If the $180 TCL 40 X 5G were to get any software updates, it would rank among my top inexpensive phones in 2023. I had a great experience with the phone during my two weeks of use, and at $126 on Black Friday, it might be a good buy for someone who only needs a phone for a year or two. However, that is also its greatest flaw.
The TCL 40 X 5G will remain on an otherwise usable version of Android 13 when Google updates its Android operating system because it won’t receive any significant software updates. It will receive security updates for two years, keeping it safe from flaws. This is particularly noteworthy in light of the $200 Samsung Galaxy A14 5G’s two years of software updates and five years of security updates, which the TCL 40 X 5G otherwise compares favorably to in many areas.
But there are plenty of benefits to using the TCL 40 X 5G if you don’t mind the phone’s brief lifespan. Whether it was taken inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art or on the streets of Manhattan, its 50-megapixel primary camera produces good-looking images for the price in a range of lighting conditions. Its 6.5-inch, 720-pixel screen has a refresh rate of 90 Hz, which produces a smooth scrolling and animation effect. Additionally, it has TCL’s NxtVision HDR feature, which enhances color slightly when playing games or watching videos. With normal use, its 5,000 mAh battery lasts me roughly 1.5 days. Additionally, even though its slow Mediatek Dimensity 700 and 4GB of RAM prevent much multitasking, it has handled my games, texting, video calls, music playing, and news reading.
Overall, if you’re in the market for a phone right now, it might be a good choice, but the restricted software support is unacceptable given that other phones with similar prices offer more features. While comparable TCL 40 series phones are available internationally, the TCL 40 X 5G is exclusively available in the US market. The 40 X costs approximately £145, or AU$275.
TCL 40 X 5G design, performance
The TCL 40 X 5G has a matte starlight black finish and a distinct line pattern on the back of the device. Despite the phone’s body being made of plastic, it gives it a professional appearance. The phone has a headphone jack and an in-display fingerprint sensor on the side for unlocking. The bottom of the device has a single audio speaker that, although loud when I played music, had a tinny sound.
Though the sound quality was enhanced by the headphones, the screen’s color depth is usually reduced. At this price, I can live with a lower-resolution 720p display, but since TCL advertises that its NxtVision feature improves colors, I was hoping for a little more pop when I switched from reading an article to watching videos.
Even with NxtVision turned on, the colors of the show’s villa decor and ocean views on Netflix’s Surviving Paradise, for example, appeared muted on the screen of my TCL 40 X. The feature is meant to help distinguish between different color temperatures, such as those when I’m reading and watching TV, but it didn’t produce any amazing results on the 720p display.
Depending on how much you use the camera, the phone’s 64GB of storage may not seem like much, but it can be increased to 1TB with a microSD card. The phone tries to make the most of the 4GB of memory by displaying the amount on the multitasking menu, but it still feels insufficient. It managed to handle my typical multitasking routine, which consists of texting and reading the news while listening to music. But my web browser app had to reload whatever I was reading if I added a game or Duolingo to the mix.
The Mediatek Dimensity 700 processor in the TCL 40 X 5G, which is also present in the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, is capable of managing most basic tasks, albeit a little slowly. Because of the TCL phone’s 5G compatibility, I was never left waiting for an app to load, and I was able to download a game in a matter of minutes while commuting.
The phone can be charged wiredly at a speed of 18 watts. I was able to recharge the TCL 40 X 5G from 15% to 45% during my 30-minute charging test. That’s sufficient for a day’s worth of use, as it usually takes me about 1.5 days to deplete from 100% to 20%.
TCL 40 X 5G cameras
A 2-megapixel macro camera and a 2-megapixel depth sensor are included with the 50-megapixel primary camera of the TCL 40 X 5G. Even for a phone that costs $180, the camera does a respectable job, albeit without telephoto or ultrawide capabilities. I took it with me on a day trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where I managed to snap some decent street shots in addition to indoor exhibits. Motion blur was barely noticeable even in crowded situations, though none of the pictures are especially detailed.
I went to Vers in Hell’s Kitchen, New York, to test the TCL 40 X 5G in a less bright environment. Although the camera didn’t brighten up particularly dark areas, it still lit up the scene and my horchata cocktail.
