tcl,gOMDIA, the local No. 1 Mini LED and Ultra Large Screen TV brand (75”+) by 2025, and the No. 1 brand locally for Mini LED TV unit sales in H2 2025, continues to push the boundaries of display innovation with the introduction of SQD-Mini LED in South Africa.
This launch marks a major milestone for the local market, with TCL becoming the first company in South Africa to introduce SQD-Mini LED (Super Quantum Dot Mini LED) technology with Full Range Audio by Bang & Olufsen, a generational leap in display science that promises to set a new standard for brightness, contrast and color accuracy. Additionally, TCL also unveiled its exciting new range of Google Smart Home air conditioners and home appliances.
A new standard in home entertainment: meet the C7L and C8L
Leading TCL's 2026 TV range are the flagship C7L and C8L models, two premium displays that showcase the full potential of SQD-Mini LED technology. Built on the foundation of the QD-Mini LED, the SQD-Mini represents a huge leap forward in LED display innovation. By enhancing the Mini LED backlight, quantum dot layer and panel-level color filtering, TCL has achieved extraordinary gains in brightness, contrast and color accuracy, delivering a truly immersive, cinema-quality viewing experience.
Unlike the RGB Mini LED, which replaces the light source itself, the SQD-Mini LED uses a sophisticated blue LED backlight paired with newly created quantum dots and TCL's proprietary Ultra Color Filter. This results in improved color accuracy, reduced color crosstalk and a significant increase in overall picture performance.
The TCL C7L is designed to bring flagship displays to more homes, offering exceptional brightness, precise lighting control and vivid color reproduction. With thousands of local dimming zones that virtually eliminate “blooming”, the C7L delivers deep blacks, sharp highlights and impressive clarity in all types of content, from fast-paced sports to high-resolution gaming and cinematic viewing. It also features premium, immersive audio co-developed with Audio by Bang & Olufsen, ensuring that the sound quality matches its stunning visuals.
Going even further, the TCL C8L takes performance to the next level. With an increased number of dimming zones and advanced processing capabilities, the C8L offers even greater precision in lighting control, better shadow detail and more refined contrast. Combined with TCL's advanced panel technology and ultra-wide color gamut, the result is a display that lives up to the manufacturer's intent, offering richer, more lifelike visuals at any time of the day.
Both models are built for large screens, making them ideal centerpieces for the modern living room, and are engineered to perform exceptionally well in bright environments. For consumers, this translates to brighter images, deeper contrast and more vibrant colors in everything from sports to gaming and streaming.
Premium Audio by Bang & Olufsen
Across the C7L and C8L range, TCL has partnered with Audio by Bang & Olufsen to deliver a premium audio experience that complements the advanced display technology. Expertly tuned to deliver clear dialogue, rich bass and immersive surround sound, the system is designed to bring greater depth and realism to everything from movies and live sports to gaming. The result is a more complete, cinema-like experience at home, where sound and picture work together seamlessly.
Google Smart Home ecosystem expanding: connected aircon and washing machine
Beyond home entertainment, TCL is strengthening its position in the connected home space with the introduction of a new range of smart devices designed for convenience, efficiency and modern lifestyle. Leading the category is the new C5 range of washing machines, which includes the C512WDG and C512FLG models equipped with TCL's Super Drum technology.
The new C5 range also brings smarter, more connected functionality to the home, with built-in Wi-Fi enabling users to control and monitor their washing machine remotely through the TCL Home app. Both models feature intelligent wash technology that automatically optimizes water usage, temperature and cycle time based on load, ensuring efficient performance without compromising fabric care. Additional highlights include energy-efficient operation, multiple specialty wash programs to suit different types of fabrics, and a durable, quiet motor designed for long-term reliability, making everyday laundry simpler, smarter, and more efficient.
Further expanding its home appliance offering, TCL has also introduced the TCL P774SBGWD 627-Litre No Frost Inverter Side by Side Refrigerator with Water Dispenser and its new FreshIN 3.0 technology across the entire range of air conditioning solutions from connected AC units for home to its commercial systems. Designed to improve indoor air quality, FreshIN 3.0 actively draws in fresh outdoor air while expelling stale air through a quadruple filtration system, effectively reducing pollutants, odors and airborne particles. The result is a cleaner, fresher indoor environment, which is especially noticeable overnight, so users enjoy healthier, more breathable air.
Promoting innovation and access in South Africa
With its 2026 line-up, TCL continues to strengthen its commitment to bringing world-class innovation to South African consumers, combining premium technology with competitive pricing to make high-end experiences more accessible.
Mr. Mike Chen, General Manager of TCL South Africa, says, “South African consumers deserve the best in picture quality and home technology without the premium price tag. As the first to bring SQD-Mini LED technology to the local market, we are proud to deliver exceptional brightness, cinema-grade color accuracy, precise lighting control and immersive audio at prices that make true flagship performance more accessible than ever.” “With our new range of TVs and connected home devices, we are focused on delivering smarter, more immersive and more accessible technology that improves the way people live, connect and experience entertainment at home.”
Pricing and Availability
TCL is committed to making premium technology accessible to South African consumers. The TCL C7L is available for purchase immediately at leading retailers nationwide, with 65'' available from R19,999, 75'' from R22,999, 85'' from R29,999 and 98'' from R49,999. Pricing for the TCL C8L has also been confirmed, with the 75″ available from R29,999, the 85″ from R34,999 and the 98″ from R99,999. Launch dates for the C8L, as well as the C5 washing machine range and P774SBGWD side-by-side fridge, will be confirmed in the coming weeks.