TCL has made a name for itself offering impressive features at affordable prices. The TCL 10L and TCL 10 5G UW are two popular contenders in the budget smartphone arena. But which one is right for you? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The TCL 10 5G UW is the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 765G chipset, 5G connectivity, and slightly better camera capabilities. While the 10L offers good value, the 10 5G UW provides a noticeable performance boost for a reasonable price increase.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 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 | - |
| 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 |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.39 x 2.98 x 0.33 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 | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 210 g (7.41 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR | IPS LCD, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| 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, upgradable to Android 11, TCL UI | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | 64GB eMMC 5.1, 128/256GB UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 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, 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@30/120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | - |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Arctic White, Mariana Blue | Diamond Gray |
| Models | T770H, T770B, 4187U | - |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 340 EUR |
TCL 10L
- Excellent Value
- Good Battery Life
- Vibrant AMOLED Display
- Decent Camera
- Slower Performance
- No 5G Connectivity
- Less Powerful Processor
TCL 10 5G UW
- Faster Performance (Snapdragon 765G)
- 5G Connectivity
- Improved Camera
- Fast Charging (QC3)
- Slightly Higher Price
- Similar Battery Capacity
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.43-inch FHD+ display, offering a vibrant viewing experience. However, the 10 5G UW might have slightly better color accuracy due to its more advanced chipset. Both use AMOLED panels, providing excellent contrast and deep blacks.
Camera Comparison
The TCL 10 5G UW generally offers better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. While both have a quad-camera setup, the 10 5G UW's more powerful processor allows for better image processing. Expect slightly more detail and dynamic range from the 5G model's camera.
Performance
This is where the 10 5G UW shines. The Snapdragon 765G is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 665 in the 10L. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 5G model. The 10L is adequate for everyday tasks but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones have a 4000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life for moderate usage. The 10 5G UW's 18W fast charging (QC3) is a slight advantage over the 10L, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The TCL 10L is ideal for users prioritizing affordability and basic smartphone functionality. It's a great choice for light users who primarily browse the web, use social media, and make calls. The TCL 10 5G UW is better suited for those who want faster performance, 5G connectivity, and a slightly improved camera experience, especially if they enjoy gaming or multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the TCL 10 5G UW worth the extra cost?
If you value performance and 5G connectivity, the TCL 10 5G UW is definitely worth the extra investment. The Snapdragon 765G provides a noticeable upgrade over the 10L's processor.
❓ What is the difference between the TCL 10L and 10 5G UW cameras?
The TCL 10 5G UW generally captures better images, especially in low light, thanks to its more powerful processor and improved image processing capabilities. Both have quad-camera setups, but the 5G model delivers slightly more detail and dynamic range.
