TCL 75" S5 4K Smart Fire TV Review 2026
75 inches of enhanced color on Fire TV for the price of most 55" QLEDs. A streaming machine that prioritizes size over specs.
TCL's 75" S5 offers enhanced color over basic LED panels at a price well below most 75" QLEDs. Fine for casual streaming, but serious viewers should step up to Mini-LED.
Screen Size Above All Else
TCL's 75" S5 makes one bet: that most casual viewers care more about screen size than panel technology. At mid-range for its category pricing, it delivers 75 inches of enhanced-color 4K with dual HDR support on Fire TV. No 120Hz. No local dimming. No gaming features. Just a big, colorful screen for streaming.
For a family room where the TV runs Netflix during dinner, shows cartoons on Saturday mornings, and streams football on Sundays, the S5 fills that role without pretending to be anything more.
Strengths
- ✓75" with improved color performance for around $540
- ✓Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support
- ✓Fire TV platform with voice remote
Weaknesses
- ✗60Hz panel with no gaming features
- ✗No local dimming — contrast limited in dark scenes
- ✗Motion handling at 75" can struggle with sports
Streaming in a Family Room
Bright, colorful content looks good on the S5. Animated movies, cooking shows, daytime TV — the enhanced color handling lifts these above basic LED performance. Dolby Vision content from Netflix and Disney+ gets proper dynamic tone mapping. HDR10+ content from Amazon Prime is also supported natively.
Dark content is where the S5 shows its limitations. Without local dimming, black levels are mediocre at 75". Night scenes look grayish rather than deep. Horror movies and atmospheric prestige TV lose their intended impact. If dark room movie watching is your primary use, this panel does not deliver.
Sports are a mixed bag. Football and basketball in bright stadiums look good on the large screen. Fast panning during soccer or hockey can show motion blur — the 60Hz panel lacks the refresh rate to render rapid horizontal movement cleanly.
The S5's 20W speakers are physically inadequate for a room sized for a 75" TV. Budget for a soundbar from the start. Even a basic 2.0 soundbar in the $80-150 range will transform the audio experience. Without one, dialogue from across a large room is often hard to hear clearly.
Casual Big Screen Value
The S5 at $500–$800 delivers 75 inches with better-than-basic color and dual HDR. For households where the TV is background entertainment as much as focused viewing, that value proposition works. Serious viewers should step up to TCL's Mini-LED lineup where 75" screens gain 144Hz, local dimming, and hundreds of backlight zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TCL 75" S5 a good TV for a large living room?
For casual streaming in a large room, yes. The 75" screen fills a big space nicely, and the enhanced color makes streaming content look better than basic LED panels. For sports or dark room movie watching, the lack of local dimming and 60Hz limit the experience. Pair it with a soundbar — the built-in speakers are not enough for a 75" room.
Does the S5 support gaming features?
Not really. The 60Hz panel has no VRR, ALLM, or HDMI 2.1. Casual gaming at 30-60fps works, but this is not a gaming TV. For 75" gaming, look at the TCL T7 or QM6K with 144Hz and HDMI 2.1.
How does the 75" S5 compare to the Hisense 75" E6?
Similar price range, similar limitations. The Hisense E6 has true QLED quantum dots and Filmmaker Mode for slightly better color. The TCL S5 has Dolby Vision and HDR10+ dual support. The Hisense runs on Fire TV, the TCL also runs Fire TV. Both are streaming-focused 75" TVs with 60Hz panels.
Is the Fire TV interface different on TCL versus Amazon TVs?
The interface is identical — Fire TV is the same on all licensed hardware. The difference is the underlying panel quality and processing. TCL tuning may differ slightly from Amazon Omni models, but the software experience, ads, and app selection are the same.
Final Verdict
Rating: 4.2/5
TCL's 75" S5 offers enhanced color over basic LED panels at a price well below most 75" QLEDs. Fine for casual streaming, but serious viewers should step up to Mini-LED.
Buy it for affordable 75" streaming with decent color. Skip it for gaming, dark room viewing, or sports where motion clarity matters.