TCL has introduced two new phones to its expanding lineup of affordable 5G phones, the TCL 50 XL NxtPaper 5G and the TCL 50 XE 5G. Both of them released on June 26, 2024, but they are not targeted to the same user. The 50 XL will is priced at 24,990 and has a few enhancements that makes it the more competent of the two. Its sibling, which costs around 15,990, is simpler, and is aimed at the audience that prioritizes price over everything.
They share the same release date but that is where the similarities stop. The screens are contrastingly clear, the cameras contrastingly sharp, and the memory contrastingly large, all of which indicate the distance between the two in purpose as well as performance.
TCL 50 XL NxtPaper 5G vs TCL 50 XE 5G: Display
The design and quality of the displays is the first obvious difference between the two devices. TCL 50 XL NxtPaper 5G has a 6.78-inch IPS LCD display, with a resolution of 1080 by 2460 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of nearly 396 per inch. It has a 120 Hz refresh rate. The 50 XE 5G, in its turn, is equipped with a slightly smaller 6.56-inch screen. It has a resolution of 720 by 1612 pixels which yields a significantly lower density of about 269 pixels per inch, and is restricted to a maximum refresh rate of 90 Hz.
The XL is marginally better in terms of screen-to-body ratio at approximately 86.3 percent compared to the XE at 84 percent. They both have an aspect ratio of 20:9 and a punch-hole arrangement of the front camera, which is now standard in phones of this caliber. The XL stands out further because it uses NxtPaper technology, which is meant to help mitigate glare, reduce eye strain and enhance clarity, especially when used in the long term. It is not a minor upgrade to readers, viewers, or people who spend hours in front of their screens.
Performance and Memory
Beneath the surface, the TCL 50 XL NxtPaper 5G holds a modest edge, owing chiefly to its 6 GB of RAM, an increase over the 4 GB found in the TCL 50 XE 5G. Both models are fitted with 128 GB of storage, and each supports expansion through a microSD card of up to 1 TB, made possible via a hybrid SIM slot. Although the precise details of the processors remain unclear, the difference in memory alone suggests that the XL is better suited to handling multiple tasks at once or running more demanding applications.
For ordinary tasks like browsing, messaging, and the occasional game the XE may prove sufficient. Yet for those who intend to keep their handset over time, or who make regular use of complex apps, the extra memory offered by the XL will likely result in a smoother and more reliable experience.
TCL 50 XL NxtPaper 5G vs TCL 50 XE 5G: Camera Performance
Both handsets come with a trio of rear cameras: a 50-megapixel main lens, supported by a 5-megapixel wide-angle unit and a 2-megapixel sensor for depth. Standard features like HDR, panorama, LED flash, and video recording at 1080p and 30 frames per second are present on each. But the difference emerges clearly at the front.
The TCL 50 XL NxtPaper 5G includes a 32-megapixel front camera, which delivers sharper results in selfies and clearer images during video calls. The XE model, by contrast, offers only an 8-megapixel lens which is enough for basic use, but lacking the sharpness needed for those who use the front camera often. For people who rely on photos or virtual meetings, the XL’s offering is a marked improvement.
Battery and Charging
Let’s now see how TCL 50 XL NxtPaper 5G vs TCL 50 XE 5G looks like when it comes to battery and charging. On battery life, the two are evenly matched. Each carries a 5010 mAh lithium-polymer cell, sealed within the frame. Though exact charging speeds and usage times are not listed, the battery is large enough to support a full day of regular use. Differences in power draw, owing to the displays and refresh rates, may lead to some variation in how long each lasts. Even so, both phones are likely to hold up under the strain of daily tasks.
Software and Connectivity
Both the TCL 50 XL NxtPaper 5G and the TCL 50 XE 5G arrive with Android 14, granting users the latest system tools and improved safeguards. Their connectivity options leave little to be desired: support for 5G and 4G LTE is present, alongside VoLTE, dual-band Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB Type-C. Their navigation capabilities are broad as well, drawing from multiple satellite systems such as A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo, and QZSS to ensure precise location tracking.
Security features are on par. Each handset includes a fingerprint sensor placed along the side and face recognition for unlocking. Notably, both include a 3.5 mm headphone jack, now increasingly rare, and offer NFC, allowing for wireless payments and swift data sharing when needed.
Build, Size, and Appearance
Though they follow the same general form, the two devices differ slightly in their dimensions and mass. The XL variant stands at 167.6 by 75.5 by 8.2 millimetres, weighing nearly 199 grams. The XE model is smaller and lighter: 164.1 millimetres tall, 75 millimetres wide, and weighing 185 grams. Both designs are curved to fit comfortably in the hand and shaped with everyday use in mind.
Choice of colour is limited. The XL is offered in Space Blue, while the XE appears in a darker shade. Both use a punch-hole display on the front, a layout that keeps the viewing area clear and lends a modern appearance to the screen.
Conclusion
The XL is better in a few aspects: it has a sharper display, a more generous memory, and its front camera is much better to use on a regular basis. To people who use their phones as a media, multitasking, or video calling tool, it has an apparent benefit. These gains are however at a cost of 24990. The XE is more humble, but not austere at all. It costs 15,990, which gives you the basics: the same rear camera system, the same battery capacity, the same software, and almost the same connectivity.
It provides you with a lot of what counts, as long as you do not mind a less sharp screen and a more decent front camera. That trade-off will be fair to many, particularly to those who seek 5G at a cheaper price. In brief, the XL is the more sophisticated one of the two, designed to take more and to last longer. The XE, however, has good performance at a cheaper price, which is sufficient to meet the demands of the majority.
FAQs
Q1: What’s the main difference between these two phones?
The XL is priced at 24,990 and it has a sharper screen, more RAM, and a significantly improved selfie camera. The XE is priced at 15,990 and offers you the same features but without the premium upgrades.
Q2: Which phone has the better screen?
XL is the winner due to its 6.78-inch screen, 1080p resolution, and 120Hz refresh rate. The 6.56-inch screen of the XE runs at 720p and 90Hz. They both work, but one is obviously more clear.
Q3: What’s this NxtPaper technology about?
The XL also has TCL NxtPaper tech, which minimizes glare and eyestrain, so your eyes won’t get tired as you binge-watch Netflix. It is like reading glasses on your phone; your eyes will appreciate it later.
Q4: How much RAM do I get with each phone?
The XL has 6GB RAM and the XE comes with 4GB. They both have 128GB of storage.
