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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Picture Quality
- Motion
- Inputs
- Sound Quality
- Smart Features
- Comments
TCL 5 Series/S535 2020 QLED vs TCL 5 Series/S546 2021 QLED
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
TCL 5 Series/S535 2020 QLED
TCL 5 Series/S546 2021 QLED
Tested using Methodology v1.6
Updated Apr 16, 2025 03:25 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.11
Updated Apr 17, 2025 12:39 PM
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Amazon.com
Resolution4k
TypeLED
Sub-TypeVA
Resolution4k
TypeLED
Sub-TypeVA
Variants
- 50S535 (50")
- 55S535 (55")
- 65S535 (65")
- 75S535 (75")
- 50S546 (50")
- 55S546 (55")
- 65S546 (65")
- 75S546 (75")
Our Verdict
TCL 5 Series/S535 2020 QLED
TCL 5 Series/S546 2021 QLED
The TCL 5 Series/S535 2020 QLED and the TCL 5 Series/S546 2021 QLED are both good TVs. The S546 is an upgraded version of the S535, and while it gets better in some areas, it gets worse in others. The S546 gets brighter, making it a better choice for daytime viewing, and it has VRR support, which the S535 doesn't have. The S546 also supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, while the S535 only supports Dolby Vision. One area where the S535 is better is with the local dimming because the one on the S546 causes more blooming. Another main difference is that the S535 uses Roku TV as its smart OS while the S546 has Google TV, and while they have some differences, both OS are great.
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50"
50S535
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50S546
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55S535
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55S546
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65S535
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65S546
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75S535
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75S546
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Finding storeMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.7
7.2
Pre Calibration
8.0
3.1
SDR Brightness
6.1
8.1
Full Comparison
Design
Style
Design Picture
Curved
No
No
Accelerated Longevity Test
Uniformity Pictures
Month 26
50% Gray
Month 26
50% Gray
Longevity Graph
Stand
Stand Picture
Back
Back Picture
Wall Mount
VESA 300x200
VESA 300x300
Borders
Borders Picture
Borders
0.35" (0.9 cm)
0.35" (0.9 cm)
Thickness
Thickness Picture
Max Thickness
3.43" (8.7 cm)
3.16" (8.0 cm)
Build Quality
7.0
7.0
Build quality picture
Picture Quality
Contrast
9.4
9.0
Contrast Picture
Contrast
7,402 : 1
46,612 : 1
Native Contrast
7,200 : 1
7,775 : 1
Blooming
6.5
Blooming Photo
Lighting Zone Transitions
6.0
Preferred LD Video, Moving Object
Local Dimming
Yes
Yes
Backlight
Full-Array
Full-Array
Dimming Zones Count Of Tested TV
45
Contrast And Dark Details In Game Mode
8.5
Blooming Photo In Game Mode
Preferred LD Video, Moving Object In Game Mode
Game Transitions With VRR And Preferred LD
HDR Brightness
5.1
5.7
HDR Hallway Photo
HDR Cityscape Photo
HDR Landscape Photo
Hallway Lights (~1950 cd/m²)
362 cd/m²
Yellow Skyscraper (~700 cd/m²)
230 cd/m²
Landscape Pool (~300 cd/m²)
84 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
214 cd/m²
227 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
376 cd/m²
433 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
432 cd/m²
506 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
358 cd/m²
485 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
337 cd/m²
440 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
213 cd/m²
226 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
375 cd/m²
429 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
429 cd/m²
502 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
356 cd/m²
483 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
335 cd/m²
439 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.040
0.048
EOTF
Real Scene Highlight
247 cd/m²
HDR Brightness In Game Mode
5.2
5.5
HDR Hallway Photo
HDR Cityscape Photo
HDR Landscape Photo
Hallway Lights (~1950 cd/m²)
349 cd/m²
Yellow Skyscraper (~700 cd/m²)
218 cd/m²
Landscape Pool (~300 cd/m²)
78 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
