Are TCL smartphones good?
TCL smartphones achieve an average overall score of 6.2, placing them #29 among all brands, and a user rating of 7.8, which ranks them #22 in user reviews.
TCL smartphones can be a good choice if you want solid features at a lower price than many well-known brands. The company focuses on affordable mid-range models that still include large displays, decent cameras, and good battery life. TCL is known for its display technology, and many of its smartphones use vivid screens with high contrast and good brightness, which help you enjoy videos and games. Models often have clean Android software with minimal extra apps, so you get a smooth user experience.
You may notice that TCL phones are not as fast as premium models from Samsung or Apple, especially in gaming or heavy multitasking. Camera quality is usually fine for everyday shots but less impressive in low light. TCL also updates its phones less frequently than top brands, so you might wait longer for the latest Android version or security patches. If your priority is strong display quality and reasonable performance for the price, TCL can give you good value.
(Note: A total of 37 brands were evaluated in the comparison in the first paragraph. Only those with at least 6 smartphones in our database that were released after 2022 were included.)
The best available TCL smartphones (with the highest overall score) are as follows:
- TCL Nxtpaper 60 Ultra (12GB + 512GB) Overall score: 7.45
- TCL 50 Pro NXTPAPER 5G (16GB + 512GB) Overall score: 6.7
- TCL 50 NXTPAPER 5G (16GB + 256GB) Overall score: 6.62
The following chart ranks smartphone brands by their overall scores.
[horizontal-chart-14855520977915281854131920228859147337322180876303]What are the main advantages of TCL smartphones?
The main advantages of TCL smartphones are as follows:
- Display technology: Many models use NXTVISION technology with HDR10 support and adaptive display optimization, which improves color accuracy and contrast in both SDR and HDR content.
- Large screens: Mid-range and premium TCL smartphones often have AMOLED or high-quality LCD panels up to 6.8 inches with FHD+ resolution (2400×1080), which improves clarity for media consumption.
- High refresh rate: Several models feature 90 Hz or 120 Hz refresh rates, which deliver smoother scrolling and improved responsiveness in games compared to standard 60 Hz panels.
- Camera system: Selected models include triple or quad camera setups with main sensors up to 64 MP and wide-angle and macro lenses, which increase versatility in photography.
- Battery life: Devices often integrate batteries of 4,500 mAh to 5,000 mAh, which can support over a full day of mixed usage, and many support fast charging of 18 W or more.
- Price-to-feature ratio: TCL positions many models in the budget-to-midrange segment (£130 to £300) with specifications like large displays, multiple cameras, and high-capacity batteries, which compete with higher-priced brands.
What are the main disadvantages of TCL smartphones?
TCL smartphones have the following disadvantages:
- Processor performance: Many devices use mid-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon 600- or 700-series or MediaTek Helio chipsets, which limit performance in demanding 3D games compared to flagship processors.
- Software updates: TCL often provides fewer major Android updates than top brands, which shortens long-term software support.
- Low-light photography: Despite high-resolution sensors, image quality in low-light conditions can show noticeable noise and reduced detail compared to premium competitors.
- Availability: Some TCL smartphones have limited market availability in Europe, so accessories and spare parts can be harder to find.
- Build quality: Entry-level models sometimes use plastic frames and backs instead of glass or metal, which reduces perceived premium feel.
- Brand recognition: TCL’s smartphone lineup is less well-known than brands like Samsung or Xiaomi, which can impact resale value and consumer trust.
