TCL S3 Vs S4: Key Differences, Specs, And Best Pick

TCL S3 is the budget pick; TCL S4 brings sharper 4K and better HDR.

You’re trying to keep costs low but still want a TV that feels modern. I’ve been there. I set up the TCL S3 in a guest room and the TCL S4 in my living room to test them side by side. In the tcl s3 vs s4 debate, both deliver great value. But they solve different problems: the S3 keeps it simple and affordable, while the S4 pushes picture quality with 4K and HDR. I’ll share what worked for me so you can choose with confidence.

Is TCL S3 Good?

If you need a simple, affordable TV for smaller rooms, yes. The TCL S3 is a solid 1080p set with Roku built in. It’s great for bedrooms, dorms, and casual streaming. You get a clean interface, fast setup, and reliable performance. If 4K is not a must, the S3 delivers more than enough for everyday viewing.

I used the S3 for a guest room and as a secondary screen by my desk. Streaming over Wi‑Fi was smooth, and the Roku layout made it easy for guests to jump into Netflix and Prime Video without help. Sports looked clean at 1080p, and the TV woke up fast. It’s not flashy, but it’s painless and dependable.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• 1080p Full HD panel that looks crisp at typical bedroom distances
• Roku TV platform with a huge app library and simple navigation
• Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit
• Quick setup, reliable Wi‑Fi, and snappy app performance
• Multiple HDMI inputs for streaming sticks, consoles, or cable boxes

What I Like

• Excellent value for the price; perfect for secondary rooms
• Roku interface is beginner‑friendly and fast
• Colors look natural out of the box with minimal tweaking
• Lightweight and easy to mount or move around
• Low input lag is fine for casual console play

What Could Be Better

• No 4K or advanced HDR, so detail and contrast are limited
• Speakers are thin; benefits from a soundbar
• Not ideal for bright rooms or big screen sizes

My Recommendation

If you want a friendly, budget TV for smaller spaces, the S3 is a smart buy. Easy to use, low cost, and widely available.

Best For	Why
Bedrooms, dorms, offices	1080p is enough at short viewing distances
First-time smart TV users	Roku is simple, fast, and stable
Tight budgets	Low price without fuss or bloat

Is TCL S4 Good?

Yes—if you want sharper detail, better HDR, and Google TV, the TCL S4 is the step up worth taking. It’s a 4K set with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support, so movies and sports have more pop and clarity. For living rooms, the S4 feels like a smarter long‑term choice.

I set the S4 in my main space for movie nights. The jump from 1080p to 4K was obvious on nature docs and newer films. Dolby Vision brought better highlights and shadow detail. Google TV’s recommendations were handy, and voice control made searching easy. For tcl s3 vs s4, the S4 felt more “cinematic,” even on the same 43‑inch size.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• 4K UHD resolution with HDR (including Dolby Vision)
• Google TV with personalized recommendations and voice search
• Dolby Atmos passthrough for richer audio with a soundbar
• Auto Game Mode (ALLM) to reduce input lag
• HDMI ports with eARC support on select models for easy audio hookup

What I Like

• Sharper picture and better contrast than S3
• Dolby Vision helps movies look more dynamic
• Google TV is powerful, organized, and easy to search
• Plays nice with voice assistants and smart homes
• Great value for a true 4K HDR TV

What Could Be Better

• 60Hz panel; not for high‑frame‑rate gaming
• Speakers are still basic; plan on a soundbar
• Interface can feel busier than Roku for some users

My Recommendation

If you care about 4K, HDR, and a richer app experience, the S4 is the better buy for most living rooms.

Best For	Why
Movie and sports fans	4K + Dolby Vision looks more detailed and punchy
Primary living room TV	Future‑friendly features and better upscaling
Voice‑driven browsing	Google TV with Assistant built in

tcl s3 vs s4: Side-by-Side Test”

I tested the tcl s3 vs s4 in the same room, same lighting, and same content. Here’s how they compared across the features that matter most in daily use.

Picture Quality: Clarity, HDR, and Upscaling

Both do well for the money. But the S4’s 4K and Dolby Vision lift detail and contrast.

Feature	TCL S3	TCL S4
Resolution	1080p Full HD	4K UHD
HDR	No advanced HDR	HDR with Dolby Vision
Upscaling	Good for 720p/1080p	Good upscaling of HD to 4K
Overall Pop	Natural, simple	More detail and depth

Rating: TCL S3 – 7/10 | TCL S4 – 9/10
> The S4 wins for movies and sports thanks to 4K and Dolby Vision.

Smart Platform: Ease and App Experience

Roku vs Google TV is a style choice; both are strong.

Feature	TCL S3 (Roku)	TCL S4 (Google TV)
Navigation	Simple, clean	Powerful, content‑first
Search	Easy universal search	Excellent voice search
App Library	Huge	Huge
Personalization	Basic	Robust recommendations

Rating: TCL S3 – 8/10 | TCL S4 – 9/10
> The S4 edges out with smarter recommendations and voice control.

