TCL S3 32S350R 32 inch TV: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The TCL 32S350R is a 32-inch HD smart TV that offers good value for most casual TV viewers. Part of TCL's entry-level 3-Series, it provides decent picture quality and smart features at an affordable price point. With a 720p resolution and 60Hz refresh rate, it lacks some of the premium specs of higher-end models. However, for secondary rooms or budget-focused buyers, the 32S350R hits a sweet spot of size, quality and cost. It utilizes TCL's easy-to-use Roku TV interface for streaming and smart capabilities right out of the box. Overall, the 32S350R makes a solid choice for a basic 32-inch TV that gets the job done without breaking the bank. Just don't expect top-tier performance or features at this price range. It's ideal for supplementary TV needs rather than critical home theater uses.

Design

The TCL 32S350R has a simple yet attractive design that will fit well in most living rooms. At just 28.8 lbs without the stand, it is lightweight and easy to move around or mount on a wall.

The TV has relatively thin bezels, measuring just 0.4 inches on the sides and 0.8 inches on the top and bottom. The total dimensions with the stand are 28.5 x 17.1 x 7.4 inches.

The included stand has a minimalist bent metal design with a matte black finish. It provides sturdy support while taking up a small footprint. You can also remove the stand and mount the TV on a wall with a standard VESA 200 x 200 bracket.

The 32S350R comes in a sleek dark gray color that won't draw too much attention. The back of the TV has a standard rectangular shape with some subtle texturing and an embossed TCL logo.

Overall, the TCL 32S350R has a no-frills design focused on delivering a large display in a compact size without costing too much. It looks nice without attracting too much attention to itself.

If you're looking for a 32-inch TV with a more premium design, check out the Sony KD32W830K. This model has an ultra-slim profile and narrow bezels for a more immersive viewing experience. The stand has an elegant arched shape with brushed metal finish. There are also cable management routes in the stand to keep cords neatly hidden.

The Sony also comes in a stylish silver color that makes more of a design statement. It has a sleek back panel with clean lines. Overall, the KD32W830K has a higher-end look and feel than the budget TCL model.

However, keep in mind that the more premium design of the Sony comes with a higher price tag. So you'll have to decide if the improved aesthetics are worth paying extra. The TCL 32S350R provides good value for those seeking decent design without breaking the bank.

In summary, the TCL 32S350R has a simple and functional design suitable for most rooms, while the Sony KD32W830K offers more premium styling for those wanting a more fashionable TV. Consider your budget and design priorities when choosing between these two 32-inch models.

Display

The TCL 32S350R is equipped with a 32-inch LED display that offers good picture quality for most everyday TV viewing and streaming. The TV has a native resolution of 720p (1280 x 720 pixels), which is a standard HD resolution.

The 32S350R uses a VA panel type, which typically offers better contrast and black levels compared to IPS panels, but viewing angles are more limited. The panel can get fairly bright, reaching around 200 nits which is decent for a budget TV. However, the display may appear washed out in brighter lit rooms.

Viewing angles on this TCL TV are rated at 176° (H) / 176° (V), which is typical for a VA panel. There will be some color and contrast degradation when viewing the screen off-axis but it shouldn't be too severe. Overall, the 32S350R display provides good visuals for casual TV watching, streaming videos and gaming. But videophiles may want to look at 4K or higher-end 1080p models.

The 32-inch screen size is a common choice for smaller living rooms, bedrooms and offices where space is limited. It's large enough for comfortable viewing from 6-8 feet away. The 720p resolution is sufficient for this screen size, though 1080p would look sharper. Some key competitors in the 32-inch size include the Hisense 32A4K, Samsung UN32N5300 and LG 32LK610B.

For connectivity, the 32S350R has 3 HDMI inputs, 1 USB port, RF, composite and headphone jacks. This allows you to connect a variety of devices like a cable/satellite box, Blu-ray player, gaming console and streaming stick. The HDMI ports support HDCP 2.2 for 4K video passthrough from external 4K sources. But the TV's 720p display won't be able to show native 4K content.

TCL includes the user-friendly Roku TV interface for streaming apps and smart features. It provides quick access to popular services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Prime Video and thousands more. The remote is also simple and intuitive to use. Voice controls are available through compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant devices.

Overall the TCL 32S350R series provides very good performance and features for a budget-friendly 32-inch 720p TV. It's a great choice for secondary rooms or basic home theater setups. But buyers who want higher resolution, HDR support and more advanced display specs should look into 1080p or entry-level 4K models like the aforementioned Hisense 32A4K.

Picture Quality

The TCL 32S350R delivers decent picture quality for a budget 32-inch TV. The VA panel provides good native contrast with deep blacks, though black uniformity could be better. The TV covers 90% of the DCI-P3 color space for vibrant and accurate colors.

The black levels are deep, with an excellent native contrast ratio. This results in inky blacks and good shadow detail in darker scenes. However, there is some backlight inconsistencies causing clouding and bleed, so black uniformity could be improved.

Motion handling is reasonable for a budget TV. The native 60Hz refresh rate and backlight can't remove all motion blur, but enabling the motion interpolation helps smooth out the picture. The response time is fast enough to avoid distracting trails.

