Looking for a budget-friendly 50-inch 4K TV with stunning picture quality and a user-friendly interface? The TCL 50S535 might be the perfect choice for you. This TV boasts a wealth of features, including Dolby Vision HDR for vibrant and realistic visuals, and the intuitive Roku TV operating system that offers a seamless streaming experience.
But does the TCL 50S535 live up to its promise of exceptional performance at an affordable price? We put this TV to the test to find out. We’ll dive into its picture quality, sound performance, smart TV features, and overall value, giving you a comprehensive look at what this TV can offer.
Our in-depth review will explore the TCL 50S535’s strengths and weaknesses, helping you decide if this TV is the right fit for your entertainment needs. From its impressive Dolby Vision HDR capabilities to its user-friendly Roku interface, we’ll cover all the key features and provide our honest assessment of this budget-friendly 4K TV.
Whether you’re a casual viewer or a serious movie buff, the TCL 50S535 is a compelling option in the crowded 50-inch TV market. Join us as we explore its pros and cons and see if this TV delivers on its promise of a cinematic experience at an attractive price point.
| Name: | TCL 50S535 50-Inch 4K Dolby Vision HDR Roku TV |
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| Price: | |
| Rating: | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
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TCL 50S535 50-Inch 4K Dolby Vision HDR Roku TV Review
The TCL 50S535 is a 50-inch 4K TV that offers a great balance of features and affordability. It boasts Dolby Vision HDR, a Roku TV operating system, and a sleek design. But does it deliver on its promise of a high-quality viewing experience? Let’s find out.
The TCL 50S535 sports a minimalist design with thin bezels surrounding the display. The TV is lightweight and easy to mount on a wall or place on a stand. It comes with a standard table stand, but you can also opt for a VESA mount for a more sleek look.
The 50S535 boasts a 4K resolution and Dolby Vision HDR, which results in vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The TV handles motion well, minimizing blur and judder. While the picture quality is impressive for the price, it might not be as vibrant and detailed as higher-end models. Still, you get a significant upgrade from standard HD TVs.
The sound quality is decent for a TV of this price range. It delivers clear dialogue and a balanced soundstage. However, you might want to consider adding an external soundbar for a more immersive audio experience. The built-in speakers are sufficient for casual viewing but might lack the punch for action-packed movies or intense video games.
The TCL 50S535 shines in its smart features. The Roku TV operating system is known for its user-friendliness and extensive streaming app library. You can access popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube, as well as other apps like HBO Max, Disney+, and Apple TV+. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, with a dedicated remote that allows for voice search and quick access to favorite apps.
The TCL 50S535 offers excellent connectivity options, including four HDMI ports, one USB port, and an Ethernet port. The TV also supports Wi-Fi for wireless connectivity. This makes it easy to connect your gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, or streaming devices.
The TCL 50S535 is not the best choice for hardcore gamers due to its limited input lag. While it is acceptable for casual gaming, you might experience some input delay in fast-paced games, which could be noticeable for competitive players.
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The TCL 50S535 is a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers looking for a good quality 4K TV with smart features. The Dolby Vision HDR delivers a great picture quality, and the Roku TV operating system is user-friendly and offers a wide range of streaming options. However, the sound quality and gaming performance are not its strongest points. If you are looking for a more immersive audio experience or a TV for competitive gaming, you might want to consider other options.
Introduction
The TCL 50S535 is a 50-inch 4K TV that offers a compelling blend of features and value. It’s part of TCL’s S-Series lineup, known for delivering a solid viewing experience without breaking the bank. This model specifically boasts Dolby Vision HDR support, which enhances the visual fidelity of compatible content, and integrates the popular Roku TV operating system, providing a user-friendly smart TV experience. In this review, we’ll delve into the TCL 50S535’s design, picture quality, sound performance, smart features, and overall value to determine if it’s the right TV for your entertainment needs.
Design and Build Quality
The TCL 50S535 has a sleek and modern design that fits well in most living rooms. It features a thin bezel surrounding the screen, which helps to create an immersive viewing experience. The TV is also lightweight and easy to mount on the wall. The build quality feels solid and well-constructed. The stand is sturdy and provides a stable base for the TV, while the back panel is made of plastic, giving it a premium feel. The overall design and build quality of the TCL 50S535 are impressive for its price point, making it a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to sacrifice looks or durability.
