TCL’s First Portable Projector Is Less Portable Than You’d Expect

One of my favorite TV brands is launching its first portable projector. I’m just a little confused about, uh, everything.

At a glance, the TCL Projector A1 appears to be a pretty typical portable projector. It runs Google TV, it projects 1080p images at sizes up to 120 inches, and its peak brightness is a modest 360 ISO lumens. Connectivity options include HDMI, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi 5, while audio is powered by a pair of integrated 8-watt speakers. Auto keystone and autofocus functionality are also built in.

These specs are similar to what we’ve seen in battery-powered projectors like the Anker Nebula Capsule. However, the TCL Projector A1 is not battery-powered. It uses an AC adapter and runs at 140 watts.

The lack of an internal battery isn’t unusual for a portable projector—XGIMI’s MoGo 2 requires wired power and remains a popular option among on-the-go film buffs. But the XGIMI MoGo 2 weighs just 2.4 pounds and stands only 5.3 inches tall. TCL’s projector is comparatively chunky, clocking in at 5.5 pounds and 10.4 inches high (plus 7.6 inches long and 5.0 inches deep).

In other words, the Projector A1 is about the same size as a conventional home projector. The only thing that makes it “portable,” as far as I can tell, is the integrated carrying handle (which turns into a kickstand when pushed down) and the very modest image brightness.

Mind you, this is a $500 projector. If you want to buy a not-battery-powered projector that weighs five pounds and measures about 10 inches on one side, the Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 fits the bill for just $300. And, importantly, Epson’s EpiqVision shines at a peak 3000 ISO lumens. The TCL projector is 300 lumens. Huh?

I’m sure that TCL’s Projector A1 has the edge in some scenarios. Its dual 8-watt stereo speaker array would put all of Epson’s entry-level projectors to shame, no contest. The auto keystone functionality is also a nice asset, and the Projector A1 doubles as a Bluetooth speaker with an integrated LED light show, which is fun. Some customers may also appreciate that the TCL projector has Google TV built in, although I personally prefer “dumb” TVs and projectors.

Still, the “portable” description feels like a stretch, and I’m not sure what’s going on with the price. If you want to buy TCL’s Projector A1 at full price, go grab it from the TCL web store. It’s supposed to go on sale today, but the product listing isn’t live at the time of publication.

Source: TCL