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| TCL 40 SE |
TCL 40SE, Introduction
The TCL 40 SE is an affordable phone that offers great
value for your money. While some people might be hesitant about buying from a
lesser-known brand like TCL, this phone delivers several positive aspects that
make it a compelling choice for budget-conscious users.
One of the standout features of the TCL 40 SE is itsgenerous 128GB storage capacity, which is impressive for a phone in this price
range. Additionally, the design of the phone is remarkably premium, resembling
devices that cost much more. The large display ensures a comfortable experience
for video streaming and other multimedia activities, adding to the phone's
appeal.
On the downside, the TCL 40 SE lacks 5G connectivity,
which might be a drawback for those looking to take advantage of the latest
mobile internet speeds. The major downside, however, lies in its CPU
performance, which is quite poor. This leads to noticeable slowdowns throughout
the phone's usage, impacting various interactions, such as navigating menus,
launching apps, and even taking photos.
Despite these drawbacks, the real-world performance of
the TCL 40 SE is still somewhat manageable, serving as a minor annoyance rather
than an infuriating experience. If you can stretch your budget a bit, it's
advisable to invest in a slightly pricier phone to enjoy smoother day-to-day
operations. However, if budget constraints are a concern, the TCL 40 SE remains
a decent option, offering a good balance of features and affordability.
TCL
40 SE, Design and Build
1.
The TCL 40 SE
features an ergonomic and lightweight design, making it comfortable to hold and
carry around.
2.
The phone's
casing is made of simple yet sturdy plastic, which ensures durability and
protection.
3.
It comes
equipped with a slot for two SIM cards and one microSD card, offering
flexibility for users who need multiple lines or extra storage capacity.
Let's dive into a detailed review of the TCL 40 SE,
starting with its exterior design and practicality. While aesthetics should not
be the sole basis for choosing a smartphone, the design does speak to its
ruggedness and usability.
When unboxing the phone, I immediately noticed how light
it felt in my hands compared to my iPhone 13 Pro, weighing 14 grams less. The
TCL's taller dimensions took some getting used to, but it's essential to avoid
direct comparisons to much more expensive phones. Instead, it's better to
consider other models in the budget phone category, where the TCL 40 SE holds
its ground impressively.
The phone's plastic casing ensures sturdiness and resists
damage better than glass, making it practical for everyday use. I tested the
elegant grey color variant, though there's also a less discreet purple option
available. While TCL doesn't specify an IP certification for water and dust
resistance, the phone's build quality appears to be quite solid.
Handling the TCL 40 SE is comfortable thanks to its easy
grip, aided by the curved edges around the screen. However, using it
single-handedly can be a bit tricky, and I often found myself resorting to both
hands for a secure hold during usage.
The placement of buttons on the right side, including the
volume rocker and the fingerprint reader integrated into the unlock button,
allows for convenient one-handed operation. The fingerprint reader's wide
design ensures accurate and hassle-free unlocking.
On the left side, there is a slot for two SIM cards and a microSD card, providing flexibility for users with multiple lines or storage expansion needs. At the top, you'll find a speaker and a microphone, while the bottom houses another speaker, a USB-C port for charging, and a beloved 3.5mm headphone jack.
.webp "TCL 40 SE") |
| TCL 40 SE |
The back of the phone features a camera module with an
interesting layout. The cameras are neatly arranged inside a rectangle in the
top left corner. Within this module, there's another rectangle containing the
main camera, a secondary lens, and the flash. Additionally, there's a third
lens placed separately underneath the module.
TCL
40 SE, Display and Speakers.
• Display is limited to 720.
•
Refresh rate of 90Hz is adequate.
• Stereo sound quality is as anticipated.
The TCL 40 SE boasts a nearly bezel-less front
surface, with slim bezels that don't detract from the overall viewing
experience. The waterdrop-shaped notch at the top houses the front-facing
camera and is unobtrusive, though some may prefer more modern methods to
maximize screen real estate.
