Products
TCL 6 Series 2018
TCL S525
Tested using Methodology v1.5
Updated Aug 12, 2025 01:00 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Tested using Methodology v1.5
Updated Aug 08, 2025 07:18 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
TypeLED
Sub-Type
VA
Resolution4k
TypeLED
Sub-Type
VA
Resolution4k
Our Verdict
TCL 6 Series 2018
TCL S525
The TCL 6 Series 2018 is much better than the TCL S525. The 6 Series has an optional local dimming feature and an optional black frame insertion feature. The 6 Series is also significantly brighter and has better reflection handling.
Variants
- 55R617 (55")
- 65R617 (65")
- 43S525 (43")
- 50S525 (50")
Check Price
43"
43"
43S525
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
50"
50"
50S525
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
55"
55R617
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
55"
55S525
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
65"
65R617
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
65"
65S525
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
75"
75R617
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
75"
Main Differences for
Mixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
Full Comparison
Market Context
Market Context
Design
Style
Design Picture
Curved
Stand
Stand Picture
Back
Back Picture
Wall Mount
Borders
Borders Picture
Borders
Thickness
Thickness Picture
Max Thickness
Build Quality
Build quality picture
Picture Quality
Contrast
Checkerboard Picture
Native Contrast
Contrast with local dimming
Local Dimming
Local Dimming Video
Local Dimming
Backlight
SDR Peak Brightness
SDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
SDR Peak 2% Window
SDR Peak 10% Window
SDR Peak 25% Window
SDR Peak 50% Window
SDR Peak 100% Window
SDR Sustained 2% Window
SDR Sustained 10% Window
SDR Sustained 25% Window
SDR Sustained 50% Window
SDR Sustained 100% Window
SDR ABL
HDR Peak Brightness
HDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
HDR Peak 2% Window
HDR Peak 10% Window
HDR Peak 25% Window
HDR Peak 50% Window
HDR Peak 100% Window
HDR Sustained 2% Window
HDR Sustained 10% Window
HDR Sustained 25% Window
HDR Sustained 50% Window
HDR Sustained 100% Window
HDR ABL
Gray Uniformity
50% Uniformity Picture
50% Std. Dev.
50% DSE
5% Uniformity Picture
5% Std. Dev.
5% DSE
Viewing Angle
Viewing Angle Video
Chroma Graph
Color Washout
Hue Graph
Color Shift
Lightness Graph
Brightness Loss
Black Level Raise
Gamma Shift
Black Uniformity
Native Black Uniformity Picture
Native Std. Dev.
Black Uniformity Picture with Local Dimming
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
Reflections
Reflections Picture
Average Room Off Picture
Bright Room Off Picture
Screen Finish
Total Reflections
Indirect Reflections
Calculated Direct Reflections
Pre Calibration
Pre White Balance Picture
Pre Gamma Curve Picture
Pre Color Picture
White Balance dE
Color dE
Gamma
Color Temperature
Picture Mode
Color Temp Setting
Gamma Setting
Post Calibration
Post White Balance Picture
Post Gamma Curve Picture
Post Color Picture
White Balance dE
Color dE
Gamma
Color Temperature
White Balance Calibration
Color Calibration
Auto-Calibration Function
480p Input
480p Picture
720p Input
720p Picture
1080p Input
1080p Picture
4k Input
4k Picture
8k Input
8k Picture
Pixels
Pixels Picture
Type
Sub-Type
Color Gamut
Wide Color Gamut
Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture
DCI P3 xy
DCI P3 uv
Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture
Rec 2020 xy
Rec 2020 uv
EOTF
Color Volume
P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
Normalized DCI P3 Coverage ITP
10,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage ITP
2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
Normalized Rec 2020 Coverage ITP
10,000 cd/m² Rec 2020 Coverage ITP
Gradient
Gradient Picture
Color Depth
Red (Std. Dev.)
Green (Std. Dev.)
Blue (Std. Dev.)
Gray (Std. Dev.)
