TCL 2026: SQD-Mini LED Technology Arrives in Italy with 10,000 Nit TVs, Alongside Soundbars and OLED Gaming Monitors

TCL has officially unveiled its 2026 lineup for Italy, a catalog that encompasses every corner of the digital home: from SQD-Mini LED TVs to OLED gaming monitors, from Dolby Atmos soundbars to NXTPAPER smartphones, to appliances with artificial intelligence and 5G networking solutions with Wi-Fi 7. This expansion comes on the heels of a positive 2025 for the brand in our country, where TCL recorded a volume growth of 28% year-on-year, peaking at 96% in the segment of televisions 98 inches and above.

SQD-Mini LED: The Technology at the Core

The technological cornerstone of the 2026 range is the SQD-Mini LED technology, where the first part of the acronym stands for Super Quantum Dot. This is not merely a rebranding but a system that has been deeply redesigned: TCL has developed a new formulation of Quantum Dot crystals in collaboration with Nanosys, the world's leading manufacturer of these semiconductor nanocrystals, improving density, color stability, and emission bandwidth. This is complemented by new color filters with much narrower bands, an Advanced Color Purity software algorithm, and the second-generation WHVA 2.0 panel produced by CSOT (a TCL subsidiary), which eliminates the black matrix around the active area and expands the viewing angle beyond the typical limits of VA panels.

The declared result is 100% coverage of the BT.2020 color space under all viewing conditions, a milestone that TCL distinctly sets apart from RGB Mini LED TVs, a technology that the company has not chosen as a reference for Italy. The RGB Mini LED series (RM9L and RM7L) exists in the European range but will almost certainly not arrive in our market: TCL has decided to concentrate its premium offering on three lines, all SQD-Mini LED.

The TV Range: X11L, C8L, and C7L

At the top is the X11L series, with a thickness of 2.1 cm, a peak brightness of 10,000 nit (9,000 on the 75"), 20,736 local dimming zones on the 98-inch model (14,400 on the 85", 11,520 on the 75"), a MediaTek Pentonic 800 SoC, and an audio system curated by Bang & Olufsen with three front channels, side speakers, and rear woofers. Four full-band HDMI 2.1 inputs with VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro compatibility complete a no-compromise setup. Italian prices start at 4,299 euros for the 75-inch model, rising to 6,499 euros for the 85" and reaching 9,799 euros for the 98" version.

The C8L series brings SQD-Mini LED technology to the premium segment with a minimalist design and central pedestal. Specifications vary with size: the 98" reaches 6,000 nit and 4,032 dimming zones, the 65" is rated at 5,000 nit and 2,040 zones, and the 55" at 3,000 nit and 1,008 zones. All sizes share the WHVA 2.0 panel, four 144Hz HDMI 2.1 ports with VRR, and B&O audio. Prices start at 1,099 euros for the 55" up to 4,699 euros for the 98".

The C7L series adopts the HVA 2.0 panel (with the black matrix around it), drops to 3,000 nit on the 98" and 2,700 nit on the 55", but maintains the 144Hz refresh rate, VRR support, HDMI 2.1, and B&O audio. The 55" starts at 999 euros, while the 98" reaches 3,099 euros.

All SQD-Mini LED models run on Google TV and will receive support for Dolby Vision 2 Max via a firmware update expected in the second half of 2026; this functionality is enabled by the MediaTek Pentonic 800 SoC, present across the entire 2026 SQD-Mini LED range. On the AI front, TCL is collaborating with Google to bring the Gemini assistant to TVs in supported markets, with expansion into new countries and languages on the 2026 roadmap. For those who prefer a lifestyle TV without sacrificing picture quality, the A400 Pro NXTVISION series integrates QD-Mini LED with up to 448 dimming zones in a unibody light walnut shell and matte HVA panel, designed to blend as a work of art within contemporary interiors.

Audio: Soundbars from 3.1.2 to 7.1.4 Channels

The 2026 audio lineup from TCL covers three distinct segments: the A65K Design Series soundbar focuses on aesthetics with an ultra-slim profile of 50mm and a 3.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos system, optimizing dialogue and low frequencies without bulk; a step up, the Q85H Pro allows for a 7.1.4 channel setup with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and RayDanz Lite technology, featuring wireless surround components; the Z100 Wireless Free Sound speaker at 170W per unit adds an additional level: compatible with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, it integrates directly into the X11L and C8L TVs for scalable surround configurations without a meter of cable.

Gaming and Productivity: Three Monitors, Three Philosophies

TCL 32X3A OLED The TCL 32X3A OLED monitor pairs an OLED panel with a dual-mode game accelerator UHD 240Hz / FHD 480Hz, directly targeting the competitive gaming segment where contrast and fluidity are particular focus points for gamers.

TCL 27C2A QD-Mini LED The 27C2A QD-Mini LED Dual-mode brings QD-Mini LED technology with 1,196 dimming zones in a 27-inch dual-mode FHD 320Hz gaming monitor, combining sharpness and responsiveness. For expanded productivity setups, the 57R94 Dual 4K QD-Mini LED offers an ultrawide Horizon Vision 32:9 format with Golden 1000R curvature, designed for users managing multiple sources simultaneously without resorting to a dual monitor setup.

NXTPAPER Smartphones and Wearables

The NXTPAPER 4.0 Natural Light technology is at the heart of TCL's new mobile devices for Italy, which the company had already announced in previous weeks at the Mobile World Congress. The NXTPAPER 70 Pro smartphone features a 6.9" FHD+ 120Hz display with visual protection certification, a 50MP camera with OIS, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, and IP68 certification. The Note A1 NXTPAPER tablet offers triple protective glass (anti-reflective, anti-glare, anti-fingerprint) with independent test data certifying a 76% reduction in reflections and a 55% reduction in glare, alongside TÜV certification for flicker-free operation. Closing the mobile range is the MOVETIME MT48 Kids smartwatch, with dual-frequency GPS L1+L5, 4G connectivity with VoLTE video calls, one-touch SOS, IP68 certification, and a 900mAh battery for 2.5 days of autonomy.

Home connectivity products are also arriving in Italy: the LINKHUB WR5360 router brings Wi-Fi 7 standard to households; the 5G B50 CPE reaches speeds up to 5.47Gbps in dual-band Wi-Fi 7 for multi-device environments; the 5G Mobile Wi-Fi B50 Pro ensures portable connectivity up to 3.27Gbps with a 5,000mAh battery and a claimed battery life of 17 hours.

Appliances and Energy Efficiency

TCL's 2026 white goods range is structured across two fronts: refrigeration and laundry. On the refrigeration side, the Mega Space SE series adopts a counter-depth configuration for integration into existing kitchen furniture, while the Free Built-in Upright system allows for a modular combination of refrigerator and freezer. For washing machines, the F4 Velocare focuses on reducing cycle times with Turbo Speed technology; the P5 Super Drum combines a 540mm drum with an energy class A-40%; the F122 Ecorora incorporates an anti-bacterial EBS system and Smart DD motor for durability and hygiene. The FreshIN C8 air conditioner combines the QuadruPuri system — four stages of air filtering — with AI Eco technology that optimizes consumption by up to 37%, maintaining a noise level of only 16dB. The VoxIN P9 adds offline voice control: processing occurs on the device, without relying on internet connection, paired with the same AI ECO function for managing consumption.