TCL 65" S5 4K Smart Fire TV Review 2026
A 65" Fire TV with near-QLED color and dual HDR support for the price of most 55" QLEDs. TCL's value compression at work.
TCL's S5 bridges the gap between budget LED and QLED with improved color handling at a competitive price. Good for streaming-focused households on Fire TV.
65 Inches of Enhanced Color
TCL's S5 does not pretend to be something fancy. It is a 65" Fire TV with improved color handling, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, and a price tag that undercuts most 55" QLEDs. For streaming-focused households that want a big screen without a big investment, the math works.
The "enhanced color" branding sits between standard LED and true QLED. Colors are noticeably more vivid than basic budget panels — reds are warmer, greens more saturated — without reaching quantum dot levels. It is an honest middle ground at an honest price.
Strengths
- ✓Enhanced color performance approaching QLED levels
- ✓Dolby Vision and HDR10+ dual format support
- ✓Competitive pricing for a feature-rich 65" Fire TV
Weaknesses
- ✗60Hz limits gaming potential
- ✗No local dimming for improved contrast
- ✗Fire TV ads in the interface
Dual HDR: Both Formats Covered
Supporting both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ at $300–$500 is a real feature advantage. Netflix and Disney+ deliver Dolby Vision; Amazon Prime and some Warner content favor HDR10+. The S5 handles both natively instead of forcing content into a fallback format.
The actual HDR impact is moderate. The panel lacks the brightness to make specular highlights truly pop, and without local dimming, contrast in dark scenes is limited. But the tone mapping from Dolby Vision's dynamic metadata produces a visible improvement over standard HDR10 processing, even on this modest panel.
Enable Filmmaker Mode for movies. It disables motion smoothing and color enhancement, delivering content as directors intended. The S5's implementation is solid — it preserves the correct frame rate and color temperature without the artificial sharpening that plagues some budget TV cinema modes.
Living Room Streaming Machine
The S5 earns its keep as a daily streaming TV. Fire TV loads apps quickly, voice search works across services, and the 65" screen makes casual viewing feel more immersive than stepping down to 55".
The 60Hz limitation matters less for streaming than you might think. Most streaming content is 24fps or 30fps — the 60Hz panel handles these native frame rates without issue. Sports at 60fps are smooth. Only gaming and 120fps content suffer, and the S5 is not aimed at gamers.
Where the S5 struggles is bright rooms. Without local dimming, the panel washes out in direct sunlight. Close curtains for the best experience, or mount it in a room with controllable lighting.
The Price-to-Size Equation
At below average for its category pricing, the S5 delivers 65 inches of decent picture quality for what most brands charge for 55". If screen size is your priority and you are not chasing gaming features or reference-level contrast, this TV delivers the essentials at a fair price.
Step up to the Roku 65" Pro for QLED, local dimming, and 120Hz. Step down to budget LEDs for a bigger screen with fewer features. The S5 is the sensible middle ground for streaming households.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TCL S5 a QLED TV?
Not officially. TCL markets it as "enhanced color" rather than QLED. The color performance approaches QLED levels thanks to improved color filtering, but it lacks the quantum dot layer found in true QLEDs. Think of it as a bridge between basic LED and full QLED.
Can I game on the TCL 65" S5?
Only at 60fps. The 60Hz panel has no VRR, ALLM, or HDMI 2.1. Casual single-player gaming at 60fps works fine. Competitive gaming or 120fps console gaming requires stepping up to the TCL QM6K or another 120Hz TV.
How does the TCL S5 compare to the Roku Pro 65"?
The Roku 65" Pro Series costs more but adds QLED, local dimming, and 120Hz. The S5 trades those features for a lower price. If budget is tight and you want the best 65" Fire TV for casual streaming, the S5 delivers. If you can stretch, the Roku Pro is significantly better.
Does the S5 support both Dolby Vision and HDR10+?
Yes. Dual HDR format support means you get the best version of HDR content from any streaming service. This is unusual at this price point and one of the S5 best features.
Final Verdict
Rating: 4.3/5
TCL's S5 bridges the gap between budget LED and QLED with improved color handling at a competitive price. Good for streaming-focused households on Fire TV.
Buy it for a budget-friendly 65" streaming TV with dual HDR. Skip it if gaming matters or if you need a bright-room performer.