The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking affordability. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the TCL 408 and the Motorola Moto E13. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Motorola Moto E13 edges out the TCL 408 thanks to its superior chipset and slightly better overall performance. While both offer solid value, the E13's Cortex-A75 cores provide a noticeable boost in responsiveness for everyday tasks and light gaming. Both have 10W charging, a significant drawback.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - T507A, T507U, T507U1, T507U2, T507J | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T507U, T507U1, T507U2 | 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 - T507D1 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 05 | 2023, January 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 31 | 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 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.3% 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 | Android 13 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 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 | Yes (T507U only) | 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gravity Grey, Midnight Blue | Cosmic Black, Creamy White, Aurora Green |
| Models | T507D1, T507A, T507U, T507U1, T507U2, T507J | - |
| Price | About 130 EUR | $ 119.99 / € 104.99 |
TCL 408
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Slow Performance
- Slow Charging
- Basic Camera
Motorola Moto E13
- Better Performance (Unisoc T606)
- Clean Android Experience
- Slightly Better Camera Processing
- Slow Charging
- Basic Camera
- HD+ Display Resolution
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.5 inches, with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but limited color accuracy. The TCL 408 might have slightly better brightness, but both will struggle in direct sunlight. Expect IPS LCD panels on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar – expect a primary 13MP or 50MP camera on both, along with a depth sensor. Image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will be subpar on both. Motorola might have slightly better software processing.
Performance
This is where the Moto E13 has a clear advantage. The Unisoc T606's Cortex-A75 cores offer a performance boost over the Helio G25's all-Cortex-A53 configuration. Expect smoother multitasking and slightly better gaming performance on the E13. The TCL 408 will feel a bit sluggish at times.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the slow 10W charging on both devices is a major downside. Expect long charging times.
Buying Guide
The TCL 408 is a good choice for users prioritizing a large display and basic functionality on a tight budget. The Motorola Moto E13 is better suited for those who want a slightly smoother experience and a more modern chipset, even if it's still entry-level.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Motorola Moto E13 is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful chipset. However, don't expect high-end gaming performance – both phones are entry-level devices.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each phone?
With 10W charging, both phones will take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours to fully charge from 0%.
