TCL 403 vs. Motorola Moto E13: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking affordability. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the TCL 403 and the Motorola Moto E13. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Motorola Moto E13 takes the crown. While the TCL 403 is a decent option, the Moto E13's superior processor, slightly better camera, and faster charging provide a more compelling overall experience, especially considering their similar price points.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 403 Motorola Moto E13
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100 - T431DHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 - T431D1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T431Q1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
Launch
Announced2023, January 052023, January 24
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 04Available. Released 2023, February 13
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions159.2 x 78.2 x 9.6 mm (6.27 x 3.08 x 0.38 in)164.2 x 75 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.95 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight182 g (6.42 oz)179.5 g (6.35 oz)
 -Water-resistant design
Display
Resolution480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~74.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUQuad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm)Unisoc T606 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G57 MP1
OSAndroid 12 (Go edition)Android 13 (Go edition)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF or 5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm - T431Q only13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF
Video1080p@30fps or 720p@30fps (T431Q only)1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single5 MP, f/2.8 or 2 MP, f/2.8 - T431Q only5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
Video720p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio, recording
USBmicroUSB 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsAccelerometerAccelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging-10W wired
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPrime Black, Mauve MistCosmic Black, Creamy White, Aurora Green
ModelsT431D, T431U, T431Q, T431P, T431A, T431E-
PriceAbout 80 EUR$ 119.99 / € 104.99

TCL 403

  • Affordable
  • Simple and easy to use
  • Decent battery life

  • Slow performance
  • Basic camera
  • Slow charging

Motorola Moto E13

  • Better performance
  • Slightly better camera
  • Faster charging
  • Clean Android experience

  • Plastic build
  • Basic features
  • Limited storage options

Display Comparison

Both phones feature HD+ displays, likely around 6.5 inches. Expect decent viewing angles and color accuracy for the price range, but don't anticipate flagship-level vibrancy. The Moto E13 might have a slightly brighter panel, but this is often difficult to discern without testing.

Camera Comparison

The Moto E13 likely has a slightly better main camera sensor, potentially offering improved low-light performance and detail. Both phones will likely have a basic camera setup, probably including a depth sensor. Don't expect exceptional image quality from either device.

Performance

This is where the Moto E13 shines. Its Unisoc T606 with dual Cortex-A75 cores offers a significant performance boost over the TCL 403's quad-core Cortex-A53 processor. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the Moto E13. The TCL 403 will feel noticeably slower.

Battery Life

Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life under moderate usage. The Moto E13's 10W charging is a slight advantage over the TCL 403's likely slower charging speed.

Buying Guide

The TCL 403 is a good choice for users prioritizing a simple, straightforward phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing. The Motorola Moto E13 is ideal for those wanting a bit more performance for social media, casual gaming, and a slightly better camera experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better software?
The Motorola Moto E13 typically offers a cleaner, more streamlined Android experience with fewer pre-installed apps, compared to the TCL 403.
❓ Can I play games on either of these phones?
While both can handle basic games, the Motorola Moto E13's more powerful processor makes it a better choice for smoother gameplay, especially in less demanding titles.