Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't compromise too much? The TCL Stylus and OnePlus Nord N300 are strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an accessible price point, but which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The OnePlus Nord N300 edges out the TCL Stylus thanks to its faster chipset, brighter display, and quicker charging. While the Stylus's stylus is a unique selling point, the Nord N300 provides a more well-rounded experience for most users.
| 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 / 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, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | 25, 41, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 2, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 02 | 2022, October 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 02 | Available. Released 2022, November 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 169.6 x 76.5 x 9 mm (6.68 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 163.8 x 75.1 x 8 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 213 g (7.51 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | Stylus | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | NEG | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.81 inches, 110.1 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 | Android 12, OxygenOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| 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 | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lunar Black | Midnight Jade |
| Models | T779W | CPH2389 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | 1.25 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1506:1 (nominal) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 335440 (v9)
GeekBench: 1780 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
TCL Stylus
- Integrated stylus for note-taking and drawing
- Potentially good value for money
- Decent battery life
- Slower chipset
- Slower charging
- Likely lower display brightness
- Limited camera details
OnePlus Nord N300
- Faster chipset (Dimensity 810)
- Brighter display
- Faster charging (33W)
- Likely better camera performance
- Stylus not included
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N300 boasts a brighter display (623 nits vs. Stylus's likely lower brightness) and a similar contrast ratio (1506:1). While both offer good visuals, the Nord N300's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors. The Stylus may have a slightly different color profile, but detailed specs are unavailable.
Camera Comparison
Camera details for the TCL Stylus are limited. The OnePlus Nord N300 typically features a 64MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. While megapixels aren't everything, the Nord N300 likely offers better image quality and more versatile shooting options. Low-light performance is also expected to be superior on the Nord N300.
Performance
The Nord N300's Dimensity 810 chipset (6nm) offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Stylus's Dimensity 700 (7nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Nord N300. Both phones utilize octa-core CPUs with similar core configurations, but the 810's architecture and fabrication process give it an edge.
Battery Life
Both phones claim impressive endurance ratings (114h for the Nord N300). However, the Nord N300's 33W charging is significantly faster than the Stylus's 18W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The TCL Stylus is ideal for students or anyone who values note-taking and creative expression with a stylus. The OnePlus Nord N300 is a better choice for users prioritizing performance, a vibrant display, and faster charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the TCL Stylus stylus work with other devices?
No, the TCL Stylus stylus is designed specifically for the TCL Stylus and is not compatible with other devices.
❓ What software do the phones run?
The OnePlus Nord N300 typically runs OxygenOS based on Android, while the TCL Stylus runs TCL's custom UI on Android. Both offer a generally smooth user experience.