TCL 40 XL review
The TCL 40 XL suits someone buying a phone for video, reading, and battery life on a strict budget, and who does not game or edit media. Anyone who values sharp text or responsive performance should spend the extra money elsewhere.
This review is based on TCL’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the TCL 40 XL, 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 XL is a budget large-screen phone aimed at buyers who want battery life and display real estate over performance or camera finesse. At 140 EUR, it is a reasonable choice for video and reading, but underwhelming in sharpness and gaming capability.
Design & Build
At 167.9mm tall and 195g, the 40 XL is a big phone built to feel cheaper than it is. Glass front and plastic back with a plastic frame make sense at this price, but the phone feels hollow in hand, and the frame flexes slightly under pressure. The 8.8mm thickness is respectable, and the side-mounted fingerprint sensor is convenient for one-handed unlocking. The overall impression is functional rather than refined: it works, but reminds you constantly that you paid 140 EUR.
Display
The 6.75-inch screen is genuinely spacious for watching video or reading articles, and the 90Hz refresh helps scrolling feel smooth. But 720p resolution on a screen this large is a real compromise. At 260 ppi, individual pixels are visible if you hold the phone at a normal reading distance, especially in text or when browsing. A 1080p panel would have cost only a few euros more and would have made this display feel complete. Colors are decent and viewing angles acceptable for an IPS panel, but the low resolution undercuts what would otherwise be the phone's strongest feature.
Performance
The MediaTek Helio G37 is a 2023-era budget chip that handles everyday tasks, calls, messaging, and light browsing without noticeable lag. Older or less demanding games run fine, but new AAA titles or heavy video editing apps will stall. The 4GB RAM in the base model is minimal by 2024 standards and will force app reloads if you switch between multiple browsers or streaming apps. The 6GB variant provides some breathing room, but neither version transforms this into a capable multitasking device. For the price, it is what you should expect, but do not expect gaming or creative work.
Software
Android 13 with TCL UI adds a thin layer on top. The interface is clean and does not bog down the Helio G37, but there is no indication of update frequency or long-term support from TCL. Budget phones from Chinese OEMs often receive two years of security patches and one major OS update, if that. This is a consideration if you plan to keep the phone for more than a year.
Camera
The 50MP main sensor is a marketing number that masks an older, smaller detector. In daylight, it captures passable detail and colors are reasonably balanced, but the lack of optical stabilization means handheld 1080p video is shaky. The 2MP macro lens is nearly useless; macro mode on budget phones rarely produces anything sharper than a pinhole photo. Low-light performance is weak, with visible noise and detail loss once the sun dips. The 8MP front camera is adequate for video calls but nothing more. None of this is a surprise at 140 EUR, but it reinforces that this phone is not for photography hobbyists.
Battery & Charging
The 5000mAh cell is large and will carry the phone through a full day of light-to-moderate use, browsing, and calls. The 720p display and efficient Helio G37 help stretch battery life further than you might expect from the capacity alone. Charging details are missing from the spec sheet, but budget TCL phones typically ship with 18W or 10W adapters, which means a full recharge from empty takes 2–3 hours. There is no fast charging by 2024 standards, and no mention of wireless charging or reverse charging.
Value & Verdict Context
At 140 EUR, the TCL 40 XL competes with entry-level Motorolas and Samsungs at nearly identical prices. The screen size and battery are genuine strengths for someone commuting, reading, or watching video on a tight budget. The trade-off is a fuzzy 720p display, a weak chip, a mediocre camera, and uncertainty about software support. If performance and image quality matter to you at all, spending an extra 30–50 EUR on a Motorola G15 or A15 will give you sharper 1080p resolution and a faster chip. The 40 XL is a phone for someone who already knows they will not play games or edit photos, and who values screen real estate and runtime above all else.
Verdict
The TCL 40 XL suits someone buying a phone for video, reading, and battery life on a strict budget, and who does not game or edit media. Anyone who values sharp text or responsive performance should spend the extra money elsewhere.
- 6.75-inch display with 90Hz refresh, genuinely spacious for video and reading
- 5000mAh battery delivers solid single-day runtime on light to moderate use
- Large phone that is still reasonably thin and light at 8.8mm and 195g
- microSD slot for storage expansion up to 512GB
- 720p resolution on a 6.75-inch screen is blurry; noticeable pixelation in text and fine detail
- Helio G37 struggles with modern games and heavy apps; base 4GB RAM is tight for multitasking
- Budget build with plastic back and frame feels cheap; frame flexes under pressure
TCL 40 XL Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2023, February 26 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB 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 | 167.9 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.61 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
TCL 40 XL FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the 40 XL support 5G?
No. The 40 XL tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the 40 XL use?
The 40 XL runs on the Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm).
What display does the 40 XL have?
A 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 90Hz, 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density).
How big is the 40 XL battery?
The 40 XL has a 5000 mAh battery.
Does the 40 XL have NFC?
No, the 40 XL does not list NFC support.
Does the 40 XL support a microSD card?
Yes, the 40 XL supports expandable storage (microSDXC).
Alternatives to consider
If the 40 XL isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
50 XL 5G
40 NXTpaper Dual SIM
40 X 5G
40 NxtPaper 5G
Galaxy XCover 7
