The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the TCL 40 XL and the Nokia G20. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The TCL 40 XL edges out the Nokia G20 thanks to its faster charging and slightly more powerful chipset. While the Nokia G20 boasts Nokia's reputation for software updates and durability, the TCL 40 XL provides a more responsive and convenient user experience for a similar price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 - USA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - USA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 26 | 2021, April 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May | Available. Released 2021, May 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 167.9 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.61 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 164.9 x 76 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| | - | Splash protection |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 13, TCL UI | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Gray | Glacier, Night |
| Models | T608M | TA-1336, TA-1343, TA-1347, TA-1372, TA-1365 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
TCL 40 XL
- Faster Charging (18W)
- Slightly Better Performance (Helio G37)
- Larger Display (Likely)
- Potentially More Vibrant Display
- Camera may not be as good as Nokia G20
- Build quality might not be as robust as Nokia
Nokia G20
- Nokia's Software Support (Updates)
- More Versatile Camera System
- Potentially More Durable Build
- Clean Android Experience
- Slower Charging (10W)
- Slightly Slower Performance (Helio G35)
- Display may be less vibrant
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, but the TCL 40 XL likely has a slightly better panel with potentially more vibrant colors and better brightness. The Nokia G20's display is functional but may lack the same visual pop. Expect both to be adequate for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia G20 generally has a more versatile camera setup with a higher resolution main sensor and potentially more features. The TCL 40 XL's camera is likely adequate but may not match the Nokia's image quality, especially in low light. Both offer decent cameras for casual photography.
Performance
The TCL 40 XL's Helio G37 chipset offers a small but noticeable performance advantage over the Nokia G20's G35. This translates to slightly faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. However, neither phone is a powerhouse and demanding games will struggle.
Battery Life
Both phones have large batteries, but the TCL 40 XL's 18W charging significantly outperforms the Nokia G20's 10W charging. This means much faster top-ups for the TCL 40 XL.
Buying Guide
The TCL 40 XL is ideal for users prioritizing a smoother performance and faster charging. The Nokia G20 is a good choice for those who value software stability, long-term support, and a more rugged build, even if it means sacrificing some speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Nokia G20 generally receives more timely and consistent software updates due to Nokia's commitment to Android updates.
❓ Is either phone good for gaming?
Neither phone is ideal for demanding games. Both can handle casual games, but performance will be limited.
