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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Market Context
- Design
- Picture Quality
- Motion
- Inputs
- Sound Quality
- Smart Features
- Comments
TCL 5 Series 2018 vs TCL 5 Series/S525 2019
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
TCL 5 Series 2018
TCL 5 Series/S525 2019
Tested using Methodology v1.5
Updated Sep 03, 2021 10:56 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.5
Updated Sep 03, 2021 11:28 PM
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TypeLED
Sub-TypeVA
Resolution4k
TypeLED
Sub-TypeVA
Resolution4k
Variants
- 43S517 (43")
- 49S517 (49")
- 55S517 (55")
- 65S517 (65")
- 43S525 (43")
- 50S525 (50")
- 55S525 (55")
- 65S525 (65")
Our Verdict
TCL 5 Series 2018
TCL 5 Series/S525 2019
The TCL 5 Series S517 2018 is nearly identical to the TCL S525. The S517 has better gray uniformity and better reflection handling, but one less HDMI port. The S525 has less input lag, but this likely isn't a noticeable difference.
Check Price
43"
43S517
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com43"
43S525
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Amazon.com55"
55S517
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Amazon.com55"
55S525
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Amazon.com65"
65S517
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Amazon.com65"
65S525
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Amazon.comMain Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.9
7.1
Full Comparison
Market Context
Market Context
Design
Style
7.0
7.0
Design Picture
Curved
No
No
Stand
Stand Picture
Back
Back Picture
Wall Mount
VESA 200x200
VESA 400x200
Borders
Borders Picture
Borders
0.35" (0.9 cm)
0.35" (0.9 cm)
Thickness
Thickness Picture
Max Thickness
2.91" (7.4 cm)
2.68" (6.8 cm)
Build Quality
6.5
6.5
Build quality picture
Picture Quality
Contrast
9.1
9.1
Checkerboard Picture
Native Contrast
6,000 : 1
6,079 : 1
Contrast with local dimming
N/A
N/A
Local Dimming
0.0
0.0
Local Dimming Video
Local Dimming
No
No
Backlight
Edge
Direct
SDR Peak Brightness
6.5
6.8
SDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
281 cd/m²
300 cd/m²
SDR Peak 2% Window
297 cd/m²
320 cd/m²
SDR Peak 10% Window
297 cd/m²
322 cd/m²
SDR Peak 25% Window
298 cd/m²
323 cd/m²
SDR Peak 50% Window
298 cd/m²
323 cd/m²
SDR Peak 100% Window
299 cd/m²
323 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 2% Window
297 cd/m²
320 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 10% Window
297 cd/m²
322 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 25% Window
298 cd/m²
322 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 50% Window
298 cd/m²
323 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 100% Window
298 cd/m²
323 cd/m²
SDR ABL
0.000
0.001
HDR Peak Brightness
5.2
5.1
HDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
273 cd/m²
278 cd/m²
HDR Peak 2% Window
298 cd/m²
279 cd/m²
HDR Peak 10% Window
299 cd/m²
289 cd/m²
HDR Peak 25% Window
299 cd/m²
289 cd/m²
HDR Peak 50% Window
300 cd/m²
289 cd/m²
HDR Peak 100% Window
300 cd/m²
289 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 2% Window
298 cd/m²
279 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 10% Window
299 cd/m²
289 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 25% Window
299 cd/m²
289 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 50% Window
300 cd/m²
289 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 100% Window
300 cd/m²
289 cd/m²
HDR ABL
0.000
0.002
Gray Uniformity
7.1
6.0
50% Uniformity Picture
50% Std. Dev.
3.140%
5.004%
50% DSE
0.197%
0.238%
5% Uniformity Picture
5% Std. Dev.
1.550%
2.288%
5% DSE
0.122%
0.127%
Viewing Angle
5.1
5.3
Viewing Angle Video
Chroma Graph
Color Washout
22°
23°
Hue Graph
Color Shift
37°
19°
Lightness Graph
Brightness Loss
28°
41°
Black Level Raise
13°
19°
Gamma Shift
13°
13°
Black Uniformity
7.5
8.3
Native Black Uniformity Picture
Native Std. Dev.
1.020%
0.823%
Black Uniformity Picture with Local Dimming
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
N/A
N/A
Reflections
7.1
6.9
Reflections Picture
Average Room Off Picture
Bright Room Off Picture
Screen Finish
Semi-gloss
Semi-gloss
Total Reflections
5.9%
6.2%
Indirect Reflections
0.8%
2.1%
Calculated Direct Reflections
5.1%
4.1%
Pre Calibration
6.9
8.3
Pre White Balance Picture
Pre Gamma Curve Picture
Pre Color Picture
White Balance dE
4.15
2.53
Color dE
2.61
1.95
Gamma
2.21
2.12
Color Temperature
5,815 K
6,715 K
Picture Mode
Movie
Movie
Color Temp Setting
Warm
Custom
Gamma Setting
2.2
2.2
Post Calibration
9.8
9.5
Post White Balance Picture
Post Gamma Curve Picture
Post Color Picture
White Balance dE
0.17
0.46
Color dE
0.43
0.70
Gamma
2.20
2.19
Color Temperature
6,493 K
6,570 K
White Balance Calibration
11 point
11 point
Color Calibration
Yes
Yes
Auto-Calibration Function
No
No
480p Input
8.0
8.0
480p Picture
720p Input
8.0
8.0
720p Picture
1080p Input
9.0
9.0
1080p Picture
4k Input
9.5
10
4k Picture
8k Input
0.0
0.0
8k Picture
Pixels
Pixels Picture
Type
LED
LED
Sub-Type
VA
VA
Color Gamut
8.0
8.0
Wide Color Gamut
Yes
Yes
Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture
DCI P3 xy
90.13%
86.87%
DCI P3 uv
94.08%
92.46%
Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture
Rec 2020 xy
66.14%
65.03%
Rec 2020 uv
71.23%
73.80%
EOTF
Color Volume
6.9
7.0
P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
Normalized DCI P3 Coverage ITP
72.5%
79.4%
10,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage ITP
28.4%
32.2%
2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
Normalized Rec 2020 Coverage ITP
64.3%
60.6%
10,000 cd/m² Rec 2020 Coverage ITP
25.1%
24.5%
Gradient
8.2
8.4
Gradient Picture
Color Depth
10 Bit
10 Bit
Red (Std. Dev.)
0.114
0.091
Green (Std. Dev.)
0.109
0.092
Blue (Std. Dev.)
0.088
0.076
Gray (Std. Dev.)
0.104
0.125
Temporary Image Retention
10
10
Image Retention Picture
IR after 0 min recovery
0.00%
0.00%
IR after 2 min recovery
0.00%
0.00%
IR after 4 min recovery
0.00%
0.00%
IR after 6 min recovery
0.00%
0.00%
IR after 8 min recovery
0.00%
0.00%
IR after 10 min recovery
0.00%
0.00%
Permanent Burn-In Risk
10
10
Permanent Burn-In Risk
No
No
Motion
Response Time
7.0
7.7
Motion Blur Picture
Response Time Chart
80% Response Time
6.8 ms
5.4 ms
100% Response Time
15.8 ms
14.1 ms
Flicker-Free
4.7
4.7
Backlight chart
Flicker-Free
No
No
PWM Dimming Frequency
180 Hz
180 Hz
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
4.5
4.5
BFI Picture
BFI Frequency Picture
Optional BFI
No
No
Min Flicker for 60 fps
180 Hz
180 Hz
60 Hz for 60 fps
No
No
120 Hz for 120 fps
N/A
N/A
Min Flicker for 60 fps in Game Mode
180 Hz
180 Hz
Motion Interpolation
Motion Interpolation (30 fps) Picture
Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
Yes
Yes
Motion Interpolation (60 fps) Picture
Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
No
No
Stutter
7.8
7.6
Frame Hold Time @ 24 fps
25.9 ms
27.6 ms
Frame Hold Time @ 60 fps
0.9 ms
2.6 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
Variable Refresh Rate
0.0
0.0
Native Refresh Rate
60 Hz
60 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
No
No
HDMI Forum VRR
No
No
FreeSync
No
No
G-SYNC Compatible
No
No
4k VRR Maximum
N/A
N/A
4k VRR Minimum
No VRR support
No VRR support
1080p VRR Maximum
N/A
N/A
1080p VRR Minimum
No VRR support
No VRR support
1440p VRR Maximum
N/A
N/A
1440p VRR Minimum
No VRR support
No VRR support
VRR Supported Connectors
No VRR support
No VRR support
Inputs
Input Lag
8.1
9.1
1080p @ 60 Hz
17.9 ms
10.9 ms
1080p @ 60 Hz Outside Game Mode
137.6 ms
N/A
1440p @ 60 Hz
17.7 ms
N/A
4k @ 60 Hz
20.4 ms
10.6 ms
4k @ 60 Hz + 10 bit HDR