Picture Quality
The TCL 50S535 delivers a surprisingly good picture quality for its price point. It boasts a 4K resolution with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support, which enhances the viewing experience with increased contrast, vibrant colors, and deeper blacks. The picture is sharp and detailed, revealing intricate textures and fine details in both movies and TV shows. The TV’s wide color gamut provides a wider range of colors, resulting in more realistic and visually pleasing images.
While the TCL 50S535 might not match the absolute peak brightness of some high-end TVs, it offers a decent contrast ratio, allowing you to distinguish between dark and bright areas in the image. This is particularly noticeable in dark scenes, where details are preserved and shadows don’t become completely crushed.
The TV’s motion handling is also impressive for its price. It does a good job of reducing blur and judder, particularly during fast-paced action scenes or sports broadcasts. While it might not be as smooth as higher-end models with more sophisticated motion interpolation technology, it still provides a more enjoyable viewing experience than TVs with poor motion handling.
The TCL 50S535 also supports Dolby Vision, which is a dynamic HDR format that offers a more immersive viewing experience. Dolby Vision analyzes each scene individually and adjusts the picture settings in real-time to create a more realistic and visually impactful experience. The results are impressive, with deeper blacks, brighter highlights, and more vivid colors.
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Overall, the picture quality on the TCL 50S535 is a strong point. It delivers a sharp, detailed, and vibrant image that is well-suited for a variety of content. While it might not be the absolute best in its class, it offers impressive value for money, especially considering its affordable price.
Sound Quality
The TCL 50S535 offers decent sound quality for a TV in this price range. It has two 8W speakers that deliver a clear and balanced audio experience for everyday viewing. However, don’t expect a cinematic surround sound experience, as the speakers lack the depth and bass to truly immerse you in movies and video games.
The sound is adequate for casual TV watching, but if you’re looking for a more robust audio experience, you’ll likely need to invest in an external soundbar or home theater system. While the integrated speakers lack punch, they do perform well in terms of clarity and dialogue delivery. You should be able to easily understand voices during TV shows and movies, even during action-packed scenes.
The TCL 50S535 does support Dolby Audio, which helps enhance the audio quality of compatible content. While it doesn’t offer the full immersive experience of Dolby Atmos, it does improve the overall soundstage and clarity. Overall, the TCL 50S535’s sound quality is a solid performer for its price point, but it’s not exceptional. If sound quality is a major priority, you might want to consider a TV with a more powerful speaker system or invest in a separate sound system to elevate your audio experience.
Smart Features
The TCL 50S535 boasts a robust set of smart features, leveraging the power of the Roku TV operating system. You’ll find a plethora of streaming apps readily available, including popular choices like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and YouTube. The intuitive Roku interface makes navigation a breeze, allowing you to effortlessly browse through streaming content and discover new titles.
One of the standout features is the voice remote, which simplifies the process of searching for movies, TV shows, and even launching apps. Just speak your request into the remote, and Roku TV will handle the rest.
The 50S535 also supports Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast, allowing you to easily stream content from your mobile devices to the TV screen. You can also mirror your phone’s display on the TV, making it ideal for presentations or enjoying photos and videos on a larger screen.
Furthermore, the TCL 50S535 is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control the TV hands-free. You can use your voice to adjust the volume, change channels, and even launch apps. The integration of these voice assistants adds a layer of convenience to your viewing experience, making it effortless to navigate and control your entertainment.
Roku TV Operating System
The TCL 50S535 runs on the Roku TV operating system, a popular and user-friendly platform known for its simplicity and extensive streaming capabilities. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, even for first-time smart TV users. It features a clean layout with a dedicated home screen that displays your most-watched channels and recommended content.
One of the key advantages of Roku TV is its vast app library, offering access to virtually every major streaming service, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV+, and many more. You can also find specialized apps for live TV, sports, music, and even educational content. The Roku TV platform is constantly being updated with new features and apps, ensuring a dynamic and engaging user experience.
Another standout feature is Roku’s voice remote, which allows you to control your TV and navigate the interface using voice commands. Simply press the voice button on the remote and speak your request, such as “Play The Mandalorian” or “Go to YouTube.” This hands-free control adds convenience and makes it easier to find your desired content.
