Whenever someone wants to buy a new TV they always ask the same questions. How good is the display, sound, design, and more importantly, what’s the price? The TCL C8 is a 4K Ultra-HD Android-powered Smart TV with support for HDR 10, Dolby Vision , Dolby Atmos surround sound , Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, just to highlight a few features.
The C8 comes in two screen sizes; 65-inches and 55-inches. The one we reviewed is the 55-inch variant. Both models are identical and the only difference is price and size. At the moment, the 55-inch variant retails for KShs 62,000 ($585) in Nairobi while the 65-inch one goes for KShs 110,000 ($1,038). The C8 model was released earlier this year (February 2020) though I have only been using it for just over 3 weeks now.
In this TCL C8 review, we’ll walk you through all you need to know about the Smart TV before buying it.
TCL C8 Design
The frame of the TCL C8 is made of steel while the lower part back is made of plastic. It looks absolutely amazing with very thin bezels. You barely notice them while watching the TV or playing video games . Overall, it is a beautiful TV with a sleek design and a slim form factor.
TCL C8 Review: Rear View
On the front bottom, the C8 has the Onkyo Soundbar whereas the back has the usual I/O ports , power button, and mic switch. We will go over the I/O shortly. It’s really considerate that TCL has provided a dedicated mic switch for the Far-Field Voice Control. If you are concerned about your privacy, you can manually switch off the mic from the back of the TV.
Whenever the Far-Field mic is on, four orange LEDs light up below the TCL logo on the soundbar.
The C8’s Display
The display is crisp and bright. It’s a 4K (3840×2160) 60-hertz OLED panel which supports most of the latest display technologies. The technologies supported include HDR 10, Dolby Vision , micro dimming , WCG, and MEMC. These enhance the user viewing experience by bringing out cinematic details at a greater level.
You can comfortably use the TCL C8 in well-lit rooms because the display panel can get quite bright — up to 1200 nits when watching HDR content. Did I mention that you can game at 4K 60fps courtesy of HDMI 2.0 support? Yeah, next-gen consoles will pair very well with the C8.
TCL C8 Review: 55-inch Display
I’ve been playing FIFA 19 from my PC on this huge screen, considering the price point I’m impressed by the gaming performance . If you’re considering the TCL C8 for gaming purposes, you should know that it has a dedicated Gaming Mode. When turned on, it drastically improves the response time in games.
At first, when I plugged my PC, gaming was okay, but overall it just seemed a little bit laggy. After turning on “Gaming Mode”, the response time improved noticeably. The only complaint I have about the display is that while watching wide-format (16:9) content , the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen are not quite as black as I would like them to be.
Especially so while watching movies at night with all lights turned off, as I would assume most people do.
Motion Enhanced Motion Control (MEMC)
The C8 display also supports TCL’s proprietary MEMC technology. This is just like other manufacturers have algorithms for the same purpose. The basic purpose of this algorithm is to remove motion blur and provide a sharper picture for video content recorded on higher frame rates , such as sporting events.
All it does is basically provide extra frames to your normal 24 FPS content and sometimes it looks noticeably fake. Also, keep in mind that you cannot entirely disable this MEMC technology on the C8. You can control MEMC but cannot turn it off. To reduce its effects, go to the “Judder Reduction settings” and lower the count to 0.
Noticeably, this technology is not welcome in movies and videos which are optimized to watch at 24 FPS and not 60 FPS . I hope they consider this and allow us to turn off the MEMC technology in the settings. That can be achieved via an update in the near future. The C8 has built-in TV modes that detect HDR or Dolby Vision content.
When the software recognizes it, it automatically switches to the respective mode. It even temporarily displays the respective technology logo on the top left of the screen.
Picture and Sound Modes
Moreover, the C8 has standard built-in picture and sound modes that you can manually choose from according to your desires. You can also manually configure each display and sound settings if you wish to. There is an option to turn on the surround sound visualization. It’s totally up to you, but in my experience, the sound quality deteriorates, you can try it out.
Additionally, whenever gaming mode is turned on, you cannot switch picture modes. Also, there is no option to turn off Dolby Vision just like Dolby Atmos. There is this neat feature called “Audio Only” that I use quite often. What it does is to power off the display but keeps your audio playing in the background. Yeah, I know it’s not a lot but it’s something.
TCL C8 Review: Sound Mode
The C8 comes with Onkyo’s 2.2 soundbar which has 2 speakers and 2 subwoofers. Though Dolby Atmos will work best with an external 5.1 or 7.1 channel surround system, the soundbar is deep, loud, and clear. Bass is not that high but the surround effect is appreciable.
It’s Not All Perfect
Something that has been grinding my gears is poor integration with external audio systems. I’m yet to find a way to disable the inbuilt speakers and route the TV’s audio to an external sound system. The closest you can get to achieve this is by reducing the TV volume to 1. If you reduce the internal volume to 0, the mute icon appears on the screen which doesn’t sit well with anybody with an OCD.
I have the TV hooked to a Sony BDV-E6100 sound system via an optical audio cable and I cannot control the audio system’s volume using the TV remote, for whatever reason. That makes me miss my Xiaomi Mi Box S from which I could control both the TV and audio system with just one remote.
The Mi Box had HDMI CEC support which meant whenever I powered it on, it could automatically power on my former TV and audio system via HDMI . It also gave me full control of the audio system’s volume. To be fair, the C8 also has HDMI CEC in the settings. It just didn’t work out for me. Life was much simpler with just one remote to control everything.
Three weeks in and I’m yet to get used this 2-remote thing. End of rant.
TCL C8 Software
The TCL C8 runs on Android 9 out-of-the-box. So you can also install all the supported Android apps and games from Google Play Store. However, I’m kind of disappointed by the poorly optimized software. Sometimes it lags even during simpler tasks such as increasing the volume or switching between apps.
I hope TCL fixes the issue in the next update. Thanks to the built-in Bluetooth. You can connect multiple accessories along with the Smart Remote. You can pair your gaming controller as well and use it to control your TV or play Android games with it. However, most of the Android games will not run properly on the C8 due to the not-so-powerful chip.
After all, the C8 is primarily designed and optimized for watching videos, not as a gaming rig . In my experience, controlling the TV by a controller is much better than using the remote. Again, this is up to user preferences. Overall, the video viewing experience on TCL C8 is absolutely amazing.
There is support for Google Assistant which is voice-activated. You can ask Google Assistant to play your favorite movie or song on your favorite app. There is also support for Alexa , but I haven’t tried it so I cannot comment on it right now.
TCL C8 Hardware and I/O
The C8 has a 64-bit mobile processor and a Mali 470 GPU with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage with a power consumption of 180W. This hardware is decent enough to do the usual TV tasks but not powerful enough to run android games. In terms of connectivity, you get dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet port, 3 HDMI 2.0 ports, Coaxial cable Port, S/PDIF , USB 2.0, headphone Jack and a mic.
The selection of I/O ports is decent enough, except for the USB 2.0 port. I think they should have gone for at least USB 3.0 . Also, the software can detect inputs and allows you to rename them according to your preference, which is a pretty handy feature. The TCL C8’s support for 5 GHz Wi-Fi means you can stream 4K HDR content easily at the full speed of your internet connection without any lag.
Smart Remote
The remote is minimalistic and pretty light. It has all the bells and whistles that you would expect from a TV smart remote. Except for the fact that it does not have a mute button. Again, I don’t know what TCL was thinking. Smart remotes need to be paired via Bluetooth before using it wirelessly, else you need to point it directly towards the IR blaster on the TV.
TCL C8 Review: Smart Remote
To conclude the TCL C8 review, it is my opinion that it is a decent Smart TV that is incredible value for money and packs enough future-proofing for the next 5 or so years. I also think this TV is suited for budget gamers who are not looking for a 240Hz or a 144Hz display , but for just a TV with great display properties.
George Kimathi a tech writer based in Kenya, passionate about exploring how technology shapes everyday life across Africa. From mobile innovations to digital trends, he covers the tools and ideas driving the continent’s digital transformation. When not writing, George enjoys testing gadgets, exploring local tech communities, and staying curious about what’s next.
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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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