Again in late summer time, TCL introduced an upgraded model of its high-end 6-Sequence TV. Except for some technical enhancements — the newer set absolutely helps HDMI 2.1 and 4K gaming at 120Hz — the largest change needed to do with software program, with the newest 6-Sequence working Google TV as a substitute of the Roku OS that has shipped on a lot of TCL’s hottest units in the USA. The corporate has already launched TVs powered by Android TV internationally and on just a few finances fashions in North America, however the 2021 6-Sequence was meant to be a mixed showcase for TCL {hardware} and Google software program.
Thus far, it’s not understanding that approach, and issues aren’t going fairly in addition to TCL may’ve hoped. Finest Purchase — the unique US retailer of the TCL Google TVs — has abruptly eliminated each fashions from its retailer listings, and TCL confirms to The Verge that there are points being ironed out.
Some early patrons of the 6-Sequence with Google TV (mannequin R646) have complained about what they describe as a buggy, sluggish consumer interface. I personally have been reviewing a 65-inch mannequin over the previous couple weeks, and whereas the Google TV residence display screen appears to work comparatively properly, it didn’t take lengthy for me to note some normal slowness when pulling up and going by way of the settings menu. There will also be a lag earlier than the TV reacts to distant management instructions. My roommates have noticed crashing apps and some situations the place the TV itself froze and have become unresponsive. Some on-line critiques cite extra annoying issues that require unplugging the TV altogether.
Related early criticisms have additionally been leveled on the 5-Sequence with Google TV; Caleb at Digital Developments discovered his overview unit to be on the gradual aspect and bumped into a number of bugs.
TCL has already rolled out a number of software program updates meant to enhance efficiency and stability. “Our precedence is to ship an optimized consumer expertise with Google TV and have a cadence of deliberate software program updates for TCL units,” TCL spokesperson Rachelle Parks instructed The Verge in late November. A few of these updates do appear to have made a optimistic distinction, and Parks instructed us in a press release on Thursday that “prospects will see marked enhancements within the weeks to return.”
However as of this week, Finest Purchase eliminated each of these fashions from its retailer listings. TCL’s personal web site has a hyperlink to Finest Purchase that now not works. Previous to the removing, the 65-inch 6-Sequence I’m testing had a median overview ranking of three.5 stars. Many critiques reward the panel and Mini LED image high quality however go on to listing points encountered with the software program.
TCL confirmed to The Verge that it’s conscious “some are going through challenges with the steadiness of the consumer interface” and but, that the corporate expects these TVs to be “accessible once more within the coming weeks.”
Whereas TCL is conversant in Android TV, the Google TV software program expertise is new territory for the corporate, and clearly, it’s having a tough go at this early stage. I hope a whole lot of the efficiency points could be ironed out with extra updates; this actually is a improbable TV, with terrific peak brightness and wonderful distinction because of that Mini LED backlighting. However it’s not the place it must be proper now.
In reality, I’ve already gone forward and plugged an Apple TV 4K into one of many HDMI ports simply to keep away from the sluggishness and jank. Streaming units are a good way to hurry up finances TVs, however they shouldn’t be a needed bandaid for a TV with an MSRP of over $1,000.
The Verge has reached out to Finest Purchase for extra particulars. This might be a provide scarcity state of affairs (although it’d be odd for the pages to fully vanish in that case), or perhaps TCL is taking a beat to evaluate subsequent steps for its new Google TVs to show round their buggy early fame.
Replace December ninth, 8:28PM ET: Added data from TCL about software program updates and availability.
