TCL · Television Reviews · Q651G

TCL Q6/Q65 Q651G Review: An Affordable QLED With Important Size Differences

The 2024 TCL Q651G is a value-focused 4K QLED Google TV with broad HDR support, useful gaming features and sizes ranging from 43 to 98 inches. The 43- through 75-inch models are native 60Hz televisions, while the substantially different 85- and 98-inch versions use native 120Hz panels and support 4K gaming at up to 144Hz with VRR. Tech Steve found the tested 43-inch model colorful, responsive and well suited to casual viewing, but its modest bass and entry-level contrast and brightness keep it below TCL's Mini-LED QM7.

Video summary

Tech Steve unboxes and sets up the 43-inch TCL Q651G, examines its feet, removable power cord, wall-mount points, connections and remote, and walks through the Google TV setup process. He finds the interface responsive and highlights Google Assistant, Alexa compatibility, Apple AirPlay, HomeKit, streaming apps and basic-TV setup. His viewing impressions describe bright, vivid colors and decent black levels for an affordable direct-lit television. The speakers provide clear dialogue but limited bass, making them suitable for news and casual programs while a soundbar is recommended for movies. He concludes that the Q6 is a balanced budget television, although shoppers able to spend more should consider the brighter Mini-LED QM7 with local dimming.

Bottom line

Tech Steve Takeaway

Buy the Q651G when price, strong color and an easy Google TV experience matter more than premium HDR impact or deep black levels. Choose the 85- or 98-inch version if you need true 4K high-refresh gaming; the 43- through 75-inch sizes remain native 60Hz models. If your budget can stretch further, the QM7 is the more capable choice for serious movie watching and high-performance gaming.

The TCL Q651G combines a 4K QLED display with Google TV, broad HDR compatibility, Dolby Atmos processing, DTS Virtual:X, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast. The 43- through 75-inch versions use native 60Hz panels with reduced-resolution Game Accelerator 120, while the 85- and 98-inch versions upgrade to native 120Hz panels, 4K 144Hz VRR inputs, four HDMI ports, AIPQ PRO processing and built-in woofers.

Picture quality

Tech Steve described the tested 43-inch model as bright and vivid, with great color and decent black levels for its price class. QLED quantum-dot color is used across the series, while TCL's AIPQ processing handles color, contrast, clarity and 4K upscaling. This remains a value-oriented LED television rather than a Mini-LED model designed for premium contrast.

HDR performance

Every Q651G size supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG. This unusually broad format compatibility is a strength at the price point. TCL does not publish a numeric peak-brightness specification for the series, and Tech Steve cautions that shoppers should not expect the brightness or black-level performance of TCL's higher-tier QM7.

Gaming performance

ALLM and VRR-based Game Accelerator features are available, but gaming capability changes dramatically by size. The 43- through 75-inch models have physical 60Hz panels and accept a maximum verified 60Hz signal at 4K. Game Accelerator 120 reaches higher frame rates only at a reduced resolution and must not be confused with 4K 120Hz. The 85- and 98-inch models have physical 120Hz panels, with HDMI 1 supporting 4K up to 144Hz with VRR and HDMI 2 supporting 4K up to 120Hz.

Motion handling

The 43- through 75-inch models use native 60Hz panels with Motion Rate 240 and MEMC processing. Those processing features can smooth motion but do not turn the display into a native 120Hz television. The 85- and 98-inch versions use native 120Hz panels, Motion Rate 480 processing and a maximum verified 144Hz rate at 4K when VRR is enabled.

Sound quality

On the tested 43-inch model, Tech Steve heard good clarity but limited bass. Dialogue, news and casual television should be adequately served by the built-in speakers, helped by dialogue enhancement and intelligent sound settings. Movies benefit from an external sound system. The 43- through 75-inch models use 30W two-speaker systems, while the 85-inch adds a 20W woofer for 50W total output and the 98-inch uses a 40W system with a 20W woofer. Dolby Atmos processing and DTS Virtual:X are supported.

Smart TV experience

Google TV provides streaming apps, profiles, voice search, Google Assistant and an optional basic-TV setup for shoppers who do not want to connect to Wi-Fi. Tech Steve found the tested television responsive during navigation. Chromecast built-in, Apple AirPlay 2, HomeKit support and Alexa compatibility expand casting and smart-home options. Voice control requires the Bluetooth remote to be paired during setup.

Calibration notes

Available SDR picture modes include Vivid, Low Power, Smart HDR, Sports and Movie. Movie mode is the sensible starting point for natural-looking films, while Vivid emphasizes a brighter, more saturated presentation. Signal-specific Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HDR10+ mode names are not listed in TCL's documentation.

