Despite my preference for high-end cellphones, great solutions are available for less than half the price that may be entirely appropriate for your needs. For people who only need a phone for communication or as a backup to get work done, the sub-$200 TCL 20SE is a good choice.
Neither will you be able to quickly shoot award-winning images or play games on the TCL 20SE. Focusing on the display experience and the fundamentals is what you get with a TCL-branded phone.
There is no 5G connectivity, and it will deliver android security patches every quarter for the next 18-24 months. It’s also a big phone, measuring 6.82 inches across the display and 9.14 millimeters thick.
Specifications
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 460
- OS: Android 11
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 128GB with microSD card
- Display: 6.82″, 1640 x 720P resolution LCD
- Sensors: Rear Fingerprint Sensor, Accelerometer, Proximity Sensor, Electronic Compass, Ambient Light Sensor
- Battery: Non-Removable 5000 mAh
- Price: check current price on Amazon
Software
A new version of Android and TCL UI (version 3. x) comes preinstalled on this device. It’s important to note that the launcher and other settings in TCL’s UI are primarily dedicated to the company’s display technologies, so the overall user experience seems relatively standard.
I’m not a massive fan of the default application launcher category arrangement, but you can quickly move to the more common by-name option with two presses. The FM radio, Gallery, and NXTVISION utility are just a few of the included apps that make it easier to use the phone’s features.
The Edge Bar, a handy ruler, and the ability to connect with your contacts are just a few of the unusual features you’ll find on the iPhone 5. The under scanner launches the app of your choice by long-pressing, and there’s also a fingerprint quick launch option.
On the far left of the home screen, you’ll find a Google Feed panel. In addition to the usual Google Android features, this phone has them all.
Audio and Camera
The quality of a smartphone’s camera is a crucial consideration when purchasing. The TCL 20 SE’s camera isn’t the best in the $200 price range, but it’s not terrible. A quad-camera system is available for the rear. Because some international versions of this phone have a 16MP primary camera, it’s a little confusing.
All in all, I was happy with the cameras considering their low price. In low light, the primary camera suffers, but you can capture some decent images with a bit of effort outside. The loss of fine details and occasionally washed-out colors will be apparent, but you can still catch some beautiful landscape images with good lighting.
To see photos on my phone, I had to use NXTVISION optimization. Taking pictures on a laptop or tablet with the TCL 20 SE produces less-than-impressive results when viewed on the phone’s screen. Below is a Flickr collection with a few good photos taken with various cameras.
Hardware
The plastic back panel includes a light-bending pattern that elevates the aesthetic appeal. A shiny solid strip separates the dual-camera system from the four additional cameras on the far left. The fingerprint sensor is located in the upper third of the back, in the center of the phone’s backside.
After taking a closer look, I noticed that it’s not only huge but also reasonably thick, measuring in at 9.14mm. It’s one of the larger phones I’ve tested in a previous couple of years, and its large 5000 mAh battery is likely the reason for this.
Conclusion
If you want to play racing games or other games that require a lot of processing power, the TCL 20SE is not the best choice. Puzzle games and other non-moving games were fine, however.
High refresh rate screens have become so commonplace that returning to a 60Hz display for rapid web pages and long list scrolling is uncomfortable.
When it comes to smartphones under $200, you can’t go wrong with the TCL 20SE. The TCL 20 SE is a good option if you need a simple backup phone or a large phone for an elderly family member to use for communication.
If you want to compare this smartphone with others of a similar price range, please check here.
