The TCL 20L and Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite represent a sweet spot in the smartphone market – affordable devices aiming to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank. Both rely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform, but employ different chipsets. This comparison dissects the key differences between the Snapdragon 662 powering the TCL 20L and the Snapdragon 720G in the Redmi Note 10 Lite, revealing which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 720G, fabricated on an 8nm process, delivers a tangible performance boost over the TCL 20L’s Snapdragon 662, making it more capable for multitasking and gaming. While both offer 18W charging, the Redmi Note 10 Lite’s superior processing power justifies the slight price difference.
| 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 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EU/MEA/APAC | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 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 | 2021, October 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 14 | Available. Released 2021, October 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166.2 x 76.9 x 9.1 mm (6.54 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.5% 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 (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 11, TCL UI | Android 10, MIUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 | 48 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, recording |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Eclipse Black, Luna Blue | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black, Champagne Gold |
| Models | T774H, T774B | M2002F4LG |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
TCL 20L
- Potentially lower price point
- Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks
- Qualcomm chipset offers reliable performance
- Snapdragon 662 is less powerful than the 720G
- 11nm process is less efficient
- May struggle with demanding applications
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite
- More powerful Snapdragon 720G chipset
- 8nm process for better efficiency and thermal management
- Improved GPU performance for gaming
- Slightly higher price
- May not offer significantly better battery life in real-world use
- Software experience can vary
Display Comparison
Neither TCL nor Xiaomi provide display specifications beyond the basic resolution. However, the choice of chipset impacts the ability to drive higher refresh rate panels. While both likely utilize LCD panels at this price point, the Snapdragon 720G’s more powerful GPU in the Redmi Note 10 Lite would handle a 90Hz or 120Hz display more effectively, should one be paired with it. The 8nm process also contributes to better power efficiency when rendering graphics.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Snapdragon 720G includes a more capable Image Signal Processor (ISP) than the 662. This means the Redmi Note 10 Lite can process images faster and with greater detail, potentially resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. The ISP also supports features like 4K video recording at 30fps, which may not be available on the TCL 20L. The quality of the lenses and sensor size will ultimately determine the final image quality, but the 720G provides a stronger foundation.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm) boasts a more advanced architecture and higher clock speeds (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold) compared to the TCL 20L’s Snapdragon 662 (11nm). This translates to approximately 15-20% faster CPU performance and a more substantial 25-30% improvement in GPU performance. The 8nm fabrication process of the 720G is also more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance during prolonged use. The TCL 20L’s 662 is adequate for everyday tasks, but will struggle with demanding games or applications.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds – approximately 2-2.5 hours for a full charge. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 720G’s 8nm process contributes to better power efficiency. This means the Redmi Note 10 Lite is likely to offer slightly longer battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the TCL 20L. The more efficient chipset reduces power draw during both active use and standby.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 20L if you prioritize a consistently low price and your smartphone usage is primarily focused on basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite if you frequently engage in mobile gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and demand a smoother, more responsive user experience. The 720G offers a significant upgrade for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi Note 10 Lite handle graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 720G in the Redmi Note 10 Lite is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with a stable frame rate. While it won't deliver a flagship-level experience, it provides a significantly smoother gaming experience compared to the TCL 20L's Snapdragon 662.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 662 in the TCL 20L struggle with multitasking?
The Snapdragon 662 can handle basic multitasking, such as switching between messaging apps and web browsing. However, it may exhibit noticeable slowdowns when running multiple demanding applications simultaneously. Users who frequently switch between many apps will find the Redmi Note 10 Lite's Snapdragon 720G a more responsive experience.
❓ Is the 18W charging on both phones considered fast charging in 2024?
18W charging is considered relatively standard for this price range. While not 'fast charging' in the same league as 33W or 65W options, it will still fully charge both devices in approximately 2-2.5 hours. The Redmi Note 10 Lite's more efficient chipset may slightly reduce charging times.
