TCL 32S5209K: 32-Inch HD Smart TV TCL - Review 🏆

TCL is a Chinese consumer electronics company that has made major inroads into the global TV market in recent years. Known for offering feature-packed TVs at affordable prices, TCL has quickly become one of the top brands in many countries.

The 32S5209K is one of TCL's newer 32-inch HD TV models. It has a stylish, slim design and comes equipped with the latest smart TV capabilities thanks to Android TV integration. Key features of this TV include:

• 32-inch HD (1366 x 768) LED display
• Micro Dimming for enhanced contrast and brightness
• HDR support for vivid colors and extended dynamic range
• Built-in WiFi and Ethernet connectivity
• Android TV 9.0 operating system
• Voice control compatibility with Google Assistant
• Chromecast and Google Home integration
• 3 HDMI ports and 2 USB ports

This TCL 32-inch TV aims to deliver a complete entertainment experience in an affordable package. In this review, we'll take a closer look at how it performs across critical categories like design, display quality, sound, smart features, and value.

Design

The TCL 32S5209K has a slim and minimalist design that looks great in any living room. The TV has an incredibly thin bezel around the screen that measures just 6.9mm thick. This helps maximize the screen real estate and makes the 32-inch display feel even larger than it is.

The stand has a classic two-prong design with feet positioned on the far left and right edges. It provides sturdy support while leaving room to place a soundbar or other devices in front of the TV if desired. The stand and backside of the TV are made of black plastic that feels solidly built.

Overall, the build quality of the 32S5209K is very good for the price. The TV feels well-constructed and has a premium aesthetic thanks to the thin bezel and slim profile. TCL did not cut any corners when it comes to the design and materials used for this model.

If you're looking for a larger screen, consider the TCL 40SF540K: 40-Inch FHD Smart TV. This model offers a Full HD resolution, delivering crisp and clear visuals ideal for movies and gaming. With built-in smart features, it provides easy access to streaming services and apps. The 40SF540K also boasts a sleek design with narrow bezels and a solid stand, ensuring it fits beautifully in any setting. The user-friendly interface and multiple connectivity options make it a versatile choice for any entertainment setup.

Display Quality

The TCL 32S5209K has an impressive display for its price range. It features a 32-inch VA panel with a 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio.

The VA panel provides good contrast and deep blacks but viewing angles are more limited compared to IPS panels. The Full HD resolution is sharp and detailed enough for a 32-inch screen size.

In terms of brightness, the 32S5209K delivers 250 nits which is decent for regular indoor viewing. The contrast ratio is 3000:1 which results in good distinction between black and white levels.

Viewing angles are rated at 178° horizontally and vertically. There is some color and contrast shift when viewing from off-center but it's not as severe as cheaper VA panel TVs. The anti-glare coating also helps mitigate glare when viewing from an angle.

Overall, the display quality exceeds expectations considering the budget price point of this TCL model. The VA panel and Full HD resolution provide a satisfying picture for movies, TV shows, games, and more.

If you're looking for a more advanced model, consider the TCL 43C641K: 43-Inch QLED 4K Ultra HD Smart TV. This 43-inch TV features QLED technology providing richer colors and deeper contrasts, combined with a 4K Ultra HD resolution for outstanding clarity. It’s a smart TV packed with features like streaming apps and voice control, offering a comprehensive entertainment experience.

Sound Quality

The TCL 32S5209K comes with a standard 2.0 channel speaker setup with 2 x 6W speakers. While this provides decent audio for regular TV watching, don't expect room-filling sound or thumping bass from the built-in speakers.

The total audio power output is 12W, which is typical for TVs in this size and price range. The speakers can get reasonably loud for a small to medium sized room, but may struggle to fill larger spaces.

For supported sound formats, the TCL 32S5209K can decode Dolby Audio and DTS TruSurround. This allows you to enjoy a more immersive listening experience from sources that carry these multi-channel sound formats. The TV lacks more advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos, but again that is not expected at this price point.

Overall, the sound quality is decent for everyday TV viewing and casual listening. But for serious home theater sound, connecting the TV to an external soundbar or speaker system is recommended.

Smart TV Features

The TCL 32S5209K runs on the Android TV platform, offering a range of smart features and built-in apps. Android TV provides an intuitive and customizable interface, allowing you to organize your content just the way you like.

With Android TV, you get instant access to popular streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube and more. The Play Store gives you access to thousands of apps, games and media content to enjoy.

A major highlight is the built-in Google Assistant, which allows for hands-free voice control of your TV. You can search for content, get recommendations, control playback, adjust volume and more with just your voice.

The TV also works seamlessly with other Google Assistant devices like speakers and displays. You can cast content to your TV straight from your mobile device using Chromecast as well. There is also support for Google Home devices, letting you control certain functions through voice commands.

