TCL’s New Designer Google TVs Rival The Frame, From $899

TCL is rolling out a new line of “Designer Series” Google TVs aimed at blending high-end style with smart functionality. These sets feature a flush-mount design that sits just 1.1 inches from the wall and sport matte displays to reduce glare, allowing them to double as wall art more seamlessly than traditional TVs.

The line includes two collections: the A300L and A400U. The A300L offers 4K QLED panels and comes in 55-, 65-, and 75-inch sizes, with an 85-inch model coming later. The A400U steps things up with 4K QD-Mini LED panels and more advanced dimming zones, and is available in 55-, 65-, 75-, and 85-inch versions. A key differentiator: the A300L supports interchangeable frames to match decor, a customization not offered on the A400U.

Both collections carry Google TV built in, offering users access to Google’s full content ecosystem. The TVs are designed with no external boxes—everything’s built into the display itself. Mounting hardware is included, and there’s an optional rolling mount to make positioning easier without needing to wall-mount permanently.

Both TCL lines start at $899 when purchased from Best Buy. That base price applies regardless of series, making the Designer Series more competitive against Samsung’s The Frame, which popularized the art-style, picture-frame TV format and has driven rivals to offer similar aesthetic TVs.

Why Aesthetic TVs Are Gaining Ground

Over the past few years, there’s been a clear trend toward TVs that do more than just display content. Adaptive styles, decor-friendly designs, and art-like finishes are becoming standard features for consumers who see their living room TV as part of the interior design. TCL first tested this with its NXTFRAME line, launched in 2024, which also emphasized a flush wall mount and decorative trim options.

With the Designer Series, TCL is jumping headfirst into the space defined by Samsung’s Frame. Matte displays help reduce reflection and improve visual integration with art placements; having interchangeable frames adds a layer of personalization that goes beyond static colors or fixed bezels. And by packing everything into the TV itself, including the mounting hardware, TCL avoids the clutter and complexity of separate add-ons or set-top boxes.

What to Watch

Pricing begins at $899—an aggressive entry point for TVs that prioritize both design and tech. But as with many aspirational product launches, the real value depends on how the panels perform in real-world viewing scenarios—clarity, contrast, viewing angles, and especially how effective the matte display is in different lighting. It’s also worth noting how easy it is to swap frames on the A300L and whether those add-ons are affordable. Best Buy is the primary retailer at launch.

With the Designer Series, TCL is aiming squarely at the intersection of home decor and high-end display technology. For buyers who want their TV to look like art when it’s off, this could be an appealing sweet spot.

This signals a growing shift in the TV market: appearance and physical presence are now as important as display specs. Brands like TCL are recognizing that for many consumers, the TV is as much a design statement as a piece of technology. Moving forward, success may depend on balancing style with performance and delivering the right customization options without inflating prices too much.