For a 720p HD resolution display, the 32S350R does a decent job at upscaling lower resolution content. Edges and textures aren't perfectly crisp, but overall clarity is passable and image noise is well-controlled. Fine details aren't enhanced but also aren't lost or muddled during upconversion.

Audio Quality

The TCL 32S350R has decent audio quality for a budget 32-inch TV. It has a 2-channel speaker setup with a total output of 12W. While the sound won't blow you away, it gets loud enough to fill a small to medium sized room without distortion.

The sound profile is fairly well balanced, with a slight emphasis on the higher frequencies. Vocals in TV shows and movies come through clearly. There is a noticeable lack of bass, so explosions and action sequences won't have much thump or rumble. But for everyday TV watching, the speakers work well enough.

You can adjust the volume and sound settings through the TV's basic menus. There are no dedicated sound modes, but you can tweak treble and bass to achieve a more balanced sound. Turning up the bass helps compensate for the lack of low end.

Overall, the audio is about average for a budget TV. It gets the job done, but don't expect an immersive cinematic experience. If audio quality is important, pairing the TV with a soundbar can significantly improve the listening experience.

Smart TV Features

The TCL 32S350R runs Roku TV, which is a smart TV platform developed by Roku. It provides quick access to over 5,000+ streaming channels including popular options like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max and more.

The interface is very intuitive and easy to navigate. You can browse content by category like movies, TV shows, sports, news, etc or search for specific titles. Voice controls are supported through the Roku mobile app or voice remotes. You can quickly launch apps, search for content or control TV volume hands-free.

Chromecast is built-in allowing you to cast photos, videos and music from your mobile device to the big screen. Screen mirroring is also supported. The TV has dual-band 802.11 WiFi for smooth streaming over the internet. Overall the smart features are robust and make it easy to find and access all your favorite streaming content.

Ports & Connectivity

The TCL 32S350R offers a decent variety of ports to connect external devices and stream content. It has:

• 3 HDMI ports, enabling you to connect 3 HDMI devices such as a cable box, Blu-ray player, game console, streaming stick etc. The HDMI ports support HDCP 2.2 and HDMI ARC on HDMI port 1.

• 1 USB 2.0 port to connect USB devices like flash drives and hard drives to view photos, music and videos.

• 1 Ethernet port for wired internet connectivity if you want faster and more reliable speeds than WiFi. Useful if you plan to stream 4K content which requires higher bandwidth.

• Built-in WiFi 802.11ac to connect to your home wireless network and access smart apps.

• Bluetooth 5.0 to pair wireless headphones, speakers or other Bluetooth devices.

The connectivity options are quite standard for this price range and should satisfy most buyers' needs. The ports are easily accessible on the side and back panel of the TV.

Ease of Use

The TCL 32S350R 32-inch 720p Roku Smart LED TV is designed to be simple and intuitive to use right out of the box. The included Roku TV remote is a basic plastic remote with dedicated buttons for popular streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and more. The remote feels a bit cheap but gets the job done for basic functions like navigating menus, controlling volume and switching inputs.

The TV runs Roku TV software which features a straightforward home screen interface. The simple tile-based menus make it easy to find content from apps or inputs. There is no convoluted settings menu, options are easy to find if needed. The initial setup only takes a few minutes to connect to wi-fi and link Roku accounts.

Overall the TCL 32S350R delivers a hassle-free user experience thanks to the simple Roku TV platform. The remote and menus are designed for simplicity and ease of use rather than flashy features. It's a great option for those looking for a basic 720p TV that doesn't require any complex setup or programming.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Attractive modern design that fits well in most decors
• Vivid 4K UHD resolution with HDR provides excellent picture quality
• Roku smart platform is intuitive and offers access to thousands of apps
• Good sound quality from the built-in speakers
• Multiple HDMI ports for connecting devices
• Voice controls work well for searching content and controlling TV

Cons

• Limited motion handling results in some blur with fast action
• Narrow viewing angles compared to higher end TVs
• Roku remote feels cheap and can be easy to lose
• Only 60Hz refresh rate, higher would be better for gaming
• Lacks advanced gaming features like VRR and ALLM

Conclusion

The TCL 32S350R 32-inch 720p Roku Smart LED TV provides decent picture quality and smart TV features at an affordable price point. This budget-friendly model is a good option for secondary rooms or dorms where you don't need a top-of-the-line display.

The 720p resolution is lower than full HD but still produces a satisfactory viewing experience for most everyday content. You'll get good color accuracy thanks to TCL's proprietary Color technology. The dual-band WiFi allows for smooth streaming, and Roku TV provides easy access to thousands of apps. The simple remote is intuitive to use.

For the price, the TCL 32S350R delivers solid performance. It's a cost-effective way to add a smart TV with reliable streaming capabilities. The 32-inch size is fitting for small to medium rooms. Overall, this TCL model offers good value for money based on the features and picture quality it provides. It's a practical choice if you want an inexpensive smart TV that doesn't sacrifice too much on visuals.