The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The TCL 50 XE NxtPaper aims to disrupt with its unique display technology and newer Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, while the Samsung Galaxy A05s relies on the established Snapdragon 680 and Samsung’s brand recognition. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A05s emerges as the slightly better choice. Its measured 468 nits of brightness and impressive 11:32h active use battery life provide a more consistently reliable experience, outweighing the TCL’s newer chipset in everyday tasks. However, the TCL NxtPaper’s display is a compelling differentiator for readers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 25, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, June | 2023, September 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, July | Available. Released 2023, October 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.95 x 0.33 in) | 168 x 77.8 x 8.8 mm (6.61 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, 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), gyro, accelerometer, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5010 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Blue | Black, Silver, Light Green, Violet |
| Models | T614J, T614WS | SM-A057F, SM-A057F/DS, SM-A057M, SM-A057M/DS, SM-A057G/DSN, SM-A057G |
| Price | - | $ 134.00 / C$ 146.99 / £ 83.94 / € 100.99 |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) |
TCL 50 XE NxtPaper
- Unique NxtPaper display for comfortable reading
- Potentially better multi-core performance with Dimensity 6100+
- Modern 6nm chipset
- Slower 18W charging
- Display brightness and color accuracy likely inferior to A05s
- Limited camera information
Samsung Galaxy A05s
- Excellent 11:32h active use battery life
- Faster 25W charging
- Brighter display (468 nits) for outdoor visibility
- Older Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Potentially less efficient chipset architecture
- Standard LCD display lacks the NxtPaper’s unique features
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A05s boasts a measured peak brightness of 468 nits and a 1418:1 contrast ratio, ensuring good visibility even outdoors. While the TCL 50 XE NxtPaper’s display specs are not provided, its 'NxtPaper' technology is the key differentiator, aiming to mimic the texture of paper for reduced eye strain during reading. This is a significant advantage for prolonged reading sessions, but likely comes at the cost of color accuracy and peak brightness compared to the A05s’ standard LCD. The A05s’ higher contrast ratio will also deliver more vibrant visuals for video consumption.
Camera Comparison
The context data for both devices is limited regarding camera specifics. However, given their price points, both are likely to feature primary sensors around the 13-50MP range. The Samsung Galaxy A05s likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more consistent and pleasing results. The TCL 50 XE NxtPaper’s camera performance is less predictable. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to assess its capabilities, but it’s unlikely to outperform the A05s significantly. The presence of a 'Photo / Video' designation for the A05s suggests a more balanced camera experience.
Performance
Both devices utilize 6nm chipsets, but the architectures differ significantly. The TCL 50 XE NxtPaper’s Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ features a 2x Cortex-A76 and 6x Cortex-A55 configuration, while the Samsung Galaxy A05s employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 with 4x Kryo 265 Gold and 4x Kryo 265 Silver cores. The Snapdragon 680’s higher clock speeds (2.4 GHz vs 1.8 GHz) on its performance cores suggest a slight edge in single-core tasks and responsiveness. However, the Dimensity 6100+’s newer architecture may offer better efficiency and potentially superior multi-core performance. Real-world performance will likely be similar for most everyday tasks, but the TCL may have a slight advantage in more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A05s shines with an impressive 11:32h active use battery score. While the TCL 50 XE NxtPaper’s battery capacity is unknown, its 18W charging is slower than the A05s’ 25W charging. This means the A05s will likely reach a full charge faster and maintain a longer runtime between charges, making it the more convenient option for users who prioritize battery life. The A05s’ longer battery life is a significant advantage for users who frequently travel or have limited access to power outlets.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 50 XE NxtPaper if you prioritize a unique, paper-like reading experience and are willing to potentially trade some performance consistency for it. This phone is ideal for ebook enthusiasts and those who spend significant time reading articles. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A05s if you value all-day battery life, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a more predictable performance profile for general use. It’s the better option for users who need a reliable daily driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 680 in the Galaxy A05s struggle with demanding games like PUBG?
The Snapdragon 680 is a capable chipset for casual gaming, but it's not designed for high-end titles at maximum settings. PUBG will likely be playable at medium settings with reasonable frame rates, but expect some occasional stuttering. The TCL 50 XE NxtPaper’s Dimensity 6100+ *may* offer a slight performance edge, but neither phone is a dedicated gaming device.
❓ How much of a difference does the NxtPaper display make for everyday use beyond reading?
The NxtPaper display primarily benefits reading and document viewing. While it reduces eye strain, it can also result in less vibrant colors and lower overall brightness compared to a traditional LCD. For video streaming or gaming, the Samsung Galaxy A05s’ brighter and more colorful display will likely provide a more enjoyable experience.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A05s significantly faster than the 18W charging on the TCL 50 XE NxtPaper?
Yes, 25W charging is noticeably faster than 18W. While exact 0-100% times aren't available, the A05s will likely charge from 0 to 50% in less time, and reach a full charge quicker, offering more convenience for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
