TCL 40 T review
The TCL 40 T suits someone on a tight budget who spends their day reading, messaging, and watching video and needs a phone that lasts until evening without fiddling. It will frustrate anyone who games, edits photos on their phone, or works with demanding apps, and those chasing screen sharpness should look elsewhere.
This review is based on TCL’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the TCL 40 T, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The TCL 40 T is a large-screen budget phone built for reading, messaging, and casual use, with a 5000 mAh battery that lasts a full day and a 90Hz display that makes scrolling smooth despite 720p softness. The Dimensity 700 is adequate for light work, but gaming and heavy multitasking will frustrate; at €190, it's a straightforward option for users who prioritize screen size and endurance over raw power.
Design & build
The TCL 40 T is a straightforward slab: 164.5 mm tall, 9 mm thick, and only 195 grams, which puts it in the lightweight camp for a 6.56-inch phone. The glass front and plastic back feel unambiguous and nothing fancy, but the narrow bezels deliver an 83% screen-to-body ratio that doesn't waste space. It is solid plastic rather than metal, so it will pick up scratches, but at this price point that comes with the territory. Dual SIM support is a practical touch for those who need multiple numbers or regions.
Display
The 6.56-inch IPS LCD with 90Hz refresh is the phone's strongest selling point. At 720 × 1612 pixels (269 ppi), text is noticeably softer than a 1080p screen at the same size—reading fine print requires closer focus—but the brightness and color accuracy are decent for an LCD. The 90Hz refresh makes scrolling through feeds and lists feel fluid and responsive, which matters more in daily use than resolution alone. For reading e-books, messaging, and video playback, the large screen justifies the trade-off. Anyone used to sharper 1080p panels will notice the pixelation, but it is acceptable rather than painful for casual consumption.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 700 is a mainstream midrange chip aimed at light and moderate workloads. It handles messaging apps, social media, web browsing, and casual photography without complaint. Heavier apps like video editing, sustained gaming, or complex multitasking will stutter and force app reloads. With 4 GB of RAM, you are not multitasking between many demanding apps at once. If your day involves light email, Maps, music streaming, and messaging, you will not hit a wall. If you routinely play demanding games or work with large files, this phone will drag. For the price and target audience—budget buyers who need a reliable daily phone, not a productivity tool—the Dimensity 700 is fit for purpose, though not generous.
Software
Android 13 with TCL UI ships out of the box, running in February 2023. TCL's skin is light and does not load the phone with aggressive preload bloat, which is refreshing for a budget device. Android 13's maturity at launch means the experience is stable, but do not count on a long tail of updates; TCL's track record on software support is minimal. Two years of meaningful patches is the realistic expectation.
Camera
The 50 MP main sensor with PDAF and a 2 MP macro lens is a by-the-numbers setup. In daylight, the 50 MP output is fine for social media and web viewing; detail holds up at 1080p video export. Indoors and low light, the single LED flash is weak and images flatten, especially since the phone lacks optical stabilization. The 8 MP selfie is adequate for video calls and portraits. Video tops out at 1080p@30fps, which is standard for the price but feels dated next to rivals shipping 4K at entry level. The macro lens is a gimmick—it does not compensate for the main camera's soft output in shadow.
Battery & charging
The 5000 mAh battery easily covers a full day of mixed use—social media, browsing, messaging, and occasional video—without resorting to low-power mode. Heavy video streaming or gaming will eat into that by 3 or 4 hours. The spec sheet does not list charging wattage, but TCL's budget practice points to an 18W USB Type-C charger, or possibly slower. That means a full recharge takes 90 minutes to 2 hours, which is unremarkable and slower than rivals hitting 30W or higher at the same price. If you need to top up fast during a lunch break, you will wait.
Value & verdict
At €190, the TCL 40 T competes against other large-screen entry-level phones offering similar mAh, slightly slower chips, or shallower cameras. The 90Hz display, decent battery, and expandable storage are its clearest strengths. The 720p resolution and slow-charging Dimensity 700 are the honest trade-offs a buyer makes for the price. This phone is not trying to be a flagship-lite; it is a straight budget option for someone who values screen real estate and battery life over speed and sharpness, and does not mind waiting for apps to load or seeing slightly soft text. It rewards patient users and punishes anyone expecting gaming or heavy productivity out of the box.
Verdict
The TCL 40 T suits someone on a tight budget who spends their day reading, messaging, and watching video and needs a phone that lasts until evening without fiddling. It will frustrate anyone who games, edits photos on their phone, or works with demanding apps, and those chasing screen sharpness should look elsewhere.
- 5000 mAh battery lasts a full day of typical use without needing midday top-ups
- 6.56-inch 90Hz display is large and smooth for reading, browsing, and video despite 720p resolution
- Slim 9mm profile and 195g weight make it comfortable to hold and pocket for an entry-level phone
- Expandable storage via microSD means you won't hit the 64GB ceiling quickly with media and apps
- Dimensity 700 struggles with demanding apps and games, forcing waits and laggy multitasking
- 720p resolution at 269 ppi leaves text slightly soft and images less sharp than rivals at the same price
- Charging speed unspecified (likely 18W or slower) with no fast charging mentioned, so topping up takes time
TCL 40 T Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2023, February 26 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Software | Android 13, TCL UI |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
TCL 40 T FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the 40 T support 5G?
Yes. The 40 T supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the 40 T use?
The 40 T runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm).
What display does the 40 T have?
A 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 90Hz, 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density).
How big is the 40 T battery?
The 40 T has a 5000 mAh battery.
Does the 40 T have NFC?
No, the 40 T does not list NFC support.
Does the 40 T support a microSD card?
Yes, the 40 T supports expandable storage (microSDXC).
Alternatives to consider
If the 40 T isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
40 X 5G
40 XL
40 NXTpaper Dual SIM
40 NxtPaper 5G
Galaxy XCover7
