The TCL 20L and Nokia G100 occupy a similar space in the budget smartphone market, both relying on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 662 chipset. This comparison isn’t about raw power – both phones deliver comparable performance – but rather about the subtle differences in charging, and potential software experiences that might sway your decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and potentially a more streamlined software experience, the TCL 20L emerges as the slightly better choice. Its 18W charging, while not revolutionary, offers a tangible advantage over the Nokia G100’s 15W charging, translating to less time tethered to an outlet.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU/MEA/APAC | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EU/MEA/APAC | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 44, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 14 | 2022, September 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 14 | Available. Released 2022, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166.2 x 76.9 x 9.1 mm (6.54 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) | 166.6 x 76.7 x 8.9 mm (6.56 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 195.1 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-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) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, TCL UI | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0"
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| 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 b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Eclipse Black, Luna Blue | Nordic Blue |
| Models | T774H, T774B | - |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 60 EUR |
TCL 20L
- Faster 18W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Potentially cleaner Android software experience.
- Identical Snapdragon 662 performance to the Nokia G100.
- Lack of detailed specifications regarding display and camera.
- Brand reputation not as strongly associated with software updates as Nokia.
Nokia G100
- Nokia’s commitment to software updates and security patches.
- Potentially more durable build quality (based on Nokia’s brand history).
- Identical Snapdragon 662 performance to the TCL 20L.
- Slower 15W charging.
- Software experience may include more pre-installed apps.
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given their price point, we can assume both utilize LCD panels. The absence of information regarding refresh rates suggests both are likely capped at 60Hz. The user experience will likely be similar, with color accuracy and brightness being key differentiators not specified here. Without further data, it's impossible to declare a clear winner.
Camera Comparison
The provided data doesn’t offer specifics on camera sensors or lens apertures. Given the market segment, we can anticipate both phones feature multi-camera setups, likely including a main sensor, an ultrawide, and potentially a macro or depth sensor. Without knowing sensor sizes or aperture values, it’s difficult to assess image quality. The image processing algorithms employed by TCL and Nokia will likely be the biggest differentiator, impacting color reproduction and dynamic range. We can assume the 2MP macro cameras, if present, will offer limited utility.
Performance
Both the TCL 20L and Nokia G100 are powered by the Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores. This means performance will be virtually identical for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. The 11nm process node offers a reasonable balance between power efficiency and performance, but neither phone will excel at demanding tasks. Thermal throttling is unlikely to be a significant issue given the chipset's modest power draw.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified, the key difference lies in charging speed. The TCL 20L supports 18W wired charging, while the Nokia G100 is limited to 15W. This 3W difference, while seemingly small, translates to a faster 0-100% charge time for the TCL 20L. For users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their battery quickly, this is a significant advantage. The actual battery life will depend on usage patterns and battery capacity, which remains unknown.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 20L if you value quicker charging times and a potentially cleaner Android experience, leaning towards a more 'stock' feel. Buy the Nokia G100 if you prioritize Nokia’s commitment to software updates and a more robust build quality reputation, and are willing to trade off a bit of charging speed for that peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will I notice a significant difference in charging speed between 15W and 18W?
While not a massive leap, the 18W charging on the TCL 20L will noticeably reduce charging times compared to the Nokia G100’s 15W. Expect a difference of approximately 15-30 minutes for a full charge, depending on battery capacity.
❓ How will the Snapdragon 662 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 662 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. Don’t expect a flagship-level gaming experience, but it’s perfectly adequate for casual gaming.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates?
Nokia has a strong reputation for providing timely software updates and security patches, even for its budget devices. While TCL has improved in this area, Nokia is generally considered the more reliable choice for long-term software support.
