The TCL 40 X series was introduced at MWC 2023 with an emphasis on cost savings, while providing important features such as a large battery and 5G (limited to some devices). We are in Barcelona and have received three of the new phones: TCL 40 X, TCL 40 XE and TCL 40 XL, all of which are aimed at the US market.
The former two have 5G connectivity, but to keep the price down, TCL has kept the RAM and storage at 4/64GB. The third lacks 5G but makes up for it with a bigger screen and more storage. Here’s what struck us in each device.
TCL 40 X
This is the most intriguing of the three, with a Dimension 700 main shooter and 50MP. The camera is well equipped – it produces impressive photos for a $200 device.
The back panel mimics metal with its design, but is actually plastic that wraps around the sides as well. The 40X is easy to handle and the fingerprint scanner on the side definitely helps for better ergonomic biometric data entry.
The front panel is HD+ with a 90Hz refresh rate. In our short time using the device, we found the screen to perform well in direct sunlight, but we have an issue with the huge bezels on all sides they look even thicker in real life.
TCL brings the 40 X with Android 13 and we’re quite impressed, even that the manufacturer has tried to place some of its UI on top. Many smartphones in this price range still launch with the older Android, so this device is already a step above the competition.
The plastic design and thick bezels are to be expected when a phone is this affordably priced. It’s really easy to handle and use, and carries a 5,000mAh battery with 18W charging, all features that make the TCL 40 X worth loving.
TCL 40XE
The 40 XE is similar enough to the 40 X, to the point of confusing which device we were handling during hands-on. TCL only made gray units (actually called Cosmic Black), so we were able to tell the XE apart by the “13 MP” lettering on the camera island. In fact, this is the only difference between the two phones.
The TCL 40 XE is also plastic with a plastic frame and a sleek back design made to mimic metal. The power key, which doubles as a fingerprint scanner, is located in the center of the right-hand side, and while we found it ergonomic and easy to use, it’s quite subjective and depends entirely on the hands of the person handling the phone.
We love that these phones have 3.5mm audio jacks, which is important for users who prefer long calls and music without thinking about Bluetooth audio latency and battery drain.
We also have the basic TCL UI here, which implements some handler-related bloatware but nothing intrusive that hinders performance.
The TCL 40 XE costs around $170, and we’re impressed with what’s in front of us. It’s officially the cheapest TCL phone with 5G, but don’t let its price spoil the device – it’s quite capable of offering everything you need from an entry-level smartphone.
TCL 40XL
The TCL 40 XL jumps on 5G and brings a bigger screen, hence the “L” in the name. The 6.75-inch screen remains HD+, but its slightly increased diagonal makes the thick bezels more bearable. The phone is the same color as the other two brothers, while TCL has jumped on the scratched surface, and is now called Dark Gray.
The phone is advertised with dual speakers and the stereo effect is achieved with the earpiece acting as a second speaker. This, combined with the larger screen, could make the 40 XL a better choice for people who prefer an affordable multimedia experience.
The 40 XL might be bigger, but someone forgot to tell TCL to put in a bigger battery: it’s the same 5,000mAh cell with 18W charging; at least it has USB-C next to the 3.5mm audio jack.
The increase to 128GB of storage is great, and users who want even more room for their photos and data can use up to 512GB via the micro SD card slot located on the top left – a nice addition. to this $150 smartphone.
The TCL 40 XL might be the cheapest of the three, but it’s still a phone that offers a lot for what it costs, and we believe it’s definitely worth its affordable price.
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