Two of 55-Inch 4K LED TVs that we should consider from TCL are TCL 55R617 and 55S425. They are both introduced as part of TCL’s 2018 TV lineup. TCL 55R617 is positioned higher than TCL 55S425. Which of those two 55-Inch 4K LED TVs is the one that we should choose? To answer that question, we need to know the similarities and differences between those two TVs. Let’s talk about the similarities and differences of those two TVs to help decide between those two 55-Inch 4K UHD TVs.
TCL 55R617 and 55S425 Similarities
There are several similarities that we can find between TCL 55R617 and 55S425 since they are both introduced by TCL. Do you want to know more about their similarities? Let’s talk about that together.
1. 4K UHD Resolution with 4K Upscaling Technology
Both of TCL 55R617 and 55S425 come with 4K UHD Resolution. They are both also completed with 4K Upscaling technology. With 4K UHD Resolution that combined with 4K Upscaling Technology, we can enjoy excellent clarity on those two TV screen both from original 4K content sources or non 4K contents that upscaled into near 4K picture quality.
2. Refresh Rate Technology
We can find that the refresh rate technology of TCL 55R617 and 55S425 are similar. They both come with 120Hz CMI. 120Hz CMI is able to deliver smooth motion images for your favorite action movies and sports. We can also enjoy non-lagging gaming scenes when we use those two TVs as our gaming monitor.
3. Processor
The processor of TCL 55R617 and 55S425 are similar. They both come with dual-core CPU and dual-core GPU. Dual-core GPU & GPU is able to optimize the color, clarity and contrast of the picture delivered on the TV screen.
4. Smart TV Platform
Roku TV is the smart TV platform that installed on both of TCL 55R617 and 55S425. Roku TV is able to deliver wide range of entertainment from our favorite content providers. We can also enjoy fast and stable internet connection for uninterrupted streaming experience on those two TVs since those two TVs are completed with 802.11ac dual band wireless.
5. Speaker System
We can find similar speaker system installed on TCL 55R617 and 55S425. They both come with 2Ch 16W speaker system. It indeed quite basic speaker system for 55-Inch 4K UHD TV. But We can still enjoy good sound quality since the speaker system of those two TVs are completed with Dolby Digital. If you have higher audio taste, I’m sure that you need to attach your soundbar to enjoy more powerful surround sound that meets your audio expectation.
To summarize the similarities of TCL 55R617 and 55S425, we can create the table below.
| TCL 55R617 | TCL 55S425 | |
| Introduced | 2018 | 2018 |
| Screen Size | 55-Inch | 55-Inch |
| Display Technology | LED | LED |
| Resolution | 4K UHD | 4K UHD |
| 4K Upscaling Technology | YES | YES |
| Refresh Rate Technology | 120Hz CMI | 120Hz CMI |
| Processor | CPU: Dual-core / GPU: Dual-core | CPU: Dual-core / GPU: Dual-core |
| Smart TV Platform | Roku TV | Roku TV |
| Built-in Wi-fi | 802.11ac dual band | 802.11ac dual band |
| Speaker System | 2CH 16W | 2Ch 16W |
| HDMI/USB | 3/1 | 3/1 |
TCL 55R617 and 55S425 Differences
As two different models, we can find that there are few differences between TCL 55R617 and 55S425. What are the differences between those two TCL 55-Inch 4K UHD TVs? Let’s take a look at their differences together.
1. Contrast Control Zones
The first difference of TCL 55R617 and 55S425 come from the contrast control zones that we can find in TCL 55R617. Contrast Control Zones works as local dimming that can more striking contrast between the brightest and darkest part of the screen. There are 96 contrast control zones that we can find in TCL 55R617. With 96 Contrast Control Zones installed on TCL 55R617, we can enjoy more vibrant contrast in TCL 55R617 than TCL 55S425.
2. NBP Photon Technology and IPQ Engine
We can find TCL’s NBP Photon Technology installed on TCL 55R617. NBP Photon Technology is able to deliver wide color gamut so that we can enjoy more vivid color on the TV screen. We can also find IPQ Engine installed on TCL 55R617 that can deliver accurate color reproduction and optimized DCI-P3 color space coverage. With NBP Photon Technology and IPQ Engine, we can enjoy richer and more accurate color details in TCL 55R617 than TCL 55S425 that doesn’t come with NBP Photon Technology and IPQ Engine.
3. HDR Pro Gamma
TCL 55R617 comes with HDR Pro Gamma that we can’t find in TCL 55S425. HDR Pro Gamma is able to make the screen delivers excellent details by adapting to the light environment. With HDR Pro Gamma we can still enjoy good details whether we are watching in bright or dark environment.
4. HDR Format Support
Both of TCL 55R617 and 55S425 support HDR. They both support HDR10 format. With HDR10 support, we can enjoy enhanced details with expanded contrast from our favorite HDR10 content sources. Additionally TCL 55R617 also supports Dolby Vision format. With Dolby Vision support, we can also enjoy Dolby Vision HDR on TCL 55R617 screen.
5. Remote Control
The remote control that included with TCL 55R617 and 55S425 are different. TCL 55R617 comes with Voice Enabled Remote Control RC580, while TCL 55S425 comes with standard Roku TV RC280. With Voice Enabled Remote Control RC580 we can control TCL 55R617 more conveniently with our voice. While we can only control TCL 55S425 with standard control with RC280 remote.
6. Price
As TCL 55R617 is the model that positioned higher than TCL 55S425, usually we can find that TCL 55R617 is offered at the higher price than TCL 55S425. But how about their price difference? We can find that TV prices are changing from time to time. So it’s important for us to check the price of those two TVs to find their latest price difference.
We can summarize the differences of TCL 55R617 and 55S425 with the table below.
| TCL 55R617 | TCL 55S425 | |
| Contrast Control Zones | 96 Zones | NO |
| TCL’s NBP Photon Technology | YES | NO |
| IPQ Engine | YES | NO |
| HDR Pro Gamma | YES | NO |
| HDR Format Support | HDR10+Dolby Vision | HDR10 |
| Remote Control | RC580 | RC280 |
| Price | Check Today’s Price (Amazon) | Check Today’s Price |
Conclusion
We have talked about TCL 55R617 and 55S425 and we can find that TCL 55R617 comes with better picture technology than TCL 55S425. TCL 55R617 is able to deliver better contrast with 96 Contrast Control Zones that combined with HDR Pro Gamma, while It also can deliver richer and more accurate colors with NBP Photon Technology combined with IPQ Engine. We can also enjoy Dolby Vision HDR that supported by TCL 55R617 and Voice Control with included RC580 remote control. So if you are looking for better color quality, as well as Dolby Vision support and Voice Enabled remote, and we don’t mind to spend higher, then We should choose TCL 55R617. Where’s recommended place to order TCL 55R617? You should Order TCL 55R617 from Amazon here…
TCL 55S425 is the basic version of TCL 55R617. It’s the model that you should choose if you have more limited budget. Although It doesn’t come with local dimming zones, IPQ Engine and HDR Pro Gamma, we can still enjoy good picture quality in both of 4K UHD Resolution and HD contents that upscaled into near 4K with 4K Creative Pro upscaling engine. We can also enjoy enhanced details with expanded contrast from HDR sources although it’s only HDR10 content format. RC280 is also enough to control the TV although we can’t use our voice. So if you have more limited budget, then TCL 55S425 is the model that you should choose.