Some of today’s high-end televisions contain quantum dots, tiny components that can help screens produce more vibrant colors. At least, that’s what TV manufacturers claim. If you don’t observe the quantum dots, are they even there? In the case of TCL’s smart TVs, the answer is apparently “no.” Testing of three TCL TVs that claim to have quantum dots showed not a single one.
TCL produces some expensive TVs, but most of its lineup is mid-range and entry-level. It has scraped together a decent global market share with a combination of low prices and the inclusion of premium features in more models. One of those premium features is quantum dot technology. These tiny screen elements, measuring just a few nanometers across, can emit light in certain wavelengths when exposed to light of a different wavelength. Manufacturers use quantum dots in LCD, mini LED, and QD-OLED screens to display a wider color gamut.
TCL claims to have quantum dots in various TV models, but South Korea-based Hansol Chemical doubted that. It commissioned testing of three TCL models, carried out by Geneva-based SGS and Intertek of London. In that testing, the TCL C755, C655, and C655 Pro appear to have no quantum dots. The tests were first reported by the Korean IT website ETNews.
The tests looked for cadmium and indium, two common and essential materials in quantum dots. Samsung uses cadmium-free dots, but that’s not common in other TVs. Despite very low detection thresholds, the firms reported none of these elements were present in the TCL TVs. Naturally, TCL says this testing is inaccurate. It provided its own testing data, including some conducted by SGS, showing quantum dots present in its TV manufacturing supplies known as dot sheets. However, that’s different from actually inspecting the finished TV, but this suggests TCL is making quantum dots, they’re just not showing up in TVs for some reason.
Quantum Dots in solution producing different colors.
Credit: Antipoff / CC3.0
As Ars Technica rightly points out, Hansol Chemical may have a reason to be biased. Hansol is a legacy “chaebol” firm in South Korea—a term that refers to large, family controlled monopolies. The South Korean government and business interests are committed to ensuring that Samsung and LG (themselves chaebols) maintain their position as the world’s largest TV manufacturers, which becomes more challenging every year with Chinese firms like TCL constantly expanding.
So, is TCL running a quantum scam, or is the testing overblown? The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. TCL may not be intentionally ripping off its customers, but its inexpensive manufacturing processes don’t produce the best panels. In some cases, there may be no detectable quantum dots in the final product, which means the image quality won’t live up to expectations. At the same time, most people don’t purchase TCL TVs in search of the best picture. Those behind the tests may have known it would be nigh impossible to detect TCL’s quantum components in finished products, but it’s not a good look if TCL’s defense is that its quality control just isn’t great.