TCL S434 and S425 are two 4K OLED TV series that should be mentioned in our choice list if we talk about affordable 4K LED TV in 2021. TCL S434 comes with 5 screen size options : 75-Inch (75S434), 65-Inch (65S434), 55-Inch (55S434), 50-Inch (50S434) and 43-Inch (43S434) while TCL S425 comes with 6 screen size options : 75-Inch (75S425), 65-Inch (65S425), 55-Inch (55S425), 50-Inch (50S425), 49-Inch (49S425) and 43-Inch (43S425). TCL S434 comes as part of TCL’s 2020/2021 4-Series while TCL S425 was released as part of TCL’s 2019 4-Series. Which is the more suitable choice? It’s necessary for us to know more about similarities and differences of TCL S434 and S425 before we can find out which of them is the more suitable choice.
TCL S434 and S425 Similarities
Since they are both introduced as part TCL’s 4-Series (although from different lineup year), we can find that there are a number of similarities between TCL S434 and S425. Before we talk further about the similarities of those two 4K LED TV series, let’s take a look at their similar specs and features in the table below.
| TCL S434 | TCL S425 | |
| Display Technology | LED | LED |
| Resolution | 4K UHD | 4K UHD |
| Upscaling Technology | 4K Upscaling | 4K Upscaling |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz Native | 120Hz Native (except 50-Inch : 60Hz) |
| Motion Technology | 120 CMI (60Hz Native) | 120 CMI (60Hz Native) |
| Gaming Technology |
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| Built-in Wifi | 802.11ac 2×2 Dual Band | 802.11ac 2×2 Dual Band |
| Sound Technology |
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| HDMI/USB | 3/1 | 3/1 |
TCL S434
Based on the table of similarities above, we can talk more about similarities between TCL S434 and S425.
1. 4K UHD Resolution with 4K Upscaling
Both of TCL S434 and S425 come with 4K UHD resolution. They are also completed with 4K Upscaling. 4K Upscaling allows us to enjoy excellent picture clarity on the screen of those two TVs, not only from original 4K content sources but also from non 4K contents that upscaled into near 4K picture quality.
2. Motion and Gaming Technology
The motion technology that integrated with TCL S434 and S425 are similar. They both come with 120 CMI (Clear Motion Index). 120 CMI is indeed quite basic motion technology that based on 60Hz native refresh rate. But It’s still able to delivers smooth motion images for our favorite action movies and sports. 120 CMI of TCL S434 and S425 are also completed with Game Mode and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) to bring better gaming experience when we use those two TVs as our gaming monitor.
3. Built-in Wifi and Sound Technology
The built-in Wifi integrated with TCL S434 and S425 are similar. They both come with 802.11ac 2×2 Dual Band that provide fast and stable internet connection for those two TVs. We can also find that the speaker system integrated with TCL S434 and S425 are similar. They both come with 2Ch 16W speaker system (except 75-Inch screen size option). 2Ch 16W speaker system is indeed quite basic but we can still enjoy good sound quality with Dolby Digital Plus. We can also find that both of TCL S434 and S425 are also completed with Audio Return Channel (ARC) that allows us to enjoy better sound quality with additional AV system of soundbar.
TCL S434 and S425 Differences
Besides similarities that we have talked before, there are also few differences between TCL S434 and S425. Before we can talk more about their differences, let’s take a look at their different specs and features in the table of differences below.
| TCL S434 | TCL S425 | ||||||||||||
| Introduced | 2021/2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||
| HDR Support |
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HDR10 | |||||||||||
| Operating System | Android TV | Roku TV | |||||||||||
| Remote Control | Voice Remote Control | RC280 | |||||||||||
| Control Support | Google Assistant |
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| Price | More Expensive | Less Expensive | |||||||||||
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TCL S425
After we look at the table of differences above, we can find that there are few differences between TCL S434 and S425. Let’s talk more about those differences together.
1. HDR Support
Both of TCL S434 and S425 already support HDR. They both already support HDR10. But additionally we can find that only TCL S434 supports HLG.
2. Operating System
The operating system that integrated with TCL S434 and S425 are different. TCL S434 comes with Android TV while TCL S4254 comes with Roku TV. Both of Android TV and Roku TV are able to deliver wide range of premium entertainment from our favorite content providers although they are different in design, style and user interface.
3. Remote Control and Control Support
The remote control included with TCL S434 and S425 are different. TCL S434 comes with Voice Remote Control while TCL S425 only comes with standard RC280 remote. When it comes to additional control support, we can find that TCL S434 only supports Google Assistant while TCL S425 support more advanced Roku Mobile App that can be installed in our smartphone as well as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. Roku Mobile App provides better advanced features such as voice control and private listening.
4. Price
We can find that TCL S434 is usually offered at the higher price than TCL S425 for similar screen size option. Before we can find the latest price difference of TCL S434 and S425, we need to check the price of those two TVs as TV prices often change over time.
Which is the More Suitable Choice?
After we talk about similarities and differences of TCL S434 and S425, we can find that there are few differences between TCL S434 and S425 besides a number of similarities. Which of them is the more suitable choice? TCL S434 is more suitable for you if you are looking for Smart TV with Android TV operating system. It also already supports HLG to give wider support for HDR contents. In the price side, we can indeed find that TCL S434 is usually offered at the higher price than TCL S425. So if you are looking for Smart 4K LED TV with Android operating system and additional HLG support while you don’t mind to spend more, then TCL S434 is the more suitable choice.
| TCL S434 Prices | |
| 75-Inch (75S434) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 65-Inch (65S434) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 55-Inch (55S434) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 50-Inch (50S434) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 43-Inch (43S434) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
TCL S425 is usually offered at the lower price than TCL S434. It’s also one of the most affordable 4K LED Smart TV that we can find in the market nowadays. If you have more limited budget, then TCL S425 is the one that you should choose. It’s also the one that you should choose if you prefer Roku TV to Android TV. TCL S425 indeed doesn’t support HLG, but we can still enjoy enhanced details and expanded contrast from HDR10 content sources.
| TCL S425 Prices | |
| 75-Inch (75S425) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 65-Inch (65S425) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 55-Inch (55S425) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 50-Inch (50S425) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
| 49-Inch (49S425) | Check Today’s Price (Unavailable)… |
| 43-Inch (43S425) | Check Today’s Price (Walmart.com)… |