Overall, the smart TV capabilities elevate the entertainment experience and make it easier than ever to find and access content. With Chromecast and Google Home integration, you also have more ways to get media onto the big screen.

Connectivity

The TCL 32S5209K comes with a decent selection of connectivity options. For video and audio inputs, it has:

• 2 HDMI ports to connect devices like Blu-ray players, game consoles, etc. The HDMI ports support HDMI 2.0 for high bandwidth.

• 2 USB ports - 1 USB 2.0 and 1 USB 3.0 port. The USB ports allow you to play media files from USB drives and connect other USB devices.

For wireless connectivity, the TV has built-in WiFi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 5.0 support. There is also an Ethernet port if you want to connect to wired internet.

Audio output options on the 32S5209K include an optical audio out port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. So you can connect it to a soundbar or speakers via optical audio or use headphones for private listening.

The TV lacks more advanced connectivity options like HDMI 2.1 ports or HDMI eARC support. But the selection of HDMI, USB, wireless, and audio out ports are decent for a budget 32-inch TV.

Remote Control

The TCL 32S5209K comes with a modern and minimalist remote control that is comfortable to hold and easy to use. It has a sleek curved design that fits nicely in the hand.

The remote is equipped with all the necessary buttons like power, volume, channel rocker, input selector, settings, directional pad, playback controls, mute, and voice control. The buttons have a nice tactile feedback and are well spaced out in an intuitive layout.

For smart TV features, the remote has dedicated buttons for Google Assistant, Netflix, YouTube, and Google Play. The Google Assistant button allows you to use voice commands to search for content, get answers, control smart home devices, and more.

The remote connects to the TV via Bluetooth so you don't have to point it directly at the TV. It feels very responsive when navigating through menus and apps. The minimal button layout helps avoid accidental presses. Overall, the streamlined remote complements the TV well and makes it effortless to access key functions.

Performance

The TCL 32S5209K delivers smooth and responsive performance for most day-to-day TV viewing and smart features. The Android TV interface feels snappy when navigating between menus and apps. The quad-core processor is able to keep things running smoothly without lag or delay.

App load times are quick, with popular apps like Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video launching rapidly. Once open, these apps are responsive when browsing content and starting playback. The TV can handle streaming 4K video without issues or buffering.

Gaming performance is also solid for casual gameplay. The TV has a dedicated Game Mode to reduce input lag, which helps make controlling actions feel more precise. Fast-paced games play fluidly without noticeable lag. While serious gamers may want a more advanced gaming TV, the TCL provides a very capable gaming experience for casual users.

The overall performance is reliable for a budget 32-inch TV. The interface, apps and streaming all work smoothly for an enjoyable user experience. The quad-core processor gives it enough power for responsive daily use.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The 32-inch HD screen provides good picture quality and resolution for most viewing needs. The Micro Dimming feature optimizes contrast for a sharp, vivid image.

• Runs on Android TV for easy access to apps like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ and more. Chromecast built-in allows casting content from other devices.

• Works with Google Assistant for hands-free voice control. Can also control TV functions through Google Home devices.

• Slim, minimalist design that looks good in any room. Available in black or silver.

• Decent sound quality from the built-in speakers. Volume gets sufficiently loud for a small to mid-sized room.

Cons

• Only has an HD resolution of 1366x768, not a sharper Full HD 1080p resolution. Picture quality is decent but not as crisp as higher resolution models.

• Limited ports - only 2 HDMI inputs. May require swapping cables frequently if you have multiple devices.

• Remote feels lightweight and plasticky. Buttons are small and close together.

• Stand only allows tilting the display, no options to swivel or adjust height. Wall mounting is possible.

• No advanced calibration options to fine tune the picture. Few adjustments available beyond basic settings.

Conclusion

The TCL 32S5209K is a solid mid-range 32-inch HD TV that offers good value for money. It has a sleek and modern design that will look great in most rooms. The display quality is decent for the price, with good color accuracy and HD resolution. The built-in sound is passable, but you'll want to pair it with a soundbar for better audio.

Where this TV really shines is the smart TV features and connectivity options. It runs the user-friendly Android TV interface and has Chromecast built-in for easy media streaming. There are also 3 HDMI ports for your devices. The remote is simple and intuitive to use.

Overall, this TCL model delivers very good picture and smart capabilities for the affordable price point. It's a great option for secondary rooms or small spaces where you don't need a massive display. The 32-inch size also makes it a good fit for gaming setups and office use.

This TV is best suited for buyers who want a budget-friendly smart TV with decent display quality and don't need larger screen sizes. It's ideal for kitchens, dorm rooms, home offices, and other environments where you'll be viewing from 3-5 feet away. Overall, the TCL 32S5209K punches above its weight given the reasonable price tag.