TCL 10 Plus vs. TCL Plex: A Detailed Comparison

TCL has been making waves in the budget smartphone market, offering impressive features at competitive prices. Two of their popular models are the TCL 10 Plus and the TCL Plex. But which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key differences to help you make an informed decision.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The TCL Plex edges out the 10 Plus thanks to its slightly faster Snapdragon 675 chipset and quicker charging. However, the 10 Plus might offer better value depending on pricing and camera priorities. Both are solid contenders in the budget space, offering large displays and decent features.

PHONES
Phone Names	TCL 10 Plus	TCL Plex

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	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/75 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 2100	-

Launch
Announced	2020, July 09. Released 2020, August	2019, September. Released 2019, October
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	-	Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	158.9 x 72.9 x 8.9 mm (6.26 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)	162.2 x 76.6 x 8 mm (6.39 x 3.02 x 0.31 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	172 g (6.07 oz)	192 g (6.77 oz)

Display
Resolution	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size	6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)	6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, HDR	IPS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)	Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm)
GPU	Adreno 610	Adreno 612
OS	Android 10, TCL UI	Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10

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	Dual-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	-
Single	8 MP, AF	-
Triple	-	48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm 2 MP, f/1.8
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Single	16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm	24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm
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	5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS
Radio	FM radio	FM radio
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0
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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	Quick Charge 3	18W wired, QC3, 50% in 32 min
Stand-by	Up to 330 h (2G) / Up to 330 h (3G)	Up to 396 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 4 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 5 h (3G)	Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 25 h (3G)
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Ion 3820 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Blue, Violet	Obsidian Black, Opal White
Models	T782H	T780H
Price	About 300 EUR	About 330 EUR
SAR	0.32 W/kg (head) 0.73 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

Large Display
Good Value (potentially)
Versatile Camera System (potentially)
Decent Battery Life

Slower Processor
Slower Charging
May have slightly less vibrant display

TCL Plex

Faster Processor (Snapdragon 675)
Faster Charging (QC3)
Potentially better display color accuracy
Smooth Performance

Potentially higher price
Camera not exceptional
Design may not appeal to everyone

Display Comparison

Both phones feature large displays, but the TCL Plex generally has slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The TCL 10 Plus boasts a contrast ratio of 1031:1, which is impressive for the price, but the Plex's display is often considered more vibrant. Both use IPS LCD technology.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is a bit more nuanced. The TCL 10 Plus often receives praise for its versatile camera setup, potentially including a dedicated macro lens. The TCL Plex's camera is generally considered good, but not exceptional. Both phones offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low light. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) are needed for a more precise comparison.

Performance

The TCL Plex holds a clear advantage here. Its Snapdragon 675 chipset is a step up from the 10 Plus's Snapdragon 665, resulting in noticeably smoother performance, especially when gaming or running demanding apps. The Plex's CPU configuration (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) offers better multi-core performance than the 10 Plus's (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver).

Battery Life

Both phones typically feature a large 4000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. The TCL Plex's 18W wired charging with QC3 support allows it to charge to 50% in just 32 minutes, significantly faster than the TCL 10 Plus's Quick Charge 3.

Buying Guide

The TCL 10 Plus is ideal for users prioritizing a large display and a potentially more affordable price point. The TCL Plex is a better choice for those who need a bit more processing power for smoother multitasking and faster charging.