Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't completely compromise on features? The TCL Ion X and Samsung Galaxy A13 5G are both contenders, offering affordability and essential functionality. But which one delivers the best value for your money?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A13 5G is the clear winner. Its superior chipset, 5G connectivity, and slightly better battery charging speed provide a significantly smoother and more future-proof experience than the TCL Ion X, despite a similar price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77 Sub6/mmWave - SM-A136U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 26 | 2021, December 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 26 | Available. Released 2021, December 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.5 x 75.2 x 8.9 mm (6.16 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 164.5 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 177.4 g (6.24 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| 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 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android, TCL UI | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide) 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| 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 | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | - | SM-A136U, SM-A136U1, SM-A136W, SM-A136B, SM-S136DL |
| Price | About 100 EUR | € 178.00 / $ 64.00 / £ 72.54 |
| SAR | - | 1.27 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) |
TCL Ion X
- Affordable
- Familiar Android experience
- Large display
- Weak processor
- Slow charging
- Lower quality camera
- HD+ display likely
Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
- 5G connectivity
- Faster processor
- Better camera
- FHD+ display likely
- Faster charging
- Can be slightly more expensive
- Samsung's One UI may not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.5 inches, but the Galaxy A13 5G likely has a slightly better panel with improved color accuracy and brightness. The Ion X's display is expected to be adequate but not exceptional. Resolution is likely FHD+ on the A13 5G and potentially HD+ on the Ion X.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A13 5G likely boasts a more versatile and higher-quality camera system. While specific megapixel counts are important, the A13 5G's image processing and sensor technology are expected to be superior, resulting in better photos and videos, especially in low light. The Ion X's camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots.
Performance
The Galaxy A13 5G's Dimensity 700 chipset is a significant upgrade over the Ion X's Helio G25. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the A13 5G. The Ion X will handle basic tasks, but may struggle with demanding apps or games.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have batteries in the 5000mAh range. However, the Galaxy A13 5G's more efficient chipset and 15W charging offer a slight advantage in terms of battery life and charging speed compared to the Ion X's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The TCL Ion X is a good option for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and a familiar Android experience. The Samsung Galaxy A13 5G is ideal for those seeking a more modern smartphone with 5G connectivity, better performance, and a more reliable camera system, even within a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the TCL Ion X good for gaming?
The TCL Ion X's processor is not ideal for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but expect lower frame rates and potential lag.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A13 5G support 5G?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A13 5G is specifically designed for 5G connectivity, offering faster download and upload speeds where 5G networks are available.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally provides longer software update support than TCL, meaning the Galaxy A13 5G is likely to receive updates for a longer period.