Size variations

All sizes have 3840 x 2160 QLED LCD displays. TCL does not publish per-size peak-brightness figures or local-dimming zone counts.

43-inch 43Q651G: Direct-lit QLED LCD; native and maximum verified 4K refresh rate of 60Hz. Three HDMI inputs, 30W two-speaker audio and reduced-resolution Game Accelerator 120. VESA 100 x 200 mm; stand footprint 28.2 inches wide by 7.3 inches deep. Dimensions with stand are 37.6 x 23.6 x 7.3 inches, and weight is 14.8 pounds. Original MSRP: $499.99.

50-inch 50Q651G: Direct-lit QLED LCD; native and maximum verified 4K refresh rate of 60Hz. Three HDMI inputs, 30W two-speaker audio and reduced-resolution Game Accelerator 120. VESA 300 x 300 mm; stand footprint 33.6 inches wide by 11.7 inches deep. Dimensions with stand are 43.7 x 27.6 x 11.7 inches, and weight is 20.1 pounds. Original MSRP: $549.99.

55-inch 55Q651G: Direct-lit QLED LCD; native and maximum verified 4K refresh rate of 60Hz. Three HDMI inputs, 30W two-speaker audio and reduced-resolution Game Accelerator 120. VESA 300 x 300 mm; stand footprint 36.2 inches wide by 10.8 inches deep. Dimensions with stand are 48.2 x 30.0 x 10.8 inches, and weight is 23.6 pounds. Original MSRP: $599.99.

65-inch 65Q651G: Direct-lit QLED LCD; native and maximum verified 4K refresh rate of 60Hz. Three HDMI inputs, 30W two-speaker audio and reduced-resolution Game Accelerator 120. VESA 400 x 300 mm; stand footprint 44.6 inches wide by 12.6 inches deep. Dimensions with stand are 56.9 x 35.2 x 12.6 inches, and weight is 36.2 pounds. Original MSRP: $749.99.

75-inch 75Q651G: Direct-lit QLED LCD; native and maximum verified 4K refresh rate of 60Hz. Three HDMI inputs, 30W two-speaker audio and reduced-resolution Game Accelerator 120. VESA 400 x 400 mm; stand footprint 51.8 inches wide by 13.7 inches deep. Dimensions with stand are 65.6 x 40.8 x 13.7 inches, and weight is 51.2 pounds. Original MSRP: $1,099.99.

85-inch 85Q651G: QLED LCD with LED backlight and AIPQ PRO processing; native 120Hz panel with a maximum verified 4K refresh rate of 144Hz using VRR. It has four HDMI inputs, including 4K 144Hz support on HDMI 1 and 4K 120Hz on HDMI 2, plus hands-free voice control, three USB ports and a 50W audio system with a built-in 20W woofer. VESA 600 x 400 mm; stand footprint 59.6 inches wide by 14.7 inches deep. Dimensions with stand are 74.4 x 45.5 x 14.7 inches, and weight is 78.9 pounds. Original MSRP: $1,599.99.

98-inch 98Q651G: QLED LCD with LED backlight and AIPQ PRO processing; native 120Hz panel with a maximum verified 4K refresh rate of 144Hz using VRR. It has four HDMI inputs, including 4K 144Hz support on HDMI 1 and 4K 120Hz on HDMI 2, plus hands-free voice control, three USB ports and a 40W audio system with a built-in 20W woofer. VESA 500 x 600 mm; stand footprint 68.5 inches wide by 16.5 inches deep. Dimensions with stand are 85.8 x 50.8 x 16.5 inches, and weight is 124.6 pounds. Original MSRP: $3,999.99.

What we like

Vivid QLED color and 4K resolution across all seven sizes
Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG
Responsive Google TV experience with Chromecast and AirPlay 2
ALLM and VRR-based gaming features across the series
85- and 98-inch models support true 4K gaming at up to 144Hz with VRR
Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X and dialogue enhancement are included
Wide selection of screen sizes from 43 to 98 inches

What to consider

43- through 75-inch models are native 60Hz televisions, not native 120Hz
Game Accelerator 120 on the 43- through 75-inch sizes requires reduced resolution
Built-in speakers on the tested 43-inch model have limited bass
Three HDMI inputs on the 43- through 75-inch models may be restrictive
HDR brightness and black-level performance trail TCL's Mini-LED models
Wide-spaced feet require appropriately sized furniture
Large 85- and 98-inch versions differ substantially from the smaller sizes

Tech Steve verdict

The TCL Q651G is a practical budget QLED for shoppers who want vivid color, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ compatibility, Google TV and broad casting support without paying for a premium backlight system. The 43- through 75-inch models are best for everyday streaming, television and casual 60Hz gaming, but their three HDMI inputs, limited bass and reduced-resolution Game Accelerator mode are meaningful tradeoffs. The 85- and 98-inch variants are much more capable gaming displays because they add native 120Hz panels, verified 4K 144Hz VRR input, four HDMI ports, stronger processing and built-in woofers. Movie enthusiasts seeking brighter HDR and more controlled black levels should step up to a Mini-LED model such as the TCL QM7.

