Looking for an affordable smartphone that won't break the bank? The TCL Ion X and Motorola G Pure are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
Both phones share the same core chipset, resulting in similar performance. The Motorola G Pure often edges out the TCL Ion X due to Motorola's generally cleaner software and slightly better availability. Ultimately, the best choice depends on price and carrier compatibility.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 26 | 2021, October 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 26 | Available. Released 2021, October 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 156.5 x 75.2 x 8.9 mm (6.16 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 167.4 x 75.6 x 8.8 mm (6.59 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 177.4 g (6.24 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~78.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android, TCL UI | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide) 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted) |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Deep Indigo |
| Models | - | XT-2163-4, XT2163-4, XT2163-6, XT2163-1, XT2163-2 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | $ 63.99 / C$ 123.00 |
TCL Ion X
- Potentially lower price
- Decent battery life
- Large display
- Software experience can be buggy
- Limited availability
- Slow charging
Motorola G Pure
- Clean software (My UX)
- Wider availability
- Reliable performance
- Basic camera
- Slow charging
- Average display quality
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles for everyday use. However, Motorola often has slightly better color accuracy and brightness. TCL's display might exhibit slightly more noticeable pixelation due to the lower resolution.
Camera Comparison
The Motorola G Pure typically features a 13MP main camera, while the TCL Ion X has a similar setup. Image quality is generally acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and a lack of detail in low light. Motorola's image processing might be slightly more consistent.
Performance
Powered by the Mediatek Helio G25, expect basic performance suitable for light tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging. Don't expect to play demanding games smoothly. Both phones will likely exhibit some lag and stuttering under heavy load. Motorola's My UX skin might offer slightly smoother animations than TCL's UI.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life with moderate usage. Charging speeds are limited to 10W wired, so expect a relatively slow charging time.
Buying Guide
The TCL Ion X is a good option if you find it significantly cheaper and your carrier supports it. The Motorola G Pure is a safer bet for most users due to its wider availability and generally more reliable software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software?
The Motorola G Pure generally has a cleaner and more reliable software experience with Motorola's My UX skin, offering a near-stock Android experience.
❓ Can I play games on these phones?
Both phones can handle basic games, but don't expect smooth performance with demanding titles. The Helio G25 chipset is not designed for high-end gaming.