Roku TV also offers personalized recommendations based on your viewing history and preferences. The platform learns what you enjoy watching and suggests new shows, movies, and channels tailored to your taste. This personalized experience helps you discover fresh content and ensures you never run out of things to watch.
Furthermore, Roku TV is compatible with a wide range of streaming devices, including Roku streaming sticks and players. You can easily connect your existing Roku device to the TV and enjoy seamless integration between the two platforms. This flexibility allows you to build a personalized streaming setup that meets your specific needs.
The TCL 50S535’s Roku TV integration offers a smooth and enjoyable smart TV experience. Its user-friendly interface, vast app library, voice control, and personalized recommendations make it a compelling choice for anyone looking for a straightforward and feature-rich smart TV platform.
Connectivity
The TCL 50S535 boasts a decent selection of connectivity options, catering to most users’ needs. On the back panel, you’ll find three HDMI ports, perfect for connecting your gaming consoles, streaming devices, or even a Blu-ray player. One of these ports supports eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), allowing you to send uncompressed audio signals back to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver for a more immersive audio experience. For those with older devices, there’s also a composite video input and an optical audio output.
For those who prefer a wired connection, the TCL 50S535 includes an Ethernet port. This can be especially useful if you have a fast internet connection and want to ensure a stable network for streaming or gaming. Wireless connectivity is also covered with built-in Wi-Fi 5.
While the TCL 50S535 doesn’t include any USB ports, it does have a built-in Bluetooth receiver. This lets you wirelessly connect headphones or a portable Bluetooth speaker to enjoy your favorite shows without disturbing others. However, it’s worth noting that the lack of USB ports may be a drawback for some users who like to connect external hard drives or flash drives for media playback.
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Gaming Performance
The TCL 50S535’s gaming performance is decent for a TV in its price range. It supports both HDMI 2.0 and 4K at 60Hz, making it compatible with most modern consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. However, it lacks advanced gaming features like HDMI 2.1, variable refresh rate (VRR), and low latency mode (ALLM), which are common on higher-end TVs. This means you might experience some screen tearing or stuttering during fast-paced gaming, especially in demanding titles.
While the TCL 50S535 doesn’t offer the smoothest gaming experience, it is still a decent choice for casual gamers who prioritize affordable 4K visuals and a user-friendly interface. If you’re a serious gamer, you may want to consider a TV with more advanced gaming features for a truly immersive experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros and Cons
The TCL 50S535 is a compelling TV offering a fantastic value proposition for its price. Let’s break down the pros and cons to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs:
Pros:
- Excellent Picture Quality: The 50S535 boasts a beautiful 4K display with Dolby Vision HDR, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and impressive contrast. You’ll enjoy a cinematic experience for movies, shows, and gaming.
- Powerful Sound: Despite its slim profile, the TCL 50S535 packs a punch with its audio system. The integrated speakers deliver clear dialogue and decent bass, making it suitable for most entertainment needs.
- Roku TV Operating System: The intuitive and user-friendly Roku TV OS is a clear winner. With a vast selection of streaming apps, quick access to your favorite content, and easy navigation, the 50S535 offers a seamless and enjoyable smart TV experience.
- Affordable Price: The TCL 50S535 offers impressive features and performance at a very reasonable price, making it an excellent value for money.
- Versatile Connectivity: The TV features a wide range of ports, including HDMI, USB, and optical audio, allowing you to connect various devices and peripherals easily.
- Sleek and Modern Design: The TCL 50S535 boasts a sleek and minimalistic design that will complement any living room setup.
Cons:
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- Limited Viewing Angles: The 50S535’s IPS panel offers decent viewing angles, but they’re not as wide as some other TVs, meaning picture quality can degrade if viewed from extreme angles.
- No Built-in Subwoofer: While the built-in speakers are decent, they lack a dedicated subwoofer for those who crave a more immersive audio experience. You may need to consider an external sound system for a truly cinematic experience.
- No Local Dimming: The absence of local dimming technology may result in some blooming (haloing) around bright objects on a dark background. This is not a major issue but can be noticeable in certain scenes.
