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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Market Context
- Design
- Picture Quality
- Motion
- Inputs
- Sound Quality
- Smart Features
- Comments
TCL S Series/S305 2018 vs TCL 3 Series 2020
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
TCL S Series/S305 2018
TCL 3 Series 2020
Tested using Methodology v1.5
Updated Sep 03, 2021 10:43 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.6
Updated Apr 16, 2025 03:43 PM
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Amazon.com
TypeLED
Sub-TypeVA
Resolution1080p (except 28", 32")
TypeLED
Sub-TypeVA
Resolution720p
Variants
- 28S305 (28")
- 32S305 (32")
- 40S305 (40")
- 43S305 (43")
- 49S305 (49")
- 32S335 (32")
Our Verdict
TCL S Series/S305 2018
TCL 3 Series 2020
The TCL S Series/S305 2018 is a bit better than the TCL 3 Series 2020, but the units we tested have different resolutions. The 40 inch S305 we tested has a 1080p resolution, much lower input lag, and it removes 24p judder from native apps. The 32 inch 3 Series 2020 we tested has a 720p resolution, and it also has a much quicker response time.
Check Price
28"
28S305
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com40"
40S305
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com43"
43S305
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com49"
49S305
SEARCH
Amazon.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
5.7
5.2
1080p Input
10
0.0
Response Time
5.1
7.3
Full Comparison
Market Context
Design
Style
Design Picture
Curved
No
No
Accelerated Longevity Test
Uniformity Pictures
Month 26
50% Gray
Longevity Graph
Stand
Stand Picture
Back
Back Picture
Wall Mount
VESA 100x100
VESA 100x100
Borders
Borders Picture
Borders
0.71" (1.8 cm)
0.55" (1.4 cm)
Thickness
Thickness Picture
Max Thickness
2.95" (7.5 cm)
2.91" (7.4 cm)
Build Quality
6.0
5.5
Build quality picture
Picture Quality
Contrast
8.2
8.1
Checkerboard Picture
Native Contrast
3,519 : 1
3,333 : 1
Contrast with local dimming
N/A
N/A
SDR Brightness
4.6
4.3
Real Scene Peak Brightness
171 cd/m²
155 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
179 cd/m²
131 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
190 cd/m²
182 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
190 cd/m²
182 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
190 cd/m²
182 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
190 cd/m²
182 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
179 cd/m²
131 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
190 cd/m²
182 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
190 cd/m²
182 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
190 cd/m²
182 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
190 cd/m²
181 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.004
0.024
Local Dimming
0.0
0.0
LD Video, Moving Object
LD Video, Real Content
LD Video, Real Content Side View
Local Dimming
No
No
Backlight
Direct
Direct
Local Dimming In Game Mode
0.0
LD Video, Moving Object
LD Video, Real Content
LD Video, Real Content Side View
Local Dimming
No
Backlight
Direct
HDR Brightness
0.0
0.0
EOTF
Real Scene Highlight
N/A
N/A
Peak 2% Window
N/A
N/A
Peak 10% Window
N/A
N/A
Peak 25% Window
N/A
N/A
Peak 50% Window
N/A
N/A
Peak 100% Window
N/A
N/A
Sustained 2% Window
N/A
N/A
Sustained 10% Window
N/A
N/A
Sustained 25% Window
N/A
N/A
Sustained 50% Window
N/A
N/A
Sustained 100% Window
N/A
N/A
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
N/A
N/A
HDR Brightness In Game Mode
0.0
Game Mode EOTF
Real Scene Highlight
N/A
Peak 2% Window
N/A
Peak 10% Window
N/A
Peak 25% Window
N/A
Peak 50% Window
N/A
Peak 100% Window
N/A
Sustained 2% Window
N/A
Sustained 10% Window
N/A
Sustained 25% Window
N/A
Sustained 50% Window
N/A
Sustained 100% Window
N/A
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
N/A
Gray Uniformity
7.1
6.1
50% Uniformity Picture
50% Std. Dev.
