TCL Class S4 4K LED Smart TV Review

In this TCL Class S4 4K LED Smart TV review, our team of experts put this TV through a series of real-world tests to evaluate its performance. From watching vibrant 4K content to exploring its smart features, we’ve tested it in various settings to get a full picture of how it holds up. Our team closely examined the picture quality, color accuracy, sound performance, and overall user experience. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option or a high-quality 4K viewing experience, this review will break down everything you need to know before making a decision.

Design and Aesthetics

The TCL Class S4 4K LED Smart TV has a simple design that doesn't aim for a premium or high-end appearance unlike the VIZIO VFD40M-08 and VIZIO M50QXM-K01 M-Series Quantum X tv. While it does have thin bezels around the screen, which help keep distractions to a minimum while watching, the overall design feels a bit basic and somewhat cheap. The materials used in the TV’s construction don't have the same sleek, polished look that higher-end models might offer.

The stand features V-shaped feet, positioned close to the edges of the TV. This design choice means that if you're buying a larger version of the TV, you'll need a substantial amount of space to place it on a stand or cabinet. This could be a problem for those with smaller media cabinets or tables. Unlike some models, the feet cannot be adjusted or moved inward, so if you're working with limited space, you might find it tricky to set up unless you opt to wall-mount the TV.

Another point to consider is that the stand doesn't elevate the TV very high off the surface it sits on. This becomes an issue if you plan to use a soundbar. With the TV sitting low, there's a chance that a soundbar could block part of the bottom of the screen. For example, on the 50-inch model, the stand’s dimensions measure 37.6 inches wide, 10 inches deep, and only 2.4 inches high. These dimensions mean the TV stays quite close to the surface it’s on, leaving limited room for a soundbar or other accessories underneath.

If wall-mounting is your preference, the TCL Class S4 4K LED Smart TV uses a 200x200 VESA mount size. However, the back of the TV is fairly plain and lacks the refined look some other models have. The inputs for things like HDMI and power are located in a larger, central section on the back of the TV. Once it’s mounted on the wall, accessing these inputs can be a challenge. It’s worth noting that the TV doesn’t have any built-in cable management system, which could lead to a mess of wires hanging down and cluttering up your setup.

Additionally, the TCL S4/S450G itself is somewhat thick compared to other models on the market. It has a maximum thickness of 3.19 inches (8.1 cm). While not extremely bulky, this thickness makes the TV feel less sleek when viewed from the side. The borders around the screen are about 0.31 inches (0.8 cm), which adds to the overall simplistic design. All these factors contribute to a more basic look, which may not be ideal if you're looking for something that adds a modern or luxurious touch to your living room.

Materials and Build Quality

The TCL Class S4 4K LED Smart TV (TCL S4/S450G) has a build quality that feels average at best. Most of the body is made from inexpensive plastic. This choice of material gives the TV a less sturdy and premium feel. When you pick it up or move it, you might notice it doesn’t feel as solid as some higher-end models.

Around the input areas, the plastic panels show some flexibility. This means they can bend easily, which raises concerns about their durability over time. If you’re planning to connect and disconnect devices frequently, this could lead to wear and tear more quickly than you might expect.

Additionally, there were some noticeable quality control issues with the specific panel we tested. For example, we observed small specks that became visible during tests for gray uniformity. These little imperfections can be distracting when watching content with a mostly uniform background, such as sports or nature documentaries. In scenes like these, the small specks stand out and can take away from the viewing experience.

While it’s important to note that these issues might not occur on every unit, they do suggest that some TVs may have similar problems. This inconsistency in quality raises some red flags if you’re looking for a reliable product.

Picture Quality

The TCL 50S450G has a native contrast ratio of 8,300:1, which is great for deep blacks in dimly lit scenes. However, it does not have a local dimming feature, which means that in brighter scenes, blacks may look more gray and washed out. Since there’s no local dimming, the TV also avoids blooming around bright objects or subtitles in dark scenes, which can be a plus for some viewers.

The backlight is direct, and because the TV lacks local dimming, it can't brighten specific areas of the screen without affecting the whole image. This means you won’t see flickering or sudden changes in brightness when bright highlights move across the screen. However, because there is no local dimming, the TV’s overall HDR performance is weak, with bright highlights that don’t stand out. The peak brightness in HDR mode is disappointing, making HDR content appear dull and less vibrant.

After calibrating the HDR settings, several adjustments were made to enhance the viewing experience. In HDR Picture Mode set to Movie, the brightness and contrast were both set to 100, while the color temperature was adjusted to -5, providing a warm tone. When switching to Game Mode, the settings for brightness and contrast remained nearly identical to those in Movie Mode, with both still at 100 and the color temperature maintained at -5 for a consistent warm appearance.

Reflection handling is decent overall. The semi-gloss coating helps to reduce the severity of reflections but doesn't completely get rid of them. Because this TV doesn’t get very bright, it’s not ideal for use in rooms with a lot of natural light, as reflections may still be distracting.

The smoothing of lower-quality content is average. Unfortunately, it doesn’t fully remove macro-blocking or pixelation, especially in darker scenes. This results in a loss of fine details across most types of content.

For those planning to use the TV as a PC monitor, it’s worth noting that this TV uses a BGR (Blue-Green-Red) subpixel layout instead of the more common RGB layout. While this doesn’t affect video content, it can cause text to appear slightly blurry, which could be an issue for those needing clear text for work or gaming. There is also noticeable sub-pixel dithering, where some blue sub pixels appear dimmer than others. This may cause problems in specific content, particularly with shadows in video games.

