Two choices that we should consider if we are looking for more affordable Full-Array 4K LED TV in 2020 are TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020. TCL 6-Series 2019 was released as part of TCL’s 2019 TV lineup while TCL 5-Series 2020 comes as part of TCL’s 2020 TV lineup. TCL 6-Series 2019 comes with only two screen size options : 65-Inch (65R625) and 55-Inch (55R625) while TCL 5-Series 2020 comes with 4 screen size options : 75-Inch (75S535), 65-Inch (65S535), 55-Inch (55S535) and 50-Inch (50S535). Which is better? In this article, we will talk about similarities and differences of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020 to find out out which of them is better.
Similarities of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020
We can find that there are several similarities between TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020 although they indeed come from different lineup year as well as different series. Before we talk further about their similarities, let’s take a look at their similar specs and features in the table below.
| TCL 6-Series 2019 | TCL 5-Series 2020 | |
| Display Technology | LED | LED |
| Display Resolution | 4K UHD | 4K UHD |
| Backlight Technology | Full Array LED | Full Array LED |
| Dimming Technology | Local Dimming (Contrast Control Zones) | Local Dimming (Contrast Control Zones) |
| Color Technology | Quantum Dot Color | Quantum Dot Color |
| HDR Support |
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| Picture Engine | AiPQ Engine | AiPQ Engine |
| Motion Technology | Natural Motion 240 | Natural Motion 240 |
| Gaming Technology | Auto Game Mode | Auto Game Mode |
| Smart TV Platform | Roku TV | Roku TV |
| Control Support |
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| Built-in Wi-fi | 802.11ac dual band | 802.11ac dual band |
| Speaker System | 2Ch 16W | 2Ch 16W (except 75-Inch 2Ch 24W) |
| HDMI/ USB Inputs | 4/1 | 4/1 |
Based on their similar specs and features that we can find in the table above, let’s talk more about similarities of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020.
1. Full Array LED Backlight with Contrast Control Zones
We can find that both of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020 come with similar Full Array LED backlight that completed with Contrast Control Zones as its local dimming. Full Array LED backlight is able to deliver superior light uniformity while Contrast Control Zones brings excellent contrast between the bright and dark part of their screen.
2. 4K UHD Resolution with Quantum Dot Color
Both of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020 come with 4K UHD Resolution that completed with upscaling technology that allow us to enjoy excellent picture clarity from both of original 4K content sources and non 4K contents that upscaled into near 4K picture quality. We can also find Quantum Dot Technology integrated with both TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020 so that we can enjoy rich and accurate color details on the screen of those two TVs with Quantum Dot color.
3. HDR Support and Picture Engine
We can enjoy enhanced details and expanded contrast from wide range of HDR content sources since both of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020 already support HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision. We can also find AiPQ Engine integrated as the picture engine of those two TV models. It can optimizes the color, clarity and contrast for the picture delivered on the screen of those two TV models while also can brings smart 4K upscaling for better non 4K upscaling result.
4. Motion and Gaming Technology
The motion technology of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020 are similar. They both come with Natural Motion 240. It can delivers smooth motion images for our favorite action movies and sports. We can also find Auto Game Mode integrated with Natural Motion 240 of those two TV models. Auto Game Mode allows us to enjoy more immersive gaming experience when we use those two TVs as our gaming monitor.
5. Smart TV Platform and Control Support
Roku TV is installed as the smart TV platform of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020. It can delivers wide range of premium entertainment from our favorite content providers. We can also find 802.11ac dual band wireless attached to both of those two TVs to deliver fast and stable internet connection. Although their included remote control are different, we can also control both of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020 conveniently with Roku Mobile App that can be installed in our smartphone as well as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa that already supported by those two TVs.
6. Speaker System
We can find similar speaker system integrated as the internal speaker system of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020. They both come with 2CH 16W speaker system (except 75-Inch screen size option of TCL 6-Series 2019 2CH 24W). Although they come with quite basic speaker system, we can still enjoy good sound quality from those two TV models. For sure, it’s a good idea to attach additional soundbar to bring more powerful surround sound to those two TVs.
Differences of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020
Besides a number of similarities that we have talked above, we can also find that there are few differences between TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020. Before we talk more about their differences, let’s take a look at their different specs and features in table below.
| TCL 6-Series 2019 | TCL 5-Series 2020 | |||||||
| Introduced | 2019 | 2020 | ||||||
| Number of Contrast Control Zones |
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| Remote Control | RC580 | RC280 | ||||||
| Audio Return Channel | ARC | eARC (Enhanced ARC) | ||||||
| Price | Higher | Lower | ||||||
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After we look at their different specs and features in the table of differences above, let’s talk more about the differences of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-Series 2020.
1. Number of Active LED Zones
While both of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-series 2020 come with similar Full Array LED that completed with Contrast Control Zones as its local dimming, we can find that the number of Active LED Zones integrated on the screen of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-series 2020 are different. TCL 6-Series 2019 comes with more Active LED Zones than TCL 5-series 2020. With more Active LED Zones, TCL 6-Series 2019 is able to deliver better contrast vibrancy across its Full Array LED screen than TCL 5-Series 2020.
2. Remote Control
If we look at the remote control that included with TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-series 2020, we can find that the remote control included with those two TV models are different. TCL 6-Series 2019 comes with RC580 voice enhanced remote while TCL 5-series 2020 comes with only RC280 remote. RC580 remote is completed with built-in microphone that allow us to control TCL 6-Series 2019 with our voice. While RC280 is only standard remote control that doesn’t come with any built-in mic for voice control.
3. ARC Version
We can find that the Audio Return Channel (ARC) version integrated with TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-series 2020 are different. TCL 6-Series 2019 comes with only standard ARC while TCL 5-series 2020 already comes with eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel). eARC comes as improvement of standard ARC that supports higher-quality audio formats like DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Atmos as It has greater bandwidth.
4. Price
We can find that TCL 6-Series 2019 is usually offered at the higher price than TCL 5-series 2020 for similar screen size option. It’s a good idea to check the price of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-series 2020 if you are interested to know their latest price difference since TV prices often change over time.
Which is Better?
After we talk about similarities and differences of TCL 6-Series 2019 and 5-series 2020, we can find that TCL 6-Series 2019 is better when it comes to contrast vibrancy and remote control. TCL 6-Series 2019 is able to deliver better contrast vibrancy since It comes with more Active LED Zones integrated across its screen. It’s also completed with more advanced RC580 remote control that comes with built-in mic for voice control. TCL 6-Series 2019 is offered at the higher price than TCL 5-Series 2020. If you don’t mind to spend higher for more active LED Zones and voice enhanced remote control, then TCL 6-Series 2019 is the model that you should choose.
| TCL 6-Series 2019 Price | |
| 65-Inch (65R625) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 55-Inch (55R625) | Check Today’s Price (BestBuy.com)… |
TCL 5-Series 2020 is the model that positioned lower if we look at its series number but it’s newer from lineup year. TCL 5-Series 2020 is the better model when It comes to Audio Return Channel as It already comes with eARC (Enhanced ARC). It’s also less expensive in price while already comes with Full Array LED backlight and Active LED Zones. If you have more limited budget, TCL 5-Series 2020 is the model that you should consider since It already comes with Full Array Local Dimming as well as Quantum Dot Color. We can also find eARC integrated with it for higher-quality audio that give us another reason to choose it.
| TCL 5-Series 2020 Price | |
| 75-Inch (75S535) | Check Today’s Price (BHPhotoVideo.com)… |
| 65-Inch (65S535) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 55-Inch (55S535) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 50-Inch (50S535) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |