TCL 98-Inch Class S5 4K LED Smart TV with Google TV (98S550G, 2023-Model), Dolby Vision, HDR Ultra, Dolby Atmos, Google Assistant Built-In with Voice Remote, Works with Alexa, Streaming UHD Television

Stepping into a room dominated by a 98-inch display is striking in itself, but what’s more surprising is how quickly the sheer size fades into the background once you’re immersed in what it shows. The ultra-large screen comes into its own when paired with a resolution delivering four times the detail of Full HD, resulting in a display that remains crisp and engaging even at this massive scale. Close-up viewing can sometimes reveal the limitations of resolution versus screen size, but here the image holds up remarkably well, helped immensely by TCL’s High Brightness Direct LED Backlight which keeps everything vivid and well-lit regardless of ambient room conditions.

Smooth motion is where many large TVs struggle, but the 120Hz panel combined with Motion Rate 480 and MEMC Frame Insertion makes high-action content—from fast sports to frenetic gaming—look fluid without excessive artifacts. Bright sequences stay stable; rapid pans stay coordinated. For movies or live sports where fluidity is everything, this lends a distinctly premium feel.

Where this TV truly distinguishes itself is in color reproduction. The Wide Color Gamut adds depth and realism to every shade, ensuring greens look lush, reds feel warm, and skin tones appear natural. Combined with HDR ULTRA’s support for Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, the final picture benefits from subtle contrast boosts and scene-by-scene optimization. Highs and lows alike are rendered with nuance, and there’s a consistency across different content styles that you might not expect from a single panel setup.

On the audio front, the built-in DTS Virtual:X is a pleasant surprise. While it won’t rival a dedicated sound system for absolute scale or bass impact, it does deliver a convincing 3D soundscape from the onboard speakers. It’s wide and immersive enough to mean many may skip the soundbar for casual viewing, especially in living rooms where deep bass reinforcement isn’t a priority.

For gamers, the combination of Auto Game Mode with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Game Accelerator 240 is a strong draw. Input lag is kept to a minimum by the instant response of Game Mode, and the smoother frame output means you can react faster in competitive scenarios. The 240Hz variable refresh rate, while not fully used in all titles, eliminates tearing and stuttering in supported games, making both respawning and rewatching those game-winning moments feel seamless.

The interface is equally polished. Google TV handles navigation intuitively, organizing recommendations and apps intelligently, while built-in Google Assistant means voice control is smooth without relying on external hardware. Alexa compatibility also broadens options for those already invested in Amazon’s ecosystem. The FullView Metal Bezel-less Design adds a touch of modern elegance, blending the colossal screen into any environment rather than letting it dominate it.

However, there are considerations to keep in mind. The sheer size means this TV demands a big, well-thought-out living space—viewers should sit far enough back to avoid overwhelming the field of vision. Without local dimming zones, the contrast in scenes with both bright and dark areas can be less impactful compared to high-end OLEDs or higher-tier mini-LED sets. While brightness and color performance are excellent for the technology used, true inky blacks remain out of reach.

Connection ports offer variety, though HDMI 2.1 support, when present, is limited compared to newer flagship models. Also, with such a massive screen, initial setup often means two people for safe unboxing and mounting, especially if wall-mounted.

In practice, TCL’s 98S550G feels more like a home theater centerpiece than just another oversized TV. It manages the impressive task of staying detailed, vibrant, and smooth regardless of scale, while keeping features—from color processing and HDR optimization to gaming responsiveness—thoughtfully integrated. It may not be the last word in absolute contrast depth or cutting-edge HDMI tech, but for sheer immersion across movies, games, and TV shows, it delivers a truly expansive, high-quality experience.