TCL 32S359 32 inch TV: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The TCL 32S359 is an affordable 32-inch 1080p smart TV that delivers good picture quality and smart capabilities at a budget-friendly price point.

Part of TCL's S-Series lineup, the 32S359 comes equipped with a 32-inch LED panel with a 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution. While not the sharpest display compared to 4K models, the 1080p resolution still provides plenty of detail for enjoying HD movies, shows, sports and games.

TCL packs the 32S359 with modern smart TV features, including built-in WiFi for accessing popular streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ and more. The included voice remote offers voice control and one-touch access to streaming services.

Overall, the 32S359 provides an impressive balance of display performance, smart connectivity and value in a compact 32-inch size that fits well in apartments, dorm rooms and small spaces. Its affordable price makes it a great option for buyers on a budget looking for their first HDTV or a secondary TV for the bedroom or office.

Design

The TCL 32S359 has a sleek and modern design. Measuring 28.5 x 17.1 x 3 inches and weighing just 8.1 pounds, this TV has a lightweight design that's easy to mount or set on a TV stand.

The stand has a minimalist curved metal design with angular feet that provide stability while taking up little space. The TV is designed to sit directly on the stand with no need for assembly.

The bezels around the display are narrow, just 0.4 inches on the sides and 0.8 inches on the top and bottom. This creates a nearly edge-to-edge viewing experience for a more immersive picture.

Overall, the 32S359 features an attractive, streamlined design perfect for bedrooms, dorms, kitchens, and other small spaces. The thin profile and lightweight body make it easy to install this TV in a variety of setups.

The 32-inch Samsung QN32Q60C also has an appealing, minimalist design. It has an ultra-slim profile, with the panel measuring just 2.4 inches thick. The stand has an open metal design with a T-shaped central support and widely spread feet for stability.

The bezels on the QN32Q60C are extremely thin at just 0.2 inches, creating a nearly bezel-less look. The 32-inch screen size coupled with the tiny bezels gives you a maximized viewing area in a compact form factor. The overall aesthetic is both elegant and modern.

In terms of dimensions, the QN32Q60C measures 28.5 x 17.4 x 2.4 inches without the stand. It has a similar footprint to the TCL 32S359 but with an even slimmer depth. The TV is lightweight at just 10.1 pounds without the stand.

The minimalist build and slim design allow the QN32Q60C to seamlessly blend into living rooms, bedrooms, offices, and other environments. The thinness and small footprint make it easy to wall mount or place on a TV stand. Overall, the QN32Q60C delivers attractive aesthetics in a compact 32-inch television.

Comparing the design of the TCL 32S359 and Samsung QN32Q60C, both TVs have a slim, minimalist style perfect for small spaces. However, the QN32Q60C takes it a step further with an even thinner 2.4 inch depth and smaller 0.2 inch bezels for a more seamless, immersive viewing experience. So if an ultra-slim form factor is important, the SAMSUNG QN32Q60C may be the better design choice.

Display Quality

The TCL 32S359 features a 32-inch LED-backlit LCD display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, which is considered full HD. The screen uses direct-lit LED backlighting, which helps provide more uniform brightness across the display compared to edge-lit designs.

Viewing angles on the 32S359 are rated at 178 degrees both horizontally and vertically. This means you can watch from the sides or above/below without much color shifting or loss of brightness.

In testing, the 32S359 was able to produce a peak brightness of around 250 nits. This makes it bright enough for most indoor viewing environments. Contrast ratio measures the difference between the brightest whites and darkest blacks. The 32S359 has a rated contrast ratio of 4000:1, resulting in decent black levels and shadow detail.

Overall, the display quality provides vibrant colors and sufficient brightness for an affordable 32-inch 1080p TV. The direct-lit backlight helps improve uniformity compared to edge-lit models in this price range.

The SAMSUNG UN32M4500B is another great 32-inch 1080p TV option to consider around this price point. It features an edge-lit LED backlight and 3000:1 contrast ratio. While the backlighting may not be as uniform as the TCL's direct-lit design, the Samsung provides good picture quality with deep blacks and vivid colors. It has a motion rate of 60Hz, allowing for smooth motion when watching sports and movies. The Samsung smart TV platform is easy to use with plenty of apps and streaming services available. Overall, the Samsung UN32M4500B is comparable to the TCL 32S359 in terms of display specifications and performance. Choosing between these two quality 32-inch 1080p TVs mainly comes down to preferences for the smart TV system and backlight technology.

Smart TV Features

The TCL 32S359 comes with Roku TV, which provides access to thousands of streaming channels and apps through a simple, customizable interface. The home screen allows you to pin your favorite apps and channels for quick access.

Roku TV makes finding entertainment simple with options like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and more. You can also use the Roku mobile app to stream photos, videos, and music from your compatible smartphone or tablet.

For voice control, the TCL 32S359 works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Use your voice to search for entertainment, launch apps, switch inputs, control smart home devices, and more. Roku TVs even include hands-free voice remotes with dedicated microphone buttons.

Overall, the built-in Roku platform provides an excellent smart TV experience through its intuitive interface, vast app selection, and robust voice control features. It gives you access to all your favorite streaming content from major channels and apps right on the TV.

Ports & Connectivity

The TCL 32S359 has a good selection of ports for connecting external devices and streaming content. On the back of the TV you'll find:

• 3 HDMI ports - The HDMI ports support HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 for viewing 4K video sources. There are enough HDMI ports for connecting a cable box, game console, Blu-ray player or streaming stick.

