TCL’s latest 6-Series Roku TV has some serious gaming chops

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TCL has finally made a Roku TV with great gaming specs. The company is in something of a ticking release pattern with its popular 6-series TV. there is a Roku version; next year, we get a google tv edition, and now the company is updating the Roku model again. Like previous 6-Series TVs, the latest features Mini LED backlighting, which uses thousands of tiny LEDs spread across hundreds of local dimming zones to create class-leading brightness, impressive contrast and levels deep black. This panel has up to 360 dimming zones. And it uses quantum dot color, with “color volume measured at 100% in the DCI-P3 Hollywood reference color space,” according to TCL.

For the 2022 6-Series Roku TV, TCL is emphasizing gaming capabilities. PS5 and Xbox Series X – Series 6 can do games in full 4K resolution at 120Hz. PC gamers can hit an even higher peak variable refresh rate of 144Hz. Other TV makers like Samsung have also adopted 144 Hz; Vizio even hit 240Hz at 1080p resolution. These companies are doing their best to appeal to both console and PC gamers, but I’m just happy that TCL is offering true 4K resolution at these higher refresh rates this time around.

In a perfect world these would all be 4K 120Hz HDMI ports, but at least eARC doesn’t use one of the two you get.
Picture: TCL

The new 6 Series has four HDMI ports in total, two of which support 4K/120Hz. Wisely, TCL uses a different port than these two for eARC purposes, so you won’t have to waste a high-performance HDMI port on your soundbar. Every port with full HDMI 2.1 capabilities is ideal, but where that’s not possible, this is the best layout you could ask for. The latest Series 6 supports AMD FreeSync in addition to the industry standard VRR specification.

Picture: TCL

TCL has moved to a center stand instead of putting the legs on either side of the TV. There are two height levels in case you have a soundbar sitting in front of the screen. You also get integrated cable management that runs through the stand. Supported HDR formats include Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10 Plus, and HLG. Stand aside, the 2022 6-Series Roku TV shares the usual brushed metal aesthetic and slim bezels.

At the bottom of the screen there’s now an ambient light sensor, and this addition has allowed TCL to include Dolby Vision IQ on the 2022 Series 6. When enabled, HDR brightness should be optimized for your specific display conditions. Google TV Series 6’s built-in voice microphones aren’t present on the newer Roku model, but you can still use the included remote for voice commands.

It would be nice if TCL released Roku TVs and Google TVs with identical specifications at the same time and just let consumers choose their preferred software experience. After getting off to a rocky start, last year’s Google TV Series 6 (R646) is now a great choice, though Google TV itself can still be slow. But now Roku’s latest version has surpassed that set with the upgrade to 144Hz VRR; I can’t help but predict that general browsing on the Roku 6 series will be smoother and faster than on Google TV.

The TCL Roku TV 6 Series is available immediately in the following sizes:

  • 55-inch model (55R655): $699
  • 65-inch model (65R655): $999
  • 75-inch model (75R655): $1499

You’ll be able to place orders from retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy, starting today.

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