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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/S525 2019 vs TCL 5 Series/S535 2020 QLED
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
TCL 5 Series/S525 2019
TCL 5 Series/S535 2020 QLED
Tested using Methodology v1.5
Updated Sep 03, 2021 11:28 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.6
Updated Feb 07, 2025 06:48 PM
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Amazon.com
TypeLED
Sub-TypeVA
Resolution4k
TypeLED
Sub-TypeVA
Resolution4k
Variants
- 43S525 (43")
- 50S525 (50")
- 55S525 (55")
- 65S525 (65")
- 50S535 (50")
- 55S535 (55")
- 65S535 (65")
- 75S535 (75")
Our Verdict
TCL 5 Series/S525 2019
TCL 5 Series/S535 2020 QLED
The TCL 5 Series/S535 2020 is a big improvement over its predecessor, the TCL 5 Series/S525 2019. The S535 has a full-array local dimming feature, it displays a much wider color gamut, it has a Black Frame Insertion feature, and it's better-built. However, the S525 gets a bit brighter and it has better out-of-the-box color accuracy, but this may vary between units.
Check Price
50"
50S525
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com50"
50S535
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Amazon.com55"
55S525
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Amazon.com55"
55S535
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Amazon.com65"
65S525
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Amazon.com65"
65S535
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Amazon.comNotice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our TVs test methodology.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.1
7.7
Local Dimming
0.0
7.0
Full Comparison
Market Context
Market Context
Design
Style
Design Picture
Curved
No
No
Accelerated Longevity Test
Uniformity Pictures
Month 24
50% Gray
Longevity Graph
Stand
Stand Picture
Back
Back Picture
Wall Mount
VESA 400x200
VESA 300x200
Borders
Borders Picture
Borders
0.35" (0.9 cm)
0.35" (0.9 cm)
Thickness
Thickness Picture
Max Thickness
2.68" (6.8 cm)
3.43" (8.7 cm)
Build Quality
6.5
7.0
Build quality picture
Picture Quality
Contrast
9.1
9.4
Checkerboard Picture
Native Contrast
6,079 : 1
7,200 : 1
Contrast with local dimming
N/A
7,402 : 1
SDR Brightness
6.8
6.1
Real Scene Peak Brightness
300 cd/m²
242 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
320 cd/m²
186 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
322 cd/m²
325 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
323 cd/m²
372 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
323 cd/m²
309 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
323 cd/m²
291 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
320 cd/m²
184 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
322 cd/m²
325 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
322 cd/m²
370 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
323 cd/m²
308 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
323 cd/m²
290 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.001
0.041
Local Dimming
0.0
7.0
LD Video, Moving Object
LD Video, Real Content
LD Video, Real Content Side View
Local Dimming
No
Yes
Backlight
Direct
Full-Array
Local Dimming In Game Mode
7.0
LD Video, Moving Object
LD Video, Real Content
LD Video, Real Content Side View
Local Dimming
Yes
Backlight
Full-Array
HDR Brightness
5.1
5.1
EOTF
Real Scene Highlight
278 cd/m²
247 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
279 cd/m²
214 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
289 cd/m²
376 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
289 cd/m²
432 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
289 cd/m²
358 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
289 cd/m²
337 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
279 cd/m²
213 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
289 cd/m²
375 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
289 cd/m²
429 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
289 cd/m²
356 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
289 cd/m²
335 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.002
0.040
HDR Brightness In Game Mode
5.2
Game Mode EOTF
Real Scene Highlight
252 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
214 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
380 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
437 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
364 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
343 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
213 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
379 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
435 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
362 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
341 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.041
Gray Uniformity
6.0
6.7
50% Uniformity Picture
50% Std. Dev.
5.004%
4.445%
50% DSE
0.238%
0.210%
5% Uniformity Picture
5% Std. Dev.
2.288%
1.490%
5% DSE
0.127%
0.123%
Black Uniformity
8.3
7.7
Native Black Uniformity Picture
Native Std. Dev.
0.823%
0.903%
Black Uniformity Picture with Local Dimming
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
N/A
1.413%
Viewing Angle
5.3
5.0
Viewing Angle Video
Chroma Graph
Color Washout
23°
23°
Hue Graph
Color Shift
19°
20°
Lightness Graph
Brightness Loss
41°
32°
Black Level Raise
19°
12°
Gamma Shift
13°
15°
Reflections
6.9
7.0
Reflections Picture
Average Room Off Picture
Bright Room Off Picture
Screen Finish
Semi-gloss
Semi-gloss
Total Reflections
6.2%
6.0%
Indirect Reflections
2.1%
1.0%
Calculated Direct Reflections
4.1%
5.0%
Pre Calibration
8.3
8.0
Pre White Balance Picture
Pre Gamma Curve Picture
Pre Color Picture
White Balance dE
2.53
2.63
Color dE
1.95
2.38
Gamma
2.12
2.22
Color Temperature
6,715 K
6,085 K
Picture Mode
Movie
Movie
Color Temp Setting
Custom
Warm
Gamma Setting
2.2
2.2
Post Calibration
9.5
9.5
Post White Balance Picture
Post Gamma Curve Picture
Post Color Picture
White Balance dE
0.46
0.20
Color dE
0.70
1.28
Gamma
2.19
2.20
Color Temperature
6,570 K
6,493 K
White Balance Calibration
11 point
11 point
Color Calibration
Yes
Yes
Auto-Calibration Function
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
10
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
8.5
Wide Color Gamut
Yes
Yes
Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture
DCI P3 xy
86.87%
93.96%
DCI P3 uv
92.46%
96.35%
Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture
Rec 2020 xy
65.03%
71.50%
Rec 2020 uv
73.80%
78.83%
EOTF
Color Volume
7.0
7.8
P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
Normalized DCI P3 Coverage ITP
79.4%
84.1%
10,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage ITP
32.2%
29.6%
2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
Normalized Rec 2020 Coverage ITP
60.6%
70.6%
10,000 cd/m² Rec 2020 Coverage ITP
24.5%
24.8%
Gradient
8.4
8.4
Gradient Picture
Color Depth
10 Bit
10 Bit
Red (Std. Dev.)