- Basic Remote: The provided remote is functional but lacks advanced features like voice control or backlighting, which can be a minor inconvenience in low light conditions.
Overall, the TCL 50S535 is an exceptional TV for those seeking a budget-friendly option with excellent picture quality, a fantastic smart TV experience, and a sleek design. However, if you require the absolute best viewing angles, immersive audio, or advanced remote features, you might consider other alternatives.
Price and Availability
The TCL 50S535 is a budget-friendly 50-inch 4K TV that delivers a surprisingly good picture quality for its price. It is available for purchase at major online retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, and typically retails for around $300-$350. This makes it a competitive option in the 50-inch 4K TV market, especially considering its inclusion of features like Dolby Vision HDR and a Roku TV operating system.
Keep in mind that prices may fluctuate depending on sales and promotions, so it’s always a good idea to check current prices before making a purchase. You can also find refurbished models for even lower prices, which can be a good option if you’re looking to save some money.
Ultimately, the TCL 50S535 offers a great value for its price. It’s a great option for budget-minded shoppers looking for a 50-inch 4K TV with good picture quality and smart features.
Conclusion
The TCL 50S535 is a solid 50-inch 4K TV that delivers excellent value for money. Its picture quality is impressive, thanks to Dolby Vision HDR and a wide color gamut. The sound quality is also decent, and the Roku TV operating system provides a user-friendly and feature-rich smart TV experience. While the gaming performance could be better, this TV is a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable 4K TV with excellent picture quality and a wide range of smart features. If you’re on a budget and looking for a TV that delivers a great viewing experience, the TCL 50S535 is definitely worth considering.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a similar TV with slightly different features or a different price point, here are some alternatives to consider:
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TCL 43S535 43-Inch 4K Dolby Vision HDR Roku TV: This model offers a smaller screen size and a slightly lower price than the 50S535, but it still boasts 4K resolution, Dolby Vision HDR support, and the Roku TV operating system. This can be a great option if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly TV but still want a great picture quality.
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Hisense 50H8G 50-Inch 4K Dolby Vision HDR Android TV: This TV from Hisense offers a similar feature set to the TCL 50S535, but it runs on the Android TV operating system instead of Roku TV. Android TV offers a wider range of streaming apps and is known for its more customizable interface. However, Roku TV is generally considered more user-friendly.
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Samsung UN50AU8000F 50-Inch 4K Crystal Processor 4K TV: This Samsung TV is a bit more expensive than the TCL 50S535, but it offers some additional features like Crystal Processor 4K for enhanced picture quality and a more sophisticated design. It also runs on the Tizen operating system, which is a solid alternative to Roku TV and Android TV.
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LG OLED55C1PUB 55-Inch 4K OLED TV: If you’re willing to spend more, you can consider an OLED TV like the LG OLED55C1PUB. OLED TVs offer superior picture quality with perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and wide viewing angles. However, they are significantly more expensive than LCD TVs like the TCL 50S535.
Ultimately, the best TV for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Consider your budget, screen size, feature set, and operating system before making your final decision.
The TCL 50S535 delivers impressive picture quality for its price point, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and crisp detail thanks to its 4K resolution and Dolby Vision HDR support. The Roku TV platform is a standout feature, providing a vast library of streaming apps and a user-friendly interface. While the sound quality is decent, it may not be powerful enough for larger rooms or those seeking an immersive audio experience.
Overall, the TCL 50S535 is a solid choice for budget-conscious consumers who prioritize picture quality and streaming convenience. It’s a great option for smaller living rooms or bedrooms where the audio limitations won’t be as noticeable. However, those seeking exceptional sound quality or a more immersive home theater experience may want to consider a more expensive model.
If you’re looking for a 50-inch TV that offers excellent value for money, the TCL 50S535 is definitely worth considering. It’s a great option for casual viewers who enjoy streaming content and want a TV that delivers a visually appealing experience without breaking the bank.
With its combination of affordability, solid picture quality, and the user-friendly Roku platform, the TCL 50S535 stands out as a strong contender in the crowded budget TV market. It’s a great option for those seeking a reliable and feature-rich TV at an attractive price point, offering a balance of performance and value that makes it a compelling choice for many consumers.
Omar 
Hassan