TCL has launched its new QM9K QD-Mini LED television, the first TV in the world to ship with Google Gemini AI built in.

The QM9K sits at the top of TCL’s new Ultimate Series, joining the QM8K but upping the ante with 30% higher peak brightness (up to 6,500 nits) and as many as 6,000 local dimming zones – 57% more than its predecessor.

TCL claims the result is its most precise contrast and black levels to date.

Where the QM9K stands apart, however, is in intelligence. By integrating Gemini, Google’s latest conversational AI, the TV can respond to natural, follow-up queries and provide more contextual answers than Google Assistant.

A built-in mmWave presence sensor wakes the display when someone enters the room, and far-field microphones allow for fully hands-free interaction.

On the hardware front, the QM9K sports a ZeroBorder edge-to-edge design, a 144Hz refresh rate, and full support for Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos audio tuned by Bang & Olufsen. Sizes will range from 65 to a massive 98 inches.

The release underlines TCL’s push to shed its budget-only image and compete head-on with Samsung, LG and Sony in the premium TV space.

Global shipments of TCL Mini-LED TVs surged 176% in the first half of 2025, helping the brand cement its position as the second-largest TV maker worldwide.

While local pricing has yet to be confirmed, TCL’s track record suggests it will deliver premium performance at a lower cost than rival OLED or high-end Mini-LED models.

If so, the QM9K could encourage more Australian buyers to think twice before defaulting to the big three brands.