0.091
0.086
Green (Std. Dev.)
0.092
0.092
Blue (Std. Dev.)
0.076
0.075
Gray (Std. Dev.)
0.125
0.140
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
7.7
7.9
Motion Blur Picture
Response Time Chart
80% Response Time
5.4 ms
5.2 ms
100% Response Time
14.1 ms
12.1 ms
Flicker-Free
4.7
9.9
Backlight chart
Flicker-Free
No
No
PWM Dimming Frequency
180 Hz
960 Hz
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
4.5
10
BFI Picture
BFI Frequency Picture
Optional BFI
No
Yes
Min Flicker For 60 fps
180 Hz
60 Hz
60Hz For 60 fps
No
Yes
120Hz For 120 fps
N/A
N/A
Min Flicker for 60 fps in Game Mode
180 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)
No
No
Stutter
7.6
7.2
Frame Hold Time @ 24 fps
27.6 ms
29.6 ms
Frame Hold Time @ 60 fps
2.6 ms
4.6 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
9.1
9.7
1080p @ 60Hz
10.9 ms
11.2 ms
1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
N/A
111.1 ms
1440p @ 60Hz
N/A
10.9 ms
4k @ 60Hz
10.6 ms
10.8 ms
4k @ 60Hz + 10-Bit HDR
12.4 ms
10.8 ms
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
10.8 ms
10.9 ms
4k @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
N/A
110.9 ms
4k @ 60Hz With Interpolation
10.7 ms
111.0 ms
8k @ 60Hz
N/A
N/A
1080p @ 120Hz
N/A
N/A
1440p @ 120Hz
N/A
N/A
4k @ 120Hz
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)
Yes
Yes
Supported Resolutions
7.5
8.3
Resolution
4k
4k
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
No
No
1440p @ 60Hz
No
Yes (forced resolution required)
1440p @ 120Hz
No
No
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
Yes
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
Yes
4k @ 120Hz
No
No
8k @ 30Hz or 24Hz
No
No
8k @ 60Hz
No
No
Advanced Console Compatibility
PS5 Screenshot
Xbox Series X Screenshot
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
Yes
Yes
PS5, 4k @ 120Hz + HDR
No
PS5, 4k @ 120Hz
No
PS5, 4k @ 60Hz + HDR
Yes
PS5, 1440p @ 120Hz
No
PS5, 1080p @ 120Hz
No
PS5, Variable Refresh Rate
No
Xbox Series X, 4k @ 120Hz + HDR
No
Xbox Series X, 4k @ 120Hz
No
Xbox Series X, 4k @ 60Hz + HDR
Yes
Xbox Series X, 1440p @ 120Hz
No
Xbox Series X, 1080p @ 120Hz
No
Xbox Series X, Variable Refresh Rate
No
Inputs Specifications
HDR10
Yes
Yes
HDR10+
No
No
Dolby Vision
Yes
Yes
HLG
Yes
Yes
3D
No
HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth
Yes (HDMI 1,2,3,4)
Yes (HDMI 1,2,3,4)
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
CEC
Yes
Yes
HDCP 2.2
Yes (HDMI 1,2,3,4)
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)
Input Photos
Side Inputs Picture
Rear Inputs Picture
Total Inputs
HDMI
4
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 (adapter required, not incl.)
Tuner (Cable/Ant)
1
1
Ethernet
1
1
DisplayPort
0
0
IR In
0
0
SD/SDHC
0
0
Audio Passthrough
ARC
Yes (HDMI 4)
Yes (HDMI 4)
eARC support
No
Yes
Dolby Atmos via TrueHD via eARC
No
Yes
DTS:X via DTS-HD MA via eARC
No
Yes
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
6.3
6.6
Frequency Response
Low-Frequency Extension
151.02 Hz
126.99 Hz
Std. Dev. @ 70
2.82 dB
4.17 dB
Std. Dev. @ 80
2.87 dB
3.85 dB
Std. Dev. @ Max
4.96 dB
4.83 dB
Max
88.1 dB SPL
90.3 dB SPL
Dynamic Range Compression
3.85 dB
3.19 dB
Distortion
6.4
6.0
Total Harmonic Distortion
Weighted THD @ 80
0.071
0.231
Weighted THD @ Max
0.400
1.082
IMD @ 80
5.70%
13.99%
IMD @ Max
33.85%
29.89%
Smart Features
Interface
8.0
8.0
Smart TV Picture
Smart OS
Roku TV
Roku TV
Version
9.0
9.3.2
Ease of Use
Easy
Easy
Smoothness
Very Smooth
Very Smooth
Time Taken to Select YouTube
3 s
4 s
Time Taken to Change Backlight
4 s
3 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
Yes
Other Smart Features
No
No
Remote App
Roku
Roku
TV Controls
Controls Picture
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Misc
Power Consumption
47 W
44 W
Power Consumption (Max)
117 W
109 W
Firmware
9.1.2 build 6113-88
9.3.2 build 5006-88
Check Price
50"
50S525
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com50"
50S535
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com55"
55S525
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com55"
55S535
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com65"
65S525
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com65"
65S535
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
TCL 5 Series/S525 2019
TCL 5 Series/S535 2020 QLED
Comments
TCL 5 Series/S525 2019 vs TCL 5 Series/S535 2020 QLED: Main Discussion
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