TCL QM 98-Inch 7K 98" 2025 Review
TCL's 98-inch QM7K offers a cinematic screen size without a blockbuster budget. The picture quality impresses, but gamers and tech enthusiasts might find its limitations frustrating.
The 30-Second Version
The TCL QM7K delivers a massive 98-inch screen with top-tier picture quality for a shockingly reasonable price. Its best score is in display performance (90th percentile), but gaming and connectivity are weak. Worth buying if size is your #1 priority.
Overview
The TCL QM7K is a 98-inch monster that's all about size and value. You're getting a massive Mini-LED QLED screen for a price that makes other brands blush, and the picture quality is genuinely impressive for the money.
It's not trying to be the absolute best TV on the market. Instead, it's a smart play for anyone who wants a cinema-sized screen without a Hollywood budget. The Google TV interface is solid, and it comes with a decent soundbar, which is good because you'll need something to fill that cavernous space.
Performance
The picture quality is a standout. In our database, it scores in the 90th percentile for display performance, meaning it's one of the best on the market for brightness and color. Sports and movies look great. But there are some real trade-offs. Gaming performance is mediocre, and HDR support is underwhelming. The connectivity is also a weak spot, lagging behind most TVs we test. It's built for big, bright viewing, not for being a tech hub.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The 98-inch screen is massive and immersive for the price. 90th
- Picture quality and brightness are best-in-class for the cost. 89th
- Comes bundled with a capable Dolby Atmos soundbar. 83th
- The Google TV smart platform is reliable and easy to use. 71th
Cons
- Gaming features and HDR performance are disappointing. 10th
- Connectivity options are limited and fall behind the competition. 18th
- It's obviously not portable, but good luck finding a wall big enough. 24th
- Smart features are just average, nothing groundbreaking.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 98" |
| Resolution | 3840 (4K UHD) |
| Panel Type | QLED |
| Backlight | Mini-LED |
| Year | 2025 |
Smart TV
| Platform | Google TV |
Audio
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
Value & Pricing
At just over $3,000 for a 98-inch TV and a soundbar, the value proposition is hard to ignore. You're paying about what some brands charge for a 75-inch model. You're getting a leading picture for a middle-of-the-pack price. If your main goal is a huge, great-looking screen without breaking the bank, this is where you stop looking.
vs Competition
Compared to the Sony BRAVIA 5 or Samsung Neo QLED, you're trading some peak HDR brilliance and gaming chops for sheer size. The TCL wins on inches-per-dollar, hands down. Against similarly priced Hisense or Roku models, the QM7K often has a slight edge in peak brightness and comes with that soundbar. But if you're a serious gamer or want the absolute best movie experience, the LG OLED evo C5 will run circles around it in contrast and response time, just on a much smaller screen.
| Spec | TCL QM 98-Inch 7K 98" | Sony Bravia Sony BRAVIA 5 98" 4K HDR Smart Mini-LED TV | LG OLED evo - C5 series LG - 77" Class C5 Series OLED evo AI 4K UHD Smart | Samsung Neo QLED Samsung - 65” Class QN80F Series Neo QLED Mini LED | Hisense U65QF Mini-LED Hisense - 55" Class U6 Series MiniLED QLED UHD 4K | Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro Roku - 65" Class Pro Series 4K QLED Mini-LED Smart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 98 | 98 | 77 | 65 | 55 | 65 |
| Resolution | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 |
| Panel Type | QLED | MiniLED | OLED | Neo QLED | MiniLED | MiniLED |
| Refresh Rate | - | 120 | 120 | 120 | 144 | 120 |
| Hdr | - | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG |
| Smart Platform | Google TV | Google TV | webOS | Tizen | Fire TV | Roku TV |
| Dolby Vision | - | true | true | false | true | true |
| Dolby Atmos | true | false | true | true | true | true |
| Hdmi Version | - | 2.1 | 2.1 | - | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Hdr | Audio | Smart | Gaming | Display | Connectivity | Social Proof | Picture Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCL QM 98-Inch 7K 98" | 18.3 | 70.6 | 54.4 | 24.1 | 89.8 | 9.7 | 83 | 89.3 |
| Sony Bravia K98XR50 98" LED Compare | 92.8 | 73.7 | 91.5 | 95.3 | 75.2 | 97.2 | 99.5 | 86.2 |
| LG OLED evo - C5 series 77" Class C5 Series Compare | 92.8 | 90.4 | 95.3 | 99.9 | 95.6 | 98.6 | 99.5 | 43.1 |
| Samsung Neo QLED 65” Class Series Neo Compare | 89.9 | 90.4 | 96.6 | 93.3 | 80 | 92.5 | 97.6 | 86.2 |
| Hisense U65QF Mini-LED 55" Class U6 Series MiniLED Compare | 98.8 | 90.4 | 93.8 | 96.6 | 56.6 | 97.2 | 94.3 | 97.3 |
| Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro 65" Class Pro Series Compare | 96.5 | 90.4 | 92.5 | 97.5 | 62.2 | 99 | 98.8 | 86.2 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the picture quality good for sports and movies?
Yes, it scores well above average for both. Our data shows it's a strong 65.8 for sports and 58.7 for movies, meaning fast motion looks clean and films have good depth.
Q: How is it for next-gen gaming?
Not great. It ranks in the 25th percentile for gaming, so you'll miss out on high refresh rates and advanced gaming features found on more expensive models.
Q: Does it need the included soundbar?
Almost certainly. The TV's own audio scores are just above average, but for a screen this big, you need the separate soundbar to fill the room properly.
Who Should Skip This
Hardcore gamers should look elsewhere because the gaming performance is a real letdown. Also, if you have a super bright, sun-drenched living room, the glare handling might frustrate you. And if you're a connectivity power user who needs tons of ports, this TV's limited options will feel like a step back.
Verdict
Buy this if you're building a home theater on a budget and your priority is a jaw-droppingly big screen with very good picture quality. It's for the person who wants to wow guests with size first and pixel-perfect accuracy second. Pair it with a decent streaming device to sidestep the so-so smart TV processor, and you've got a fantastic centerpiece.