Temporary Image Retention
Image Retention Picture
IR after 0 min recovery
IR after 2 min recovery
IR after 4 min recovery
IR after 6 min recovery
IR after 8 min recovery
IR after 10 min recovery
Permanent Burn-In Risk
Permanent Burn-In Risk
Motion
Response Time
Motion Blur Picture
Response Time Chart
80% Response Time
100% Response Time
Flicker-Free
Backlight chart
Flicker-Free
PWM Dimming Frequency
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
BFI Picture
BFI Frequency Picture
Optional BFI
Min Flicker for 60 fps
60 Hz for 60 fps
120 Hz for 120 fps
Min Flicker for 60 fps in Game Mode
Motion Interpolation
Motion Interpolation (30 fps) Picture
Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
Motion Interpolation (60 fps) Picture
Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
Stutter
Frame Hold Time @ 24 fps
Frame Hold Time @ 60 fps
24p Judder
Judder-Free 24p
Judder-Free 24p via 60p
Judder-Free 24p via 60i
Judder-Free 24p via Native Apps
Variable Refresh Rate
Native Refresh Rate
Variable Refresh Rate
HDMI Forum VRR
FreeSync
G-SYNC Compatible
4k VRR Maximum
4k VRR Minimum
1080p VRR Maximum
1080p VRR Minimum
1440p VRR Maximum
1440p VRR Minimum
VRR Supported Connectors
Inputs
Input Lag
1080p @ 60 Hz
1080p @ 60 Hz Outside Game Mode
1440p @ 60 Hz
4k @ 60 Hz
4k @ 60 Hz + 10 bit HDR
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4
4k @ 60 Hz Outside Game Mode
4k @ 60 Hz With Interpolation
8k @ 60 Hz
1080p @ 120 Hz
1440p @ 120 Hz
4k @ 120 Hz
1080p with Variable Refresh Rate
1440p with VRR
4k with VRR
8k with VRR
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
Supported Resolutions
Resolution
1080p @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4
1080p @ 120 Hz
1440p @ 60 Hz
1440p @ 120 Hz
4k @ 60 Hz
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4
4k @ 120 Hz
8k @ 30 Hz or 24 Hz
8k @ 60 Hz
Input Photos
Side Inputs Picture
Rear Inputs Picture
Total Inputs
HDMI
USB
Digital Optical Audio Out
Analog Audio Out 3.5mm
Analog Audio Out RCA
Component In
Composite In
Tuner (Cable/Ant)
Ethernet
DisplayPort
IR In
SD/SDHC
Inputs Specifications
HDR10
HDR10+
Dolby Vision
HLG
3D
HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth
HDMI 2.1
CEC
HDCP 2.2
USB 3.0
Variable Analog Audio Out
Wi-Fi Support
Audio Passthrough
ARC
eARC support
Dolby Atmos via TrueHD via eARC
DTS:X via DTS-HD MA via eARC
5.1 Dolby Digital via ARC
5.1 DTS via ARC
5.1 Dolby Digital via Optical
5.1 DTS via Optical
Sound Quality
Frequency Response
Frequency Response
Low-Frequency Extension
Std. Dev. @ 70
Std. Dev. @ 80
Std. Dev. @ Max
Max
Dynamic Range Compression
Distortion
Total Harmonic Distortion
Weighted THD @ 80
Weighted THD @ Max
IMD @ 80
IMD @ Max
Smart Features
Interface
Smart TV Picture
Smart OS
Version
Ease of Use
Smoothness
Time Taken to Select YouTube
Time Taken to Change Backlight
Advanced Options
Ad-Free
Ads Picture
Ads
Opt-out
Suggested Content in Home
Opt-out of Suggested Content
Apps and Features
Apps Picture
App Selection
App Smoothness
Cast Capable
USB Drive Playback
USB Drive HDR Playback
HDR in Netflix
HDR in YouTube
Remote
Remote Picture
Size
Voice Control
CEC Menu Control
Other Smart Features
Remote App
TV Controls
Controls Picture
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Misc
Power Consumption
Power Consumption (Max)
Firmware
Check Price
43"
43"
43S525
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
50"
50"
50S525
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
55"
55R617
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
55"
55S525
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
65"
65R617
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
65"
65S525
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
75"
75R617
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
75"
TCL 6 Series 2018
TCL S525
Comments
TCL 6 Series 2018 vs TCL S525: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Members have direct access to buying advice on our member forum.