TCL R635 vs S535 Similarities & Differences : What is Better in TCL R635?

When you are looking for 4K LED TV with Quantum Dot technology, local dimming and Dolby Vision support, I’m sure that TCL R635 and S535 are two choices that should be in our choice list. Both of TCL R635 and S535 are introduced as part of TCL’s 2020 TV lineup. TCL R635 comes with 3 screen size options : 75-Inch (75R635), 65-Inch (65R635) and 55-Inch (55R635) while TCL S535 comes with 4 screen size options : 75-Inch (75S535), 65-Inch (65S535), 55-Inch (55S535) and 50-Inch (50S535). TCL R635 is the series that positioned higher than TCL S535. What is better in TCL R635? It’s recommended for us to look at the similarities and differences of TCL R635 and S535 before we can find out what is better in TCL R635.

What are Their Similarities?

TCL R635

TCL R635

There are a number of similarities between TCL R635 and S535 since they are indeed introduced as higher-lower series in TCL’s 2020 TV lineup. What are their similarities? Let’s discuss their similarities together.

1. 4K UHD Resolution with Smart 4K Upscaling

Both of TCL R635 and S535 come with 4K UHD resolution. 4K UHD resolution of those two TVs are completed with Smart 4K Upscaling from AiPQ Engine. Smart 4K Upscaling allows us to enjoy excellent picture clarity not only from original 4K content sources but also from non 4K contents that upscaled into near 4K picture quality.

2. Quantum Dot Color with Contrast Control Zones

Both of TCL R635 and S535 come with QLED display. QLED display of those two TVs brings Quantum dot color that allows us to enjoy rich and accurate color details as it can delivers Wide Color Gamut. We can also find that both of TCL R635 and S535 are completed with Contrast Control Zones that works as their local dimming although the number of local dimming zones integrated with TCL R635 and S535 are indeed different.

3. AiPQ Engine and HDR Support

AiPQ Engine is already integrated with both TCL R635 and S535. It’s able to optimizes the color, clarity and contrast of the picture delivered on the screen of those two TVs. We can also enjoy enhanced details and expanded contrast from wide range of HDR content sources since both of TCL R635 and S535 already support HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG.

4. Operating System and Control Support

Both of TCL R635 and S535 come with Roku TV as their operating system. Roku TV allows us to enjoy wide range of premium entertainment from our favorite content providers with fast internet connection provided by 802.11ac dual band wireless. The included remote control of TCL R635 and S535 are actually different, but they both support Roku Mobile App, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple Siri that give us more options to control those two TVs using our voice.

5. Sound Technology

We can find similar speaker system integrated with both TCL R635 and S535. They both come with 2Ch 16W speaker system (75-Inch : 2CH 24W). Although it’s quite basic speaker system, we can still enjoy good sound quality with Dolby Digital Plus integrated with it. We can also find that eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) is already supported by both TCL R635 and S535. It allows us to enjoy higher quality audio from more advanced audio formats with additional AV system.

We can summarize the similarities of TCL R635 and S535 with the table below.

TCL R635 TCL S535
Introduced 2021 2021
Display Technology LED LED
Resolution 4K UHD 4K UHD
Upscaling Technology Smart 4K Upscaling Smart 4K Upscaling
Contrast Technology Contrast Control Zones Contrast Control Zones
Color Technology Quantum Dot Color Quantum Dot Color
HDR Support
  • HDR10
  • Dolby Vision
  • HLG
  • HDR10
  • Dolby Vision
  • HLG
Picture Engine AiPQ Engine AiPQ Engine
Operating System Roku TV Roku TV
Control Support
  • Roku Mobile App
  • Google Assistant
  • Amazon Alexa
  • Apple Siri
  • Roku Mobile App
  • Google Assistant
  • Amazon Alexa
  • Apple Siri
Built-in Wifi 802.11ac 2×2 Dual Band 802.11ac 2×2 Dual Band
Sound Technology
  • 2CH 16W, 75-Inch : 2CH 24W
  • eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
  • 2CH 16W, 75-Inch : 2CH 24W
  • eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI/USB 4/1 4/1

What are Their Differences?

TCL S535

TCL S535

As two TV series that positioned higher and lower, we can find that there are few differences between TCL R635 and S535. What are their differences? Let’s find out more about the differences of those two TVs together.

