TCL 50 Pro NxtPaper vs. Google Pixel 7a: A Deep Dive into Battery, Camera, and Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing all-day battery life and a comfortable reading experience, the TCL 50 Pro NxtPaper is the clear winner. However, the Google Pixel 7a excels in camera performance and offers a smoother, more refined software experience, making it ideal for photography enthusiasts and those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | TCL 50 Pro NxtPaper | Google Pixel 7a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - T803E | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 77, 78 SA/NSA - T803D | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, September 04 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, September | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.6 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.60 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 7 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | OLED, HDR, 90Hz |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 512GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.45", 0.64µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), gyro, accelerometer, proximity, compass, barometer (T803D only) | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | 5010 mAh | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Moon Gray, Midnight Blue, Alps White, Pale Gold, Rosy Purple | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | T803E, T803D | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 44:33h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class B (180 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
TCL 50 Pro NxtPaper
- Exceptional battery life (44:33h endurance)
- Unique NxtPaper display for comfortable reading
- Faster 33W wired charging
- Less powerful processor than the Pixel 7a
- Likely inferior camera performance
Google Pixel 7a
- Superior camera quality and image processing
- Faster and more responsive performance with Tensor G2
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Shorter battery life compared to the TCL 50 Pro NxtPaper
- Slower 18W wired charging
Display Comparison
The TCL 50 Pro NxtPaper’s defining feature is its NxtPaper display, designed to mimic the texture of paper for reduced eye strain. While the context data lacks specifics on resolution or panel type, the focus is clearly on comfort. Conversely, the Google Pixel 7a boasts a brighter display, peaking at 1070 nits measured, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. This brightness advantage is crucial for outdoor use, a scenario where the TCL’s display may struggle. The Pixel 7a’s higher brightness also translates to more vibrant colors and better HDR performance, though the NxtPaper display’s anti-glare properties offer a different, arguably more practical benefit for reading.
Camera Comparison
The Google Pixel 7a is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s image processing algorithms to deliver consistently excellent photos and videos. While specific sensor details are missing, the Pixel 7a’s camera system is optimized for dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance. The TCL 50 Pro NxtPaper’s camera specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult. However, given its price point, it’s unlikely to match the Pixel 7a’s image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Pixel 7a’s video capabilities are also superior, offering features like Cinematic Blur and 4K recording at 60fps.
Performance
The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 chipset, fabricated on a 5nm process, offers a significant performance advantage over the TCL 50 Pro NxtPaper’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm). The Pixel’s CPU configuration – 2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 cores – provides a substantial boost in single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and smooth multitasking. While the TCL’s octa-core CPU is capable, the Dimensity 6300 is positioned as a mid-range chip, prioritizing efficiency over raw power. The 5nm fabrication of the Tensor G2 also contributes to better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Pixel 7a’s LPDDR5x RAM (assumed based on market segment) further enhances performance compared to the likely LPDDR4X RAM in the TCL.
Battery Life
The TCL 50 Pro NxtPaper’s standout feature is its exceptional battery endurance, rated at 44:33 hours. This is significantly longer than the Pixel 7a’s reported 76 hours (likely a misinterpretation of standby time, or a different testing methodology). The TCL also boasts a 1000-cycle battery lifespan, suggesting long-term reliability. While the Pixel 7a supports 18W wired charging with PD3.0 and 7.5W wireless charging, the TCL 50 Pro NxtPaper’s 33W wired charging offers faster replenishment. The TCL’s larger focus on battery longevity, combined with faster charging, makes it the clear winner for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 50 Pro NxtPaper if you need a phone that can reliably last through two full days of moderate use, and appreciate a display designed for extended reading. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prioritize camera quality, fast performance for everyday tasks, and access to Google’s exclusive software features like Magic Eraser and Call Screen.