Sound Quality

The TCL Class S4 4K LED Smart TV has a below-average frequency response. While the TV can get fairly loud, it struggles with bass, meaning that low-frequency sounds, such as deep rumbles or thumps, are barely noticeable. It also has trouble reproducing high-pitched sounds in the treble range, which can affect the clarity of certain sound effects or instruments.

However, dialogue is mostly clear and easy to understand, even at higher volumes. The 50S450G doesn't compress audio much at maximum volume, which means there isn’t a significant loss in sound quality as you turn it up. Still, there's noticeable distortion, especially when the volume is pushed to its limit. At moderate levels, the distortion is present but more manageable.

The TV exhibits several key performance figures that highlight its audio capabilities. The low-frequency extension is measured at 160 Hz, which indicates it cannot effectively reproduce deep bass sounds. The maximum volume reaches 89.8 dB SPL, providing a considerable loudness, but at this level, there is some loss of clarity. The dynamic range compression is noted at 3.24 dB, suggesting minimal compression at higher volumes. In terms of distortion, the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) is 0.067 at 80 dB, which is acceptable for normal listening. However, this figure rises to 0.658 at maximum volume, indicating more noticeable distortion when the TV is at its loudest. The Intermodulation Distortion (IMD) is measured at 2.05% at 80 dB, which is somewhat high, and it significantly increases to 21.75% at maximum volume, resulting in considerable audio distortion at top volume settings. While the TV can achieve loudness, it struggles with bass reproduction, and sound distortion becomes increasingly prominent as the volume is turned up.

Smart Features

The TCL Class S4 4K LED Smart TV comes with a wide range of streaming apps, including all the popular ones, so you’ll have no trouble finding your favorite shows or movies. The TV runs on Google TV OS version 11, which is known for its smooth and responsive interface. Navigating through the menus feels fast, and selecting apps like YouTube takes only about one second. Adjusting settings like the backlight takes slightly longer, about two seconds, but overall, the experience is very fluid.

The TV has several smart features, including support for voice control. The remote has an integrated microphone that lets you use voice commands for simple tasks, such as opening an app or searching for content. The voice control works well but is limited to basic commands. The remote itself is medium-sized with an easy-to-use layout, and it includes dedicated buttons for popular streaming services, making it convenient to switch between apps quickly.

If you want to play content from an external device, the TV supports USB drive playback, including HDR content. It also supports HDR when using streaming services like Netflix and YouTube, so you can enjoy high-quality video.

In terms of power consumption, the TV uses 37 watts during normal use and can go up to 78 watts at maximum settings. It also supports features like CEC menu control, which allows you to control other connected devices with the same remote.

While the TV doesn't offer additional advanced smart features like Roku Select Series 4K TV, its app selection, smooth performance, and responsive interface make it a solid choice for streaming content. With Google TV's large app library and simple-to-use interface, this TV provides a good balance of functionality and ease of use.

Connectivity and Usability

The TCL Class S4 4K LED Smart TV has a variety of useful ports and connectivity options. It comes with three HDMI ports, which all support HDMI 2.0 full bandwidth. However, there is no HDMI 2.1 support, so some advanced gaming features may be missing. There's also one USB 3.0 port for connecting external devices, along with a digital optical audio out port for connecting to sound systems. For analog audio, there's a 3.5mm headphone jack, but no RCA audio outputs.

In addition to HDMI and audio connections, the TV has a composite input for older devices, but it requires an adapter, which is not included. It also has a tuner for cable or antenna connections and an Ethernet port for wired internet. There's no DisplayPort or infrared (IR) input on this TV.

When it comes to video formats, the TV supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG, so you can enjoy enhanced picture quality with compatible content. However, it does not support HDR10+, which some streaming services and devices use.

All three HDMI ports support HDCP 2.2, ensuring compatibility with most modern devices for secure video transmission. The TV also has CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) functionality, allowing you to control connected devices through the TV's remote. The ATSC 1.0 tuner is available for watching over-the-air broadcasts.

For wireless connectivity, the TCL 4K LED Smart TV supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks, giving you fast and reliable access to online content. The variable analog audio out is a handy feature for controlling volume with external audio systems.

One of the TV’s standout features is its incredibly low input lag, making it ideal for gaming or using as a PC monitor. There’s no noticeable delay between your inputs and what appears on the screen, ensuring a smooth and responsive experience.

The selection of apps is also excellent, providing access to all major streaming services, ensuring that you can find all the content you need in one place.

This TV offers a range of inputs and supports key features that make it versatile for gaming, streaming, and general use.

Final Verdict 

After thoroughly testing the TCL Class S4 4K LED Smart TV, it’s clear that this model offers a mixed bag of features and performance. While it delivers impressive 4K picture quality and a user-friendly smart interface, the build quality leaves much to be desired. The use of inexpensive plastic gives the TV a less premium feel, and the noticeable quality control issues, such as visible specks on the panel, can detract from the overall viewing experience.

On the plus side, the TCL Class S4 is an affordable option for those looking to enjoy 4K content without breaking the bank. Its smart features make it easy to stream your favorite shows and movies. However, if you value durability and a high-end design, you may want to consider other alternatives.

In short, the TCL Class S4 is a good choice for budget-conscious consumers who prioritize picture quality and smart functionality. Just be aware of its limitations in build quality and potential quality control issues. If you're willing to overlook these aspects, it can still serve as a solid addition to your home entertainment setup.