The TCL 10 5G and Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW represent a fascinating intersection in the mid-range 5G smartphone market. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, but diverge in charging speeds and potentially, overall value. This comparison dissects the nuances to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and a potentially more refined software experience, the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW is the better choice. However, the TCL 10 5G offers a compelling value proposition, especially if budget is a primary concern, given its identical core performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - T790Y | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 - T790Y | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA - T790Y | 260, 261 SA/NSA/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1000/150 Mbps, 5G 2.3 Gbps DL | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 3, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 41, 42 - T790H | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 06. Released 2020, July 27 | 2020, July 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, July 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.6 x 9 mm (6.44 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 162.8 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, TCL UI | Android 10, One UI 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Chrome Blue, Mercury Gray | Prism Bricks Black |
| Models | T790Y, T790H | SM-A716V |
| Price | About 400 EUR | - |
| SAR | - | 0.50 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
TCL 10 5G
- Potentially lower price point
- Identical core performance to the Samsung
- Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 support
- Slower 18W charging
- Likely less refined software experience
- Potentially less robust build quality
Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW
- Faster 25W charging
- Potentially better software support and updates
- Samsung's established brand reputation
- Higher price compared to the TCL 10 5G
- Identical core performance to the TCL
- May include Samsung's bloatware
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given their market positioning, we can infer both likely utilize LCD panels. The absence of information regarding refresh rates suggests a standard 60Hz experience on both. The real-world difference will likely come down to color calibration and peak brightness, areas where Samsung historically excels. Without specific nit ratings, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are missing. However, the market segment suggests both phones will feature multi-camera setups. The absence of sensor size information makes a direct comparison impossible. Image processing will be a key differentiator. Samsung typically employs more saturated and contrast-boosted image processing, while TCL often aims for a more natural look. The quality of the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 765G will be a limiting factor for both, meaning neither will compete with flagship camera performance.
Performance
The core performance is identical: both the TCL 10 5G and Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW are powered by the Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) chipset, featuring the same octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver). This means similar application launch speeds and general responsiveness. Thermal management will be key; while the 765G is efficient, sustained loads could lead to throttling. Samsung's larger chassis *might* offer slightly better heat dissipation, but this is speculative without testing.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW gains a clear advantage with its 25W wired charging, compared to the TCL 10 5G’s 18W QC3 charging. This translates to significantly faster 0-100% charge times. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging speed is a tangible benefit for users who frequently need to top up their phones. The TCL 10 5G will still provide a full day of use for moderate users, but the Samsung offers more convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 10 5G if you need a capable 5G phone on a strict budget and are willing to trade faster charging for cost savings. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW if you prioritize quicker top-ups, potentially better software support, and are willing to spend a bit more for those benefits. Both are excellent choices for users entering the 5G space without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 765G in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 765G is a capable mid-range chip, but it won't deliver flagship-level gaming performance. Expect playable frame rates at medium settings in demanding titles. Thermal throttling could become a factor during extended gaming sessions, potentially impacting performance over time. Both phones will likely require some settings adjustments to achieve a smooth experience.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW support mmWave 5G, and is that important?
The 'UW' designation in the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW indicates support for Ultra Wideband (mmWave) 5G. However, mmWave 5G coverage is currently limited to specific areas and requires close proximity to a mmWave tower. If you live in an area with mmWave coverage, you'll experience significantly faster 5G speeds. Otherwise, the phone will fall back to sub-6GHz 5G, which is more widely available.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone from 0%?
With its 25W charging, the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW should fully charge in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging. The TCL 10 5G, with its 18W charging, will likely take closer to 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours for a full charge.
