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Products
TCL QM851G
TCL QM8K
Tested using Methodology v2.0.1
Updated Jul 31, 2025 08:04 PM
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BestBuy.comTested using Methodology v2.0.1
Updated Jul 31, 2025 07:48 PM
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BestBuy.com
Resolution4k
Native Refresh Rate144Hz
TypeLED
Sub-TypeVA
Dolby VisionYes
Screen FinishGlossy
Resolution4k
Native Refresh Rate144Hz
TypeLED
Sub-TypeVA
Dolby VisionYes
Screen FinishGlossy
Our Verdict
TCL QM851G
TCL QM8K
The TCL QM8K is an improvement over the TV it replaces, the TCL QM851G. The QM851G is brighter in most real content, but this comes at the expense of accuracy. The QM8K respects creative intent better, with better EOTF tracking and better processing in general. All of this results in a slightly less impactful, but more well-rounded viewing experience.
Variants
- 65QM851G (65")
- 75QM851G (75")
- 85QM851G (85")
- 98QM851G (98")
- 65QM8K (65")
- 75QM8K (75")
- 85QM8K (85")
- 98QM8K (98")
Check Price
65"
65QM851G
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com65"
65QM8K
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com75"
75QM851G
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com75"
75QM8K
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com85"
85QM851G
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com85"
85QM8K
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com98"
98QM851G
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com98"
98QM8K
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.2
8.5
HDR Brightness
9.4
9.1
Full Comparison
Brightness
HDR Brightness
9.4
9.1
HDR Hallway Photo
HDR Cityscape Photo
HDR Landscape Photo
Hallway Lights (~1950 cd/m²)
1,472 cd/m²
961 cd/m²
Yellow Skyscraper (~700 cd/m²)
611 cd/m²
651 cd/m²
Landscape Pool (~300 cd/m²)
473 cd/m²
395 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
2,564 cd/m²
3,431 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
3,467 cd/m²
3,605 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
3,338 cd/m²
2,467 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
1,814 cd/m²
1,438 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
967 cd/m²
810 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
2,497 cd/m²
1,813 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
3,319 cd/m²
1,725 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
3,253 cd/m²
1,675 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
1,810 cd/m²
1,001 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
965 cd/m²
667 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.060
0.055
HDR Brightness In Game Mode
9.4
9.1
HDR Hallway Photo
HDR Cityscape Photo
HDR Landscape Photo
Hallway Lights (~1950 cd/m²)
1,393 cd/m²
965 cd/m²
Yellow Skyscraper (~700 cd/m²)
625 cd/m²
637 cd/m²
Landscape Pool (~300 cd/m²)
447 cd/m²
375 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
4,167 cd/m²
3,610 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
3,425 cd/m²
3,516 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
3,366 cd/m²
2,166 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
1,796 cd/m²
1,246 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
956 cd/m²
800 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
2,384 cd/m²
1,632 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
3,300 cd/m²
1,673 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
3,251 cd/m²
1,646 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
1,792 cd/m²
982 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
953 cd/m²
657 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.060
0.053
SDR Brightness
9.5
9.1
Real Scene Peak Brightness
1,108 cd/m²
753 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
4,043 cd/m²
2,246 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
3,355 cd/m²
3,238 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
3,291 cd/m²
2,075 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
1,767 cd/m²
1,250 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
940 cd/m²
717 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
2,320 cd/m²
1,506 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
3,238 cd/m²
1,567 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
3,171 cd/m²
1,700 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
1,761 cd/m²
1,084 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
938 cd/m²
653 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.060
0.050
Black Level
Contrast
8.9
9.3
Contrast Picture
Contrast
201,150 : 1
273,200 : 1
Native Contrast
6,515 : 1
6,835 : 1
Lighting Zone Precision
8.5
8.5
Lighting Zone Precision Picture
Lighting Zone Transitions
8.5
8.5
Preferred LD Video, Moving Object
Local Dimming
Yes
Yes
Backlight
Full-Array
Full-Array
Dimming Zone Count Of The Tested TV
2,880
1,680
Contrast And Dark Details In Game Mode
9.0
9.0
Lighting Zone Precision Photo In Game Mode
Preferred LD Video, Moving Object In Game Mode
Game Transitions With VRR And Preferred LD
Black Uniformity
8.9
9.9
Black Uniformity Picture With Preferred Local Dimming
Std. Dev.
0.154%
0.183%
Native Black Uniformity Picture
Native Std. Dev.
