TCL 4 Series vs TCL 5 Series S535: Full Specs Comparison

Are you torn between the TCL 4 Series 4K UHD HDR Smart Roku TV and the TCL 5 Series S535? Both TVs come from the same trusted brand. Both promise a solid 4K viewing experience without burning a hole in your wallet. But the differences between them can make or break your entertainment setup.

The TCL 4 Series sits at the entry level of TCL’s 4K lineup. The 5 Series S535 steps things up with QLED technology, Dolby Vision HDR, and local dimming. These upgrades matter a lot for picture quality, color accuracy, and gaming performance.

In this detailed comparison, we break down every important spec, feature, and real world performance difference between these two popular budget TVs. By the end, you will know exactly which model fits your needs, your room, and your budget. Let’s get started.

Key Takeaways

• The TCL 5 Series S535 uses QLED panel technology, which produces brighter images and wider color volume compared to the standard LED panel on the 4 Series. This gives the S535 a clear edge in picture quality for movies, shows, and gaming.
• The 4 Series lacks local dimming entirely. The 5 Series S535 includes full array local dimming (FALD), which improves contrast by dimming specific zones of the backlight. This results in deeper blacks and better dark scene performance.
• Dolby Vision HDR is exclusive to the 5 Series S535. The 4 Series supports basic HDR10 and HLG formats only. Dolby Vision offers scene by scene optimization that produces a more lifelike HDR image.
• Gaming performance favors the S535 thanks to lower input lag (around 14ms vs 18ms on the 4 Series), faster response times, and Auto Game Mode. The S535 also supports VRR on select models, which reduces screen tearing.
• The TCL 4 Series costs significantly less and remains a strong pick for casual viewers who watch TV in dark rooms and do not need advanced HDR or gaming features.
• Both TVs run the Roku TV operating system, giving you access to thousands of streaming apps, a simple interface, and voice control through the Roku mobile app. The smart TV experience is nearly identical on both models.

TCL 4 Series 4K UHD HDR Smart Roku TV Overview

The TCL 4 Series is the most affordable 4K TV in TCL’s current lineup. It delivers 3840 x 2160 resolution with basic HDR support. The TV uses a standard LED VA panel with direct backlighting.

This model runs on the Roku TV platform, which gives you instant access to Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and thousands of other streaming apps. The interface is clean and easy to use. Setup takes just a few minutes.

The 4 Series handles everyday viewing tasks well. It upscales lower resolution content with its built in processing engine. Contrast ratio is excellent for the price, making it a solid pick for dark room movie watching.

Pros:

• Very affordable price point across all screen sizes
• Excellent native contrast ratio on the VA panel
• Simple and fast Roku TV operating system
• Good upscaling of HD content to 4K
• Low input lag with Game Mode enabled
• Available in sizes from 43 inches to 85 inches

Cons:

• No local dimming feature at all
• Poor HDR brightness (around 150 nits peak)
• No Dolby Vision support
• Narrow viewing angles typical of budget VA panels
• No QLED or wide color gamut
• Sound quality is below average

TCL 5 Series S535 QLED Roku TV Overview

The TCL 5 Series S535 represents a meaningful upgrade over the 4 Series. It uses QLED (Quantum Dot LED) technology to deliver wider colors and better brightness. The S535 also adds Dolby Vision HDR to its list of supported formats.

Full array local dimming is a key addition here. This feature allows the TV to control different zones of its backlight independently. Dark scenes look deeper, and bright highlights pop more compared to the 4 Series.

The S535 also targets gamers with Auto Game Mode and fast input response. It runs on the same Roku TV platform, so the smart TV experience remains familiar and smooth.

Pros:

• QLED panel delivers vivid, wide color gamut images
• Full array local dimming improves contrast and black levels
• Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG support
• Very low input lag ideal for console gaming
• Auto Game Mode detects and optimizes for gaming signals
• Dolby Atmos audio decoding

Cons:

• Still limited in peak brightness for bright room viewing
• Viewing angles remain narrow due to VA panel base
• HDR brightness does not match premium TVs
• No VRR support on all size variants
• Higher price than the 4 Series
• Discontinued model that may be harder to find new

Display Technology and Panel Comparison

The display panel is the biggest hardware difference between these two TVs. The TCL 4 Series uses a standard LED VA panel with direct backlighting. This setup produces good contrast but limited color range.

