TCL North America has unveiled its new flagship QM9K range of miniLED LCD TVs, with up to 6000 dimming zones, up to 6500 nits peak brightness, and for the first time with Gemini AI.
QM9K is the North American variant of the C9K already launched in Europe, both featuring the new WHVA LCD panel that offers notably wider viewing angles and slimmer borders. QM9K is launched at the CEDIA Expo 2025.
- "This year, TCL took a different approach with launching our world-class home theater products – releasing our QD-Mini LED TVs one at a time, to showcase the continual innovation and demonstrable upgrades as you step up in our Precise Dimming Series," said Chris Hamdorf, EVP of TCL North America. "Our flagship QM9K has next generation picture quality with ultimate brightness and ultimate black levels. And it's the first TV in America with Google's Gemini AI – providing consumers with the ultimate performance in a television."
TCL QM9K (USA) / TCL C9K (Europe)
Up to 6500 nits and 6000 zones
TCL highlighted that QM9K offers up to 6500 nits of peak brightness, depending on screen size, which is 30% higher than the QM8K. And with up to 6000 dimming zones in 98 inches, QM9K also has up to 57% more than QM8K, the company said.
As discussed in our review of C8K / QM8K, TCL uses a boost system to reach these high level of peak brightness. This approach has pros and cons.
The miniLED backlight behind the LCD panel is newly developed for 2025, as detailed earlier this year, with a number of improvements to picture quality. The LCD panel has 4K resolution and up to 144Hz refresh rate. QM9K also supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and Filmmaker Mode. It is powered by TCL's AIPQ Pro video processor.
Also featured is a more powerful Dolby Atmos system developed in partnership with Band & Olufsen. Built-in is Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.4 and an ATSC 3.0 tuner.
First with Gemini and Ambient Display
TCL said that it has partnered with Google to make QM9K the first TV to support Gemini – Google's new AI assistant – as well as Ambient Display.
Google TV's Ambient Display enables the TV to wake to someone's presence, using a presence sensor built into the frame, to show screensavers or answer questions via Gemini, using a built-in far-field microphone.
Gemini can understand conversational queries and follow-up questions based on the context for more natural voice control, according to Google. FlatpanelsHD got a sneak peak at Gemini and Ambient Display earlier this year.
Gemini on Google TV: Photo: ZDNET
Coming to more TV brands later
Google TVs from Sony and Hisense will also be getting Gemini and Ambient Display. Expect to hear more in 2026.
Gemini is part of a new wave of AI-based voice assistants. It will compete with the upgraded Bixby in Samsung TVs, Alexa+ in Fire TVs, and the upgraded Siri in Apple TV next year.
TCL's QM9K will be available later this month at Best Buy and select other retailer in 65, 75, 85 and 98 inches. Pricing details were not announced.
