Sony X80K 55" (LED) vs TCL 5-Series S555 65" (QLED)
The Verdict
Sony's X80K delivers solid midrange performance at a competitive price, but TCL's 5-Series S555 offers substantially better value despite costing $100 less. The TCL's 65-inch QLED panel with 800 nits brightness and 120Hz refresh rate significantly outpaces Sony's 55-inch Direct LED at 500 nits and 60Hz, making it the superior choice for movies and gaming alike. TCL includes variable refresh rate support (critical for console and PC gaming), 8ms input lag versus Sony's 16ms, and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity compared to Wi-Fi 5. Sony counters with Dolby Atmos audio (though at lower 20W output) and a slightly slimmer profile at 3.0 inches, but these are minor advantages. Both run Google TV with dual voice assistant support and share identical VESA mounts. The TCL's larger screen combined with its QLED technology, superior brightness, higher refresh rate, and gaming-focused features make it the clear winner. You're essentially getting a bigger, brighter, faster TV for less money. The only reason to choose Sony would be space constraints or a strong preference for Dolby Atmos, but the TCL's audio handling is adequate for most viewers.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Sony X80K 55" (LED) if…
- →Sony's X1 processor delivers noticeably better image processing than budget competitors
- →Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos provide a premium HDR experience
- →Google TV with Chromecast built-in handles streaming beautifully
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 X80K 55" (LED)
Pros
- Sony's X1 processor delivers noticeably better image processing than budget competitors
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos provide a premium HDR experience
- Google TV with Chromecast built-in handles streaming beautifully
- Triluminos Pro color engine produces natural, accurate colors
- Four HDMI ports for connecting multiple devices
Cons
- 60Hz panel with no VRR — not for gaming
- 500 nits brightness limits HDR impact
- Edge-lit LED without local dimming has poor contrast
- 20W audio is thin and tinny
- Bluetooth 4.2 limits wireless audio options
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 X80K 55" (LED) | TCL 5-Series S555 65" (QLED) |
|---|---|---|
| Body | ||
| VESA mount | 300 x 300mm | 300 x 300mm |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs | 42.3 lbs |
| Dimensions | 48.7 x 28.3 x 3.0 inches | 57.2 x 33.0 x 3.2 inches |
| Dimensions (w/ stand) | 48.7 x 30.5 x 9.4 inches | 57.2 x 35.6 x 12.3 inches |
| Audio | ||
| Output (watts) | 20 | 24 |
| Speakers | 2.0ch | 2.0ch |
| Dolby Atmos | ||
| Gaming | ||
| VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) | ||
| ALLM | ||
| Input lag (ms) | 16 | 8 |
| Display | ||
| HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Size | 55" | 65" |
| Type | Direct LED (IPS / VA varies by size) | QLED (VA LCD) |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K) | 3840 x 2160 (4K) |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 800 |
| Smart TV | ||
| Os | Google TV | Google TV |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant, Alexa | Google Assistant |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Ethernet | ||
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | 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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