Huawei P40 lite 5G vs TCL 10 Pro: A Detailed Performance and Value Showdown

The TCL 10 Pro and Huawei P40 lite 5G represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The TCL 10 Pro aimed for a well-rounded experience with a focus on display quality, while the Huawei P40 lite 5G prioritized 5G connectivity and faster charging, powered by a more advanced chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Huawei P40 lite 5G is the clear winner. Its Kirin 820 chipset offers a significant performance leap over the Snapdragon 675, coupled with substantially faster 40W charging. However, the TCL 10 Pro remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget who don't require 5G.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 10 Pro Huawei P40 lite 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - T799BHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - T799B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T799H-
Launch
Announced2020, April 06. Released 2020, May 192020, May 15. Released 2020, May 28
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions158.5 x 72.4 x 9.2 mm (6.24 x 2.85 x 0.36 in)162.3 x 75 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 2.95 x 0.34 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight177 g (6.24 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, HDR10IPS LCD, HDR10
 Always-on-display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.22 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.84 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm)Kirin 820 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 612Mali-G57 (6-core)
OSAndroid 10, planned upgrade to Android 11, TCL UIAndroid 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Panorama, HDR
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 17mm (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radio (market/region dependent)No
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC3, 50% in 35 min40W wired, 70% in 30 min 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray, GreenCrush Green, Space Silver, Midnight Black
ModelsT799B, T799HCDY-NX9A
PriceAbout 250 EURAbout 190 EUR

TCL 10 Pro

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Balanced feature set
  • Reliable Qualcomm chipset

  • Significantly slower charging
  • Outmatched by Kirin 820 in performance
  • Lacks 5G connectivity

Huawei P40 lite 5G

  • Faster Kirin 820 processor
  • 40W fast charging
  • 5G connectivity
  • 5W reverse wired charging

  • Potentially higher price
  • Software experience (Huawei Mobile Services)
  • May require additional Google app installation

Display Comparison

While both phones likely feature LCD panels (data not provided), the focus here is on performance. Display specs are not available for the TCL 10 Pro, but the P40 lite 5G's display is secondary to its processing power. The TCL 10 Pro's value proposition likely hinges on a more visually appealing display, but without specific data, it's difficult to quantify.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Kirin 820’s integrated ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the P40 lite 5G is likely more advanced than the Snapdragon 675’s, potentially leading to better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. The TCL 10 Pro may rely more on software optimization to compensate for a less powerful ISP. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and apertures makes a definitive judgment impossible, but the chipset advantage leans towards the Huawei.

Performance

The Kirin 820 5G (7nm) in the Huawei P40 lite 5G represents a substantial architectural advantage over the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 (11nm) in the TCL 10 Pro. The Kirin 820’s Cortex-A76 cores, particularly the 1x2.36 GHz and 3x2.22 GHz configurations, deliver significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance. The Snapdragon 675’s Kryo 460 cores, while efficient, are simply outmatched. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the Huawei. The 7nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. Gamers and power users will overwhelmingly benefit from the P40 lite 5G’s superior processing capabilities.

Battery Life

The Huawei P40 lite 5G’s 40W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving 70% charge in just 30 minutes. This is significantly faster than the TCL 10 Pro’s 18W charging, which takes 35 minutes to reach 50%. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging of the P40 lite 5G mitigates any potential disadvantage from a smaller battery. The P40 lite 5G also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the TCL 10 Pro, adding to its versatility.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL 10 Pro if you need a dependable smartphone for everyday tasks, prioritize a balanced feature set, and are operating on a strict budget. Buy the Huawei P40 lite 5G if you want a noticeable performance boost for gaming and multitasking, require 5G connectivity, and value significantly faster charging speeds – even if it means spending a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 820 in the Huawei P40 lite 5G get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Kirin 820’s 7nm process node is more efficient than the Snapdragon 675’s 11nm node, meaning it generates less heat under load. While some warming is expected during prolonged gaming, the P40 lite 5G is less likely to experience significant throttling compared to the TCL 10 Pro.
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services on the Huawei P40 lite 5G a major issue?
The Huawei P40 lite 5G utilizes Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) instead of Google Mobile Services (GMS). This means you won't have direct access to the Google Play Store. However, the AppGallery is growing, and workarounds exist to sideload many popular apps. The impact depends on your reliance on Google's ecosystem.
❓ How much faster is the 40W charging on the P40 lite 5G compared to the 18W charging on the TCL 10 Pro in real-world use?
The P40 lite 5G can reach 70% charge in 30 minutes, while the TCL 10 Pro only reaches 50% in 35 minutes. This translates to a significantly faster top-up time, especially useful for users who frequently need to quickly recharge their phones.