TCL has made a name for itself with affordable smartphones offering impressive features. The TCL 10 Pro and TCL 10 5G UW are two popular options, but which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key differences to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The TCL 10 5G UW is the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 765G chipset and 5G connectivity. While the 10 Pro offers a slightly faster charging speed, the 5G UW's performance and future-proofing make it the better overall choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - T799B | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - T799B | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 46, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 66, 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 |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T799H | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 06. Released 2020, May 19 | 2020, October 27. Released 2020, October 29 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.5 x 72.4 x 9.2 mm (6.24 x 2.85 x 0.36 in) | 163.6 x 76.5 x 9.4 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 177 g (6.24 oz) | 210 g (7.41 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 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR10 | IPS LCD, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| | Always-on-display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, planned upgrade to Android 11, TCL UI | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 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 lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm | 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| 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 HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | - |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3, 50% in 35 min | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green | Diamond Gray |
| Models | T799B, T799H | - |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 340 EUR |
TCL 10 Pro
- More affordable
- Slightly faster charging
- Good AMOLED display
- Decent camera
- Slower performance
- No 5G connectivity
- Average low-light camera performance
TCL 10 5G UW
- Faster performance (Snapdragon 765G)
- 5G connectivity
- Good AMOLED display
- Slightly better image processing
- More expensive
- Charging speed not specified
- Average low-light camera performance
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.47-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 1080 x 2400 resolution. Color accuracy and viewing angles are excellent on both, providing a vibrant and immersive experience. There's little to differentiate them here; both offer a great visual experience.
Camera Comparison
The TCL 10 Pro boasts a quad-camera setup with a 64MP main sensor, while the 10 5G UW also has a quad-camera, but with a 48MP main sensor. Both offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance is average. The 5G UW's image processing might be slightly better due to the more powerful chipset.
Performance
This is where the biggest difference lies. The TCL 10 5G UW's Snapdragon 765G is a substantial upgrade over the 10 Pro's Snapdragon 675. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the 5G UW. The 7nm process also contributes to improved power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones have a 4500mAh battery. While the 10 Pro charges slightly faster (50% in 35 minutes vs. no specified time for the 5G UW), real-world battery life is comparable on both devices, typically lasting a full day with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The TCL 10 Pro is a good choice for budget-conscious users who don't need 5G and prioritize slightly faster charging. The TCL 10 5G UW is ideal for those who want a smoother experience, faster performance, and the ability to connect to 5G networks, justifying the higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the TCL 10 5G UW worth the extra cost?
If you value performance and want 5G connectivity, then yes. The Snapdragon 765G provides a significant upgrade over the 675, making it a worthwhile investment.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Real-world battery life is comparable on both devices, typically lasting a full day with moderate usage.
