The TCL 10 Plus and Nokia 5.4 represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone market. While both leverage Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6-series, subtle differences in chipset and features create distinct user experiences. This comparison dissects these nuances, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing faster charging and a potentially more responsive experience, the TCL 10 Plus emerges as the better choice. Its Quick Charge 3.0 support and slightly more mature software optimization give it an edge, despite the Nokia 5.4's clean Android experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 2100 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 66 - NA, LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 09. Released 2020, August | 2020, December 15. Released 2020, December 25 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 158.9 x 72.9 x 8.9 mm (6.26 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) | 161 x 76 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, TCL UI | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.2, A2DP, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Quick Charge 3 | 10W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 330 h (2G) / Up to 330 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 5 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Violet | Polar Night, Dusk |
| Models | T782H | TA-1333, TA-1340, TA-1337, TA-1328, TA-1325 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | 0.32 W/kg (head) 0.73 W/kg (body) | 0.68 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -85.5dB / Crosstalk -83.3dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1031:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB | - |
TCL 10 Plus
- Faster charging with Quick Charge 3.0
- Potentially more responsive performance due to chipset optimization
- Higher contrast ratio (1031:1) suggests a more vibrant display
- TCL's UI may not appeal to all users
- Limited information on camera specifications
Nokia 5.4
- Clean, stock Android experience
- Potentially longer software support from Nokia
- Slightly improved AI processing with Snapdragon 662
- Slow 10W charging
- Potentially less responsive performance compared to TCL 10 Plus
- Limited information on display specifications
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications beyond the TCL 10 Plus's contrast ratio of 1031:1. This suggests a standard IPS LCD panel on both sides. Without knowing the Nokia 5.4's contrast ratio or peak brightness, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the TCL 10 Plus's contrast ratio indicates a potentially more vibrant image, though this is a limited metric. Both likely feature 1080p+ resolution, common for this price point.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are missing for both devices. However, given the market segment, it's safe to assume both feature multi-camera setups with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and potentially a macro or depth sensor. The Snapdragon 662 in the Nokia 5.4 *could* offer slightly better image processing capabilities, but this is heavily reliant on software optimization. Without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, a definitive camera comparison is impossible. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality.
Performance
Both the TCL 10 Plus and Nokia 5.4 utilize an octa-core CPU configuration with the same Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores clocked at the same speeds (2.0 GHz and 1.8 GHz respectively). The key difference lies in the chipset: the TCL 10 Plus uses the Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665, while the Nokia 5.4 employs the SM6115 Snapdragon 662. While architecturally similar, the Snapdragon 662 offers minor improvements in AI processing and image signal processing. In real-world usage, the performance difference will be minimal, primarily noticeable in camera processing speeds. The 11nm process node is consistent across both, meaning thermal throttling shouldn't be a significant concern for either device during moderate use.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the TCL 10 Plus benefits from Quick Charge 3.0 support, allowing for significantly faster charging speeds compared to the Nokia 5.4's 10W wired charging. This is a crucial difference for users who value convenience and quick top-ups. Even with a slightly smaller battery, the TCL 10 Plus's faster charging could result in less downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 10 Plus if you need faster charging speeds and are comfortable with TCL's UI customizations. It's ideal for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day. Buy the Nokia 5.4 if you prioritize a clean, stock Android experience and longer software support, and aren't concerned about slower charging or potentially slightly less responsive performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 662 in the Nokia 5.4 offer a noticeable gaming performance improvement over the Snapdragon 665 in the TCL 10 Plus?
While the Snapdragon 662 has minor architectural improvements, the difference in gaming performance between these two chipsets will be minimal. Both are capable of handling casual gaming, but demanding titles will likely require reduced graphics settings on both devices. The CPU clock speeds are identical, limiting any significant performance gains.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Nokia 5.4 with its 10W charging?
With 10W charging, a full charge from 0% on the Nokia 5.4 will likely take between 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on battery capacity. This is considerably slower than the TCL 10 Plus, which can leverage Quick Charge 3.0 for a much faster charging experience.
❓ Is the software experience on the Nokia 5.4 truly 'stock' Android, and what does that mean for updates?
The Nokia 5.4 runs Android One, which provides a near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware. This typically translates to faster updates and a cleaner user interface. Nokia historically provides guaranteed software updates for a defined period, offering better long-term support compared to many other brands in this price range.
