The TCL 20L+ and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at accessible price points, they diverge significantly in their internal hardware and overall capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences, focusing on performance, display quality, camera performance, and battery life to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 778G chipset delivers a substantially faster and more responsive experience than the TCL 20L+'s Snapdragon 662, making it better suited for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. While battery life is comparable, the A52s 5G’s faster charging and brighter display further solidify its advantage.
| 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, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 14 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 14 | Available. Released 2021, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166.2 x 76.9 x 9.1 mm (6.54 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, TCL UI | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| 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 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Milky Way Gray, North Star Blue | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint |
| Models | T775H, T775B | SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N |
| Price | About 270 EUR | £ 112.98 / € 249.47 |
| SAR | - | 0.72 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.88 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 429675 (v8), 506432(v9)
GeekBench: 11060 (v4.4), 2801 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
TCL 20L+
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable battery life
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly slower performance
- Less vibrant display
- Slower charging speeds
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 778G
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster 25W charging
- Likely higher price
- May not offer a dramatically different camera experience for casual users
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 800 nits, compared to the TCL 20L+, whose peak brightness is not specified but is likely lower given its chipset. This brightness advantage translates to better outdoor visibility. While both displays have an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the A52s 5G’s superior brightness and likely better color calibration contribute to a more immersive viewing experience. The TCL 20L+’s display specifications are less detailed, suggesting a more basic panel.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the specifics are limited in the provided data. The A52s 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially a larger sensor, though sensor size isn’t specified. The TCL 20L+’s camera system is likely more basic, focusing on providing adequate image quality for casual use. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but Samsung’s history suggests a more refined camera experience.
Performance
The core difference between these phones lies in their chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G’s Snapdragon 778G (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the TCL 20L+'s Snapdragon 662 (11nm). The 778G features a more modern CPU architecture – a 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core alongside 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55 efficiency cores – compared to the 20L+'s 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver configuration. The 6nm process node of the 778G also provides better power efficiency and thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to smoother gaming, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the A52s 5G.
Battery Life
Both the TCL 20L+ and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the A52s 5G offers significantly faster 25W wired charging compared to the 20L+'s 18W charging. This means the A52s 5G can replenish its battery much quicker, minimizing downtime. While both phones offer all-day battery life for moderate users, the A52s 5G’s faster charging provides a convenience advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 20L+ if your primary needs are basic smartphone functionality – calls, texts, social media – and you prioritize a lower upfront cost. You’ll be content with casual use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you value performance, a brighter and more vibrant display, and faster charging. This is the better option for gamers, content creators, and anyone who demands a smoother, more responsive user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 778G in the A52s 5G powerful enough for demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 778G is a capable chipset for mobile gaming. It can handle Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. The 6nm process also helps to mitigate thermal throttling, allowing for sustained performance during longer gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 25W charging on the A52s 5G compared to the 18W charging on the TCL 20L+ in real-world use?
The 25W charging on the A52s 5G will significantly reduce charging times. While exact times vary based on usage, you can expect a full charge in approximately 60-75 minutes, compared to potentially 90-120 minutes for the TCL 20L+. This difference is particularly noticeable for quick top-ups.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G support software updates for longer than the TCL 20L+?
Generally, Samsung provides longer software support for its devices than TCL. You can expect at least 3 years of security updates and 2 major Android version updates on the A52s 5G, while the TCL 20L+ may receive less extensive support.