Gaming: Input Lag and Features

Neither is a high‑refresh gaming TV, but both handle casual play well.

Feature	TCL S3	TCL S4
Refresh Rate	60Hz	60Hz
Game Mode	Yes (low lag)	Auto Game Mode (ALLM)
4K Gaming	No	Yes (60Hz)
VRR	No	No

Rating: TCL S3 – 7/10 | TCL S4 – 8/10
> The S4 wins with ALLM and 4K support, even at 60Hz.

Audio: Built-in Sound and Passthrough

Both need a soundbar for best results.

Feature	TCL S3	TCL S4
Speakers	Basic stereo	Basic stereo
Dolby Atmos	No Atmos	Atmos passthrough supported
HDMI eARC	Standard ARC/optical options	eARC on select models
Sound Quality	Clear but thin	Slightly fuller; still benefits from soundbar

Rating: TCL S3 – 6/10 | TCL S4 – 7.5/10
> The S4 is ahead with Atmos passthrough and eARC for cleaner audio setups.

Connectivity and Ports

Both cover basics; S4 is a bit more future‑ready.

Feature	TCL S3	TCL S4
HDMI Ports	Multiple HDMI inputs	Multiple HDMI with eARC
Wi‑Fi	Reliable streaming	Reliable streaming
Voice Assistants	Works with Alexa/Google/Apple HomeKit	Google Assistant built in; works with Alexa
Audio Out	HDMI ARC / Optical	HDMI eARC / Optical

Rating: TCL S3 – 7/10 | TCL S4 – 8.5/10
> The S4 provides cleaner audio connections and stronger assistant integration.

Design and Sizes

Both are slim and easy to place; S4 feels a touch more polished.

Feature	TCL S3	TCL S4
Bezel/Build	Simple and light	Sleek with a more premium feel
Mounting	VESA compatible	VESA compatible
Room Fit	Best for small rooms	Flexible for bedrooms and living rooms
Screen Sizes	Popular smaller sizes	Broad size range in 4K

Rating: TCL S3 – 7/10 | TCL S4 – 8/10
> The S4 looks and scales better for main viewing areas.

Ease of Use and Setup

Both are quick to set up. Choose your favorite interface.

Feature	TCL S3 (Roku)	TCL S4 (Google TV)
Initial Setup	Very simple	Simple with Google login
Remote	Minimal and intuitive	Voice remote with Assistant
Learning Curve	Very low	Low to moderate
Updates	Stable Roku updates	Frequent feature updates

Rating: TCL S3 – 9/10 | TCL S4 – 8.5/10
> The S3 is slightly easier for absolute beginners; the S4 is more powerful.

Value for Money

Both are strong values; your needs decide the winner.

Consideration	TCL S3	TCL S4
Price	Lower	Moderate, but fair for 4K HDR
Longevity	Great as a secondary TV	Better long‑term as a main TV
Feature Set	Basic but dependable	4K, Dolby Vision, Atmos passthrough
Overall Value	Excellent for budget rooms	Excellent for everyday living rooms

Rating: TCL S3 – 8/10 | TCL S4 – 9/10
> The S4 offers stronger long‑term value if you can spend a little more.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

For tcl s3 vs s4, the TCL S3 is the easy pick if you want a low‑cost, no‑stress TV for small rooms. It’s simple, friendly, and great for casual streaming or a guest room.

If this will be your main TV, go TCL S4. The 4K bump, Dolby Vision, and Google TV make movies and sports feel more alive. In my home, S3 for the bedroom, S4 for the living room.

FAQs Of tcl s3 vs s4

What’s the biggest difference in tcl s3 vs s4?

The S3 is 1080p with Roku. The S4 is 4K with Dolby Vision and Google TV. The S4 looks sharper and more cinematic.

Is the TCL S4 worth the extra cost over the S3?

Yes, if this is your main TV. 4K, HDR, and better upscaling make a clear difference. For a small bedroom, the S3 is fine.

Which smart platform is better in tcl s3 vs s4?

Roku (S3) is simpler. Google TV (S4) is smarter and stronger for voice search and recommendations. Pick based on your preference.

Is the TCL S3 good for gaming compared to the S4?

Both are 60Hz and fine for casual play. The S4 adds Auto Game Mode and supports 4K at 60Hz. Neither targets competitive gaming.

Do I need a soundbar with either TV?

It helps. Both have basic speakers. The S4 supports Dolby Atmos passthrough and eARC on select models, which simplifies soundbar setups.

Note: Throughout this tcl s3 vs s4 guide, I tested both in real rooms and kept settings simple. If you value 4K and HDR, go S4. If you value price and simplicity, the S3 is a winner.