4.287%
5.998%
50% DSE
0.186%
0.234%
5% Uniformity Picture
5% Std. Dev.
1.263%
1.787%
5% DSE
0.104%
0.110%
Black Uniformity
7.0
5.4
Native Black Uniformity Picture
Native Std. Dev.
1.304%
2.412%
Black Uniformity Picture with Local Dimming
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
N/A
N/A
Viewing Angle
6.5
6.7
Viewing Angle Video
Chroma Graph
Color Washout
51°
67°
Hue Graph
Color Shift
35°
26°
Lightness Graph
Brightness Loss
47°
68°
Black Level Raise
35°
12°
Gamma Shift
12°
12°
Reflections
7.4
7.4
Reflections Picture
Average Room Off Picture
Bright Room Off Picture
Screen Finish
Semi-gloss
Semi-gloss
Total Reflections
5.2%
5.2%
Indirect Reflections
0.5%
0.5%
Calculated Direct Reflections
4.7%
4.7%
Pre Calibration
7.9
3.7
Pre White Balance Picture
Pre Gamma Curve Picture
Pre Color Picture
White Balance dE
3.36
7.32
Color dE
2.04
4.80
Gamma
2.15
1.99
Color Temperature
6,435 K
7,502 K
Picture Mode
Movie
Movie
Color Temp Setting
Warm
Warm
Gamma Setting
N/A
Setting Not Available
Post Calibration
7.9
3.7
Post White Balance Picture
Post Gamma Curve Picture
Post Color Picture
White Balance dE
3.36
7.32
Color dE
2.04
4.80
Gamma
2.15
1.99
Color Temperature
6,448 K
7,502 K
White Balance Calibration
No
No
Color Calibration
No
No
Auto-Calibration Function
No
480p Input
8.0
7.5
480p Picture
720p Input
8.0
7.5
720p Picture
1080p Input
10
0.0
1080p Picture
4k Input
0.0
0.0
4k Picture
8k Input
0.0
0.0
8k Picture
Pixels
Pixels Picture
Type
LED
LED
Sub-Type
VA
VA
Color Gamut
6.6
5.9
Wide Color Gamut
No
No
Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture
DCI P3 xy
72.92%
64.12%
DCI P3 uv
80.39%
72.36%
Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture
Rec 2020 xy
52.36%
46.16%
Rec 2020 uv
58.79%
53.12%
EOTF
Color Volume
4.9
5.4
P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
Normalized DCI P3 Coverage ITP
50.4%
62.9%
10,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage ITP
16.7%
18.7%
2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
Normalized Rec 2020 Coverage ITP
47.9%
45.7%
10,000 cd/m² Rec 2020 Coverage ITP
15.9%
13.5%
Gradient
6.4
6.1
Gradient Picture
Color Depth
8 Bit
8 Bit
Red (Std. Dev.)
0.124
0.133
Green (Std. Dev.)
0.175
0.192
Blue (Std. Dev.)
0.120
0.134
Gray (Std. Dev.)
