Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The TCL 403 and 405 are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The TCL 405 edges out the 403 thanks to its octa-core processor, offering noticeably better performance for everyday tasks and smoother multitasking. While both are budget options, the 405's improved chipset and 10W charging make it the slightly better choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - T431D | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 - T431D | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T431Q | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 05 | 2022, November 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 04 | Available. Released 2022, November 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 78.2 x 9.6 mm (6.27 x 3.08 x 0.38 in) | 164.7 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~74.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 12 (Go edition), TCL UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 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 only | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps or 720p@30fps (T431Q only) | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.8
or
2 MP, f/2.8 - T431Q only | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prime Black, Mauve Mist | Lavender Purple, Space Dark |
| Models | T431D, T431U, T431Q, T431P, T431A, T431E | T506D |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 100 EUR |
TCL 403
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Sufficient for basic tasks
- Slow performance
- Basic camera
- Slow charging
TCL 405
- Better performance than 403
- Faster charging (10W)
- Smooth multitasking
- Still a budget phone
- Camera quality is average
- Design may be basic
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar display technology (likely IPS LCD) and resolution, probably around 720 x 1600 pixels. Expect comparable viewing experiences, though the 405 might have slightly better color accuracy due to potential software optimizations. Screen size is likely around 6.6 inches for both.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar, potentially featuring a 50MP main sensor and a depth sensor. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. The 405 might have slightly better image processing due to its more powerful chipset, resulting in marginally better photos in certain conditions. Both will struggle in low light.
Performance
This is where the 405 shines. The Helio G25's octa-core configuration provides a significant performance boost over the 403's quad-core Helio A22. Expect smoother app loading, less lag, and better multitasking capabilities on the 405. The 403 will feel noticeably slower, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh. However, the 405's 10W wired charging offers a slight advantage over the 403, which likely has standard 5W charging. Expect similar battery life in terms of usage, but the 405 will recharge faster.
Buying Guide
The TCL 403 is a good option for users prioritizing a very basic smartphone experience and extremely tight budgets. The TCL 405 is ideal for those needing a bit more performance for social media, light gaming, and general use, and who appreciate slightly faster charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the TCL 403 good for gaming?
The TCL 403's processor is not ideal for demanding games. You might be able to play some lighter titles, but expect low frame rates and lag.
❓ What is the difference between the TCL 403 and 405 cameras?
While both likely have similar hardware, the 405's more powerful processor may allow for slightly better image processing and potentially better low-light performance.
❓ How long does the battery last on each phone?
Both phones likely offer all-day battery life with moderate usage, thanks to their 5000mAh batteries. The 405 charges faster.
