Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't compromise too much? The TCL 10L and TCL 40 XL are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The TCL 10L generally edges out the 40 XL thanks to its superior Snapdragon 665 chipset, offering noticeably better performance. While the 40 XL boasts a larger battery and faster charging, the 10L's processing power makes it the more responsive and enjoyable daily driver.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 - USA |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - USA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 06. Released 2020, May 19 | 2023, February 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.39 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 167.9 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.61 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, TCL UI | Android 13, TCL UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | 64GB eMMC 5.1, 128/256GB UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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 | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Arctic White, Mariana Blue | Dark Gray |
| Models | T770H, T770B, 4187U | T608M |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 140 EUR |
TCL 10L
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 665)
- Slightly more compact design
- Generally better image processing
- Smaller battery
- No fast charging
- Older model
TCL 40 XL
- Larger battery for longer life
- Fast charging (18W)
- Larger display for media consumption
- Weaker performance (Helio G37)
- Can feel bulky
- Potentially slower software updates
Display Comparison
The TCL 10L features a 6.67-inch FHD+ display, while the TCL 40 XL has a larger 6.78-inch display, also FHD+. Both offer decent color reproduction for their price range, but the 10L's slightly smaller size might make it easier to handle for some. The 40 XL's larger screen is great for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
The TCL 10L typically features a quad-camera setup (48MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, 2MP depth), while the 40 XL often has a 50MP main camera, along with ultrawide and macro lenses. Image quality is generally comparable in good lighting, but the 10L's image processing might be slightly better. Low-light performance is likely similar on both.
Performance
Here's where the TCL 10L shines. The Snapdragon 665 is significantly more powerful than the Helio G37. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 10L. The 40 XL can handle basic tasks, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The TCL 40 XL has a larger 5000mAh battery compared to the 10L's 4000mAh. This translates to longer battery life on the 40 XL, especially for moderate users. The 40 XL also supports 18W fast charging, a feature absent on the 10L.
Buying Guide
The TCL 10L is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a smoother user experience, even on a budget. The TCL 40 XL is a better choice for those who heavily value battery life and quick charging, and are less concerned about raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the TCL 10L still worth buying in 2024?
Yes, if you prioritize performance and can find it at a good price. It's an older model, but the Snapdragon 665 still holds up well.
❓ Which TCL phone has better battery life?
The TCL 40 XL has a larger battery and will generally last longer on a single charge.