0.347
0.345
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
5.1
7.3
Motion Blur Picture
Response Time Chart
80% Response Time
5.3 ms
5.8 ms
100% Response Time
30.1 ms
16.0 ms
Flicker-Free
4.0
4.7
Backlight chart
Flicker-Free
No
No
PWM Dimming Frequency
120 Hz
180 Hz
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
5.4
4.5
BFI Picture
BFI Frequency Picture
Optional BFI
No
No
Min Flicker For 60 fps
120 Hz
180 Hz
60Hz For 60 fps
No
No
120Hz For 120 fps
N/A
N/A
Min Flicker for 60 fps in Game Mode
120 Hz
180 Hz
Motion Interpolation
Motion Interpolation (30 fps) Picture
Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
No
No
Motion Interpolation (60 fps) Picture
Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
No
No
Stutter
9.3
7.9
Frame Hold Time @ 24 fps
11.6 ms
25.7 ms
Frame Hold Time @ 60 fps
0.0 ms
0.7 ms
24p Judder
7.8
5.6
Judder-Free 24p
Yes
Yes
Judder-Free 24p via 60p
No
No
Judder-Free 24p via 60i
No
No
Judder-Free 24p via Native Apps
Yes
No
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
7.1
8.3
1080p @ 60Hz
28.7 ms
26.9 ms
1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
28.7 ms
43.6 ms
1440p @ 60Hz
N/A
N/A
4k @ 60Hz
N/A
N/A
4k @ 60Hz + 10-Bit HDR
N/A
N/A
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
N/A
N/A
4k @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
N/A
N/A
4k @ 60Hz With Interpolation
N/A
N/A
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)
No
No
Supported Resolutions
0.0
0.0
Resolution
1080p (except 28", 32")
720p
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
No
No
1080p @ 120Hz
No
No
1440p @ 60Hz
No
No
1440p @ 120Hz
No
No
4k @ 60Hz
No
No
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
No
No
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)
No
No
PS5, 4k @ 120Hz + HDR
No
PS5, 4k @ 120Hz
No
PS5, 4k @ 60Hz + HDR
No
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
No
Xbox Series X, 1440p @ 120Hz
No
Xbox Series X, 1080p @ 120Hz
No
Xbox Series X, Variable Refresh Rate
No
Inputs Specifications
HDR10
No
No
HDR10+
No
No
Dolby Vision
No
No
HLG
No
No
3D
No
HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth
No
No
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
CEC
Yes
Yes
HDCP 2.2
No
Unknown
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
3
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
1 (adapter required, not incl.)
Tuner (Cable/Ant)
1
1
Ethernet
0
0
DisplayPort
0
0
IR In
0
0
SD/SDHC
0
0
Audio Passthrough
ARC
Yes (HDMI 1)
Yes (HDMI 3)
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
5.6
5.8
Frequency Response
Low-Frequency Extension
134.54 Hz
169.51 Hz
Std. Dev. @ 70
6.02 dB
4.56 dB
Std. Dev. @ 80
5.95 dB
4.49 dB
Std. Dev. @ Max
6.90 dB
5.18 dB
Max
91.1 dB SPL
87.9 dB SPL
Dynamic Range Compression
4.15 dB
1.94 dB
Distortion
6.3
6.2
Total Harmonic Distortion
Weighted THD @ 80
0.162
0.485
Weighted THD @ Max
15.154
1.487
IMD @ 80
1.22%
6.58%
IMD @ Max
14.87%
14.94%
Smart Features
Interface
7.0
7.5
Smart TV Picture
Smart OS
Roku TV
Roku TV
Version
7.6
9.3.2
Ease of Use
Easy
Easy
Smoothness
Not Smooth
Average
Time Taken to Select YouTube
3 s
4 s
Time Taken to Change Backlight
3 s
4 s
Advanced Options
Some
Some
Ad-Free
10
0.0
Ads Picture
Ads
No
Yes
Opt-out
No Add
No
Suggested Content in Home
Yes
Yes
Opt-out of Suggested Content
No
Yes
Apps and Features
8.0
7.5
Apps Picture
App Selection
Great
Great
App Smoothness
Not Smooth
Average
Cast Capable
Yes
Yes
USB Drive Playback
Yes
Yes
USB Drive HDR Playback
N/A
No
HDR in Netflix
N/A
No
HDR in YouTube
N/A
No
Remote
6.0
6.0
Remote Picture
Size
Small
Small
Voice Control
No
No
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
38 W
24 W
Power Consumption (Max)
61 W
35 W
Firmware
7.5.2 build 4063-08
9.3.2 build 4217-48
Check Price
28"
28S305
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com40"
40S305
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com43"
43S305
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com49"
49S305
SEARCH
Amazon.com
TCL S Series/S305 2018
TCL 3 Series 2020
Comments
TCL S Series/S305 2018 vs TCL 3 Series 2020: Main Discussion
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