TCL P635: What are the TV capabilities with Google TV? | Analysis / review

Smart TV TCL P635 is a model launched in Brazil In mid-July 2022It comes with an updated processor and Android operating system with Google TV interface.

Will the brand’s new TV meet the consumer in the promised image improvements? And what will the Google platform be able to offer the user? We’ve been testing a unit over the past few weeks and will tell you the details in this full review.

This model came to market in three sizes: 43, 50 and 55 inches. The TV we have here is the one in the middle. It focuses on small spaces, which need very compact devices to not take up such a large volume.

And in that, the P635 serves very well. The edges and thickness are thin, which makes the size more compact in all dimensions. The metal frame still has the brand logo on the bottom.

There are two small feet for support, each placed on one side. They are very close to the edge. If you prefer to mount it on the wall, the TV is VESA 200×200 standard. At the back, you’ll find a USB port, one for wired internet, three HDMI inputs, one antenna, one RCA and P2 and two optical audio outputs.

In the box, in addition to the TV and bases, there is an adapter for connecting to an RCA cable, an operating manual, a power cable, screws, and a remote control, with two batteries already included.

And speaking of the console, it’s a thin sized one, but it’s quite tall. Although the numbers are not located directly on the accessory, there are several buttons that may confuse you at first, until you understand the purpose of each.

The ones that stand out the most are the App Stream shortcuts at the bottom, and here TCL hasn’t skimped on. You’ll have quick access to Netflix, Prime Video, Globoplay, Disney Plus, YouTube and TCL channels. At the top, the Use Google Assistant button is highlighted.

The volume and channel switching can be switched on the main circuit switches and on the dedicated buttons below. In general, we understand that there are more buttons than necessary, and the manufacturer could have reduced the number to reduce the size of the remote control.

For this generation, TCL promised more color and four-frame contrast, as well as improved 4K upscaling, thanks to the AiPQ Engine Gen 2 processor.

What we saw was as expected in terms of the brand improvements. The colors are actually more vibrant with a bit of side distortion, even when dealing with the VA panel here.

What we missed is the brightness. Often 300 nits isn’t enough for optimal brightness, depending on what you’re consuming. Since this TV generates a lot of reflections, higher lighting will do well to reduce these effects.

In addition, we have an image of satisfactory quality for viewing TV channels, with open digital tuning, or through cable TV decoders. The upgrade works decently, as long as you stay within two meters or so, so the granules don’t bounce off the screen.

Only in streaming services are the possibilities being explored in more detail, as they support HDR10 in compatible content. But the applications will be a topic later.

Audio-wise, we have a total power of 20W, which is very pleasant in any situation, in the 2.0 speakers. The size is high and the quality is generally good.

Of course, here you will not find technologies that make the sound richer, such as Dolby Atmos and DTS. But TCL has put together a few options to improve the dialogues or the bass, if you prefer. Now, if you want something above average, you’ll need to connect an external soundbar for that.

This TV comes with the original Android TV 11 system under the Google TV interface. It provides easier access to different movies and series from multiple streams. It serves as a hub of the best, with a selection of titles that you might like the most.

The idea is great, if it does not generate some difficulties in navigating. Starting at startup, if you don’t set it to start up quickly where you left off, the lag is higher than what you might find in competitors, such as Samsung’s Tizen. At least, the slowness does not apply to the Internet, as the device supports Wi-Fi at 5 GHz.

Until the TCL and Google TV animations appear, if you need to see something urgent in action, you’ll likely miss the scene. Even when switching from some input to the main page of the interface, the process takes valuable time. On-screen shortcuts only favor recent apps, which can be patient until you open an app other than those with dedicated buttons on the console.

One of the features here is Ambient Mode, where you can leave the clock on the screen and scroll through the photos. You can embed the selection directly from Google Images, or keep some of the work found in Google Arts and Culture.

Having an assistant also gives you more possibilities. From opening content in specific apps to asking for temperature or controlling connected devices in your home. All with the ease of a shortcut button on the remote control.

The list of applications is quite extensive, thanks to the presence of the Play Store. Of course, not all applications on the mobile phone are available here, but there are already options that are absent from competitors. As in the case of the dedicated Premiere app, for example.

But not all is well. We have noticed that the tools that are most optimized for working quickly are those with shortcuts on the remote control. The opening is agile, just like in Disney Plus; Videos easily go to maximum quality, especially on Netflix; There is usually no interruption in the live broadcast, as in the Copa do Brasil games on Prime Video.

By the way, this is a problem that appears in a number of applications on this TV. In the case of Premiere, broadcasts will not be able to go to Full HD and are in much lower quality, without any change. This has also been observed in matches shown by HBO Max, which are in lower resolutions all the time in the live broadcast.

In the case of Star Plus, the image gets as far as possible on the ESPN signal, but there is a huge drop in frames per second, which makes the image lose fluidity. In Combat, the app often doesn’t leave the opening image.

DirecTV GO is another channel that plays channels in low quality. In this case, you have the secret to fix it. Just go back a few seconds in the table and hit “live”, or choose a channel and change it in the guide. However, we are talking about something that should not happen.

Since this is not a TV designed for gamers, here you will not find resources that greatly improve your gameplay. The board’s rate is 60Hz, which is well below what the most demanding gamers require for a more fluid picture.

The main gaming function is HDR10, which can be activated when you play a title in your video game. You can also put it in “Game” mode in the photo preset, but this makes the colors less aggressive.

At the very least, Steam Link support is guaranteed, which allows you to wirelessly connect to your PC gaming platform to play directly on your TV. The experience is just decent, with better performance in platform-optimized titles, like Street Fighter V, for example.

The TCL P635 has proven to be satisfactory for what it suggests. That is, to offer a TV with picture improvements compared to its predecessor, powerful audio and the Google TV platform, to easily access many movies and series, regardless of the broadcast, despite the slowness when browsing.

However, it is still far from the top-of-the-line model, as are OLED and QLED TVs. Plus it’s not compatible with a high frame rate per second, which leaves gamers in the background here.

Another problem is the lack of optimization for some applications, especially those that are not among the priorities with shortcuts in control and live broadcasting. In this case, we can expect that a software update will be enough to fix defects in the future.

Is it worth it?

The P635 is available in the Brazilian market at prices ranging between 2,300 and 2,500 R$. It’s a cheaper option than competitors like the Samsung AU7700 or LG’s UP7750. But we understand TCL is a recommended option if it’s closer to R$2,000, in a 50-inch size.

Did you find this TV satisfactory in what it promises? Would you have one of them in your living room or bedroom? What is your assessment of the Google TV platform? You can interact with us freely there in the space below.