The TCL 40 XE 5G, officially released in early 2023, is a compelling entry in the affordable 5G smartphone market. It’s designed for users who want to experience next-generation connectivity without a hefty price tag, offering a mix of smooth visuals, reliable performance, and long-lasting battery life that makes it a smart choice for everyday use.
A New Look and Dynamic Visuals
The TCL 40 XE 5G sports a modern and clean design, often available in a sleek “Starlight Black” finish. It features a plastic build with a glass front, giving it a solid feel in hand. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides quick and secure access. Its 6.56-inch HD+ IPS LCD display is the star of the show, powered by TCL’s proprietary NXTVISION technology, which enhances color and contrast in real-time.
More impressively, the screen boasts a 90Hz refresh rate, ensuring that scrolling, swiping, and animations feel incredibly fluid and responsive.
The Engine and Digital Landscape
Under the hood, the device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset (7nm). This octa-core processor, with its two powerful Cortex-A76 cores, provides a smooth experience for typical smartphone activities such as Browse, social media, and video streaming. It’s also equipped with a 5G modem, enabling fast downloads and low-latency connectivity. The phone comes with 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64GB of eMMC 5.1 internal storage. For users who need more space, the storage is easily expandable up to 1TB via a microSDXC card slot. It runs on Android 13 with TCL’s UI, which provides a user-friendly and uncluttered experience.
Capturing Life’s Moments
The TCL 40 XE 5G is equipped with a versatile triple-camera system on the rear. The main camera is a 13MP wide-angle sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus), capable of capturing clear and vibrant photos in good lighting. It is complemented by a 2MP depth sensor for creating artistic portrait photos with a blurred background, and a 2MP macro lens for detailed close-up shots. For selfies and video calls, the phone has an 8MP front camera. Both front and rear cameras can record videos in 1080p at 30fps.
Powering Your Adventures
A key advantage of the TCL 40 XE 5G is its impressive endurance. It is equipped with a massive 5000mAh non-removable battery, which easily powers the device through more than a full day of heavy use, and often a day and a half with moderate usage. The combination of the power-efficient processor and the HD+ display means you won’t be constantly searching for an outlet. The device supports 18W wired fast charging via a USB Type-C port, allowing for reasonably quick top-ups.
Final Verdict
The TCL 40 XE 5G presents a compelling value proposition. With prices in Nigeria starting from approximately ₦212,401 (around $140 USD), it’s a solid choice for users who want to upgrade to 5G without breaking the bank. The smooth 90Hz display, dependable performance, and excellent battery life with fast charging make it a highly attractive option. While its camera performance is modest, the overall package delivers a satisfying and reliable smartphone experience for its target audience.