TCL: mobile devices, wearables and Mini LED TVs designed with AI in mind

BERLIN – TCL has arrived at IFA to outline a strategy that goes beyond the television and places artificial intelligence at the heart of an ever-expanding ecosystem of products. Under the slogan ‘AI Inspired Life’ , the range includes household appliances capable of adapting to users’ habits, complementing TVs and audio systems that automatically optimise the viewing experience, whilst the new generation of smartphones featuring NXTPAPER technology serves as a sort of “testament” to the capabilities the Chinese manufacturer can now demonstrate in the field of displays and screen technologies.

Automation, efficiency and customisation are the cornerstones of TCL’s connected home, which features appliances such as the Dual Cooling Fridge, characterised by separate circuits for the fridge and freezer and a Convertible Zone adjustable from 5 to -20 degrees, controlled by artificial intelligence to suit the user’s needs. For those short on space, the solutions are the Mega Space SE, featuring VIP Thin-Wall technology, and the Flexi range, with reconfigurable shelves. In the laundry range, the P5 Super Drum washing machines feature a 540-millimetre drum, six Bionic Lifters, jetBubble technology and an automatic stain-removal system; however, the most significant development in terms of AI is the P9 AI SuperDrum Ultra Tower series, which combines washing and heat-pump drying in a vertical unit: the AI Wash function recognises the load, fabric type and level of soiling, and adjusts the water, temperature, detergent and cycle duration accordingly. The same intelligent logic also characterises the air-conditioning products. FreshIN 3.0, in particular, combines four-layer filtration, real-time air quality monitoring and energy consumption management via T-AI Energy-Saving technology, whilst the VoxIN series adds offline voice control – which therefore does not require an internet connection – to manage temperature, mode and airflow.

Even in the absence of any real new developments compared with the announcements made in recent months, TCL’s stand confirms that televisions remain a central part of the Huizhou-based company’s product range. At the top of the range are the 75-, 85- and 98-inch X11L SQD-Mini LED models, featuring audio by Bang & Olufsen: its technical highlights include 20,736 local dimming zones, a peak brightness of up to 10,000 nits, coverage of up to 100 per cent of the BT.2020 colour space and a native refresh rate of 144 Hz. The A400 Pro NXTVISION series, on the other hand, aims to transform the television into a piece of furniture, featuring a QD-Mini LED panel enhanced with a wood-effect finish and the Art Collection mode, which offers over 80 artworks alongside AI-generated content. On the audio front, the most interesting product is the Q95K, a new soundbar developed in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen, which will be available in Europe from October for models 65 inches and above: the 11.1.4 configuration comprises 22 speakers, including the soundbar, wireless subwoofer and rear speakers, delivering a maximum rated power of 1,420 watts and supporting Dolby Atmos and DTS. What makes the system particularly interesting is the AI Sonic-Adaptation feature, which analyses the room’s acoustic characteristics and automatically adjusts the sound output. Also of interest is the Z100 Wireless Free Sound Speaker series, where each speaker delivers 170 watts peak power and can be placed anywhere in the room without cables, with the option to expand to four units and add a subwoofer.

In the mobile sector, TCL’s most significant ‘new entry’ centres on NXTPAPER technology, which has been introduced for the first time on AMOLED screens and is a distinctive selling point for the new P80 Ultra and P80 Pro smartphones. Seen in person, the effect created by the combination of the display’s colours and contrast with features designed to reduce glare and exposure to blue light (and drastically reduce eye strain) is evident and a feature that enhances the value of these devices. As for the technical specifications, the

The P80 Ultra is the most advanced model and features a 6.83-inch display, a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and image stabilisation, whilst the P80 Pro focuses on battery life and versatility, with a 5,800 mAh battery. There are also new additions to the tablet range, with the TAB A1 family comprising four models, the top-of-the-range model being the Plus NXTPAPER with a 12.2-inch 2.4K 3:2 display at 120 Hz, a 10,000 mAh battery and a dedicated button for switching display modes.