The TCL 5 Series S535 upgrades to a QLED VA panel. Quantum dots sit in a layer in front of the LED backlight. They convert light into more precise and saturated colors. This results in a wider color volume that covers more of the DCI P3 color space.

Both panels have a native refresh rate of 60Hz. Neither TV supports 120Hz input. The VA panel type on both models means strong front on contrast but rapid image degradation at wider viewing angles.

If you sit directly in front of the screen, both TVs look great. The S535 simply looks better because of its quantum dot color enhancement.

HDR Performance Face to Face

HDR support is where the gap between these two TVs becomes most noticeable. The TCL 4 Series supports HDR10 and HLG only. It lacks the processing power and brightness to deliver a convincing HDR experience.

The 4 Series peaks at around 150 nits in HDR mode. This is well below the 400 to 600 nit range that most HDR content is mastered for. Colors look flat, and bright highlights fail to stand out.

The TCL 5 Series S535 adds Dolby Vision to the HDR format list. Dolby Vision uses dynamic metadata to adjust the picture on a scene by scene basis. This creates more accurate tone mapping across different types of content.

The S535 reaches higher peak brightness levels and covers a wider color gamut. Combined with local dimming, the HDR experience on the S535 is significantly more immersive.

Contrast Ratio and Black Levels

Both TVs use VA panels, which naturally produce high contrast ratios. The TCL 4 Series delivers an impressive native contrast ratio of around 4000:1 to 5000:1. Blacks look deep when viewed in a dark room.

However, the 4 Series has no local dimming. This means the entire backlight stays at one brightness level. Dark scenes with a few bright objects can look slightly washed out.

The TCL 5 Series S535 achieves an even higher effective contrast ratio. Its full array local dimming can dim specific zones to produce darker blacks in areas that need it. Bright areas of the image remain bright at the same time.

This zone control gives the S535 noticeably better black levels in mixed content scenes. Movie scenes with dark backgrounds and bright highlights look far more realistic on the S535.

Color Accuracy and Wide Color Gamut

Color is another area where the S535 pulls ahead. The 4 Series covers a decent portion of the sRGB color space but falls short on wider gamuts. It cannot display the deep reds, greens, and blues that HDR content demands.

The 5 Series S535 uses quantum dot technology to expand color coverage. It hits a much larger portion of the DCI P3 color space, which is the standard for most HDR movies and streaming content.

Color volume also improves on the S535. This means it can maintain color saturation at different brightness levels. The 4 Series loses color intensity as the image gets brighter or darker.

For anyone who watches a lot of HDR content on Netflix, Disney+, or 4K Blu ray, the S535 delivers a clearly more vibrant and accurate image.

Gaming Performance and Input Lag

Both TVs work well for casual gaming. The TCL 4 Series has a Game Mode that reduces input lag to around 14 to 18 milliseconds. This is acceptable for most console games.

The TCL 5 Series S535 takes gaming a step further. Its input lag drops to approximately 13 to 14 milliseconds in Game Mode. The S535 also includes Auto Game Mode, which automatically switches to low lag settings when it detects a gaming console.

Response time is faster on the S535 as well. The 4 Series has a response time of about 18ms, which can cause motion blur in fast paced games. The S535 responds in around 12ms, producing cleaner motion.

Neither TV supports HDMI 2.1, so 4K at 120Hz gaming is off the table. For PS4, PS5 (at 4K/60), Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, both TVs perform well. The S535 just gives you a slightly smoother experience.

Sound Quality Comparison

Neither TV will impress audiophiles. The TCL 4 Series comes with basic built in speakers that lack bass and sound thin at higher volumes. Dialogue is clear at moderate levels, and distortion performance is actually decent.

The TCL 5 Series S535 improves audio slightly. It supports Dolby Atmos decoding, which adds spatial audio effects. Built in speakers still lack power and bass, but the overall sound profile is more balanced.

Both TVs benefit greatly from an external soundbar or speaker system. If you plan to use the TV’s built in speakers only, the S535 sounds marginally better. But neither TV delivers a cinematic audio experience on its own.

For the best results, pair either model with a budget soundbar that supports Dolby Audio or Dolby Atmos passthrough.

Smart TV Features and Roku OS

Both TVs run on the Roku TV operating system. This is one of the most popular and user friendly smart TV platforms available. The home screen is simple. App loading times are fast. Software updates arrive regularly.

You get access to thousands of streaming channels. Popular apps like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, and YouTube are all available. The Roku Channel also provides free ad supported movies and live TV.

