TCL 10L vs. Motorola Moto G Power (2021): A Deep Dive into Budget Snapdragon Performance

The TCL 10L and Motorola Moto G Power (2021) represent a sweet spot in the budget smartphone market, offering a balance of features and affordability. Both devices utilize Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6-series, but subtle differences in chipset and features like charging can significantly impact the user experience. This comparison dissects these nuances to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and consistent performance, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the better choice. Its 15W charging, while not fast, complements its larger battery capacity, offering a more reliable all-day experience than the TCL 10L, despite their similar processors.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 10L Motorola Moto G Power (2021)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, April 06. Released 2020, May 192021, January 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, January 14
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions162.2 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.39 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm (6.51 x 2.99 x 0.37 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)206.5 g (7.30 oz)
 -Water-repellent coating
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, HDRIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 610
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 11, TCL UIAndroid 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM
 64GB eMMC 5.1, 128/256GB UFS 2.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.25", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Triple-48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging-15W wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsArctic White, Mariana BlueFlash Gray, Polar Silver
ModelsT770H, T770B, 4187U-
PriceAbout 140 EURAbout 60 EUR

TCL 10L

  • Potentially lower initial cost
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 provides adequate performance
  • Sleek design (based on market imagery)

  • Lack of specified charging speed
  • Potentially shorter battery life compared to Moto G Power
  • Camera performance likely average

Motorola Moto G Power (2021)

  • 15W wired charging for faster top-ups
  • Likely larger battery capacity for extended runtime
  • Slightly improved Snapdragon 662 chipset

  • May be slightly more expensive than the TCL 10L
  • IPS LCD display lacks advanced features
  • Camera quality is still limited by the budget sensor

Display Comparison

Neither TCL nor Motorola provide detailed display specifications beyond the basic panel type. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is expected. The TCL 10L's display quality will likely be adequate for everyday tasks, but the Moto G Power's larger size may offer a more immersive viewing experience. Without specific brightness data, it's difficult to determine which offers better outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are lacking for both devices. However, given the market segment, it's safe to assume both rely on primary sensors in the 13-48MP range. The TCL 10L's camera performance will likely be average, focusing on providing acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions. The Moto G Power (2021) may benefit from the slightly improved image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 662, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick and offers limited practical benefit.

Performance

Both the TCL 10L and Motorola Moto G Power (2021) are powered by octa-core CPUs featuring the same Kryo 260 Gold and Silver core configuration clocked at identical speeds (2.0 GHz and 1.8 GHz respectively). However, the TCL 10L uses the Snapdragon 665 (SM6125) while the Moto G Power (2021) utilizes the Snapdragon 662 (SM6115). The 662 represents a minor iterative improvement over the 665, offering slightly enhanced AI processing capabilities. In real-world usage, the performance difference will be negligible for most tasks, but the 662 may exhibit marginally better responsiveness in AI-driven applications like camera scene detection. Both phones will handle everyday tasks and light gaming adequately, but demanding titles will require reduced settings.

Battery Life

The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) distinguishes itself with 15W wired charging, a feature absent in the TCL 10L's specifications. While 15W isn't fast charging by today's standards, it provides a tangible advantage over a phone with no specified charging speed. The Moto G Power's larger battery capacity (likely 5000mAh or greater, based on the 'Power' branding) combined with the 15W charging, translates to a more reliable all-day battery life, even with moderate to heavy usage. The TCL 10L, lacking fast charging, will require more frequent top-ups to maintain a similar level of uptime.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL 10L if you prioritize a potentially lower upfront cost and are comfortable with managing battery life more actively. Buy the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) if you value extended battery life, and the convenience of a slightly faster charging solution, even if it's not the quickest on the market. Both phones are geared towards users who need a reliable daily driver without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G Power (2021) offer a noticeable gaming improvement over the 665 in the TCL 10L?
While the Snapdragon 662 is a slight upgrade, the difference in gaming performance will be minimal. Both chipsets are capable of handling less demanding mobile games at medium settings. For graphically intensive titles, you'll likely need to lower the settings significantly on both devices to achieve a smooth frame rate.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) with the 15W charger?
With the included 15W charger, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) will typically take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%, depending on usage during charging. This is considerably faster than the TCL 10L, which lacks a specified charging speed and will likely take significantly longer.
❓ Are the 2MP macro cameras on either phone worth using?
Generally, the 2MP macro cameras on both the TCL 10L and Moto G Power (2021) offer limited practical benefit. The low resolution and fixed focus result in images that often lack detail and sharpness. They are primarily included for marketing purposes and are unlikely to significantly enhance your photography experience.