1. Backlight Technology and Number of Local Dimming Zones

The backlight technology of TCL R635 and S535 are different. TCL R635 comes with Mini-LED backlight while TCL S535 comes with Full Array LED Backlight. Mini-LED backlight is more advanced backlight technology than standard Full Array LED backlight. We can also find that the number of local dimming zones integrated with TCL R635 and S535 are different. TCL R635 comes with up to 240 local dimming zones while TCL S535 only comes with up to 80 local dimming zones. With Mini-LED Backlight and more contrast control zones, we can enjoy more excellent contrast vibrancy and light uniformity across the LED screen of TCL R635 than TCL S535 with Full Array LED and less contrast control zones.

2. Motion and Gaming Technology

We can find that the motion technology integrated with TCL R635 and S535 are different. TCL R635 comes with Natural Motion 480 that based on 120Hz native refresh rate while TCL S535 comes with Natural Motion 240 that based on 60Hz native refresh rate. Natural Motion 480 is more advanced motion technology that can delivers better input lag when we use the TV as our gaming monitor. While both of TCL R635 and S535 already support Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), we can find that only TCL R635 supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and FreeSync. With additional VRR and FreeSync support, TCL R635 is able to delivers more immersive gaming experience on the screen of TCL R635. We can also find that TCL R635 is already completed with THX Certified Game Mode.

3. Remote Control & Audio Passthrough/Dolby Processing

The remote control that included with TCL R635 and S535 are different. TCL R635 comes with RC580 voice enabled remote control while TCL S535 only comes with RC280 standard remote control. RC580 allows us to control TCL R635 conveniently with our voice. We can also find another small difference in the Audio Passthrough and Dolby Processing. TCL R635 already comes with Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos while TCL S535 only comes with Dolby Digital Plus.

4. Price

In the price side, TCL R635 is normally offered at the higher price than TCL S535 for similar screen size option. How much is the price difference between TCL R635 and S535? It’s a good idea to check the price of TCL R635 and S535 before we can find their latest price difference as their price often change from time to time.

The table below can summarizes the differences of TCL R635 and S535

TCL R635 TCL S535
Backlight Technology Mini LED Full Array LED
Contrast Control Zones Up to 240 Zones Up to 80 Zones
Motion Technology Natural Motion 480 (120Hz Native) Natural Motion 240 (60Hz Native)
Gaming Technology
  • Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
  • FreeSync
  • Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
  • THX Certified Game Mode
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
Remote Control RC580 (Voice Enabled Remote Control) RC280
Audio Passthrough & Dolby Processing
  • Dolby Digital Plus
  • Dolby Atmos
Dolby Digital Plus
Price More Expensive Less Expensive
75-Inch (75R635)

Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)…

65-Inch (65R635)

Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)…

55-Inch (55R635)

Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)…

75-Inch (75S535)

Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)…

65-Inch (65S535)

Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)…

55-Inch (55S535)

Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)…

50-Inch (50S535)

Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)…

What is Better in TCL R635?

From our discussion about similarities and differences of TCL R635 and S535, we can find that TCL R635 is better series than S535. What is better in TCL R635? As the higher series, TCL R635 comes with better contrast since it comes with more advanced Mini-LED backlight and more local dimming zones. It also can delivers more immersive gaming experience with more advanced Natural Motion 480 motion technology completed with VRR and FreeSync support. TCL R635 also comes with THX Certified Game Mode. Additionally, we can also find TCL R635 comes with RC580 Voice Enabled Remote Control as well as Dolby Atmos Audio Passthrough and Dolby Processing. So if you are interested in those better specs and features and you don’t mind to spend higher, then TCL R635 is the one that you should choose.

TCL R635 Prices
75-Inch (75R635) Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)…
65-Inch (65R635) Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)…
55-Inch (55R635) Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)…

TCL S535 is positioned as the lower series of TCL R635. It’s a good choice that you can consider if you have more limited budget. TCL basically still can delivers good contrast vibrancy as it already comes with Full Array LED backlight that completed with Contrast Control Zones although it’s still less excellent than Mini-LED of TCL R635. TCL S535 is also still able to deliver good input lag with its Natural Motion 240 and ALLM support although it’s indeed not as excellent as Natural Motion 480 of TCL R635. We can also use Roku Mobile App, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple Siri to control TCL S535 with our voice although it doesn’t come with Voice Enabled Remote Control. We can also enjoy higher quality audio with additional AV system since TCL S535 already supports eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel).

TCL S535 Prices
75-Inch (75S535) Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)…
65-Inch (65S535) Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)…
55-Inch (55S535) Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)…
50-Inch (50S535) Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)…

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