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 405 and the Motorola Moto E13. Both promise a decent experience without breaking the bank, but which one delivers the most?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Motorola Moto E13 edges out the TCL 405 thanks to its superior chipset and slightly better performance. While both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the E13's more modern processor provides a smoother overall experience, making it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 02 | 2023, January 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 02 | Available. Released 2023, February 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 164.2 x 75 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.95 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 179.5 g (6.35 oz) |
| | - | Water-resistant design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition), TCL UI | Android 13 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | 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 | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| 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, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lavender Purple, Space Dark | Cosmic Black, Creamy White, Aurora Green |
| Models | T506D | - |
| Price | About 100 EUR | $ 119.99 / € 104.99 |
TCL 405
- Large Display
- Simple User Interface
- Decent Battery Life
- Affordable Price
- Lower Performance
- Basic Camera
- Slow Charging
Motorola Moto E13
- Better Performance (Unisoc T606)
- Responsive User Experience
- Clean Android Software
- Good Value
- Average Camera
- Slow Charging
- HD+ Display (not Full HD)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering adequate viewing for media consumption. However, the Moto E13 might have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to potentially more modern panel technology, though this is difficult to confirm without detailed testing. Expect similar viewing experiences overall.
Camera Comparison
The TCL 405 typically features a 13MP main camera, while the Moto E13 also has a 13MP main camera. Image quality will likely be comparable in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is expected to be average on both devices. Software processing will play a significant role in the final image quality.
Performance
This is where the Moto E13 takes a clear lead. The Unisoc T606, with its dual Cortex-A75 cores, offers a noticeable performance boost over the TCL 405's Helio G25, which relies on Cortex-A53 cores. Expect smoother app loading, quicker multitasking, and a more responsive feel on the E13.
Battery Life
Both phones are expected to offer all-day battery life with moderate usage, thanks to their 5000mAh batteries. Charging speeds are identical at 10W wired, meaning a full charge will take around 2-3 hours for both.
Buying Guide
The TCL 405 is a good option for users prioritizing a large display and simple interface. The Motorola Moto E13 is ideal for those who want a slightly faster phone for everyday tasks and a more responsive user experience, even on a tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Motorola Moto E13's Unisoc T606 chipset provides noticeably better gaming performance compared to the TCL 405's Helio G25. Expect smoother frame rates and less stuttering on the E13.
❓ Are the displays of both phones any good?
Both phones have 6.5-inch HD+ displays, which are adequate for everyday use. Don't expect vibrant colors or high resolution, but they're perfectly serviceable for watching videos and browsing the web.