Additionally, there’s a 50-megapixel camera mode that multiplies the photo’s file size to fit. Here are some comparison photos I took while out for a walk in Tampa at night. Even though I can see some of the enhanced details, I don’t think the 9.3MB photo versus the 3.8MB photo is really worth the file size increase, especially since there is only 64GB of onboard storage.
I do believe that the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G and the TCL capture images of about the same quality. This includes taking blurry front-facing camera pictures with both phones during selfies. The front-facing camera on the TCL phone is 8 megapixels, while the Galaxy A14 5G has a 13 megapixel camera.
TCL 40 X 5G bottom line
A capable phone, the $180 TCL 40 X 5G largely matches my current favorite under-$200 option, the $200 Samsung Galaxy A14 5G. Considering the phones at full retail, the $20 price difference does purchase a number of significant advantages. Support for contactless payments, two years of software updates, and five years of security updates are all included with the Samsung phone.
But, given that TCL is selling the phone for $126 on Black Friday, I can see it being a very alluring offer—as long as you realize that it won’t be functional after the two-year security support period ends. Additionally, you won’t be able to use Android 14, which is currently rolling out to phones getting significant software updates.
Thus, if you decide to take advantage of the offer, be aware that this is not a phone you should keep around for very long. However, I would think about comparable phones like the Galaxy A14 5G that will receive more years of support if the TCL 40 X isn’t marked down significantly.
TCL 40 X 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy A14 5G vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023)
| TCL 40 X 5G | Samsung Galaxy A14 5G | Moto G Stylus (2023) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display size, resolution | 6.56-inch; 1,612 x 720 pixels; 90Hz | 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD display, (1,400 x 1,080 pixels), 90Hz | 6.5-inch IPS LCD; 1,600×720; 90Hz refresh rate |
| Pixel density | 269 ppi | 268 ppi | 269 PPI |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.47 x 2.97 x 0.35 in | 6.6 x 3.07 x 0.36 in | 6.41 x 2.91 x 0.36 in |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 164.46 x 75.4 x 8.99 mm | 167.6 x 77.9 x 9.1 mm | 162.9 x 74.1 x 9.2 mm |
| Weight (ounces, grams) | 195 g (6.9 oz) | 203 g (7.19 oz) | 195 g |
| Mobile software | Android 13 | Android 13 | Android 13 |
| Camera | 50-megapixel (main), 2-megapixel (macro), 2-megapixel (depth) | 50-megapixel (main), 2-megapixel (macro), 2-megapixel (depth) | 50-megapixel (main), 2-megapixel (macro) |
| Front-facing camera | 8-megapixel | 13-megapixel | 8-megapixel |
| Video capture | 1080p at 30fps | 1080p at 30fps | 1080p at 30 fps |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 700 | MediaTek Dimensity 700 | MediaTek Helio G85 |
| RAM/Storage | 4GB + 64GB | 4GB + 64GB | 4GB + 64GB; 4GB + 128GB |
| Expandable storage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery/Charger | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh (15W charging) |
| Fingerprint sensor | Side | Side | Side |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Special features | 5G, 18W wired charging, TCL NxtVision | 5G-enabled, NFC, 15W charging | Stylus, Moto Gestures |
| Price off-contract (USD) | $180 | $200 | $200 |
| Price (GBP) | Converts to £145 | £179 | Converts to £158 |
| Price (AUD) | Converts to AU$275 | AU$379 | Converts to AU$295 |
How we test phones
The The Tech Fun reviews team tested phones that were all actually used in real life. We take pictures, play games, and test the features of phones. We check the display’s brightness, sharpness, and vibrancy. To determine how well it holds up and whether it has an IP-rating for water resistance, we examine the build and design. Using both our own anecdotal observations and standardized benchmark tools like GeekBench and 3DMark, we push the processor’s performance to its limits by navigating the interface, recording high-definition videos, and playing graphically demanding games at high refresh rates.
Every camera is put through its paces in a range of environments, from bright sunshine to dimly lit interiors. We test out features like night mode and portrait mode and compare our results with competing phones that are priced similarly. In addition, we perform a number of battery drain tests and use the phone every day to monitor the battery life.
We also consider other potentially useful features, such as 5G support, satellite connectivity, fingerprint and face sensors, stylus support, fast charging speeds, and foldable displays. And we weigh all of this against the cost to determine whether that phone—at whatever price—really offers good value for the money. We perform long-term and follow-up testing most of the time, even though these tests might not always be included in The Tech Fun initial review.
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