Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone? The TCL 40R and Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW are both compelling options, but cater to different needs. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone is the right fit for your budget and lifestyle.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW offers a superior experience with its faster processor, better camera, and quicker charging. While the TCL 40R is a more affordable option, the A71 5G UW's overall performance and features justify the price difference 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 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - T771K, T771K1 | 260, 261 SA/NSA/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 7, 28, 66, 71, 78 SA/NSA - T771A | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 26 | 2020, July 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 21 | Available. Released 2020, July 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 162.8 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 | Android 10, One UI 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Stardust Purple, Starlight Black | Prism Bricks Black |
| Models | T771K, T771K1, T771H, T771A | SM-A716V |
| Price | About 240 EUR | - |
| SAR | - | 0.50 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
TCL 40R
- Affordable price
- Decent display
- Large battery
- Expandable storage
- Slower performance
- Less impressive camera
- Slower charging
- IPS LCD display
Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW
- Faster performance
- Excellent display (Super AMOLED, 120Hz)
- Versatile camera system
- Faster charging
- 5G connectivity
- Higher price
- No expandable storage
- Larger size
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW boasts a larger 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The TCL 40R has a 6.67-inch IPS LCD display, which is decent but lacks the punch and fluidity of the AMOLED panel. Samsung wins here.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A71 5G UW's camera system is more versatile, featuring a 64MP main sensor, an ultrawide lens, and a macro lens. While the TCL 40R has a decent 50MP main camera, it lacks the additional lenses and image processing capabilities of the Samsung. Samsung takes the camera crown.
Performance
The Snapdragon 765G in the Galaxy A71 5G UW provides noticeably better performance than the Dimensity 700 in the TCL 40R. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and gaming is more enjoyable on the Samsung. The A71 5G UW's CPU and GPU are simply more powerful.
Battery Life
Both phones offer respectable battery life, but the Galaxy A71 5G UW's 4500mAh battery, combined with its more efficient processor, often lasts slightly longer. The 25W charging on the Samsung is also faster than the TCL 40R's 15W charging.
Buying Guide
The TCL 40R is ideal for users on a tight budget who prioritize affordability and basic functionality. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW is a better choice for those who want a smoother performance, a more versatile camera system, and faster charging, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the TCL 40R good for gaming?
The TCL 40R can handle basic games, but demanding titles may experience lag and stuttering due to its less powerful processor.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW have expandable storage?
No, the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW does not offer expandable storage via microSD card.