Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely compromise on features? The TCL 406 and TCL 40 SE 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 40 SE emerges as the clear winner thanks to its faster chipset, significantly quicker 18W charging, and generally improved performance. While the 406 is a decent budget option, the 40 SE's upgrades make it a more compelling 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 / 1900 / 2100 - T610K |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T610K |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 38, 40, 66 - T610E, T610P |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 26 | 2023, January 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 26 | Available. Released 2023, April 04 |
| 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) | 167.9 x 76.5 x 8.5 mm (6.61 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, TCL UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (T610K, T610K2, T610P, T610P2) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5010 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Grey, Lavender Purple | Dark grey, Twilight purple |
| Models | T506K | T610K |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 120 EUR |
TCL 406
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Large display
- Slow charging (10W)
- Less powerful processor
- Basic camera performance
TCL 40 SE
- Faster processor (Helio G37)
- Fast charging (18W)
- Improved camera performance
- Smoother user experience
- Slightly more expensive than the 406
- Still a budget phone - don't expect flagship features
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.6 inches with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles and color accuracy for everyday use, but don't anticipate flagship-level vibrancy or sharpness. The 40 SE might have slightly better brightness due to its chipset allowing for more power to the display.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely have a multi-camera setup (likely a main lens, ultrawide, and macro), the 40 SE's chipset likely allows for better image processing and potentially slightly improved image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Expect decent photos in good lighting conditions from both, but the 40 SE has a slight edge.
Performance
The TCL 40 SE's Mediatek Helio G37 chipset offers a noticeable performance boost over the 406's octa-core processor. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the 40 SE. The 406 might struggle with more demanding games or applications.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. However, the 40 SE's 18W fast charging is a significant advantage, allowing you to quickly top up the battery when needed, while the 406 is limited to 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The TCL 406 is a good option for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and don't need fast charging or demanding performance. The TCL 40 SE is ideal for those seeking a smoother experience, faster charging, and a slightly more capable camera system without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference in performance between the TCL 406 and TCL 40 SE?
The TCL 40 SE has a more powerful Mediatek Helio G37 chipset, resulting in noticeably smoother performance and faster app loading times compared to the TCL 406.
❓ How does the charging speed compare between the two phones?
The TCL 40 SE supports 18W fast charging, while the TCL 406 is limited to 10W charging. This means the 40 SE will charge significantly faster.
