RGB Mini/Micro LED technology has become a major trend at CES 2026. Nearly all the TV industry giants have unveiled models based on their own versions of this technology, including Samsung Micro RGB, Sony True RGB, LG Micro RGB evo and Hisense RGB MiniLED evo.
TCL also uses its own version called RGB miniLED, but does not position it as a flagship. TCL’s first RGB miniLED LCD TVs will be available in 85-, 98-, and 115-inch sizes with brightness up to 9000 nits and coverage up to 100% for BT.2020 standard. They will be sold in the US under the name RM9L.
At CES 2026, the model was presented as C9L, but in China, it has the name of Q10M Ultra.
This technology uses RGB clusters that replace traditional white or blue LEDs to create colors using quantum dot (QD) technology. QD’s operating principle is simple and elegant. Blue light from the backlight array is directed onto a film coated with microparticles (quantum dots) whose sizes correspond to the wavelengths of red and green. By absorbing blue, the microparticles re-emit these two primary colors. Their combination after film with partially transmitted blue produces high-quality white, which is sent to an RGB filter to form subpixel colors.
The use of RGB modules in this technology eliminates the need for an RGB filter, however a liquid crystal layer is still used. But instead of color filtering, it modulates the color flux intensity. The new technology expands the color gamut with spectrally narrower RGB light, improves contrast due to more precise local dimming, and increases brightness due to the absence of RGB filter losses.
The announced models demonstrated a superb image quality, but, of course, their competitivenessits will depend on the price.
TCL SQD & UltraColor Filter
The Chinese giant is a pioneer in the development of mini LED backlight, first introduced in the 2018 TCL 6-Series Roku. Over the years, the company has introduced several generations of this technology. But the new version can rightfully be positioned as a revolutionary breakthrough. At CES 2026, the company unveiled flagship X11L with SQD (super quantum dots) mini LED technology.
TCL X11L uses SQD Mini-LED technology (super quantum dots + mini-LED’s precise backlight control) and a new color filter, providing incredibly high peak brightness up to 10,000 nits, superb OLED-like contrast with thousands of local dimming zones, and near full Rec. 2020 color coverage.
SQD
TCL’s QD-Mini LED TVs use advanced, cadmium-free quantum dots with indium-based or perovskite-like materials. However, the company doesn’t disclose the exact proprietary formula and describes it as a ‘quaternary quantum crystal material.’ As known, P-QDs (Perovskite Quantum Dots) are nanocrystals (general formula ABO₃) with a perovskite crystalline structure that convert light into energy with very high efficiency. This is the third gen of materials for quantum dots. They re-emit green and red light in a narrower spectrum and with greater amplitude.
Combined with blue, they form an ideal pure white.
The new RGB filter in the TCL X11L also represents a technological breakthrough. In fact, TCL CSOT has developed a new production line for producing SQD-compatible RGB filters.
CSOT UltraColor Filter’s key features:
– ultra-fine 5-nanometer color pixels;
– 100% coverage of the BT.2020 color space (unlike new RGB backlighting, full 100% coverage of BT.2000 for real-world content due to minimal crosstalk);
– deep black gradations with minimal ghosting thanks to TCK Halo Control;
– compatibility with SQD-Mini LED (Super Quantum Dot + Mini-LED) technology delivers best-in-class brightness and accurate local dimming.
Main innovations
The list of innovations can boggle the mind of even the most imperturbable Scandinavian.
SQD-Mini LED
This series uses TCL Halo Control System with up to LD20000 precise dimming. The technologies used in this suite are called:
– Super High Energy LED Microchip;
– Super Condensed Micro Lens;
– WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel.
– Super Micro-OD Reduced Optical Distance;
– Super Quantum Crystals;
– Fast Transient Response;
– 26-bit Backlight Controller for ‘halo-free’ images.
The TCL Deep Color System uses:
– Super Quantum Crystals (Super QLED) for 100% of BT.2020 Color;
– TCL UltraColor Filter + Advanced Color Purity Algorithm to improve color accuracy.
TCL’s new Ultra Color Filter uses fine 5-nanometer particles, providing pixel-perfect color accuracy. By comparison, standard filters use particles up to 60 nanometers in size.
TCL advanced color purity algorithm provides a frame-by-frame optimization to improve accurate color reproduction.
HDR Ultra:
– HDR10+ delivers scene-by-scene tone mapping;
– HLG keep live broadcasts looking natural;
– Dolby Vision IQ adjusts brightness taking into account room configuration.
To be honest, HDR Ultra is a marketing term. But it accurately reflects the superior High Dynamic Range (HDR) performance of TCL models. This is especially useful given the convenient access to HDR content on streaming services via the integrated Google TV platform.
Key Features
Improved anti-reflective edge-to-edge ZeroBorder WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel has superb 7,000:1 contrast ratio and offers very wide viewing angles.
Moreover, it supports 144Hz refresh rate.
In addition to the 144Hz refresh rate, TVs offer gamers Game Accelerator 288 VRR (eliminates screen tearing and lag) and Auto Game Mode (ALLM) with AMD Freesync Premium Pro (synchronizes the display with the game’s framerate) for competitive plays.
The new TSR AI processor provides machine learning-based real-time dynamic. It includes AI Color & Contrast, AI Clarity & Upscaling (reduces noise and intelligently reconstructs details), AI Motion (frame interpolation), AI Sound, Shadow Detail Optimization (new 26-bit backlight controller and Halo Control System for improved deep blacks).
In addition to traditional functionality, TSR AI Processor:
– compatible with SQD Mini-LED technology;
– Gemini support for Google TV (conversational control);
– 4K@144Hz gaming support.
The flagship series features a premium Bang & Olufsen audio system. In addition, the company offers an optional wireless subwoofer and satellite speakers. For reference, B&O is a Danish luxury brand.
Unlike its competitors, the TCL X11L was available for purchase at CES 2026. Its launch prices are $ 7,000, $ 8,000, and $ 10,000 for the 75-, 85-, and 98-inch sizes.
Conclusion
Like last year’s QM6K, the TCL X11L TV is poised to take a place among the bestsellers of 2026. Of course, the launch price seems a bit high, but its traditional correction can change the situation.
Over the past few years, the Samsung Neo QLED (QD + mini LED) series has consistently been among the best-selling TVs in this class. For example, the last year’s 65-inch Samsung Neo QLED QN90F costs $ 1,600 today, offering excellent picture quality and a virtually complete set of innovative technologies. The 75-inch version costs no more than $ 2,000, a significant drop from the $ 7,000 price tag for the similar TCL X11L 2026. However, the 98-inch QN90F costs $ 15,000, which is one and a half times more expensive than the 98-inch X11L.
But this year, the South Korean giant is betting on RGB Micro LED technology, introducing the R95H with One Connect wireless connectivity in 130-, 85-, 75-, and 65-inch sizes, and 100-, 85-, 75-, 65-, 55-inch versions of the R85H. The lineup will also include the S99H and S95H with a hybrid QD-OLED panel. The Neo QLED 2026 lineup will expand only to include the QN80H and QN70H, leaving the QN90F.
Of course, TCL X11L is also doomed to compete with all technologies, including the magnificent Hisense ULED (QD + mini LED), LG OLED and Micro RGB evo, Sony True RGB, etc. However, competition is unlikely to scare the Chinese giant, and will benefit consumers.
The video introduces the latest TCL X11L SQD-Mini LED TV.
