TCL S4 vs S3 vs S5: What are the Key Differences in 60 Hz LED TVs?

Introduce​

Parameter
TCL S4​
TCL S3​
TCL S5​
Picture​
TCLS4.jpg
TCLS3.jpg
TCLS5.jpg
Price​
$295.7
$199.99
$229.99
Model Year​
2023​
2023​
2024​
Specific Uses​
Home viewing, Gaming, Streaming movies and TV shows, Live news, Sports, Kids and family entertainment​
Home Viewing​
Home Entertainment​
Highlight​
TV Weight: 18.5 lbs; Weight without Stand: 18.3 lbs; Package Weight: 27.6 lbs.
Backlight: Direct LED for better brightness and picture performance.
Audio: Dolby Atmos for immersive cinematic experience.
Motion Rate: 120 for improved motion clarity.
HDR: HDR PRO (Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG) for enhanced contrast and accurate colors.​
Design: FullView Metal Bezel-less, edge-to-edge glass
Gaming: Game Mode for low input lag and latency
Smart OS: Roku TV with access to free entertainment and 250+ live TV channels
Image Quality: Dynamic Contrast for enhanced contrast
Backlight Technology: Direct LED for better brightness uniformity and picture performance​
Fire TV Experience: Quick access to live TV, video games, music, and over 1 million movies and TV episodes. Subscriptions may apply.
Enhanced Dialogue Mode: Audio setting for improved clarity in media.
Dolby Atmos Audio: Advanced spatial audio processing for immersive sound.
High Brightness LED Backlight: Brilliant picture quality in any environment.
Auto Game Mode (ALLM): Automatically activates game mode for minimal input lag and latency.​

Side-by-Side Comparison​

System​

Parameter
TCL S4​
TCL S3​
TCL S5​
Operating System​
Roku OS​
Roku OS​
FireOS​
Internet Applications​
Netflix​
Netflix​
Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube​
Remote Control​
Voice​
Voice Control​
Bluetooth​
Controller Type​
Voice Control​
Voice Control​
Voice Control​

Display​

Parameter
TCL S4​
TCL S3​
TCL S5​
Aspect Ratio​
-​
16:9​
16:9​
Display Technology​
LED​
LED​
LED​
Screen Finish​
Flat​
Flat​
Flat​
Has Color Screen​
Yes​
-​
Yes​
Resolution​
4K​
1080p​
4K​
Refresh Rate​
60 Hz​
60 Hz​
60 Hz​
Response Time​
-​
-​
-​
HDR Format Supported​
Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG​
[POSSIBLE] HDR10​
HDR11, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision​
Maximum Display Brightness​
-​
-​
-​
Display Backlight​
LED​
-​
LED​
Display Backlight Setting​
-​
-​
High, Medium, Low, Custom, [Other]​
Picture Quality Enhancement​
4K, HDR, Motion Interpolation, Dolby Atmos, Direct LED, Dynamic Contrast​
-​
-​
Motion Enhancement​
Motion Rate 120​
-​
MEMC Frame Insertion​

Audio​

Parameter
TCL S4​
TCL S3​
TCL S5​
Number of Audio Channels​
5.1 or 7.1​
-​
5.1.2​
Audio Output Mode​
Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus​
-​
Enhanced Audio Modes​
Audio Input​
HDMI​
HDMI​
HDMI​
Speaker Description​
10W per speaker​
The speaker for the TCL 43S350R TV is a Full High Definition audio speaker with 8W + 8W output power.​
Dolby Atmos, Enhanced Dialogue Mode​

Connectivity​

Parameter
TCL S4​
TCL S3​
TCL S5​
Connectivity Technology​
Wi-Fi, HDMI​
Wi-Fi, HDMI​
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI​
Bluetooth Version​
-​
-​
5​
Screen Mirroring​
AirPlay​
Apple AirPlay2​
AirPlay 2​
Total Usb Ports​
1​
1​
1​
Number of HDMI Ports​
4​
3​
4​
Connector Type​
HDMI​
HDMI​
HDMI, USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth​
Signal Format​
ATSC​
digital​
-​

Features​

Parameter
TCL S4​
TCL S3​
TCL S5​
Video Encoding​
H.264, H.265​
-​
AVC​
Compatible Devices​
-​
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, & Apple HomeKit​
Any Bluetooth-enabled headphones or speakers​
Tuner Type​
ATSC​
ATSC​
ATSC​
Noteworthy Features​
Flat​
Flat​
Built-In Speaker, Sleep Timer, Game Mode, Wide Color Enhancer, Bezel-Less Design​

Measurements​

Parameter
TCL S4​
TCL S3​
TCL S5​
Dimensions D x W x H​
3.2"D x 43.8"W x 25.4"H​
3.5"D x 37.6"W x 21.8"H​
2.76"D x 43.74"W x 25.35"H​
Item Weight​
18.5 Pounds​
-​
-​
Screen Size​
50 Inches​
43 Inches​
50 Inches​

Conclusion​

Product
PROS AND CONS​
TCL S4​
Pros
• Excellent picture quality with vibrant colors and great contrast
• Intuitive Roku operating system with a simple remote
• Short learning curve for setup and usage
• Adjustable settings for personalized viewing experience
• Fits well in smaller spaces while providing a larger screen experience
• Good value for the price compared to big name brands

Cons
• Sound quality is poor without an external soundbar
• Motion clarity does not meet expectations for 120 Hz
• Brightness issues on certain content, particularly sports
• Occasional Dolby sound dropouts that require adjustments
• Limited noticeable improvement in picture quality compared to older models
• Lack of 4K content offerings not the fault of the TV but still a limitation
TCL S3​
Pros
• Excellent picture quality
• Good color representation
• Easy to set up and navigate
• Perfect size for smaller spaces
• Great value for the money
• Integrated Roku TV features
• Simple assembly process

Cons
• Requires a sound bar for clear audio
• Occasional power issue after initial startup
• Remote lacks volume control and mute button
• Built-in speaker volume may be insufficient for larger rooms
TCL S5​
Pros
• Excellent price for a 65" TV
• Stunning picture quality with crisp, vibrant colors
• Easy setup process
• User-friendly Fire TV interface
• Good onboard sound quality
• Sleek design that fits well in a living room
• Media Player app allows viewing from a thumb drive

Cons
• Cannot disable the sleep timer, causing inconvenience
• Occasional lag with remote responsiveness
• Remote control is overly sensitive and has an inefficient button layout
• 3.5 mm headphone jack does not output to multimedia speakers
• Perceived smaller size compared to previous models despite being the same dimensions
 
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