The phone features a 6.75-inch IPS LCD, which offers an
immersive audio-visual experience. However, one noticeable drawback is that TCL
still opts for an HD+ resolution (1600 x 720, 260 ppi). While this doesn't
significantly impact day-to-day use, it becomes more noticeable when watching
videos, as 720p is relatively low resolution compared to today's smartphone
standards.
The dimensions of the screen are ideal for enjoying
multimedia content, but it's reasonable to expect higher resolution in this
price range. Other low-end models, such as the Moto G62 or the Nokia G60, offer
Full HD+ resolution, which could be a potential consideration for users who
prioritize higher screen clarity. On the bright side, the TCL 40 SE features a
90Hz refresh rate, which provides smoother scrolling and interactions compared
to standard 60Hz displays, though not as impressive as the 120Hz found on some
other devices like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro.
Despite the resolution concern, the display quality is
generally good, though it may be harder to see in bright sunlight. Adjusting
the brightness manually or using the automatic function can help in such
situations.
Regarding audio, the TCL 40 SE includes two speakers—one
at the top and one at the bottom. When using the phone in landscape mode for
watching series or movies, this setup delivers stereo sound, enhancing the
audio experience.
The audio quality of the speakers is what you'd expect
from a phone in this price range. While it may not suffice for listening to
loud music at a party, it is sufficient for enjoying audio or video while
relaxing on the sofa.
For a
better experience, connecting headphones to the phone is recommended, although
bass response may still be lacking. Wired and Bluetooth headphones both provide
crisp and clear sound quality, offering a noticeable improvement over the
built-in speakers.
TCL
40 SE, Cameras
• Decent front camera lives up to expectations.
• Poor depth and macro lenses.
The camera setup of the TCL 40 SE hasn't seen
significant changes from its previous model, and unfortunately, it still lacks
an ultra-wide-angle or telephoto lens. This omission is puzzling, considering
that other budget phones already offer such features.
The rear camera system includes a 50MP main/macro camera
with a 1/2.55in sensor and f/1.8 aperture, a 2MP depth camera with a 1/5in
sensor and f/2.4 aperture, and another 2MP macro camera with a 1/5in sensor and
f/2.4 aperture. For selfies, there's an 8MP front-facing camera with a 1/4
sensor and f/2.0 aperture.
In good lighting conditions, the TCL 40 SE's camera
performs adequately, producing acceptable results with balanced colors and good
definition. However, there's a noticeable tendency for oversaturation, similar
to the style preferred by certain Android brands like Samsung.
Zooming in, however, presents a challenge as the phone
lacks a dedicated telephoto lens.
The
zoom is digital, resulting in unusable and blurred pictures when zoomed up to
x4, particularly evident in low-light or nighttime situations. The night mode
performs relatively well in dark environments, but it requires stability and
patience to achieve good results.
The phone features a macro lens and a depth lens, but
both suffer from mediocre performance. The macro lens activates automatically
when attempting to take a close-up picture, but the results are subpar and not
likely to be used. The depth lens works better, offering decent portrait mode
photos, but occasional blurriness is still an issue.
The front camera also struggles with portrait mode,
relying on software rather than an additional lens for the bokeh effect,
resulting in occasional detection errors, as seen in sample selfies.
TCL includes a Pro mode for those interested in adjusting
settings like ISO, saturation, exposure, black and white, and focus. However,
due to the camera's limitations, this feature may not be commonly used, and
users seeking more control over camera settings might prefer a more powerful
smartphone with better camera capabilities.
Regarding video capture, both front and rear cameras
support a maximum of 1080p at 30fps. The video quality is satisfactory for
recording and sharing special moments on social networks and messaging apps
like WhatsApp.
TCL
40 SE, Battery life and Charging
·
Long-lasting
battery.
·
slow charging (3
hours from 0% to 100%).
·
The box only
contains a cable.