0.569%
0.324%
Color
SDR Color Volume
7.7
8.0
DCI-P3 Gamut Rings
CIELAB DCI-P3 Coverage
90.94%
91.98%
BT.2020 Gamut Rings
CIELAB BT.2020 Coverage
67.01%
71.26%
HDR Color Volume
9.0
9.0
P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
1,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage ITP
85.2%
86.7%
2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
10,000 cd/m² BT.2020 Coverage ITP
54.8%
54.7%
White Luminance
2,513 cd/m²
2,923 cd/m²
Red Luminance
585 cd/m²
394 cd/m²
Green Luminance
1,885 cd/m²
1,206 cd/m²
Blue Luminance
189 cd/m²
137 cd/m²
Cyan Luminance
2,075 cd/m²
1,288 cd/m²
Magenta Luminance
773 cd/m²
495 cd/m²
Yellow Luminance
2,451 cd/m²
1,443 cd/m²
SDR Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy
7.5
6.6
Pre White Balance Picture
Pre Gamma Curve Picture
Pre Color Picture
White Balance dE 2000
3.36
4.54
Color dE 2000
2.07
2.59
Gamma
2.09
2.25
Color Temperature
6,127 K
6,017 K
Picture Mode
Movie
Movie
Color Temp Setting
Warm -5
warm 5
Gamma Setting
2.2
2,2
SDR Post-Calibration Color Accuracy
9.6
9.6
Post White Balance Picture
Post Gamma Curve Picture
Post Color Picture
White Balance dE 2000
0.24
0.24
Color dE 2000
0.82
0.72
Gamma
2.20
2.20
Color Temperature
6,483 K
6,544 K
White Balance Calibration
20 point
20 point
Color Calibration
Yes
Yes
HDR Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy
5.7
6.5
HDR Pre White Balance Picture
HDR Pre Color Picture
White Balance dE ITP
41.45
15.97
Color dE ITP
49.6
16.2
Color Temperature
6,308 K
6,852 K
Picture Mode
Movie
Movie
HDR Post-Calibration Color Accuracy
7.0
7.5
HDR Post White Balance Picture
HDR Post Color Picture
White Balance dE ITP
19.70
13.24
Color dE ITP
8.60
10.60
Color Temperature
6,276 K
6,555 K
Processing
PQ EOTF Tracking
3.9
7.6
PQ EOTF Graph
600 Nit Tracking Delta
0.0313
0.0062
1000 Nit Tracking Delta
0.0314
0.0064
4000 Nit Tracking Delta
0.0314
0.0064
Low-Quality Content Smoothing
8.1
8.4
Low-Quality Content Smoothing Picture
Smoothing
8.5
9.0
Detail Preservation
7.0
7.0
Upscaling: Sharpness Processing
7.5
7.5
Sharpness Picture - 480p
HDR Native Gradient
7.8
7.5
HDR Gradient Picture
100% Black To 50% Gray
6.0
6.0
50% Gray To 100% White
6.0
8.0
100% Black To 50% Red
8.0
8.0
50% Red To 100% Red
10
10
100% Black To 50% Green
8.0
8.0
50% Green To 100% Green
8.0
6.0
100% Black To 50% Blue
8.0
6.0
50% Blue To 100% Blue
8.0
8.0
Game Mode Responsiveness
Input Lag
8.4
8.6
1080p @ 60Hz
14.1 ms
14.8 ms
1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
125.0 ms
117.8 ms
1080p @ 120Hz
6.1 ms
5.3 ms
1080p @ Max Refresh Rate
8.0 ms
3.2 ms
4k @ 60Hz
14.1 ms
14.1 ms
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
15.0 ms
14.1 ms
4k @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
124.7 ms
108.6 ms
4k @ 60Hz With Interpolation
116.5 ms
23.1 ms
4k @ 120Hz
5.9 ms
5.3 ms
4k @ Max Refresh Rate
5.0 ms
5.1 ms
8k @ 60Hz
N/A
N/A
Supported Resolutions
9.5
9.5
Resolution
4k
4k
480p @ 59.94Hz (Widescreen)
Yes
Yes
720p @ 59.94Hz
Yes
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
Yes
1080p Maximum Refresh Rate
240 Hz
288 Hz
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
Yes
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
Yes
4k @ 120Hz
Yes
Yes
4k @ 120Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
Yes
4k Maximum Refresh Rate
144 Hz
144 Hz
8k @ 30Hz Or 24Hz
