Sony A80L 65" (OLED) vs TCL 5-Series S555 65" (QLED)
The Verdict
Sony's A80L dominates with superior picture quality courtesy of OLED technology, delivering perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and exceptional color accuracy that QLED simply cannot match. Peak brightness reaches 1000 nits versus TCL's 800 nits, making HDR content significantly more impactful. Audio prowess strongly favors Sony with 50W Acoustic Surface Audio+ system featuring dual subwoofers against TCL's modest 24W 2.0 setup,noticeable for movies and gaming. Gaming performance proves identical with 8ms input lag and VRR/ALLM support on both. TCL's Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and lower price tag ($599 vs $1999) provide genuine budget advantages, plus Dolby Vision support is present. However, Sony's superior contrast, brightness, and audio create an unmatched premium experience for cinematic content. Choose the A80L if picture quality matters most; TCL offers tremendous value for budget-conscious buyers accepting compromises.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Sony A80L 65" (OLED) if…
- →Sony's legendary image processing with XR Cognitive Processor is unmatched
- →Acoustic Surface Audio+ vibrates the screen as a speaker — immersive and unique
- →Superb motion handling makes it the best TV for film and sports content
Buy the TCL 5-Series S555 65" (QLED) if…
- →65-inch 4K with 120Hz and VRR at $599 is outstanding value
- →Both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support — rare at this price
- →QLED color enhancement produces vivid, saturated colors
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Sony A80L 65" (OLED)
Pros
- Sony's legendary image processing with XR Cognitive Processor is unmatched
- Acoustic Surface Audio+ vibrates the screen as a speaker — immersive and unique
- Superb motion handling makes it the best TV for film and sports content
- Google TV platform has the widest app selection of any smart TV OS
- Perfect blacks with no blooming — inherent OLED advantage
Cons
- Only 2 of 4 HDMI ports are HDMI 2.1 — limiting for multi-console setups
- Wi-Fi 5 in 2023 is a disappointing omission
- $1,999 is pricier than LG C3 and Samsung S90C at the same size
- Burn-in risk with OLED for static content use
TCL 5-Series S555 65" (QLED)
Pros
- 65-inch 4K with 120Hz and VRR at $599 is outstanding value
- Both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support — rare at this price
- QLED color enhancement produces vivid, saturated colors
- Wi-Fi 6 and four HDMI ports (one HDMI 2.1) handle modern setups
- Google TV platform with Chromecast built-in
Cons
- Only 1 HDMI 2.1 port — the other 3 are HDMI 2.0
- 800 nits is decent but not as impressive as the 6-Series
- No Dolby Atmos — audio is basic
- Edge-lit local dimming with limited zones shows blooming
Full Specifications
| Spec | Sony A80L 65" (OLED) | TCL 5-Series S555 65" (QLED) |
|---|---|---|
| Body | ||
| VESA mount | 300 x 300mm | 300 x 300mm |
| Weight | 44.1 lbs | 42.3 lbs |
| Dimensions | 57.1 x 33.3 x 2.1 inches | 57.2 x 33.0 x 3.2 inches |
| Dimensions (w/ stand) | 57.1 x 35.0 x 11.8 inches | 57.2 x 35.6 x 12.3 inches |
| Audio | ||
| Output (watts) | 50 | 24 |
| Speakers | Acoustic Surface Audio+ (2 actuators + 2 subwoofers) | 2.0ch |
| Dolby Atmos | ||
| Gaming | ||
| VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) | ||
| ALLM | ||
| Input lag (ms) | 8 | 8 |
| Display | ||
| HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Size | 65" | 65" |
| Type | OLED (WOLED) | QLED (VA LCD) |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K) | 3840 x 2160 (4K) |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1000 | 800 |
| Smart TV | ||
| Os | Google TV | Google TV |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant, Alexa (via Works with Alexa) | Google Assistant |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Ethernet | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| USB ports | 2 | 1 |
| HDMI ports | 4 | 4 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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