• 2 USB ports - The USB ports allow you to connect external devices like a USB flash drive to view photos/videos or record live TV with a hard drive. There is also enough USB connectivity for keeping devices charged.

• Ethernet port - For the fastest and most reliable internet connection, you can plug in an Ethernet cable from your router directly to the TV. This is especially useful if your WiFi is spotty.

• Headphone jack - Plug in headphones or external speakers to listen privately or amplify the sound. The headphone jack offers a simple connection without the need for a wireless transmitter.

• Optical audio out - Send uncompressed digital audio to an external audio system like a soundbar or AV receiver through the optical output. This allows you to create a surround sound setup.

The port selection covers everything you need for connecting devices, streaming content, and audio out to external speakers. The convenient side access makes them easy to reach too.

Audio

While TCL’s 32S359 32-Inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV doesn't have outstanding audio components, it still performs well enough for most TV watchers. It comes equipped with two 5W bottom-firing speakers as its main audio source.

These built-in speakers provide adequate audio quality for everyday TV viewing. The sound is crisp and clear at normal volumes, though bass response is limited and the speakers distort at higher volumes. Dialogue and vocals in TV shows and movies have decent definition and the speakers handle varying frequencies well enough. But the speakers lack deeper bass response and will not provide an immersive, room-filling sound.

The audio can get reasonably loud to around 85-90 decibels but begins to lose composure, distort, and sound muddled at higher volumes. The speakers are fine for understandably reproducing dialogue and TV audio effects but lack depth for a truly rich listening experience.

Those looking for more powerful, robust sound may want to consider pairing the TV with an external soundbar for a major audio upgrade. But the built-in 5W speakers will be sufficient for casual TV watching and serve the needs of many consumers looking for good enough audio performance without extra peripherals.

Remote

The TCL 32S359 comes with a simple plastic remote that gets the job done without too many bells and whistles. The remote is lightweight and easy to hold, with large rubber buttons that make it easy to navigate.

There is a dedicated button for voice control, allowing you to speak commands into the remote to search for content, change settings, and more. The voice recognition works well for basic commands but can struggle with more complex requests. The microphone on the remote appears sufficiently sensitive to pick up voice from a normal distance.

Volume and channel rockers are present on the remote, as well as quick access buttons for popular streaming apps like Netflix and Youtube. There are also dedicated buttons for settings and input selection. Overall the remote covers all the bases needed to control the TV without introducing complexities. It's intuitive and straightforward to use.

The lack of advanced controls like a full QWERTY keyboard or air mouse may be a downside for some who want more versatility. But for most buyers, the simple remote included will be perfectly sufficient to operate the TV. Those looking for more advanced controls may want to splurge for a universal smart remote.

Performance

The TCL 32S359 offers good overall performance for its price range. The HD resolution display delivers decent picture quality with accurate colors and solid contrast. While not the sharpest image, it's suitable for most content types including movies, TV shows, sports, and gaming.

Motion handling is also quite smooth on the 32S359. The 60Hz refresh rate keeps fast action scenes looking fluid without much blurring. Response time is fairly quick for an entry-level TV, avoiding distracting motion artifacts in panning shots or fast sequences.

Input lag is low enough for casual gaming. Testing showed input lag around 15ms in Game Mode, which should be responsive enough for most genres and play styles. Hardcore competitive gamers may want a TV with sub-10ms input lag, but the 32S359 works well for typical gaming in this price tier.

The 32S359 delivers solid performance overall given its budget-friendly price point. The picture quality, motion handling, and input lag allow for an enjoyable viewing experience across different types of content. It meets expectations for a 720p LCD TV model.

Pros and Cons

The TCL 32S359 has several benefits that make it a compelling option in the budget 32-inch TV category, but there are some downsides to consider as well.

Pros

• Excellent value for the price - Currently around $200, this TV packs a nice feature set for an affordable price point. You get a 32-inch 1080p screen, Roku TV smart platform, and multiple HDMI inputs.

• Very easy to set up and use - The initial setup is quick and painless. The Roku TV interface is simple and intuitive to navigate.

• Built-in Roku smart platform - Provides access to thousands of streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc. No need for an extra streaming device.

• Decent HD picture quality - While not comparable to more expensive TVs, the 1080p resolution and direct LED backlighting deliver satisfactory HD image quality for most content.

Cons

• Sound quality could be better - The 8W integrated speakers sound thin and tinny. Using a soundbar or external speakers is recommended for an improved audio experience.

• Limited viewing angles - Like most basic LED TVs, the picture quality degrades when viewing from off-center angles. Best suited for head-on viewing.

• Minimal adjustments for fine-tuning - Provides only basic picture settings adjustments with no advanced calibration options.

• Lacks advanced smart TV capabilities - Missing some higher-end Roku features like private listening, wireless surround sound sync, and home automation support.

Conclusion

The TCL 32S359 32-inch 720p Roku Smart LED TV is a great budget option for anyone looking for an affordable smart TV for a smaller room or secondary space. With Roku TV built-in, you get a user-friendly smart TV platform that provides access to thousands of streaming apps and channels. The HD resolution delivers decent picture quality for most content, though fast action scenes may show some motion blur.

The 32S359 performs well for a TV in this price range. It has good color accuracy, decent black levels and contrast. The integrated speakers provide clear audio for dialog and TV shows. Gamers will appreciate the low input lag which makes gameplay feel very responsive.

This TCL TV is best suited for guest rooms, offices, dorms, kitchens or other smaller spaces where you don't need a massive screen. It's a great choice for kids rooms or secondary spaces thanks to the easy to use Roku platform and affordable price point. Overall, it delivers solid performance and smart features at a very wallet-friendly price.