When we talk about more affordable 4K LED TV in 2021, I’m sure that we have to mention TCL S535 and S435 in our choice list. TCL S535 and TCL S435 are both introduced as part of TCL’s 2020/2021 TV lineup. TCL S535 is introduced as TCL’s 2020/2021 5-Series that makes it positioned higher than TCL S435 from TCL’s 2020/2021 4-Series. There are 4 screen size options for TCL S535 : 75-Inch (75S535), 65-Inch (65S535), 55-Inch (55S535) and 50-Inch (50S535) while there are 6 screen size options for TCL S435 : 85-Inch (85S435), 75-Inch (75S435), 65-Inch (65S435), 55-Inch (55S435), 50-Inch (50S435) and 43-Inch (43S435). What is better in TCL S535 that positioned higher than TCL S435? It’s recommended for us to know more about similarities and differences of TCL S535 and S435 before we can find out what is better in TCL S535 that positioned higher.
Similarities of TCL S535 and S435
As two 4K LED TV series from TCL’s 2020/2021 TV lineup, we can find that there are a number of similarities between TCL S535 and S435. Let’s take a look at their table of similarities below before we talk further about their differences.
| TCL S535 | TCL S435 | |
| Introduced | 2020 | 2020 |
| Display Technology | LED | LED |
| Display Resolution | 4K UHD | 4K UHD |
| Upscaling Technology | YES | YES |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz Native | 60Hz |
| Gaming Technology | Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) | Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) |
| Operating System | Roku TV | Roku TV |
| Remote Control | RC280 | RC280 |
| Control Support |
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| Built-in Wi-fi | 802.11ac 2×2 Dual Band | 802.11ac 2×2 Dual Band |
| Speaker System |
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Based on their table of similarities, we can talk more about similarities between TCL S535 and S435.
1. 4K UHD Resolution with Upscaling Technology
Both of TCL S535 and S435 come with 4K UHD resolution that completed with Upscaling Technology although their upscaling technology are slightly different. With upscaling technology, we can enjoy excellent picture clarity not only from original 4K content sources but also from non 4K contents that upscaled into near 4K picture quality.
2. Refresh Rate Technology and Gaming Technology
TCL S535 and S435 basically come with similar 60Hz native refresh rate. Although they only come with 60Hz native refresh rate, we can still find that TCL S535 AND S435 are still able to delivers fluid motion images for our favorite action movies and sports. We can also find that both of TCL S535 and S435 are already able to deliver good gaming experience with Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) support integrated on top of their 60Hz native refresh rate.
3. Operating System and Remote Control
Roku TV is integrated as the operating system of TCL S535 and S435. It allows us to enjoy wide range of premium entertainment with fast internet connection provided by 802.11ac Dual Band wireless. We can also find that they also come with similar RC280 remote control. We can also control TCL S535 and S435 conveniently with Roku Mobile App that we can install in our smartphone. It provides more advanced features such as private listening and voice control. We can also control both TCL S535 and S435 with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Bixby since they are already supported.
4. Speaker System
The speaker system that integrated with TCL S535 and S435 are similar. They both come with 2Ch 16W speaker system (except 75-inch and 85-inch). Although 2Ch 16W speaker system is quite basic, we can still enjoy good sound quality with Dolby Digital Plus integrated with those two TVs.
Differences of TCL S535 and S435
After we talk about similarities between TCL S535 and S435, let’s continue our discussion with their differences. Before we talk more about their differences, it’s a good idea to look at the table of differences of TCL S535 and S435 below.
| TCL S535 | TCL S435 | |||||||||||
| LED Panel Type | QLED | Standard LED | ||||||||||
| Backlight Type | Full Array LED | Direct Lit | ||||||||||
| Contrast Control Zones | YES | NO | ||||||||||
| HDR Support |
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| AiPQ Engine | YES | NO | ||||||||||
| Audio Return Channel | eARC | ARC | ||||||||||
| HDMI/ USB Inputs | 4/1 | 3/1 | ||||||||||
| Price | More Expensive | Less Expensive | ||||||||||
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There are few differences between TCL S535 and S435 that we can see from the table above. Let’s talk more about those differences together.
1. LED Panel Type
While they both come with LED display, we can find that the LED panel of TCL S535 and S435 are different. TCL S535 comes with QLED panel while TCL S435 comes with standard LED. QLED panel is able to brings Quantum Dot technology that allows us to enjoy richer and more accurate color details on the screen of TCL S535 than standard LED display of TCL S435.
2. Backlight Technology
The backlight technology of TCL S535 and S435 are different. TCL S535 already comes with Full Array LED backlight that completed with Full Array LED that completed with Contrast Control Zones while TCL S435 only comes with standard Direct Lit LED. Full Array LED backlight with Contrast Control Zones is able to delivers more excellent contrast vibrancy across the LED screen of TCL S535 than standard Direct Lit LED of TCL S435.
3. HDR Support
While both of TCL S535 and S435 already support HDR10 and HLG, we can find that only TCL S535 supports Dolby Vision. With Dolby Vision support, we can enjoy enhanced details and expanded contrast from our favorite Dolby Vision content sources.
4. AiPQ Engine
AiPQ Engine is integrated with TCL S535 but it can’t be found in TCL S435. AiPQ Engine is able to optimizes the color, clarity and contrast of the picture delivered on the screen of TCL S535. AiPQ Engine is also able to delivers Smart 4K Upscaling for better upscaling result on the screen of TCL S535.
5. Audio Return Channel
We can find that Audio Return Channel that integrated with TCL S535 and S435 are different. TCL S535 already comes with enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) while TCL S435 only comes with Audio Return Channel (ARC). eARC is able to provides higher bandwidth to handle higher quality audio formats.
6. Price
As the higher series, TCL S535 is normally offered at the higher price than TCL S435 for similar screen size option. Before we can find their latest price difference, it’s important for us to check the price of TCL S535 and S435 as TV prices often change over time.
What is Better in TCL S535?
From our discussion about similarities and differences of TCL S535 and S435, we can find that there are few better aspects of TCL S535. As we have talked above, TCL S535 comes with Quantum Dot Color that delivers richer and more accurate color details, Full Array LED with contrast control zones that delivers better contrast vibrancy, Dolby Vision support, AiPQ Engine that provides better picture optimization as well as eARC that supports higher quality audio formats. But TCL S535 is indeed normally offered at the higher price than TCL S435. So if you don’t mind to spend more for Quantum Dot Color, Full Array LED with Contrast Control Zones, Dolby Vision support, AiPQ Engine and eARC support then TCL S535 is the one that you should choose.
| TCL S535 Prices | |
| 75-Inch (75S535) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.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)… |
TCL S435 is the basic 4K LED TV series from TCL’s 2020/2021 lineup. It’s offered at the lower price than TCL S535. It indeed doesn’t come with Quantum Dot Color, Full Array LED with Contrast Control Zones, Dolby Vision support, AiPQ Engine and eARC support, but basically TCL S435 is still able to delivers good 4K picture quality while also already supports HDR10 and HLG. We can also still enjoy wide range of premium entertainment with 802.11ac dual band wireless integrated with TCL S435. So if your budget is quite tight for your 4K LED TV, then TCL S435 is the one that you should choose.
| TCL S435 Prices | |
| 85-Inch (85S435) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 75-Inch (75S435) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 65-Inch (65S435) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 55-Inch (55S435) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 50-Inch (50S435) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 43-Inch (43S435) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |