TCL 40R vs Samsung Galaxy A13: A Detailed Comparison

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the TCL 40R and the Samsung Galaxy A13. But which one offers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The TCL 40R edges out the Galaxy A13 thanks to its more powerful Dimensity 700 chipset, offering noticeably better performance. While the A13 benefits from Samsung's brand recognition and software support, the 40R provides a smoother, faster experience for the price.

PHONES
Phone Names	TCL 40R	Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137)

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	LTE	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - T771K, T771K1	-
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	7, 28, 66, 71, 78 SA/NSA - T771A	-

Launch
Announced	2022, October 26	2022, June
Status	Available. Released 2022, October 21	Available. Released 2022, July

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	164.5 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.97 x 0.35 in)	165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	192 g (6.77 oz)	195 g (6.88 oz)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density)	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size	6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)	6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ)	PLS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)	Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MC2	Mali-G52 MC2
OS	Android 12, TCL UI 4.0	Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM	32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad	-	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm	8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Triple	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	-
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm	8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes
	24-bit/192kHz audio	-

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	FM radio	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass
	-	Virtual proximity sensing

Battery
Charging	15W wired	15W wired
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Stardust Purple, Starlight Black	Black, White, Blue
Models	T771K, T771K1, T771H, T771A	SM-A137F, SM-A137F/DSN, SM-A137F/DS
Price	About 240 EUR	About 180 EUR
SAR EU	-	0.35 W/kg (head) 1.22 W/kg (body)

TCL 40R

More powerful chipset (Dimensity 700)
Potentially better display quality
Competitive price
Decent camera

Less established brand reputation
Software updates may be less frequent than Samsung
15W charging is slow

Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137)

Samsung brand recognition and ecosystem
Reliable software updates
Versatile camera system
Familiar user interface

Less powerful chipset (Helio G80)
Potentially less vibrant display
15W charging is slow

Display Comparison

Both phones feature large 6.6-inch displays, but the TCL 40R often boasts a slightly higher resolution (typically FHD+) and potentially better color accuracy. The Galaxy A13's display is generally reliable but may lack the vibrancy of the 40R. Viewing angles are comparable on both.

Camera Comparison

The Galaxy A13 typically has a more versatile camera system with a higher resolution main sensor (often 50MP vs. the 40R's 50MP). While megapixels aren't everything, Samsung's image processing often produces more pleasing results, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The 40R's camera is decent, but the A13 generally offers better image quality.

Performance

This is where the TCL 40R shines. The Dimensity 700 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Helio G80 in the Galaxy A13. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the 40R. The A13 can handle everyday tasks, but may struggle with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones offer large 5000mAh batteries, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. Charging speeds are identical at 15W, so expect similar charging times. Battery optimization may vary slightly depending on usage patterns and software updates.

Buying Guide

The TCL 40R is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a smoother user experience, especially for light gaming or multitasking. The Samsung Galaxy A13 is a good choice for those who value Samsung's ecosystem, reliable software updates, and a familiar user interface, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.