The Art TV category continues to gain momentum as consumers look for large-screen displays that do more than occupy an enormous section of wall space with a black rectangle when they are turned off.
Samsung helped popularize the concept with The Frame, but the market has become considerably more crowded. Hisense now offers its CanvasTV lineup, LG entered the category with its Gallery TV, and Skyworth has expanded its Canvas Art TV range with QLED and QD-Mini LED models. Such models offer flush wall mounting, matte or anti-glare screens, decorative frames, and digital art modes which allow these televisions to blend into a living space rather than dominate it.
TCL entered the category in 2024 with its NXTFRAME/NXTVISION TVs and is now expanding the concept with its new Designer Series. Following their appearance at IFA 2026, the lineup includes the A300L QLED and step-up A400U QD-Mini LED TVs.
Both models include TCL’s Art Library with hundreds of works available without a subscription, along with AI-generated artwork, multiple matte options, and the ability to display personal photos. Google TV provides the smart TV platform, while a flush wall mount is included in the box; optional table stands are sold separately.
Related Reviews: Samsung S95H OLED TV Review: Top Notch Performance In An Artsy Frame
The A300L
The A300L is a 4K QLED TV that measures just 1.1 inches deep in the 55- and 65-inch sizes, allowing it to sit nearly flush against the wall using the included wall mount.
The A300L incorporates an ultra-matte anti-glare screen designed to reduce reflections and give displayed artwork a more natural, canvas-like appearance rather than making it look like an image on a conventional television.
The TV features an off-white bezel and includes a light wood magnetic frame that can be easily swapped out. Additional handcrafted frame options are also available from Laredo Factory Frames.
Inside, the A300L uses a 4K QLED panel with a 120Hz native refresh rate and support for up to 144Hz VRR. HDR support includes Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG. The built-in stereo speaker system delivers 20 watts of total output with Dolby Atmos processing. Connectivity includes four HDMI inputs, along with USB, Ethernet, digital optical, and headphone connections.
The A300L is available in 55-, 65-, and 75-inch screen sizes, with an 85-inch model expected to follow.
The A400U
The A400U incorporates the same Art features as the A300L, but pairs them with higher-performance 4K QD-Mini LED display technology. It also features TCL’s Halo Control System and Local Dimming Pro+, which are designed to improve backlight precision, contrast, and control of blooming around bright objects.
The A400U uses a native 144Hz panel, with HDMI inputs 1 and 2 supporting 4K/144Hz input signals. HDR support includes Dolby Vision and HDR10+, along with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X spatial audio when connected to compatible soundbars, AVRs, and speaker systems.
The A400U is available in 55-, 65-, 75-, and 85-inch screen sizes, with a 98-inch model coming soon.
Comparison
| TCL Model | A300L | A400U |
| Product Type | 4K QLED Designer Series | 4K QD-Mini LED Designer Series TV |
| Screen Sizes | 55, 65, 75, 85 inches | 55, 65, 75, 85, 98 inches |
| Price | 55A300L – $1099 65A300L – $1499 75A300L – $1999 85A300L – TBD | 55A400U – $999 65A400U – $1499 75A400U – $1999 85A400U – $2499 98A400U – TBD |
| Panel Type | LCD | LCD |
| Backlight Type | QLED | QD Mini-LED |
| Local Dimming | – | Yes – Local Dimming Pro+ |
| Halo Control | – | Yes |
| Panel Refresh | 144Hz | 144Hz |
| Panel Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Resolution | 4K UHD | 4K UHD |
| Display Colors | 1.07 billion | 1.07 billion |
| Wide Color Gamut | QLED | Yes |
| HDR Support | HDR Pro+ (Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG) | Dolby Vision / HDR10+ / HDR 10 / HLG |
| Curated Art Library | Yes | Yes |
| AI Art Generation | Yes | Yes |
| Art Matte Options | Yes | Yes |
| Personal Photo Gallery Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Game Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Smart OS | Google TV | Google TV |
| Control Buttons | One Button | One Button |
