The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The TCL 505 and Nokia G100 represent compelling options for users prioritizing affordability, but they take different approaches to achieving it. The TCL 505 leverages MediaTek's Helio G36, while the Nokia G100 opts for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 662. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and slightly faster charging, the Nokia G100 emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662, built on an 11nm process, provides a more efficient and capable platform than the TCL 505’s Helio G36, despite the latter’s higher clock speeds on some cores.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 44, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, February 06 | 2022, September 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, March | Available. Released 2022, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.63 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 166.6 x 76.7 x 8.9 mm (6.56 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 195.1 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0"
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted; market/region dependent), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5010 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Blue, Space Grey | Nordic Blue |
| Models | T509K, T509A | - |
| Price | - | About 60 EUR |
TCL 505
- Potentially lower price point
- Higher clock speeds on some CPU cores
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Less efficient chipset (Helio G36)
- Slower charging (10W)
- Likely lower performance in demanding tasks
Nokia G100
- More efficient chipset (Snapdragon 662)
- Faster charging (15W)
- Smoother multitasking and app performance
- Potentially slightly higher price
- Lower CPU clock speeds on some cores
- May not be ideal for intensive gaming
Display Comparison
Neither TCL nor Nokia provide display specifications beyond the basic screen size. However, given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels. The absence of details like peak brightness or color gamut coverage suggests neither phone will excel in outdoor visibility or color accuracy. The focus here is clearly on cost reduction, meaning users should expect a standard viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The absence of information regarding sensor size or optical image stabilization (OIS) suggests image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. Given the market segment, expect both to struggle in low-light conditions. Focusing on the chipset, the Snapdragon 662’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally more capable than the Helio G36’s, potentially leading to slightly better image processing and detail retention in the Nokia G100.
Performance
The Nokia G100’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) holds a significant architectural advantage over the TCL 505’s MediaTek Helio G36 (12nm). While the Helio G36 boasts higher clock speeds on its four Cortex-A53 cores (2.2 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), the Snapdragon 662’s Kryo 260 Gold cores offer superior per-clock performance. The 11nm process node of the Snapdragon 662 also contributes to better power efficiency, translating to potentially longer battery life and less thermal throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Nokia G100 will likely handle multitasking and moderately demanding apps more smoothly.
Battery Life
The Nokia G100’s 15W wired charging is a clear advantage over the TCL 505’s 10W charging. While neither offers particularly fast charging, the 5W difference translates to a noticeable reduction in charging time. Although battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 662’s superior power efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery in the Nokia G100, resulting in comparable or even better real-world battery life. Users prioritizing quick top-ups will favor the Nokia G100.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 505 if you need a phone for extremely basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media browsing, and are highly sensitive to price. Buy the Nokia G100 if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for everyday use, including moderate multitasking and occasional gaming, and value a slightly faster charging solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia G100 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 662 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense action, but it should provide a playable experience. The TCL 505’s Helio G36 will likely require even lower settings and may exhibit more noticeable performance issues.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 10W and 15W really noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 5W difference is noticeable. A 15W charger will significantly reduce the time it takes to reach a usable charge level, especially for quick top-ups. While neither phone offers fast charging, the Nokia G100’s 15W charging is a practical advantage for users who frequently need to recharge their device.
❓ Which phone is better for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls, texts, and social media?
Both phones are adequate for basic tasks. However, the Nokia G100’s smoother performance will provide a more pleasant experience even for these simple activities. The TCL 505 will function, but may exhibit occasional lag or slowdowns.
