The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the TCL 60 SE NxtPaper and Samsung Galaxy A15 represent compelling options. The TCL focuses on maximizing battery life and offering a unique paper-like display experience, while the Samsung prioritizes a brighter, more vibrant screen and the established Samsung ecosystem. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing all-day (and multi-day) battery life, the TCL 60 SE NxtPaper is the clear winner, boasting a remarkable 46:38h endurance. However, if a bright, easily visible display is paramount, especially outdoors, the Samsung Galaxy A15’s 808 nits peak brightness makes it the 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, March 03 | 2023, December 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, May | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 76.2 x 8.2 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) | 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 5 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.5", 0.7µm, PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5200 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Mint Green | Brave Black, Optimistic Blue, Magical Blue, Personality Yellow |
| Models | T521K | SM-A155F, SM-A155F/DSN, SM-A155M, SM-A155M/DS, SM-A155P, SM-A155R |
| Price | £ 186.61 | € 168.99 / $ 125.00 / £ 113.00 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.29 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 46:38h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class B (180 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
TCL 60 SE NxtPaper
- Exceptional battery life (46:38h endurance)
- Unique NxtPaper display for eye comfort
- Slightly faster CPU clock speed
- Lower peak display brightness
- Slower charging speed (18W)
Samsung Galaxy A15
- Bright and vibrant display (808 nits)
- Faster charging (25W)
- Samsung One UI ecosystem
- Significantly shorter battery life (15:28h)
- Potentially more screen strain for prolonged reading
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A15 immediately distinguishes itself with a measured peak brightness of 808 nits, ensuring excellent visibility in direct sunlight – a crucial advantage for outdoor users. The TCL 60 SE NxtPaper, while lacking a specified brightness figure, employs its NxtPaper technology, aiming for a more eye-friendly experience mimicking the texture of paper. This is beneficial for prolonged reading but sacrifices peak brightness. While the TCL's NxtPaper tech is unique, the A15's higher brightness is a tangible benefit for many users.
Camera Comparison
Neither device boasts a flagship-level camera system. Detailed sensor information beyond the main sensors is lacking, making a direct comparison difficult. We can assume both rely heavily on software processing. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests image stabilization will be primarily digital, potentially leading to softer images in low light. Focusing on the primary sensors, the TCL's potential sensor size is unknown, while the A15's is also not specified. Given the price point, image quality will likely be comparable, with the Samsung potentially benefiting from its more refined image processing algorithms.
Performance
Both devices utilize Mediatek chipsets fabricated on a 6nm process, indicating similar efficiency. However, the TCL 60 SE NxtPaper’s Dimensity 6300 features a slightly higher clocked Cortex-A76 core (2.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz on the A15’s Helio G99). While the difference is marginal, it suggests a small performance edge in CPU-intensive tasks for the TCL. Both CPUs share the same Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. The Helio G99 in the A15 is known for its capable GPU, potentially offering a smoother gaming experience, but the TCL's slightly faster CPU could translate to quicker app loading times.
Battery Life
The TCL 60 SE NxtPaper dominates in battery endurance, achieving an impressive 46:38h in our tests. This is significantly longer than the Samsung Galaxy A15’s 15:28h. This difference is likely due to a combination of factors, including the TCL’s more efficient chipset and potentially a more optimized software experience. While the A15 compensates with 25W wired charging, offering faster top-ups, the TCL’s longevity minimizes the need for frequent charging. The TCL’s claimed 1000 charge cycles also suggest a longer lifespan for the battery itself.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 60 SE NxtPaper if you need exceptional battery life, frequently read ebooks or documents, and value a less-straining display for extended use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A15 if you prefer a brighter, more vibrant screen for media consumption, appreciate the Samsung One UI experience, and need faster charging capabilities for quick top-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the TCL 60 SE NxtPaper's NxtPaper display affect color accuracy for photo editing?
The NxtPaper display prioritizes eye comfort and a paper-like texture over absolute color accuracy. While suitable for general use, professional photo or video editing requiring precise color representation is not recommended on this device. The color profile is tuned for readability, not professional accuracy.
❓ How quickly does the Samsung Galaxy A15 charge from 0% to 100% with the 25W charger?
While the A15 supports 25W charging, a full 0-100% charge is estimated to take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on background app activity and battery health. This is faster than the TCL 60 SE NxtPaper's 18W charging, but still not exceptionally quick compared to some competitors.
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio G99 in the Samsung Galaxy A15 capable of running demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G99 is a capable chipset for mobile gaming, and PUBG Mobile should be playable on the Samsung Galaxy A15. However, expect to use medium graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. High settings may result in frame drops and overheating during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How does the TCL 60 SE NxtPaper handle multitasking with several apps open simultaneously?
The TCL 60 SE NxtPaper's 6GB of RAM (assumed based on market segment) is sufficient for moderate multitasking. However, with numerous apps open, you may experience occasional app reloading as the system manages memory. It's not designed for extremely heavy multitasking like video editing while simultaneously running multiple browser tabs.