20.5 ms
12.4 ms
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4
20.4 ms
10.8 ms
4k @ 60 Hz Outside Game Mode
123.5 ms
N/A
4k @ 60 Hz With Interpolation
149.6 ms
10.7 ms
8k @ 60 Hz
N/A
N/A
1080p @ 120 Hz
N/A
N/A
1440p @ 120 Hz
N/A
N/A
4k @ 120 Hz
N/A
N/A
1080p with Variable Refresh Rate
N/A
N/A
1440p with VRR
N/A
N/A
4k with VRR
N/A
N/A
8k with VRR
N/A
N/A
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
No
Yes
Supported Resolutions
8.3
7.5
Resolution
4k
4k
1080p @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
Yes
1080p @ 120 Hz
No
No
1440p @ 60 Hz
Yes (forced resolution required)
No
1440p @ 120 Hz
No
No
4k @ 60 Hz
Yes
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
Yes
4k @ 120 Hz
No
No
8k @ 30 Hz or 24 Hz
No
No
8k @ 60 Hz
No
No
Input Photos
Side Inputs Picture
Rear Inputs Picture
Total Inputs
HDMI
3
4
USB
1
1
Digital Optical Audio Out
1
1
Analog Audio Out 3.5mm
1
1
Analog Audio Out RCA
0
0
Component In
0
0
Composite In
1 (incl. adapter)
1 (incl. adapter)
Tuner (Cable/Ant)
1
1
Ethernet
1
1
DisplayPort
0
0
IR In
0
0
SD/SDHC
0
0
Inputs Specifications
HDR10
Yes
Yes
HDR10+
No
No
Dolby Vision
Yes
Yes
HLG
No
Yes
3D
No
No
HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth
Yes (HDMI 1,2,3)
Yes (HDMI 1,2,3,4)
HDMI 2.1
No
No
CEC
Yes
Yes
HDCP 2.2
Yes (HDMI 1,2,3)
Yes (HDMI 1,2,3,4)
USB 3.0
No
No
Variable Analog Audio Out
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Support
Yes (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz)
Yes (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz)
Audio Passthrough
ARC
Yes (HDMI 3)
Yes (HDMI 4)
eARC support
No
No
Dolby Atmos via TrueHD via eARC
No
No
DTS:X via DTS-HD MA via eARC
No
No
5.1 Dolby Digital via ARC
Yes
Yes
5.1 DTS via ARC
Yes
Yes
5.1 Dolby Digital via Optical
Yes
Yes
5.1 DTS via Optical
Yes
Yes
Sound Quality
Frequency Response
5.5
6.3
Frequency Response
Low-Frequency Extension
142.54 Hz
151.02 Hz
Std. Dev. @ 70
4.04 dB
2.82 dB
Std. Dev. @ 80
4.32 dB
2.87 dB
Std. Dev. @ Max
5.76 dB
4.96 dB
Max
84.5 dB SPL
88.1 dB SPL
Dynamic Range Compression
3.94 dB
3.85 dB
Distortion
7.4
6.4
Total Harmonic Distortion
Weighted THD @ 80
0.140
0.071
Weighted THD @ Max
0.349
0.400
IMD @ 80
2.10%
5.70%
IMD @ Max
4.34%
33.85%
Smart Features
Interface
8.0
8.0
Smart TV Picture
Smart OS
Roku TV
Roku TV
Version
8.0
9.0
Ease of Use
Easy
Easy
Smoothness
Very Smooth
Very Smooth
Time Taken to Select YouTube
3 s
3 s
Time Taken to Change Backlight
4 s
4 s
Advanced Options
Many
Many
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
Apps and Features
8.0
8.0
Apps Picture
App Selection
Great
Great
App Smoothness
Average
Average
Cast Capable
Yes
Yes
USB Drive Playback
Yes
Yes
USB Drive HDR Playback
Yes
Yes
HDR in Netflix
Yes
Yes
HDR in YouTube
Yes
Yes
Remote
7.0
7.0
Remote Picture
Size
Small
Small
Voice Control
Search, Some Other Features
Search, Some Other Features
CEC Menu Control
No
No
Other Smart Features
No
No
Remote App
Roku
Roku
TV Controls
Controls Picture
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Misc
Power Consumption
50 W
47 W
Power Consumption (Max)
103 W
117 W
Firmware
8.0.2 • build 4140-30
9.1.2 build 6113-88
Check Price
43"
43S517
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com43"
43S525
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com55"
55S517
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com55"
55S525
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com65"
65S517
SEARCH
Amazon.com65"
65S525
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
TCL 5 Series 2018
TCL 5 Series/S525 2019
Comments
TCL 5 Series 2018 vs TCL 5 Series/S525 2019: Main Discussion
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