In today’s fiercely competitive smartphone market, the quest for a device that truly stands out without demanding a premium price tag often feels like navigating a complex maze. Consumers are constantly seeking that elusive balance: a phone that offers robust functionality and a satisfying user experience, all while remaining firmly within a budget. Enter TCL, a global electronics giant primarily recognised for its dominance in the television industry, which has been making increasingly confident strides into the mobile phone sector. With each new release, TCL aims to redefine what’s possible in the affordable smartphone category, consistently striving to deliver exceptional value. Their latest offering, the TCL 60R, is a testament to this ambition, stepping boldly into the budget arena with the clear promise of solid performance and a compelling user journey. The critical question, then, is whether this budget contender genuinely delivers on its promise and how well it truly stacks up against the established competition. In this comprehensive review, we’ll peel back the layers of the TCL 60R to explore every facet of its design, performance, features, and overall user experience.

The Price Tag: An Unignorable Major Selling Point and Market Disruptor

Let’s begin with what is arguably the most compelling and immediately attractive aspect of the TCL 60R: its remarkable affordability. The smartphone typically carries a retail price of £99 in the United Kingdom. This figure alone places it firmly within the accessible budget segment, making it an attractive proposition for a wide array of consumers. However, for those astute shoppers who are diligent in their search for the very best deals, particularly when exploring options through major network providers like Vodafone, the device has been observed to be available for an astonishingly low price, sometimes as little as £70. These special launch promotions and ongoing contractual offers further amplify the TCL 60R’s appeal, cementing its position as one of the most accessible 5G smartphones currently available on the market.

This aggressive and highly competitive pricing strategy isn’t merely about affordability; it’s a calculated move that positions the TCL 60R as a significant market disruptor. In an era where 5G connectivity is becoming increasingly vital for faster downloads, smoother streaming, and more responsive online gaming, the 60R democratizes access to this cutting-edge technology. For consumers who are strictly budget-conscious but desire modern connectivity and capable, reliable performance from their mobile device, the TCL 60R emerges as an incredibly attractive and sensible option. It challenges the notion that 5G is solely a feature of high-end devices, thereby broadening the market and making advanced mobile technology more attainable for everyone. Its value proposition is so strong that it forces competitors to reconsider their pricing strategies in the entry-level 5G segment.

Design & Build Quality: Simple Elegance Meets Surprising Durability

Upon first impression, the TCL 60R immediately conveys a practical and refreshingly modern aesthetic, an appearance that remarkably belies its modest cost. Our particular review unit showcased a sleek, understated matte finish on its rear panel. This choice of finish is not merely for aesthetics; it provides a comfortable and secure grip, significantly reducing the likelihood of accidental slips, and, perhaps most commendably, it does an excellent job of resisting unsightly fingerprints and smudges that often plague glossy surfaces. While the smartphone’s construction is primarily composed of plastic, a common material choice in this price bracket, the phone itself feels remarkably solid and well-put-together in the hand. There were no discernible creaks, flex, or any other indicators of flimsy construction that might be expected from a budget-friendly device.

Attention to detail is evident in its ergonomic considerations. The camera module is neatly and unobtrusively integrated into the back panel, avoiding any awkward protrusions. Furthermore, the side-mounted fingerprint sensor, ingeniously doubling as the power button, is a masterstroke of convenience. Its placement is intuitive, falling naturally under the thumb (for right-handed users) or index finger (for left-handed users), offering both rapid response and seamless unlocking capabilities. While the TCL 60R is certainly not designed to compete with the luxurious, premium aesthetics of high-end flagship devices, and therefore won’t win any design awards in that category, it emphatically does not feel or look cheap. Instead, it projects an air of understated competence and durability, proving that a well-thought-out design can elevate even the most budget-conscious of smartphones. Its dimensions and weight are also well-balanced, making it comfortable for extended periods of use, whether for browsing, calling, or media consumption.