214 cd/m²
228 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
380 cd/m²
433 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
437 cd/m²
506 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
364 cd/m²
484 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
343 cd/m²
440 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
213 cd/m²
226 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
379 cd/m²
429 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
435 cd/m²
501 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
362 cd/m²
483 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
341 cd/m²
439 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.041
0.048
Game Mode EOTF
Real Scene Highlight
252 cd/m²
PQ EOTF Tracking
8.4
PQ EOTF Graph
600 Nit Tracking Delta
0.0101
1000 Nit Tracking Delta
0.0102
4000 Nit Tracking Delta
0.0097
SDR Brightness
6.1
8.1
Real Scene Peak Brightness
242 cd/m²
481 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
186 cd/m²
253 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
325 cd/m²
477 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
372 cd/m²
552 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
309 cd/m²
527 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
291 cd/m²
477 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
184 cd/m²
249 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
325 cd/m²
471 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
370 cd/m²
547 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
308 cd/m²
525 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
290 cd/m²
476 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.041
0.046
Color Gamut
8.5
8.6
Wide Color Gamut
Yes
Yes
Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture
DCI P3 xy
93.96%
94.12%
DCI P3 uv
96.35%
96.23%
Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture
Rec 2020 xy
71.50%
76.07%
Rec 2020 uv
78.83%
77.74%
Color Volume
7.8
7.2
P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
1,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage ITP
29.6%
54.8%
2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
10,000 cd/m² Rec 2020 Coverage ITP
24.8%
27.2%
White Luminance
240 cd/m²
Red Luminance
54 cd/m²
Green Luminance
161 cd/m²
Blue Luminance
24 cd/m²
Cyan Luminance
185 cd/m²
Magenta Luminance
79 cd/m²
Yellow Luminance
216 cd/m²
Normalized DCI P3 Coverage ITP
84.1%
Normalized Rec 2020 Coverage ITP
70.6%
Local Dimming
7.0
LD Video, Moving Object
LD Video, Real Content
LD Video, Real Content Side View
Local Dimming
Yes
Yes
Backlight
Full-Array
Full-Array
Pre Calibration
8.0
3.1
Pre White Balance Picture
Pre Gamma Curve Picture
Pre Color Picture
White Balance dE
2.63
8.99
Color dE
2.38
4.87
Gamma
2.22
2.21
Color Temperature
6,085 K
5,899 K
Picture Mode
Movie
Movie
Color Temp Setting
Warm
Warm
Gamma Setting
2.2
2.2
Post Calibration
9.5
6.6
Post White Balance Picture
Post Gamma Curve Picture
Post Color Picture
White Balance dE
0.20
4.87
Color dE
1.28
2.93
Gamma
2.20
2.21
Color Temperature
6,493 K
6,271 K
White Balance Calibration
11 point
20 point
Color Calibration
Yes
No
Gray Uniformity
6.7
7.4
50% Uniformity Picture
50% Std. Dev.
4.445%
2.542%
50% DSE
0.210%
0.195%
5% Uniformity Picture
5% Std. Dev.
1.490%
1.257%
5% DSE
0.123%
0.109%
Black Uniformity
7.7
9.0
Black Uniformity Picture With Preferred Local Dimming
Std. Dev.
1.413%
0.585%
Native Black Uniformity Picture
Native Std. Dev.
0.903%
0.816%
Viewing Angle
5.0
5.5
Viewing Angle Video
Chroma Graph
Color Washout
23°
26°
Hue Graph
Color Shift
20°
38°
Lightness Graph
Brightness Loss
32°
32°
Black Level Raise
12°
12°
Gamma Shift
15°
18°
Reflections
7.0
7.1
Reflections Picture
Average Room Off Picture
Bright Room Off Picture
Screen Finish
Semi-gloss
Semi-gloss
Total Reflections
6.0%
5.9%
Indirect Reflections
1.0%
0.8%
Calculated Direct Reflections
5.0%
5.0%
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 Native Gradient
8.4
7.5
HDR Gradient Picture
100% Black to 50% Gray
4.0
50% Gray to 100% White
8.0
100% Black to 50% Red
8.0
50% Red to 100% Red
10
100% Black to 50% Green
6.0
50% Green to 100% Green
8.0
100% Black to 50% Blue
8.0
50% Blue to 100% Blue
8.0
Color Depth
10 Bit
Red (Std. Dev.)
0.086
Green (Std. Dev.)
0.092
Blue (Std. Dev.)
