TCL 20 5G vs Motorola Moto G 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Performance

Both the TCL 20 5G and Motorola Moto G 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded budget 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they achieve this with different chipsets and feature sets. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing slightly better performance and a marginally faster charging experience, the Motorola Moto G 5G is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 750G offers a noticeable, though not massive, uplift over the TCL 20 5G’s Snapdragon 690, making it better suited for demanding apps and games.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 20 5G Motorola Moto G 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43
5G bands1, 3, 5, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 -
Launch
Announced2020, November 30. Released 2020, December 072020, November 05. Released 2020, December 07
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions166.2 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.54 x 3.02 x 0.36 in)166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm (6.54 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)212 g (7.48 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, HDR10, 450 nits (typ)IPS LCD, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 619LAdreno 619
OSAndroid 10, TCL UIAndroid 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 2 MP (macro), AF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC420W wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMist Gray, Placid BlueVolcanic Gray, Frosted Silver
ModelsT781, T781K, T781H-
PriceAbout 300 EURAbout 90 EUR
Tests
Battery life-Endurance rating 131h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1419:1
Loudspeaker- -28.1 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 312461 (v8) GeekBench: 1980 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

TCL 20 5G

  • Potential for strong display quality based on TCL's expertise.
  • QC4 fast charging compatibility.
  • Competitive 5G connectivity.

  • Slightly less powerful processor compared to the Moto G 5G.
  • Limited information on camera specifications.

Motorola Moto G 5G

  • Faster Snapdragon 750G processor for improved performance.
  • 20W fast charging for quicker top-ups.
  • Established brand reputation.

  • Identical battery endurance rating to the TCL 20 5G.
  • Display brightness is not class-leading.

Display Comparison

Both devices share a 1419:1 contrast ratio, indicating similar levels of black depth and overall image quality. However, the Motorola Moto G 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 484 nits, which, while not exceptional, provides a slightly more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the TCL 20 5G (brightness data unavailable). Without knowing the TCL 20 5G’s peak brightness, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Moto G 5G’s measured value gives it a slight edge. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket, and lack high refresh rates.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given Motorola’s history of competent camera software, and the slightly more powerful ISP within the Snapdragon 750G, the Moto G 5G likely delivers marginally better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of information regarding OIS or advanced features makes it difficult to assess the true camera capabilities of either device.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the TCL 20 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G, built on an 8nm process, while the Motorola Moto G 5G features the Snapdragon 750G 5G, also on 8nm. The 750G’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 cores versus the 690’s 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold cores – translates to a roughly 10% performance increase in CPU-intensive tasks. The 750G’s Adreno 619 GPU also offers a performance advantage over the 690’s Adreno 619L, making the Moto G 5G more capable for gaming. While both use 8nm fabrication, the architectural improvements in the 750G provide a tangible benefit.

Battery Life

Both the TCL 20 5G and Motorola Moto G 5G achieve an endurance rating of 131 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. The Motorola Moto G 5G offers 20W wired charging, slightly faster than the TCL 20 5G’s 18W charging with QC4 support. This translates to a quicker 0-100% charge time for the Moto G 5G, a convenience factor for users who prioritize rapid replenishment.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL 20 5G if you prioritize a brand with a growing reputation for display technology and are comfortable with a slightly less powerful processor. Buy the Motorola Moto G 5G if you prefer a more established brand in the mobile space and want a phone that can handle multitasking and gaming with a bit more headroom, benefitting from the Snapdragon 750G’s improved CPU and GPU.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 690 in the TCL 20 5G struggle with graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 690 can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Motorola Moto G 5G’s Snapdragon 750G offers a more comfortable gaming experience with higher settings and fewer frame drops.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto G 5G support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
The Snapdragon 750G does support carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for potentially faster download and upload speeds, provided your carrier network supports it. The TCL 20 5G’s Snapdragon 690 also supports carrier aggregation, but the 750G’s implementation is generally more robust.
❓ How does the 20W charging on the Moto G 5G compare to the 18W charging on the TCL 20 5G in real-world use?
The 20W charging on the Moto G 5G will likely shave off around 15-20 minutes from a full 0-100% charge compared to the TCL 20 5G. While not a massive difference, it's a noticeable convenience for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.