Display: A Feast for the Eyes – Unpacking TCL’s Visual Expertise

Without a shadow of a doubt, the display stands out as one of the most significant and impressive strengths of the TCL 60R. Leveraging their profound expertise in display technology, honed through years of manufacturing acclaimed televisions, TCL has endowed the 60R with a vibrant 6.52-inch HD+ V-notch screen. While it is crucial to acknowledge that this is an HD+ (1600 x 720 pixels) panel rather than a Full HD+ (1920 x 1080 pixels) resolution, the quality of the visual experience largely transcends this specification. The colours reproduced on the screen are consistently rich, punchy, and lively, presenting content with an engaging vibrancy that is often unexpected in this price category.

Brightness levels are perfectly adequate for indoor viewing environments, ensuring that text remains crisp and images are clear. While direct sunlight readability might require a bit of shade, it’s generally commendable for its class. Crucially, viewing angles are broad and consistent, meaning the display retains its colour accuracy and clarity even when viewed from oblique perspectives, making it suitable for sharing content with friends.

The true magic, however, lies in TCL’s proprietary NXTVISION display enhancement technology. This isn’t just a marketing gimmick; it’s an integrated system that intelligently optimises contrast, colour, and clarity in real-time, adapting to the content being displayed. Whether you’re watching a video, browsing photos, or reading an article, NXTVISION actively works in the background to enhance the visual experience, visibly making a tangible difference, especially with multimedia content. This leads to deeper blacks, brighter whites, and more accurate colour reproduction, elevating everyday usage into a more immersive experience. While the exact refresh rate isn’t explicitly highlighted, the overall fluidity of scrolling and animations contributes to a pleasing visual interaction, further cementing the display as a genuine highlight of the TCL 60R.

Performance: Handling Your Daily Grind with Consistent Ease

Beneath its well-crafted exterior, the TCL 60R is powered by a competent MediaTek processor, coupled with a practical amount of RAM and ample internal storage (often 128GB, with microSD expansion capabilities up to 2TB). While TCL often customises its chipsets, the MediaTek foundation ensures a reliable and efficient core for daily operations. For the vast majority of everyday tasks – including but not limited to endless social media scrolling, efficient email management, enjoying high-definition YouTube binges, and indulging in light to moderately demanding mobile gaming – the phone performs admirably and consistently.

Applications launch with reasonable speed, and navigating through the Android interface is generally fluid and responsive, minimising frustrating lag. However, it’s essential to temper expectations: this device is not engineered to be a gaming powerhouse capable of running graphically intensive AAA titles at maximum settings, nor is it designed to be a multitasking champion juggling dozens of demanding applications simultaneously. You might occasionally notice minor stutters or a slight delay when pushing the device to its absolute limits with more resource-heavy applications, or when transitioning rapidly between many open apps. Nevertheless, for its clearly defined target audience – individuals seeking a dependable smartphone for standard daily use – the performance offered by the TCL 60R is more than satisfactory and, in many cases, surprisingly robust for its price point. Its efficient processor also contributes to its impressive battery longevity, ensuring that performance doesn’t come at the cost of endurance.

Camera System: Capturing Moments with Pragmatic Capability

The TCL 60R features a versatile triple-lens rear camera setup, a configuration that has become standard even in budget phones. This typically comprises a high-megapixel main sensor (often around 50MP on the 5G variant), accompanied by a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, and a depth sensor to assist with portrait mode effects.

In environments blessed with abundant and well-distributed natural light, the main camera can genuinely capture surprisingly detailed photos. Images often exhibit pleasingly natural colours, though occasionally they might lean slightly towards saturation to create a more vibrant look. Dynamic range, while not exceptional, is acceptable for a phone in this category, managing to preserve some detail in both highlights and shadows in moderately contrasting scenes. However, as is the predictable norm for smartphones in this price segment, low-light performance remains a significant challenge. Images captured in dim conditions tend to suffer from increased noise, reduced detail, and washed-out colours, often lacking the clarity and vibrancy seen in well-lit shots. While some software optimisations might attempt to mitigate this, physical sensor limitations are difficult to overcome.

The dedicated macro lens offers a unique and engaging avenue for close-up photography, allowing users to capture intricate details of small objects from a very short distance. While its utility might be limited for the average user, it adds a creative dimension for those who enjoy experimenting with different perspectives. The depth sensor, on the other hand, primarily aids in creating artificial background blur (bokeh) for portrait mode shots. It performs adequately, separating the subject from the background with reasonable precision, though very fine details or complex edges can sometimes result in minor inconsistencies.