0.075
Gray (Std. Dev.)
0.140
Low-Quality Content Smoothing
5.6
Low-Quality Content Smoothing Picture
Smoothing
5.0
Detail Preservation
7.0
Upscaling: Sharpness Processing
8.0
6.5
Sharpness Picture - 480p
Pixels
Pixels Picture
Subpixel Layout
BGR
Type
LED
LED
Sub-Type
VA
VA
720p Input
8.0
720p Picture
1080p Input
9.0
1080p Picture
4k Input
10
4k Picture
8k Input
0.0
8k Picture
Temporary Image Retention
10
Image Retention Picture
IR after 0 min recovery
0.00%
IR after 2 min recovery
0.00%
IR after 4 min recovery
0.00%
IR after 6 min recovery
0.00%
IR after 8 min recovery
0.00%
IR after 10 min recovery
0.00%
Permanent Burn-In Risk
10
Permanent Burn-In Risk
No
Motion
Response Time
7.9
8.1
Motion Blur Picture
Response Time Chart
80% Response Time
5.2 ms
4.3 ms
100% Response Time
12.1 ms
12.2 ms
Flicker-Free
9.9
9.9
Backlight chart
Flicker-Free
No
No
PWM Dimming Frequency
960 Hz
960 Hz
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
BFI Picture
BFI Frequency Picture
Optional BFI
Yes
Yes
Min Flicker For 60 fps
60 Hz
60 Hz
60Hz For 60 fps
Yes
Yes
120Hz For 120 fps
N/A
N/A
Min Flicker for 60 fps in Game Mode
60 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
7.2
7.2
Frame Hold Time @ 24 fps
29.6 ms
29.5 ms
Frame Hold Time @ 60 fps
4.6 ms
4.5 ms
24p Judder
10
7.8
Judder-Free 24p
Yes
Yes
Judder-Free 24p via 60p
Yes
No
Judder-Free 24p via 60i
Yes
No
Judder-Free 24p via Native Apps
Yes
Yes
Variable Refresh Rate
0.0
7.1
Native Refresh Rate
60 Hz
60 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
No
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR
No
Yes
FreeSync
No
Yes
G-SYNC Compatible
No
No
4k VRR Maximum
N/A
60 Hz
4k VRR Minimum
No VRR support
48 Hz
1080p VRR Maximum
N/A
60 Hz
1080p VRR Minimum
No VRR support
48 Hz
1440p VRR Maximum
N/A
60 Hz
1440p VRR Minimum
No VRR support
48 Hz
VRR + Local Dimming
Yes
VRR Supported Connectors
No VRR support
Inputs
Input Lag
9.7
9.5
1080p @ 60Hz
11.2 ms
12.0 ms
1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
111.1 ms
111.4 ms
1080p @ 120Hz
N/A
N/A
1080p @ 144Hz
N/A
1440p @ 60Hz
10.9 ms
14.9 ms
1440p @ 120Hz
N/A
N/A
1440p @ 144Hz
N/A
4k @ 60Hz
10.8 ms
14.9 ms
4k @ 60Hz + 10-Bit HDR
10.8 ms
15.0 ms
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
10.9 ms
14.9 ms
4k @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
110.9 ms
99.3 ms
4k @ 60Hz With Interpolation
111.0 ms
99.3 ms
4k @ 120Hz
N/A
N/A
4k @ 144Hz
N/A
8k @ 60Hz
N/A
N/A
1080p with Variable Refresh Rate
N/A
1440p with VRR
N/A
4k with VRR
N/A
8k with VRR
N/A
Supported Resolutions
8.3
7.1
Resolution
4k
4k
480p @ 59.94Hz (Widescreen)
Yes
720p @ 59.94Hz
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
No
No
1080p @ 144Hz
No
1440p @ 60Hz
Yes (forced resolution required)
Yes (forced resolution required)
1440p @ 120Hz
No
No
1440p @ 144Hz
No
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
Yes
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
Yes
4k @ 120Hz
No
No
4k @ 120Hz @ 4:4:4
No
4k @ 144Hz
No
8k @ 30Hz or 24Hz
No
No
8k @ 60Hz
No
No
PS5 Compatibility
PS5 Screenshot
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
Yes
Yes
4k @ 120Hz
No
No
1440p @ 120Hz
No
No
1080p @ 120Hz
No
No
HDR
Yes