Voice control is available through the Roku mobile app on your smartphone. Neither TV includes a voice remote with a built in microphone. Both TVs also work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant through external smart speakers.

The smart TV experience is virtually identical on both models. You will not notice any difference in app performance, interface speed, or streaming quality between the 4 Series and S535.

Connectivity and Ports

The TCL 4 Series comes equipped with 3 to 4 HDMI ports (depending on screen size), one USB port, an Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Wi Fi supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.

The TCL 5 Series S535 matches this connectivity with 4 HDMI ports, one USB port, Ethernet, and dual band Wi Fi. One HDMI port supports eARC, which allows lossless audio passthrough to compatible soundbars.

The eARC support on the S535 is a notable advantage. It means you can send Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD audio from streaming apps directly to your sound system without quality loss.

Neither TV supports Bluetooth natively. You cannot pair wireless headphones or speakers directly to either model. Both rely on Wi Fi and wired connections for audio output.

Design and Build Quality

Both TVs share a similar design language. They feature slim bezels, a simple rectangular form, and two wide set feet for tabletop placement. Build quality is solid plastic on both models.

The TCL 5 Series S535 has a slightly more refined look. Its edge to edge glass display gives it a cleaner front appearance. The 4 Series uses a standard matte frame that looks a bit more basic.

Both TVs are lightweight and easy to wall mount using standard VESA patterns. The S535 is marginally thicker due to its full array backlight system.

For most buyers, design differences between these two models are minimal. Both TVs look fine in a living room, bedroom, or office setup.

Price and Value for Money

The TCL 4 Series remains one of the cheapest 4K TVs you can buy. A 55 inch model often sells for under $250. This makes it an ideal choice for budget conscious buyers who want basic 4K resolution without paying extra for advanced features.

The TCL 5 Series S535 originally launched at higher prices. A 55 inch S535 cost around $400 to $500 at launch. Since it has been discontinued and replaced by newer models, you may find it at discounted prices or as a renewed unit on Amazon.

The S535 offers much better value per dollar if picture quality matters to you. The jump from standard LED to QLED, the addition of local dimming, and Dolby Vision support make a real visible difference in daily viewing.

If your budget allows, the S535 is the smarter investment. If you need the lowest possible price for a basic 4K TV, the 4 Series gets the job done.

Which TV Should You Buy?

Your choice depends on what you value most. Pick the TCL 4 Series if you want a simple, affordable 4K TV for a bedroom or secondary room. It works well for casual streaming, basic cable, and light gaming.

Pick the TCL 5 Series S535 if you care about picture quality, color accuracy, and HDR content. It is the better choice for movie lovers, gamers, and anyone who streams a lot of 4K Dolby Vision content.

The S535 wins in almost every performance category. It has better contrast, brighter HDR highlights, wider colors, faster response times, and Dolby Vision. These upgrades justify the extra cost for most buyers.

The 4 Series wins on price and availability. It is still a current product with wide retail availability. The S535 may require purchasing a renewed unit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the TCL 5 Series S535 worth the extra money over the 4 Series?

Yes, for most buyers. The S535 offers QLED technology, Dolby Vision, and full array local dimming. These features create a noticeably better picture. The upgrade is especially worthwhile if you watch HDR content or play video games often.

Does the TCL 4 Series support Dolby Vision?

No. The TCL 4 Series supports HDR10 and HLG only. It does not include Dolby Vision. If you want Dolby Vision support, you need to step up to the 5 Series or higher.

Can I use the TCL 4 Series or S535 for PS5 gaming at 120Hz?

Neither TV supports 4K at 120Hz. Both models have a 60Hz native refresh rate and lack HDMI 2.1 ports. They work great for 4K at 60Hz gaming on PS5 and Xbox Series X.

Do both TVs have the same smart TV platform?

Yes. Both the TCL 4 Series and the 5 Series S535 run the Roku TV operating system. The app library, interface, and streaming experience are the same on both models.

Is the TCL 5 Series S535 still available to buy new?

The S535 has been discontinued and replaced by newer models like the S555. You can still find renewed or open box S535 units on Amazon and other retailers. Check current availability before purchasing.

Which TV is better for a bright living room?

Neither TV excels in very bright rooms. However, the TCL 5 Series S535 gets brighter and handles reflections slightly better. If your room has a lot of natural light, the S535 is the safer choice between these two options.