The TCL 10 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The TCL 10 Plus aimed for affordability, while the A51 5G UW brought 5G connectivity and a more powerful processor to a wider audience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the TCL 10 Plus’s Snapdragon 665, and the inclusion of 5G connectivity future-proofs the device. While the TCL 10 Plus is cheaper, the performance trade-off is significant.
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 260, 261 mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 09. Released 2020, August | 2020, August 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, August 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.9 x 72.9 x 8.9 mm (6.26 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) | 158.8 x 73.4 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.89 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, TCL UI | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 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, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Quick Charge 3 | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 330 h (2G) / Up to 330 h (3G) | Up to 672 h |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 5 h (3G) | Up to 5 h |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Violet | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | T782H | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| SAR | 0.32 W/kg (head) 0.73 W/kg (body) | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.32 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
- Potentially faster charging with Quick Charge 3
- Lower price point
- Decent display contrast ratio
- Significantly weaker processor (Snapdragon 665)
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Less advanced image processing
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 765G processor
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Likely superior display quality (Samsung Super AMOLED)
- Slower 15W charging
- Higher price compared to TCL 10 Plus
- Potential for more software bloat (Samsung's One UI)
Display Comparison
The TCL 10 Plus boasts a contrast ratio of 1031:1, suggesting decent, though not exceptional, color reproduction. However, the A51 5G UW, while lacking specific contrast ratio data, benefits from Samsung’s display expertise, likely offering more vibrant colors and potentially higher peak brightness. The TCL 10 Plus’s display technology is not specified, while Samsung often employs Super AMOLED panels in this range, known for their deep blacks and excellent viewing angles. Bezels are likely comparable, given the similar market positioning, but the A51 5G UW’s display is expected to be more visually appealing overall.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a photo/video focus, but details are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s image signal processor (ISP) in the A51 5G UW is more advanced than the 665’s, enabling better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. The TCL 10 Plus likely relies more heavily on software processing to compensate for a potentially less capable sensor. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the A51 5G UW, if equipped, would further enhance image quality, particularly in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G, built on a 7nm process, is a significant upgrade over the TCL 10 Plus’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 765G features a Kryo 475 Prime core clocked at 2.4GHz, alongside a Kryo 475 Gold core at 2.2GHz, and six Kryo 475 Silver cores at 1.8GHz, compared to the 10 Plus’s 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the A51 5G UW. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling under sustained load. The A51 5G UW also benefits from 5G connectivity, a feature absent in the TCL 10 Plus.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but the A51 5G UW’s 15W wired charging is slower than the TCL 10 Plus’s Quick Charge 3 support. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s improved efficiency could offset the slower charging speed, potentially resulting in comparable real-world battery life. Quick Charge 3 allows for faster initial charging bursts on the TCL 10 Plus, but the A51 5G UW’s more efficient chipset may consume less power during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 10 Plus if you prioritize absolute affordability and don't require 5G connectivity or demanding performance for gaming or multitasking. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you value faster processing speeds, 5G capabilities, and a more responsive user experience, even at a slightly higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 665 in the TCL 10 Plus struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 665 is a budget-oriented chipset. While it can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. Expect occasional stuttering and longer loading times compared to the Snapdragon 765G.
❓ How much faster is the 5G connectivity on the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW compared to 4G LTE?
5G speeds on the A51 5G UW can be significantly faster than 4G LTE, potentially reaching several gigabits per second in areas with good 5G coverage. This translates to faster downloads, smoother streaming, and lower latency for online gaming. However, 5G availability varies greatly by location.
❓ Is the camera on the TCL 10 Plus sufficient for casual social media photos?
The TCL 10 Plus's camera is adequate for casual social media use in good lighting conditions. However, it will likely struggle in low-light scenarios, producing noisy and less detailed images compared to the A51 5G UW.
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW receive long-term software updates?
Samsung typically provides several years of software updates for its A-series devices. While the exact update schedule isn't guaranteed, the A51 5G UW is likely to receive at least two major Android version updates and several years of security patches.