Xbox Series X Screenshot
VRR
No
Yes
PS5, 4k @ 120Hz + HDR
No
PS5, 4k @ 60Hz + HDR
Yes
Xbox Series X, 4k @ 120Hz + HDR
No
Xbox Series X, 4k @ 120Hz
No
No
Xbox Series X, 4k @ 60Hz + HDR
Yes
Xbox Series X, 1440p @ 120Hz
No
No
Xbox Series X, 1080p @ 120Hz
No
No
Xbox Series X, Variable Refresh Rate
No
Yes
Xbox Series X|S Compatibility
Xbox Series X Screenshot
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
Yes
4k @ 120Hz
No
No
1440p @ 120Hz
No
No
1080p @ 120Hz
No
No
HDR
Yes
VRR
No
Yes
Inputs Specifications
HDR10
Yes
Yes
HDR10+
No
Yes
Dolby Vision
Yes
Yes
HLG
Yes
Yes
HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth
Yes (HDMI 1,2,3,4)
Yes (HDMI 1,2,3)
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
CEC
Yes
Yes
HDCP 2.2
Yes (HDMI 1,2,3,4)
Yes (HDMI 1,2,3)
ATSC Tuner
1.0
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
3
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 (adapter required, not incl.)
1 (adapter required, not incl.)
Tuner (Cable/Ant)
1
1
Ethernet
1
1
DisplayPort
0
0
IR In
0
0
SD/SDHC
0
Audio Passthrough
ARC/eARC Port
Yes
eARC
eARC: Dolby Atmos Over Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Yes
eARC: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Yes
eARC: LPCM 7.1 Over Dolby MAT
Yes
eARC: Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Yes
ARC
Yes (HDMI 4)
eARC: DTS:X Over DTS-HD MA
Yes
No
eARC: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
No
eARC: LPCM Channels (Bitstream)
2.1
ARC: Dolby Digital 5.1
Yes
Yes
ARC: DTS 5.1
Yes
No
Optical: Dolby Digital 5.1
Yes
Yes
Optical: DTS 5.1
Yes
No
Sound Quality
Frequency Response
6.6
6.0
Frequency Response
Low-Frequency Extension
126.99 Hz
134.54 Hz
Std. Dev. @ 70
4.17 dB
5.00 dB
Std. Dev. @ 80
3.85 dB
4.81 dB
Std. Dev. @ Max
4.83 dB
5.23 dB
Max
90.3 dB SPL
88.2 dB SPL
Dynamic Range Compression
3.19 dB
3.67 dB
Distortion
6.0
6.1
Total Harmonic Distortion
Weighted THD @ 80
0.231
0.062
Weighted THD @ Max
1.082
0.282
IMD @ 80
13.99%
14.89%
IMD @ Max
29.89%
50.79%
Smart Features
Interface
8.0
8.0
Smart TV Picture
Smart OS
Roku TV
Google TV
Version
9.3.2
11
Ease of Use
Easy
Average
Smoothness
Very Smooth
Average
Time Taken to Select YouTube
4 s
2 s
Time Taken to Change Backlight
3 s
2 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
9.0
Apps Picture
App Selection
Great
Great
App Smoothness
Average
Very Smooth
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
Many Features
CEC Menu Control
Yes
Yes
Other Smart Features
No
No
Remote App
Roku
Android TV
TV Controls
Controls Picture
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Misc
Power Consumption
44 W
73 W
Power Consumption (Max)
109 W
242 W
Firmware
9.3.2 build 5006-88
V8-R51MT05-LF1V173.020128
Check Price
50"
50S535
Searching
Finding store50"
50S546
Searching
Finding store55"
55S535
Searching
Finding store55"
55S546
Searching
Finding store65"
65S535
Searching
Finding store65"
65S546
Searching
Finding store75"
75S535
Searching
Finding store75"
75S546
Searching
Finding store
TCL 5 Series/S535 2020 QLED
TCL 5 Series/S546 2021 QLED
Comments
TCL 5 Series/S535 2020 QLED vs TCL 5 Series/S546 2021 QLED: Main Discussion
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