No
No
8k @ 60Hz
No
No
Variable Refresh Rate
8.8
8.8
Native Refresh Rate
144Hz
144Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR
Yes
Yes
FreeSync
Yes
Yes
G-SYNC Compatible
Yes
Yes
4k VRR Maximum
144 Hz
144 Hz
4k VRR Minimum
< 20 Hz
< 20 Hz
1080p VRR Maximum
240 Hz
288 Hz
1080p VRR Minimum
< 20 Hz
< 20 Hz
VRR + Local Dimming
Yes
Yes
CAD In Game Mode @ Max Refresh Rate
7.5
7.1
Pursuit Photo Max Refresh
CAD Heatmap Max Refresh
Transition At Max Refresh
0 to 31
0 to 31
Avg. CAD
173
196
Best 10% CAD
71
59
Worst 10% CAD
303
397
CAD In Game Mode @ 120Hz
6.9
7.1
Pursuit Photo 120Hz
CAD Heatmap 120Hz
Transition At 120Hz
0 to 31
0 to 31
Avg. CAD
200
202
Best 10% CAD
69
64
Worst 10% CAD
482
390
CAD In Game Mode @ 60Hz
7.0
7.0
Pursuit Photo 60Hz
CAD Heatmap 60Hz
Transition 60Hz
0 to 31
0 to 31
Avg. CAD
217
214
Best 10% CAD
71
51
Worst 10% CAD
372
405
PS5 Compatibility
PS5 Screenshot
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
Yes
Yes
4k @ 120Hz
Yes
Yes
1440p @ 120Hz
Yes
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
Yes
HDR
Yes
Yes
VRR
Yes
Yes
Xbox Series X|S Compatibility
Xbox Series X Screenshot
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
Yes
Yes
4k @ 120Hz
Yes
Yes
1440p @ 120Hz
Yes
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
Yes
HDR
Yes
Yes
VRR
Yes
Yes
Motion Handling
Stutter
6.1
6.9
Frame Hold Time @ 24 fps
36.2 ms
33.5 ms
Frame Hold Time @ 60 fps
11.2 ms
8.5 ms
24p Judder
10
10
Judder-Free 24p
Yes
Yes
Judder-Free 24p via 60p
Yes
Yes
Judder-Free 24p via 60i
Yes
Yes
Judder-Free 24p via Native Apps
Yes
Yes
Response Time
8.1
7.9
Pursuit Photo 60Hz
Response Time Heatmap 60Hz
Transition At 60Hz
0 to 31
0 to 31
First Response Time
5.5 ms
8.2 ms
Total Response Time
10.6 ms
8.4 ms
Worst 10% Response Time
22.9 ms
19.2 ms
Flicker
Backlight chart
Flicker-Free
No
No
PWM Dimming Frequency
30,000 Hz
15,400 Hz
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
BFI Picture
BFI Frequency Picture
Optional BFI
Yes
Yes
Min Flicker For 60 fps
60 Hz
60 Hz
60Hz For 60 fps
Yes
Yes
120Hz For 120 fps
Yes
Yes
Min Flicker For 60 fps In Game Mode
60 Hz
60 Hz
Motion Interpolation
Motion Interpolation (30 fps) Picture
Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
Yes
Yes
Motion Interpolation (60 fps) Picture
Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
Yes
Yes
Reflections
Direct Reflections
6.3
6.8
Ring Light Picture
Direct Reflections Graph
Peak Direct Reflection Intensity
46.5%
37.2%
Screen Finish
Glossy
Glossy
Ambient Black Level Raise
9.1
8.7
Black Level Raise Picture
Bright Room Black Level Raise Graph
Black Luminance @ 0 lx
0.00 cd/m²
0.00 cd/m²
Black Luminance @ 1000 lx
0.38 cd/m²
0.59 cd/m²
Total Reflected Light
7.8
8.1
Bright Room Off Picture
Ring Picture Total Reflection
Total Reflected Light Intensity
12,962% ⋅ pixel
10,099% ⋅ pixel
Diffraction Artifacts
Yes
Yes
Ambient Color Saturation
8.4
8.4
Bright Room Color Volume Graph
Low-Luminance Colors @ 1000 lx
71.72%
72.42%
Mid-Luminance Colors @ 1000 lx
68.86%
69.35%
High-Luminance Colors @ 1000 lx
59.50%
57.52%
Panel
Viewing Angle
6.2
6.4
Viewing Angle Video
Chroma Graph
Color Washout
23°
28°
Hue Graph
Color Shift
31°
52°
Lightness Graph
Brightness Loss
30°
29°
Black Level Raise
18°
12°
Gamma Shift
18°
22°
Gray Uniformity
7.1
7.4
50% Uniformity Picture
50% Std. Dev.
