The TCL 502 and the alcatel 1B (2022) represent the absolute bottom end of the smartphone market, competing for buyers prioritizing functionality over frills. Both devices aim to deliver a smartphone experience at the lowest possible price point, but subtle differences in their specifications can impact real-world usability. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a basic, functional smartphone, the TCL 502 and alcatel 1B (2022) are functionally equivalent. However, given identical core specifications, the TCL 502 often benefits from slightly wider availability and potentially better software support, making it the marginally better choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 66, 71 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - 5031D, 5031G |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.1 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 - 5031A, 5041J |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, December 04 | 2022, May 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, December | Available. Released 2022, May 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159 x 78 x 9.6 mm (6.26 x 3.07 x 0.38 in) | 146.7 x 71.9 x 10 mm (5.78 x 2.83 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~74.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~74.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio A22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8300 |
| OS | Android 13 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 25 mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 24 mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 3000 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Prime Black, Atlantic Blue |
| Models | T432J | 5031D, 5031G, 5031A, 5031J |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 100 EUR |
TCL 502
- Generally wider availability than alcatel.
- Potentially better software support from TCL.
- Identical performance to alcatel 1B (2022).
- 10W charging is slow.
- Performance limited by Helio A22 chipset.
alcatel 1B (2022)
- Identical performance to TCL 502.
- May be available at a lower price point.
- Compact and lightweight design.
- Potentially limited software updates.
- 10W charging is slow.
Display Comparison
Both the TCL 502 and the alcatel 1B (2022) are expected to feature similar LCD panels, given their price bracket. Specific details like resolution and brightness are not provided, but both will likely target a 720p+ resolution to balance clarity and battery life. The absence of features like high refresh rates or HDR support is standard for this segment. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both the TCL 502 and alcatel 1B (2022) will be basic. Details regarding sensor size and lens apertures are unavailable, but both are likely to feature a primary camera alongside potentially a depth or macro sensor. Image quality will be acceptable in well-lit conditions, but expect significant noise and lack of detail in low light. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) will further limit low-light performance. Focusing on the primary sensor's megapixel count is less important than the image processing algorithms employed, which are unlikely to be sophisticated on either device.
Performance
The core of both devices is the Mediatek Helio A22 (12 nm) chipset, paired with a Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. This means performance will be nearly identical in day-to-day tasks like browsing, social media, and basic messaging. The 12nm process node offers reasonable power efficiency for light workloads. Neither device is suited for demanding games or multitasking; expect noticeable slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously. RAM capacity, a crucial factor not specified, will heavily influence multitasking performance, but is likely to be limited to 2GB or 3GB in both cases.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both are likely to house a battery in the 3000-4000 mAh range, sufficient for a full day of light use. Both devices support 10W wired charging, which is slow by modern standards. Expect a charge time of several hours from 0% to 100%. Battery life will be heavily dependent on usage patterns, with prolonged gaming or video streaming significantly reducing runtime. The power efficiency of the Helio A22 chipset will contribute to reasonable standby times.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 502 if you need a readily available, extremely affordable smartphone with a brand that generally offers more consistent software updates within this segment. Buy the alcatel 1B (2022) if you find it at a significantly lower price point than the TCL 502, or if you specifically prefer the alcatel brand's user interface. Both are suitable for users needing basic calling, texting, and light app usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will either of these phones struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp or Facebook?
While both phones can run apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, expect some lag and slower loading times, especially if multiple apps are open simultaneously. The Helio A22 chipset and limited RAM are not designed for intensive multitasking.
❓ Are these phones suitable for playing mobile games?
These phones are not ideal for gaming. While simple 2D games may be playable, more demanding 3D games will likely experience significant frame rate drops and lag. The Helio A22 chipset lacks the graphical power for a smooth gaming experience.
❓ How long will the battery last on a single charge with typical usage?
With typical usage (calls, texts, light browsing), you can expect the battery to last a full day. However, heavy usage, such as prolonged video streaming or gaming, will significantly reduce battery life.
❓ What kind of storage options are available on these phones?
Storage capacity is not explicitly stated, but both phones likely offer 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. This is relatively limited, and a microSD card slot is highly recommended for expanding storage capacity.
