TCL continues to transform television entertainment with the launch of expended AI and Smart TV product ranges at IFA 2017

• TCL announces the launch in Europe of the first QLED ANDROID TV in Q4 2017: the XESS X2 Series

• TCL showcases the Private Theatre XESS X6

• TCL is transforming the television entertainment experience with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and new content solutions

• TCL consolidates its market-leading position with continued, strong global performance in the first half of 2017

Berlin - August 31, 2017

TCL, the world’s third largest television manufacturer and QLED technology innovator, today unveiled its new, advanced smart TVs at IFA 2017 in Berlin.

The new products being presented today incorporate the most important, dynamic technologies driving the television industry, such as QLED and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Together, they illustrate TCL’s ambition of inspiring “The Creative Life” of consumers through premium TV experiences combining innovative intelligence, fabulous functionalities, superb sound and great design.

“Today marks another significant milestone for TCL, as we continue to innovate on behalf of our sophisticated global customer base,” said Tomson Li, Chairman and CEO of TCL Corporation. “TCL’s mission is to empower our consumers globally to create their own inspiring moments in life and enjoy watching TV with their family and friends. We continue to embrace new technologies in order to offer them a new, superior entertainment experience,” Chairman Li added.

X2 XESS SERIES IS THE LATEST PRODUCT INNOVATION RANGE FROM TCL AND NOW FEATURING TCL QLED TV: ultimate picture, sound, entertainment and design.

The expanded line-up for Europe includes the X2, the QLED Android TV from TCL’s flagship XESS Series, which received the iF Design Award earlier this year and is expected to reach store shelves in Europe starting this fall.

The X2 XESS Series is an exceptional TV from every angle, thanks to its 360° design and the visual experience it provides. With virtually no frame, its stripped-down design reveals a very high quality picture. Thanks to Quantum Dot technology, TCL QLED enables the X2 to display richer colors in stunning detail, with contrast optimized with Ultra Micro Dimming. The result is a cinema-quality picture with stunning colors and subtle variations from full light to complete darkness, thanks to the reactions of its 10-bit screen. The X2 XESS Series benefits from HDR Pro technology, which produces dazzling pictures and delivers 103% DCI-P3 color volume with precise light and dark shade reproduction. Lastly, the JBL 3-way, front-firing speaker system provides high-quality sound immersion, while the voice control promises a new and exciting experience. Thanks to voice command, the X2 provides access to the full richness of the Android TV 7.0 platform's content just by using smartphones, and makes it possible to enjoy Netflix and YouTube in 4K HDR quality.

TCL’s award-winning product portfolio also includes the TCL C70 TV series, whose 55-inch U55C7006 model recently won the Best Buy 2017-2018 Award from the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA). The C70 was also awarded the Red Dot Award for Product Design.

TCL showcases at IFA the Private Theatre XESS X6

TCL is proud to showcase at IFA the Private Theatre XESS X6. The 85-inch QLED flagship XESS Private Theatre X6 features Quantum Dot technology and an elegant design, being the thinnest local dimming-supported supersized TV in the world. The Private Theatre XESS X6 employs world-leading Quantum Dot display technology and is TCL’s third generation of QLED TVs. It accurately represents 1.07 billion colors and 157% (BT.709) range. With a color volume that is 2.8× higher than OLED (500nits), XESS X6 has a color purity that is 58.3% better. At 60,000 hours, its color lifespan is also twice that of a regular OLED TV.

The X6 comes with a 12-sound channel and 360° surround stereo sound, as well as eight independent amplifiers. Designed with rare earth magnets and equipped with silk dome loudspeakers, the X6 creates the most authentic theater sound achievable at home.

The X6 exemplifies unique craftsmanship, combining metallic elements with walnut grain wood texture. It can be hung on the wall, or placed on a cabinet or the floor. The XESS Private Theatre X6 launch schedule for Europe is still being determined. Ambitious AI and new content solutions

The arrival of AI in the home heralds a vastly superior entertainment experience. TCL’s business model is designed to deliver the latest AI and content solutions via truly innovative, beautifully-designed television models.

