Expert review of the TCL C831

It wasn't difficult to install the C831. I attached the stand with the included screws and the TV was ready for use right away. When I first look at the C831, my eyes directly notice the sleek design and the modern-looking screen. The television includes 2 different remotes.

I watch a nature documentary and the bright and rich colors directly catch my eye. Thanks to the Quantum Dot layer in combination with the 10-bit panel, the television displays more than 1 billion color tones with a high brightness. I notice this when I view images of a bright orange snake. I distinguish many different tones of orange and yellow on the screen. The colors really pop on the screen thanks to the high brightness. The high refresh rate allows the television to display smooth images. As a result, you won't miss a lizard catching a mosquito with their tongue in a nature documentary, for example.

The C831 has Mini-LED local dimming. A television with Mini-LED lights up the screen via thousands of tiny LED lights that all light up or dim individually. As a result, dark images are really dark. I notice this when I watch images of the universe. The bright planets stand out against the dark background of space. Thanks to this contrast, movies come to life more and you'll recognize extra details in dark scenes, for example.

The image of the C831 is properly visible from any place in the room. I notice this when I look at the television from different angles. The screen remains properly visible, and the colors are still bright. The television doesn't have an anti-glare screen. Due to this, I sometimes see reflections of the daylight on the screen. But the image remains properly visible. I recommend you to not place the screen in front of a window.

The C831 looks very modern thanks to the sleek design of the stand. A disadvantage of the television is that the stand is made of plastic. During the installation, the stand felt quite fragile due to this. It does look nice, with the tight edges of the stand. This makes the television a nice addition to your interior.

While watching a concert ont he C831, I notice the good audio right away. The television has 3 speakers and a built-in subwoofer. Thanks to this, I also hear the low bass coming from the television. For regular use, the audio system is sufficient. But if you want a really immersive sound experience, I recommend an external soundbar.

I find the Google TV smart platform on the C831. In this screen-filling and clear menu, I can easily navigate through populair apps like YouTube and Disney+. You can control the smart menu with the accompanying remote or with Google Assistant on your mobile device. This allows me to use my voice to open an app. The app will then open on the television.

The TCL C831 includes 2 different remotes. I use the first remote to switch between channels and for regular use. If I want to use the smart functions of the TV, I use the designated remote. This one has buttons for apps like Spotify and YouTube. I think it's strange that 2 remotes are includes, instead of 1 with all functions. Both remotes feel comfortable in my hand, but fragile at the same time since they're made of plastic.