The front-facing camera, typically housed within the pinhole, is generally suitable for standard video calls, virtual meetings, and casual selfies. It provides sufficient clarity and colour reproduction for these purposes. For video recording, the TCL 60R usually supports up to 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second, which is standard for everyday social media sharing but lacks advanced stabilisation or higher frame rate options. Overall, the camera system of the TCL 60R is a capable tool for everyday snapshots and documentation, particularly when used in favourable lighting conditions.

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Battery Life: An Endurance Champion for the Everyday User

One of the most compelling and practical attributes of the TCL 60R is its remarkable battery life, largely thanks to its substantial internal battery capacity (often around 5200mAh in the 5G variant). This generous power reservoir comfortably enables the device to deliver all-day usage for the vast majority of users, and often extends well beyond that. During our rigorous testing with moderate daily usage – encompassing a mix of web browsing, social media engagement, video streaming, messaging, and occasional light gaming – we consistently observed the phone concluding the day with a healthy remaining charge, typically ranging between 20-30%. This provides a comforting buffer, ensuring users aren’t scrambling for a charger before their day is done.

For individuals who classify as light users, primarily using their phone for calls, texts, and intermittent app checks, the TCL 60R might even stretch its endurance to an impressive two full days on a single charge, a feat not many devices in its price bracket can boast. This exceptional longevity is further bolstered by the power efficiency of the MediaTek processor and TCL’s optimised software, which collectively manage power consumption intelligently. When it comes to recharging, the TCL 60R adheres to standard charging speeds for its price point. While it doesn’t feature the rapid or super-fast charging technologies found in more expensive devices, a full charge takes a reasonable amount of time, allowing users to conveniently top up overnight or during extended breaks. The absence of blazing-fast charging is a minor trade-off for the outstanding overall endurance.

Software Experience: A Refreshingly Clean and User-Friendly Android Foundation

The software experience on the TCL 60R is built upon a relatively clean and uncluttered version of Android. This approach is highly commendable, as many budget smartphones tend to suffer from heavy, custom user interfaces that can introduce bloatware, unnecessary visual clutter, and performance slowdowns. TCL, however, has opted for a more streamlined path, enhancing the core Android experience with a few subtle, non-intrusive additions that genuinely improve usability without overwhelming the system.

A significant benefit of this approach is the near-absence of excessive pre-installed applications (bloatware). This “less is more” philosophy contributes positively to the phone’s overall smooth operation, ensuring that system resources are primarily dedicated to user-initiated tasks rather than background processes. The interface remains intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible even for users who might be new to Android.

Furthermore, TCL has demonstrated a commendable commitment to providing timely software updates. This is a crucial aspect for any smartphone, particularly in the budget segment, as consistent updates are vital not only for addressing security vulnerabilities but also for introducing new features, improving performance, and ensuring the long-term usability and longevity of the device. This commitment to software support adds significant value to the TCL 60R, giving users confidence that their device will remain secure and up-to-date for a reasonable period. The thoughtful integration of TCL’s specific features, such as those related to display enhancement, is well-implemented and does not detract from the core Android experience.

Connectivity & Other Features: Essential Modern Necessities

Beyond its core functionalities, the TCL 60R also packs a suite of essential connectivity options and additional features that round out its offering. Critically, its 5G capability ensures future-proofing, allowing users to leverage the fastest available mobile data speeds for high-bandwidth activities like large file downloads, seamless cloud gaming, and crystal-clear video calls. In areas with 5G coverage, this provides a noticeable upgrade in responsiveness and speed compared to 4G devices.

For local connectivity, the phone supports standard Wi-Fi protocols (often Wi-Fi 5 or 802.11ac for faster home network speeds) and Bluetooth 5.x, enabling efficient and stable connections with accessories like wireless headphones and smartwatches. GPS functionality is robust, offering accurate location tracking for navigation apps.