Choose your size

Size-by-size buying guide

Brightness measurements are shown only for the exact size researched. Recommended distance uses a 30°-40° field-of-view range for mixed TV and cinematic viewing.

Size / model	Panel / finish	Refresh	Dimming zones	Peak HDR	VESA	Feet width	Viewing distance	Buy
43"43Q651GMSRP $499.99	QLED LCD with direct-lit LED backlight	60 Hz native	—	No size-specific test	100 x 200	28.2 in	4.9-6.7 ft	Check price ↗
50"50Q651GMSRP $549.99	QLED LCD with direct-lit LED backlight	60 Hz native	—	No size-specific test	300 x 300	33.6 in	5.7-7.8 ft	Check price ↗
55"55Q651GMSRP $599.99	QLED LCD with direct-lit LED backlight	60 Hz native	—	No size-specific test	300 x 300	36.2 in	6.3-8.6 ft	Check price ↗
65"65Q651GMSRP $749.99	QLED LCD with direct-lit LED backlight	60 Hz native	—	No size-specific test	400 x 300	44.6 in	7.4-10.1 ft	Check price ↗
75"75Q651GMSRP $1,099.99	QLED LCD with direct-lit LED backlight	60 Hz native	—	No size-specific test	400 x 400	51.8 in	8.6-11.7 ft	Check price ↗
85"85Q651GMSRP $1,599.99	QLED LCD with LED backlight	120 Hz native Up to 144 Hz at native resolution	—	No size-specific test	600 x 400	59.6 in	9.7-13.2 ft	Check price ↗
98"98Q651GMSRP $3,999.99	QLED LCD with LED backlight	120 Hz native Up to 144 Hz at native resolution	—	No size-specific test	500 x 600	68.5 in	11.2-15.2 ft	Check price ↗

What makes it different

Exclusive technology

QLED PRO

Uses quantum-dot color conversion to expand color gamut; TCL says it covers nearly the entire DCI-P3 color space.

High Brightness+ LED Backlight

TCL's branded brighter direct-lit backlight system. TCL does not publish a numeric nit claim for this series.

TCL AIPQ Processor

Processes incoming video to adjust color, contrast, clarity and 4K upscaling. The 85- and 98-inch variants are identified with the AIPQ PRO version.

HDR PRO+

TCL's name for the series' combined support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG.

Motion Rate 240 with MEMC

Motion processing and frame insertion used on the 43-75-inch models; it does not change their physical 60Hz panel rate.

Motion Rate 480 with MEMC

Motion-processing branding used on the 85- and 98-inch models with their physical 120Hz panels.

Game Accelerator 120

Allows up to 120Hz variable-refresh gaming on the 43-75-inch 60Hz models by using a reduced resolution; it is not 4K 120Hz or a native 120Hz panel mode.

Game Accelerator 240

Gaming enhancement used on the 85- and 98-inch variants. Their manuals separately verify 4K 144Hz VRR on HDMI 1 and 4K 120Hz on HDMI 2.

Auto Game Mode

Uses Auto Low Latency Mode to select the low-latency game configuration when compatible gaming hardware is detected.

Enhanced Dialogue Mode

Audio processing intended to make speech more intelligible.

DTS Virtual:X

Virtual surround and height processing designed to create a more spacious presentation through the television speakers.

Specifications

Audio

Speaker SystemSize-dependent: 43-75-inch models use a two-speaker system; 85- and 98-inch models add a built-in woofer.

Included Rear SpeakersNo

Dolby AtmosYes

Dolby Audio FormatsDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital

DTS SupportYes

DTS Audio FormatsDTS, DTS Virtual:X

Sound ModesAuto audio processing, Dolby Atmos processing, DTS Virtual:X processing, Off

Dialogue EnhancementYes

Voice AssistantsGoogle Assistant, Amazon Alexa

Optional AccessoriesCompatible VESA wall mount, Optional TCL webcam for supported video-call applications

Connectivity

HDMI eARCYes

AirPlayYes

ChromecastYes

Design & Installation

Wall Mount IncludedNo

Gaming

VRRSize-dependent: 43-75-inch models have Game Accelerator 120 for up to 120Hz VRR at a reduced, non-4K resolution; the exact reduced-resolution mode was not stated in the TCL sources reviewed. The 85- and 98-inch models support VRR through 4K at up to 144Hz.

ALLMYes