TCL’s AI roadmap focuses on five key pillars, including: user interaction such as voice, image and movement recognition; aggregated content for faster movie watching, information and operations; customized information, such as user preference, user tag and dedicated content; and in-depth interconnectivity with other devices. Supported by Google and leading Chinese web search engine Baidu, TCL is leveraging the power of big data and cloud computing to create a smart experience.

To stimulate investment in research and development, identify new applications and cultivate talent in AI, TCL recently formed a new collaboration with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).

In addition, TCL joined forces with internet giant Tencent in 2017 to further develop its smart TV business and deliver rich content solutions. On 5 July 2017, FFalcon Technology Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of TCL Multimedia, together with Tencent Digital (Shenzhen) Company Limited signed a strategic cooperation agreement to provide funding for the development of the smart TV business. Outside of China, TCL has similar cooperation agreements with Netflix, Google and Roku.

Strong global performance in the first half of 2017

At the end of 2016, TCL underwent a strategic shift to further optimize its cost structure and enhance operating efficiency. The move has already begun to pay off. In the first quarter of this year, TCL ranked in the top three in global TV shipments with 7.3% market share, according to IHS.

In the first half of 2017, TCL’s LCD TV sales volume (excluding commercial display) rose by 12.2% year-on-year (YoY) to 9.6 million sets. Thanks to TCL’s CBUS strategy (Curved, Big screen, 4K and Smart), in markets outside of China, LCD TV sales volume reached 5.74 million units, up 34.1% YoY, while sales value rose 52.0% YoY, to €899 million. LCD TV sales volume increased 215.9% and 20.5% in North America and emerging markets, respectively, thanks to dynamic marketing.

In terms of sales volume, TCL ranked third in France and the Philippines, fourth in Thailand, and fifth in Australia, the US and Vietnam. In particular, TCL dominates Amazon.com TV sales in the US, with the top five best-selling TVs being TCL products, and TCL accounting for 10 out of the 20 best-selling TVs on the leading e-commerce site.

Additionally, in the first half of 2017, TCL’s China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) subsidiary continued to expand its share of the TV panel market: in terms of market share, TCL’s 32-inch TV panel product ranked second worldwide and the 55-inch model ranked third worldwide.
TCL’s home appliance business also posted a strong performance in the first half, generating a 36.3% increase in revenue at RMB 9.23 billion (€1.2 billion). In particular, sales of air-conditioning products jumped 33.7% to 5.61 million units in the period.
A Global Top 50 Consumer Electronics Brand for 2016 -2017 according to research firm IDG, TCL is connecting with consumers via a number of marketing activities. The company notably launched its first TV ad campaign on French networks to promote its corporate brand, as well as the C70 series launch. TCL also recently became a partner for the 2017 Berlin Marathon, which takes place in September. Other international initiatives include sponsorships of Hollywood’s TCL Chinese Theatre, the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, San Jose Earthquakes soccer team, The Ellen Show, CBF (Brazil), Rosario Central football club (Argentina), PBA (Philippines), The Melbourne Cup and MVFC (Australia), as well as a blockbuster movie tie-up to be unveiled soon. TCL will be showcasing its product portfolio at its booth at IFA Messe Berlin (Hall 21, Stand 102).

* Product features, specifications, and launch timing differ in different regions. Please check for local features, specifications and launch timing.

About TCL Electronics

Headquartered in China, TCL Electronics Technology Holdings Limited (HKSE: 01070) is one of the leading players in the global TV industry, engaged in the research and development, manufacturing and distribution of consumer electronic products. Through a new product-and-user-oriented business model that focuses primarily on a “double +” strategy which includes “intelligence + Internet” and “products + services” as the main direction, striving to become a “global entertainment technology enterprise” that provides integrated entertainment solutions to customers.

Contact press

TCL Europe(on-site media contacts at IFA)
Amandine (Jiangyue) Wang
Tel: +33 (0)6 86 08 57 20
Email: jiangyue.wang@tcl.com

PPR Worldwide for TCL Europe
Marie-Laurence Augé / Alexandre Henry
Tel: +33 (0)6 11 44 05 44 / +33 (0)6 40 95 56 77
Email: marie-laurence.auge@pprww.com / alexandre.henry@pprww.com