In terms of physical ports, the inclusion of a USB Type-C port ensures modern charging and data transfer capabilities, while the continued presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack will be a welcome relief for those who prefer wired audio solutions or wish to avoid Bluetooth headphones. Depending on the specific model variant, NFC (Near Field Communication) might also be present, facilitating convenient contactless payments. Other standard sensors like an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor are typically included, ensuring smooth operation of features like auto-rotation and screen dimming. The device often supports dual SIM functionality, a valuable feature for users who manage separate personal and work numbers, or those who travel frequently and wish to use local SIM cards. Its splash and dust resistance (often rated IP54) adds another layer of everyday durability, providing peace of mind against minor spills and dust ingress.

Competitors & Market Positioning: Standing Strong in a Crowded Field

The budget smartphone market is undeniably crowded, with numerous manufacturers vying for consumer attention. The TCL 60R finds itself competing against a host of devices from brands like Xiaomi (Redmi series), Samsung (Galaxy A-series budget models), Motorola (Moto G-series), and various other emerging players. So, how does the TCL 60R carve out its niche and differentiate itself?

Its primary distinguishing factor is the combination of 5G connectivity at an exceptionally low price point. While other brands do offer budget 5G phones, the 60R often undercuts them on price while still delivering a surprisingly capable overall package. Its NXTVISION-enhanced display is another significant differentiator; TCL’s display expertise genuinely makes the screen a more enjoyable viewing experience than many rivals in the same segment, which often feature duller or less vibrant panels. The excellent battery life also gives it an edge, as many budget phones compromise on endurance to hit a price target.

Where it might face stiffer competition is in raw processing power for intensive tasks or in advanced camera features. Some slightly higher-priced competitors might offer a Full HD+ display or a more versatile camera system with better low-light performance. However, for its target audience – consumers who prioritise affordability, 5G connectivity, media consumption, and reliable day-to-day performance over cutting-edge gaming or professional-grade photography – the TCL 60R confidently holds its own. It’s a pragmatic choice that focuses on delivering a robust core experience rather than chasing every high-end feature. Its positioning as a strong value-for-money proposition makes it a serious contender for anyone looking to step into the 5G world without breaking the bank.

Verdict: A Strong Contender for the Budget-Conscious Seeking Value

In conclusion, the TCL 60R isn’t designed to be a “flagship killer,” nor does it aspire to be. Its mission is far more pragmatic: to deliver a highly competent and thoroughly enjoyable smartphone experience at an incredibly attractive and accessible price point. In this mission, it largely succeeds with flying colours.

The combination of its impressive display, bolstered by TCL’s NXTVISION technology, its surprisingly robust and long-lasting battery life, and its capable performance for all daily tasks makes it an outstanding choice for anyone on a strict budget who still desires a dependable and enjoyable smartphone. It embodies the essence of value, proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a feature-rich, future-ready device. While its HD+ display might not satisfy those yearning for absolute pixel density, and its performance might occasionally falter under the most extreme loads, these are minor trade-offs given its category and cost.

If you’re in the market for an affordable device that genuinely punches above its weight, seamlessly integrating essential modern features like 5G connectivity with a user-friendly Android experience and an enduring battery, the TCL 60R is not just worth considering – it comes highly recommended. It’s a testament to TCL’s growing prowess in the mobile space, offering a compelling blend of features and affordability that sets a new benchmark in the budget smartphone segment.

Pros:

• Exceptional Affordability: One of the most competitively priced 5G smartphones available.
• Vibrant Display with NXTVISION: TCL’s display expertise shines through, offering rich colours and enhanced visuals.
• Solid Build Quality for its Price: Feels robust and well-constructed, defying its budget categorisation.
• Outstanding, Long-Lasting Battery Life: Easily powers through a full day of moderate to heavy use, often extending to two days for lighter users.
• Clean, User-Friendly Android Experience: Minimal bloatware and a commitment to software updates enhance usability and longevity.
• Reliable 5G Connectivity: Provides access to faster mobile data speeds at an accessible price.

Cons:

• HD+ Resolution: While good for its class, it might not satisfy everyone seeking the ultimate sharpness of a Full HD+ display.
• Performance Under Heavy Load: Can occasionally lag with graphically intensive games or very heavy multitasking.
• Limited Low-Light Camera Performance: Struggles in dim conditions, producing noisier and less detailed photos.
• Standard Charging Speeds: Lacks the rapid charging capabilities found in more expensive phones.

TNC Score

4.2/5.0