2.225%
2.505%
50% DSE
0.170%
0.172%
5% Uniformity Picture
5% Std. Dev.
0.670%
0.286%
5% DSE
0.093%
0.065%
Panel Technology
Spectral Power Distribution
Pixels Picture
Type
LED
LED
Sub-Type
VA
VA
Subpixel Layout
BGR
RGB
Inputs
Input Specifications
Side Inputs Picture
Rear Inputs Picture
HDMI
4 (2x HDMI 2.0, 2x HDMI 2.1)
4 (2x HDMI 2.0, 2x HDMI 2.1)
HDMI 2.1 Rated Speed
48 Gbps
48 Gbps
ATSC Tuner
3.0 (NEXTGEN TV)
3.0 (NEXTGEN TV)
USB Ports
3
2
USB 3.0
Yes (1)
Yes (1)
Audio Out 3.5mm
1
0
Wi-Fi
Yes (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz)
Yes (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz)
Ethernet Speed
100 Mbps
100 Mbps
Composite In
1 (Adapter Required, Not Incl.)
0
Digital Optical Audio Out
1
1
Audio Passthrough
ARC/eARC Port
eARC
eARC
eARC: Dolby Atmos Over Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Yes
eARC: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Yes
Yes
eARC: LPCM 7.1 Over Dolby MAT
Yes
Yes
eARC: Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Yes
Yes
eARC: DTS:X Over DTS-HD MA
Yes
Yes
eARC: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
Yes
Yes
eARC: LPCM Channels (Bitstream)
7.1
7.1
ARC: Dolby Digital 5.1
Yes
Yes
ARC: DTS 5.1
Yes
Yes
Optical: Dolby Digital 5.1
Yes
Yes
Optical: DTS 5.1
Yes
Yes
HDR Format Support
HDR10
Yes
Yes
HDR10+
Yes
Yes
Dolby Vision
Yes
Yes
HLG
Yes
Yes
Design
Style
Design Picture
Curved
No
No
Stand
Stand Picture
Back
Back Picture
Wall Mount
VESA 400x400
VESA 300x300
Borders
Borders Picture
Borders
0.31" (0.8 cm)
0.12" (0.3 cm)
Thickness
Thickness Picture
Max Thickness
2.28" (5.8 cm)
2.01" (5.1 cm)
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
Build quality picture
Smart Features
Interface
Smart TV Picture
Smart OS
Google TV
Google TV
Version
12
12
Ad-Free
0.0
0.0
Ads Picture
Ads
Yes
Yes
Opt-out
No
No
Suggested Content in Home
Yes
Yes
Opt-out of Suggested Content
No
No
Remote
Remote Picture
Voice Control
Yes
Yes
TV Controls
Controls Picture
Mute Switch
Yes
Yes
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Misc
Power Consumption
66 W
59 W
Power Consumption (Max)
307 W
248 W
Firmware
V8-T653T02-LF1V085
V8-0012T02-LF1V230
Sound Quality
Frequency Response
7.0
6.7
Frequency Response
Low-Frequency Extension
75.51 Hz
106.79 Hz
Std. Dev. @ 70
3.92 dB
3.11 dB
Std. Dev. @ 80
3.60 dB
2.95 dB
Std. Dev. @ Max
4.90 dB
4.42 dB
Max
87.3 dB SPL
85.6 dB SPL
Dynamic Range Compression
4.74 dB
3.12 dB
Digital Room Correction
Yes
No
Check Price
65"
65QM851G
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com65"
65QM8K
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com75"
75QM851G
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com75"
75QM8K
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com85"
85QM851G
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com85"
85QM8K
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com98"
98QM851G
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com98"
98QM8K
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
TCL QM851G
TCL QM8K
Comments
TCL QM851G vs TCL QM8K: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.
Thanks for the request! We’re aware of the v217 firmware, but unfortunately, it’s not currently available via OTA on our unit. If it becomes available and we notice any significant changes to the QM851G’s PQ EOTF tracking, we’ll be sure to update the review accordingly.
Can you guys plz check QM851G PQ EOTF Tracking using v217 firmware.