broad array of apps for diverse content access. While its interface is marred by unavoidable ads, the ability to cast content and utilize USB playback enhances its versatility. However, the lack of HDR playback through USB may limit the viewing experience for some users. |
Display
| Parameter | TCL S3 |
|---|---|
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Display Technology | LED |
Screen Finish | Flat |
Has Color Screen | Yes |
Resolution | 1080p |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
Backlight Technology | LED |
Viewing Experience | The TCL S350G presents a mixed bag of performance characteristics. Its contrast is mediocre, managing to display dark scenes adequately but suffering from noticeable raised blacks when bright highlights are present. The absence of local dimming means that while there is no blooming around bright objects, the overall picture can appear washed out in darker scenes. Color reproduction is another weak point, with the TV failing to fully cover the DCI-P3 color gamut, resulting in frequent undersaturation and color accuracy errors, particularly in saturated greens and cyans. Gray uniformity is disappointing, featuring noticeable dark edges and dirty screen effects that can detract from the viewing experience, especially in dark content. Viewing angles are sub-par, leading to significant image degradation off-center, which limits the TV's usability in wider seating arrangements. On the plus side, reflection handling is decent, effectively reducing indirect reflections, although direct reflections can be distracting. Additionally, the BGR subpixel layout introduces color fringing at close distances, impacting text clarity for PC use but not affecting video or gaming content. Overall, the TCL S350G struggles with critical visual performance aspects, making it less suitable for discerning viewers. |
Audio
| Parameter | TCL S3 |
|---|---|
Audio Input | HDMI |
Speaker Description | 2.0 channel |
Audio Experience | Overall Impression: The TV exhibits significant shortcomings in audio performance, particularly with its poor frequency response and lack of bass. Dialogue clarity is inconsistent, especially at lower volumes, and distortion becomes problematic at moderate to high volume levels. While it may be satisfactory for casual viewing, the audio limitations greatly hinder its usability in more demanding listening scenarios. |
Features
| Parameter | TCL S3 |
|---|---|
Video Encoding | H.264, H.265 (HEVC), VP9, AV1 |
Tuner Type | ATSC |
D x W x H | 3.1"D x 28.1"W x 16.6"H |
Mount Standard | 100 x 100 mm |
Other Features | Bezel-Less Design |
Motion Smoothing | The TCL S3 presents a mixed overall impression. While it preserves fine detail without introducing smoothing, its handling of low-quality content leaves macro-blocking and pixelization unaddressed. The response time is notably poor, resulting in significant motion blur that detracts from fast-paced content like gaming and sports, although it may be acceptable for movie watching. Additionally, the presence of excessive black smearing during dark transitions can hinder the viewing experience. The use of PWM for backlight dimming may be problematic for flicker-sensitive users, with noticeable flicker at lower brightness settings. Overall, while the TCL S3 has certain strengths, its weaknesses in motion handling and flicker may limit its appeal for some consumers. |
Connectivity
| Parameter | TCL S3 |
|---|---|
Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi, HDMI |
Wireless Technology | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Usb Ports | 1 |
USB2.0 Ports | 1 |
USB3.0 Ports | 1 |
HDMI Ports | 3 |
Connector Type | HDMI |
Signal Format | HDMI, USB, ATSC |
Hardware Interface | HDMI |
Connecting TV | Overall Impression: The TCL 32S350G offers a decent gaming experience with low input lag in Game Mode, but its limitations become apparent with a fixed 60Hz refresh rate and lack of Auto Low Latency Mode, which may hinder performance on next-gen consoles. The HDMI 1.4 bandwidth restricts connectivity options, and while it supports some Dolby audio formats, it falls short of providing a full surround sound experience with Dolby Atmos or DTS support. Overall, it may satisfy casual users, but serious gamers and audiophiles may find its capabilities lacking. |
User Feedback
Pros• Great picture quality
• Easy to set up and program
• Affordable price
• Lightweight and well-packaged
• Built-in Roku system for streaming without extra devices
• User-friendly remote control
• Suitable for smaller spaces (kitchen, bathroom, dorm, etc.)
• Decent sound for its size
Cons
• Apps are slow to load compared to some competitors
• Limited remote control distance
• Sound quality may be inadequate for some users, especially at lower volumes
Overall Impression
This TV offers excellent value for money, particularly for smaller spaces. With its impressive picture quality and built-in streaming capabilities, it is a solid choice for anyone looking for an affordable smart TV. However, potential buyers should be mindful of the limitations in app loading speed and sound quality. Overall, it is a highly recommended option for casual viewing in cozy settings.
