The TCL 50 5G is a testament to how far budget-friendly smartphones have come. It’s a 5G-enabled device that packs a punch, offering a compelling blend of features, performance, and value. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the design, display, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, software experience, and overall value proposition of the TCL 50 5G, helping you decide if it’s the right smartphone for your needs.

Design and Build

The TCL 50 5G exudes a modern and stylish aesthetic that belies its affordable price point. The phone features a sleek glass front and back, complemented by a sturdy plastic frame. It’s available in two attractive colours: Dark Blue and Space Gray, both of which have a subtle shimmer that adds a touch of sophistication. The device feels comfortable to hold, thanks to its well-rounded edges and ergonomic design.

One of the standout design features is the IP54 dust and splash resistance rating. This means the TCL 50 5G can withstand everyday exposure to dust and water splashes, giving you peace of mind in various environments. Whether you’re caught in a drizzle or accidentally spill a drink on your phone, the TCL 50 5G is built to endure.

Display

The TCL 50 5G boasts a generous 6.6-inch IPS LCD with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate. While the 720 x 1612 pixel resolution might not be the sharpest on the market, it still delivers a bright and vibrant viewing experience. Colours are well-saturated, and the display is surprisingly responsive, making it enjoyable to scroll through social media feeds, watch videos, or browse the web.

The 90Hz refresh rate is a notable feature for a budget-friendly phone. It ensures that animations and scrolling appear smooth and fluid, enhancing the overall user experience. Whether you’re playing games or simply navigating through the phone’s interface, the higher refresh rate is a welcome addition.

Performance

Under the hood, the TCL 50 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, a capable mid-range processor that easily handles everyday tasks. Coupled with 8GB of RAM, the phone delivers smooth performance for web browsing, social media, email, and even some light gaming. While it might not be the fastest phone on the market, it certainly doesn’t feel sluggish.

The 128GB of internal storage provides ample space for your apps, photos, and videos. If you need more storage, the phone supports expandable storage via a microSD card, allowing you to store even more content.

Camera

The TCL 50 5G features a dual rear camera system that consists of a 50MP primary sensor and a 5MP ultrawide sensor. In well-lit conditions, the camera performs admirably, capturing detailed and vibrant photos with accurate colours. The ultrawide sensor is useful for capturing wider landscapes or group shots, adding versatility to your photography.

While the camera performs well in good lighting, low-light performance is less impressive. Photos taken in dimly lit environments can appear noisy and lack detail. However, this is a common limitation for budget-friendly phones.

The 8MP front-facing camera is decent for selfies and video calls. It produces reasonably sharp and clear images, making it suitable for everyday use.

Samples

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the TCL 50 5G is its impressive battery life. The phone is equipped with a massive 5010mAh battery that easily lasts a full day on a single charge with moderate usage. Even with heavier usage, you’re unlikely to need to reach for a charger before the end of the day.

The phone supports 18W wired charging, which isn’t the fastest charging technology available, but it’s still respectable for a budget-friendly device. You can expect the phone to charge from 0 to 100% in around two hours.

Software

The TCL 50 5G runs on Android 14, the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system. The software experience is clean and intuitive, with no unnecessary bloatware or pre-installed apps cluttering the interface. TCL has also promised an upgrade to Android 15, ensuring that your phone will remain up-to-date with the latest features and security patches. With the TCL 50 5G offers a few additional features that enhance its overall appeal. It has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor that is fast and reliable, ensuring secure and convenient unlocking of your phone. The phone also boasts stereo speakers, providing a more immersive audio experience when watching videos or playing games.

Another noteworthy feature is NFC support, which allows for contactless payments using services like Google Pay. This is a convenient feature that is becoming increasingly popular, and it’s great to see it included in a budget-friendly phone.

For those who still prefer wired headphones, the TCL 50 5G retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that is becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones.

Pros:

Affordable price
5G connectivity
Large display with 90Hz refresh rate
Capable camera system
Long-lasting battery life
Clean software experience
Additional features like NFC and a headphone jack

Cons:

Display resolution could be higher
Low-light camera performance could be better

Overall Verdict: A Budget-Friendly 5G Champion

The TCL 50 5G is a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers who don’t want to compromise on features or performance. With its sleek design, vibrant display, capable camera system, long-lasting battery life, and clean software experience, the TCL 50 5G punches above its weight class.

While it might not have the highest resolution display or the best low-light camera performance, these are minor trade-offs for a phone that offers so much value for its price. If you’re looking for a 5G smartphone that won’t break the bank, the TCL 50 5G is worth considering. Priced at £149.99 available from Amazon UK, Very, Argos and other outlets.

TNC Score

4.2/5.0