The TCL 40 SE is equipped with a substantial 5,000 mAhbattery, which ensures it can easily provide all-day battery life without much
trouble. In practical tests, it has indeed proven its capability to last
through a day of moderate use without needing a mid-day recharge.
During PCMark's Work 3.0 battery test, the phone managed
to last for 7 hours and 25 minutes under very demanding circumstances, though
such conditions are unlikely to reflect typical day-to-day usage. It is worth
noting that this result is slightly behind its predecessor, which achieved 11
hours and 12 minutes, as well as rival phones like the Redmi Note 11.
In real-life usage, the TCL 40 SE impressed me with its
battery performance, considering its budget-friendly price tag of less than
£200/€200. Throughout a day away from home, which included using social media,
making calls, taking photos, and other activities, the phone still had
sufficient battery remaining to last until bedtime. This is a commendable feat
for a phone in this price range.
On the downside, the charging speed of the TCL 40 SE is
relatively slow. Charging the phone from zero to full took approximately three
hours, with 10% charge achieved in 15 minutes and 20% in 30 minutes. In
comparison, many current Android phones offer much faster charging speeds.
The phone comes with only a USB-C cable for charging, so
you'll need to use a power adapter from your previous device or purchase one
separately. This has become the industry norm, and although it may be a slight
inconvenience for some, it is a common practice among budget smartphones.
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| TCL 40 SE |
TCL
40 SE, Software and Apps
• The TCL 40 SE runs on Android 13 with TCL UI 5.0,
providing a polished and straightforward user interface.
• The interface is clean and simple, enhancing user
experience without unnecessary clutter.
• The phone comes without bloatware, ensuring streamlined
and hassle-free usage.
Software is a crucial aspect of a smartphone, and
it significantly impacts the overall user experience. The TCL 40 SE's software
offering contributes to its practicality and usability in various ways.
One notable advantage of the TCL 40 SE's software is that
it relies on essential functions without excessive bloatware. The phone comes
with only the necessary Google apps that most users would likely want to use,
keeping the interface clean and clutter-free. The absence of unnecessary
pre-installed apps ensures that users have more storage space available for
their preferences.
Moreover, the phone offers several customization options,
allowing users to tailor the interface to their liking. From panel settings to
game optimization and the ability to clone apps, these features enhance the
device's adaptability to individual needs and preferences.
The TCL 40 SE provides a fingerprint sensor on the side
button for unlocking the screen, which generally works reliably. However, some
users may encounter occasional issues where the function is disabled for a few
minutes due to multiple attempts to unlock with mistaken finger placements.
Facial recognition is also available on the phone, and it
performs acceptably in good lighting conditions. It allows fast and error-free
unlocking, though it may be less accurate in darker environments.
During testing, the phone's interface proved smooth to
navigate, and the features were conveniently placed where users would expect
them to be. However, personal preferences play a role, and some users may
prioritize aesthetics more than others.
While the TCL UI 5.0 (on Android 13) does
offer some simple customizations, it might not match the refined aesthetic of
Apple's iPhones, though it remains a recognizable Android interface with adaptable
menus and dark mode support.
Apart from usability and aesthetics, software must also
prioritize security and privacy. The inclusion of biometric features like
fingerprint and facial recognition enhances security.
However, another critical aspect is regular
software updates, which ensure that the device remains protected against
security vulnerabilities and receives the latest Android features.
Unfortunately, TCL does not specify how long the TCL 40 SE will receive the
latest Android version and security updates, which could be concerning for some
users. Other brands like Samsung offer more extended update support, typically
lasting four to five years.
For those looking to purchase a budget phone under£200/€200, it's essential to acknowledge that certain compromises may be necessary. However, if you prioritize good overall performance, can manage with a modest screen, and are content with an acceptable main camera, the TCL 40 SE is worth considering.
The phone's design is in line with what is typically
expected from a device in this price range. While the screen could have
benefited from a slightly higher resolution (a feature offered by some
competitors), the TCL 40 SE compensates for this with its impressive all-day
battery life.
