TCL Stylus vs. Google Pixel 6a: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel 6a emerges as the superior choice. Its Google Tensor chipset delivers significantly faster performance and superior image processing, justifying the price difference. However, the TCL Stylus offers a unique stylus experience at a lower cost.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | TCL Stylus | Google Pixel 6a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 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, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada) |
| 5G bands | 25, 41, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International) | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 02 | 2022, May 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 02 | Available. Released 2022, July 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 169.6 x 76.5 x 9 mm (6.68 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 213 g (7.51 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Stylus | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | NEG | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.81 inches, 110.1 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Google Tensor (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G78 MP20 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 5 MP, 115˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4410 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Lunar Black | Chalk, Charcoal, Sage |
| Models | T779W | GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L |
| Price | About 240 EUR | $ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999 |
| SAR | 1.25 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 94h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
TCL Stylus
- Integrated stylus for note-taking and drawing
- More affordable price point
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Significantly less powerful processor
- Less refined display technology
- Limited camera capabilities
Google Pixel 6a
- Powerful Google Tensor chipset
- Exceptional camera performance
- Long-term software support
- Lacks integrated stylus functionality
- Higher price compared to TCL Stylus
- Charging speed is standard 18W
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 6a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 876 nits measured, compared to the TCL Stylus’s unspecified brightness. This translates to better outdoor visibility. While both offer infinite (nominal) contrast ratios, the Pixel 6a’s superior brightness and Google’s color calibration likely result in a more vibrant and accurate viewing experience. The TCL Stylus’s display specs are less defined, suggesting a more budget-oriented panel.
Camera Comparison
While detailed camera specs are limited for the TCL Stylus, the Pixel 6a’s strength lies in Google’s computational photography. The Pixel 6a’s image processing pipeline, powered by the Tensor chip, excels in dynamic range, noise reduction, and detail preservation. The absence of OIS information for the TCL Stylus suggests a reliance on software stabilization, which typically doesn’t match the performance of optical image stabilization found in the Pixel 6a. The Pixel 6a’s focus on software optimization will likely deliver consistently better results, even with potentially similar sensor sizes.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 6a’s Google Tensor (5nm) is a substantial upgrade over the TCL Stylus’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Tensor’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at 2.80 GHz, provides a significant performance boost over the Stylus’s Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz. This difference is particularly noticeable in demanding tasks like video editing and gaming. The 5nm fabrication process of the Tensor also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling under sustained load. While both CPUs feature Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the Tensor’s overall architecture is more advanced.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 94 hours, indicating comparable battery life despite differing internal capacities (not specified for the TCL Stylus). However, the Pixel 6a benefits from PD3.0 fast charging alongside the standard 18W wired charging, offering potentially faster and more versatile charging options. The TCL Stylus is limited to 18W wired charging, which, while adequate, doesn’t offer the same flexibility.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL Stylus if you absolutely require a built-in stylus for note-taking, sketching, or precise input, and are willing to compromise on raw processing power. Buy the Google Pixel 6a if you prioritize a smooth user experience, exceptional camera quality, and long-term software support, even if it means foregoing stylus functionality.