| Multilingual On-Screen Display | English, Spanish, French | English, Spanish, French |
| Closed Caption | Yes | Yes |
| Parental Control (V–Chip) | USA | USA |
| Accessible Menu System (CVAA) | Yes | Yes |
| Audio Power (Watts) | 20W from 2 speakers | 10W from 2 speakers |
| Audio Passthrough | Dolby Atmos / Dolby Digital+ / Dolby Digital / PCM | Dolby Atmos / Dolby Digital + / Dolby Digital / PCM / DTS:X |
| Dolby Processing | Dolby Atmos / Dolby Digital+ | Dolby Atmos / Dolby Digital |
| Tuner Type | ATSC / NTSC / Clear QAM | ATSC / NTSC / Clear QAM |
| AV Input | Composite Video + L&R Audio In (Mini 3.5mm connector) | No |
| RF Input (NTSC, ATSC) | 1 | 1 |
| Ethernet | 1 | 1 |
| USB | One USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0 | One USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0 |
| HDMI | 4 x HDMI with eARC | 4x HDMI with eARC 1/2-4K@144Hz, 3/4-4K@60Hz |
| SPDIF Digital Audio Optical | 1 | 1 |
| Audio Output Headphone | 1 | No |
| Power Consumption | 55 – 343W 65 – 374W 75 – 425W 85 – 487W | 55 – 250W 65 – 320W 75 – 360W 85 – 380W 98 – 500W |
| Standby Power Consumption | 0.5W | 0.5W |
| Remote Control | Voice Remote | Backlit |
The Competition
Samsung effectively created the modern Art TV category when it introduced The Frame in 2017, and for years it faced little meaningful competition. That has changed considerably as more TV manufacturers have embraced the idea that a large display should look like something other than a giant black rectangle when it is not being used.
We have already covered several of those alternatives, including the Hisense CanvasTV, Skyworth C2 Canvas Art TV, LG Gallery TV, and Amazon Ember Artline TVs. TCL also entered the category with its NXTFRAME TVs before expanding the concept with the new A300L and A400U Designer Series models.
Samsung’s latest Frame TVs remain the benchmark and the brand to beat, but competitors are attacking from several directions with lower pricing, different frame designs, subscription-free art libraries, and increasingly sophisticated display technology.
TCL’s A300L competes more directly on styling and value, while the A400U raises the performance stakes with QD-Mini LED technology and a native 144Hz panel. Considering the splash TCL is already making with models such as the QM8L and X11L SQD Mini LED TVs, the company clearly believes there is room to challenge Samsung on both design and picture quality. This category is no longer The Frame and everyone else.
The Bottom Line
TCL’s approach to the Designer Series is unusual because the A300L and A400U are not simply step-down and step-up versions of the same TV. They occupy a similar price range but prioritize different buyers.
The A300L is the more design-focused Art TV, with its thinner profile, ultra-matte anti-glare screen, off-white bezel, interchangeable wood frame, and more powerful built-in audio system. The A400U trades some of that emphasis on décor for higher picture performance, adding QD-Mini LED technology, Local Dimming Pro+, TCL’s Halo Control System, and native 144Hz support with 4K/144Hz inputs.
That differentiation makes the Designer Series more interesting than a conventional product ladder. Buyers who want their TV to disappear more convincingly into the room have the A300L, while those who want an Art TV without sacrificing more advanced display technology have the A400U.
Price & Availability
Initial launch prices are listed below as of September 10, 2026.
A300L
- 55A300L (55-inches) – $799.99 at Best Buy and Amazon
- 65A300L (65-inches) – $999.99 at Best Buy and Amazon
- 75A300L (75-inches) – $1,499.99 at Best Buy
- 85A300L (85-inches) – $2,499.99 at Best Buy
A400U
- 55A400U (55-inches) – $799 at Best Buy and Amazon
- 65A400U (65-inches) – $999.99 at Best Buy
- 75A400U (75-inches) – $1,299.99 at Best Buy and Amazon
- 85A400U (85-inches) – $1,699.99 at Best Buy
- 98A400U (98-inches) – Coming Soon
Related Reading:
- LG Adds ART TV Features to Select OLED and Mini LED TVs, Turning Better Displays into Better Wall Candy
- Skyworth 100-inch Canvas Elite Art TV Launches at CEDIA 2025 — Who Needs a Wall Anyway? – Price and Availability Update
- Philips Expands Roku Ambilight TV Lineup With New QLED Models – Includes Roku Backdrops Art Feature
