TCL 10L vs TCL 10 Pro: A Detailed Comparison

TCL has made a name for itself in the budget smartphone market, offering impressive features at competitive prices. The TCL 10L and 10 Pro are two popular contenders, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The TCL 10 Pro offers a noticeable performance boost thanks to its Snapdragon 675 chipset and faster charging. While the 10L remains a solid budget option, the 10 Pro's improved speed and charging capabilities make it the overall winner for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 10L TCL 10 Pro
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 - T799B
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, 17, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - T799B
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T799H
Launch
Announced2020, April 06. Released 2020, May 192020, April 06. Released 2020, May 19
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions162.2 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.39 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)158.5 x 72.4 x 9.2 mm (6.24 x 2.85 x 0.36 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)177 g (6.24 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, HDRAMOLED, HDR10
 -Always-on-display
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 612
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 11, TCL UIAndroid 10, planned upgrade to Android 11, TCL UI
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
 64GB eMMC 5.1, 128/256GB UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED 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 lens64 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
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio (market/region dependent)
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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-18W wired, QC3, 50% in 35 min
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsArctic White, Mariana BlueGray, Green
ModelsT770H, T770B, 4187UT799B, T799H
PriceAbout 140 EURAbout 250 EUR

TCL 10L

  • Affordable price
  • Decent battery life
  • Large display
  • Quad-camera system

  • Slower performance
  • Standard charging speed
  • Plastic build quality

TCL 10 Pro

  • Faster performance (Snapdragon 675)
  • Faster charging (18W)
  • Slightly better camera
  • Improved design

  • Slightly higher price
  • Still uses LCD panel

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.43-inch FHD+ display, offering vibrant colors and decent viewing angles. However, the 10 Pro boasts a slightly higher screen-to-body ratio and potentially better color accuracy, though this is often subtle. Both use LCD panels, so don't expect OLED-level contrast.

Camera Comparison

The 10 Pro generally offers a slightly better camera experience. While both have a quad-camera setup, the 10 Pro's image processing and potentially slightly better sensors contribute to more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in low light. Both offer decent video recording capabilities.

Performance

The Snapdragon 675 in the 10 Pro provides a tangible performance advantage over the 665 in the 10L. Expect snappier app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the 10 Pro. The 10L is adequate for everyday tasks but may struggle with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones have a 4000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. However, the 10 Pro's 18W fast charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the 10L's standard charging.

Buying Guide

The TCL 10L is ideal for users prioritizing affordability and basic smartphone functionality. It's a great choice for first-time smartphone owners or those needing a reliable device for calls, texts, and light social media use. The TCL 10 Pro is better suited for users who want a smoother experience, faster performance for gaming or multitasking, and quicker charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the TCL 10 Pro worth the extra money?
If you value performance and faster charging, the TCL 10 Pro is a worthwhile upgrade. However, if you're on a tight budget and primarily need a phone for basic tasks, the 10L remains a solid choice.
❓ What is the difference between the Snapdragon 665 and 675?
The Snapdragon 675 offers a performance boost over the 665, thanks to its Kryo 460 cores which are more efficient and powerful than the Kryo 260 cores in the 665. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.