The LG Stylo 6 and TCL Stylus represent distinct approaches to the budget stylus phone market. The Stylo 6, a veteran of the space, prioritizes affordability and a familiar experience. The TCL Stylus, a newer entrant, aims to disrupt with a more modern chipset, offering a significant leap in processing power. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the TCL Stylus is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset provides a dramatically smoother and more responsive experience than the LG Stylo 6’s Helio P35. While the Stylo 6 may offer slightly better battery life due to the more efficient processor, the performance gains of the TCL Stylus are too significant to ignore.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 25, 41, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 20. Released 2020, May 20 | 2022, June 02 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, June 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 171.2 x 77.7 x 8.6 mm (6.74 x 3.06 x 0.34 in) | 169.6 x 76.5 x 9 mm (6.68 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 219 g (7.72 oz) | 213 g (7.51 oz) |
| | Stylus | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | NEG |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.81 inches, 110.1 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 120˚, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, 115˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Lunar Black |
| Models | LMQ730TM, LM-Q730TM | T779W |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.25 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
LG Stylo 6
- Potentially better battery efficiency due to the Helio P35 chipset.
- Lower price point (likely).
- Familiar Android experience.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the TCL Stylus.
- Lacks 5G connectivity.
- Slower charging speeds.
TCL Stylus
- Much faster performance with the Dimensity 700 chipset.
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.
- 18W fast charging.
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to the LG Stylo 6.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- TCL's software support track record is less established than LG's.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, details like peak brightness and color accuracy are unavailable. The TCL Stylus’s advantage lies in its potential for smoother scrolling and animations due to the more powerful GPU driving the display. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera details beyond sensor existence are sparse. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but image quality will heavily depend on software processing. The TCL Stylus benefits from the increased processing power of the Dimensity 700, allowing for more sophisticated image processing algorithms. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the TCL Stylus has a clear advantage in its ability to process images more effectively. Expect both to struggle in low-light conditions.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The TCL Stylus’s Mediatek Dimensity 700, fabricated on a 7nm process, is a substantial upgrade over the LG Stylo 6’s 12nm Mediatek Helio P35. The Dimensity 700’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – offers significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Stylo 6’s 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 setup. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. The Dimensity 700 also includes an integrated 5G modem, offering future-proofing and faster data speeds where available. The Helio P35 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity figures are unavailable for both devices. However, the Helio P35 in the LG Stylo 6 is generally more power-efficient than the Dimensity 700. This suggests the Stylo 6 *could* offer slightly longer battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the TCL Stylus compensates with 18W wired charging, significantly faster than the likely 10W or 15W charging on the Stylo 6. This means the TCL Stylus can replenish its battery much quicker, mitigating any potential battery life disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG Stylo 6 if you prioritize absolute affordability and a simple, no-frills experience, and your primary use case is basic communication and light tasks. Buy the TCL Stylus if you value performance for multitasking, streaming, and occasional gaming, and appreciate the benefits of faster 5G connectivity and quicker charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the TCL Stylus handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The TCL Stylus, with its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset and Mali-G52 MC2 GPU, is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it's a significant improvement over the LG Stylo 6, which would likely struggle even at the lowest settings.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the TCL Stylus actually useful?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. If you live in an area with 5G access, the TCL Stylus will offer significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to the LG Stylo 6, which is limited to 4G LTE. Even without 5G, the Dimensity 700’s modem offers improved 4G performance.
❓ How much faster is the TCL Stylus likely to be in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Expect a noticeable difference. The TCL Stylus’s Dimensity 700 will result in faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and quicker responsiveness when switching between apps. The LG Stylo 6’s Helio P35 will feel sluggish in comparison, especially when multitasking.
❓ Does the TCL Stylus support software updates for an extended period?
TCL’s software update track record is less established than LG’s. While TCL has committed to providing updates, the duration and frequency are uncertain. The LG Stylo 6, while older, may receive updates for a longer period due to LG’s previous commitment to software support.
