TCL 50 5G review
Pick this if you spend most time calling, texting, and watching video, and you're willing to live with a dimmer, lower-res screen and slower charging to save money. Skip it if you use your phone outdoors often, play demanding games, or want a genuinely snappy device—50–80 EUR more gets you noticeably better brightness, resolution, and performance."
This review is based on TCL’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the TCL 50 5G, 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 50 5G is a budget 5G phone aimed at users who want network access and a big screen without breaking the bank, but the 720p display and modest Dimensity 6100+ chip mean you'll notice the compromises in brightness and everyday snappiness.
Design & build
At 183.5g and 8.3mm thick, this is a phone that doesn't try to be thin or light; it sits squarely in the practical middle, comfortable to hold without being remarkable. IP54 splash resistance is a genuine convenience feature at this price, though it's the lesser water-resistance rating (splashes only, not submersion). The frame and back materials aren't specified in the sheet, which often signals plastic-heavy construction—not unusual for 160 EUR, but worth knowing if durability matters to you. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor works, though it's slower to unlock than modern phones with in-display options. Nano-SIM plus eSIM is standard now and appreciated.
Display
The 6.6-inch screen is capacious and the 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling feel reasonably smooth, but here's the rub: 720p resolution at 267 ppi means small text looks slightly fuzzy, and 480 nits brightness is well below what you need for comfortable daylight viewing. Rivals at this price now routinely hit 1080p and 500+ nits. The IPS panel delivers okay angles and color, but the dim screen and low pixel density stack together as the phone's most visible everyday shortcoming. If you're squinting to read on sunny days or feeling like your Instagram feed looks a bit soft, the display is the culprit.
Performance
The Dimensity 6100+ is a mainstream entry-level chip: it handles texting, calling, light browsing, YouTube, and casual gaming (lightweight titles at low settings) without stuttering. But it's not a speed demon. Demanding 3D games, heavy multitasking, or video editing will highlight its limits. App launch times are acceptable, not instant. For the use case—calling, messaging, social apps, navigation—it's adequate. If you plan to run multiple apps at once or play anything that asks the GPU to work hard, you'll feel the shortage of power. The 4GB RAM is tighter than the 6GB becoming standard in this tier, which means you'll reload apps more often if you switch between several.
Software
Android 14 arrives out of the box with a planned upgrade to Android 15, which is a modest promise for a 2024 budget phone. TCL's software skin is usually restrained, meaning you won't be drowning in bloat, but the update timeline beyond one major version bump is unclear. Long-term software support isn't a strong point for budget brands, so don't expect security patches for more than 2–3 years.
Camera
The 50MP main camera is a typical mid-range sensor: a 1/2.5-inch 0.7µm device with f/1.8 aperture and autofocus sounds decent on paper, and in good light it captures usable detail. In dim settings or against high contrast, noise and loss of sharpness become obvious. The 5MP ultrawide is a token gesture—ultra-wide shots are softer and noisier than the main cam, and the narrower sensor (1/5.0-inch, 1.12µm) shows why budget phones rarely nail the ultrawide. Video is capped at 1080p 30fps, which is behind phones that now offer 1080p 60fps as standard. The 8MP selfie camera is functional for video calls and social media but not for detailed shots. HDR and LED flash round out a competent but not exciting package.
Battery & charging
The 5010 mAh battery should deliver about a full day of mixed use (calls, messaging, browsing, video watching), with a day-and-a-half under lighter use and evening depletion under heavy gaming. That's ordinary for the 2024 budget tier, nothing special but nothing to complain about. The charging rate isn't specified in the materials, though GSM Arena data shows 18W, which is slow compared to 30–65W rivals now common at this price. Expect around 2–2.5 hours to fully charge, making this a phone you'll need to plan around if you're out all day.
Value & verdict-context
At roughly 160 EUR, the TCL 50 5G competes with Motorola, Samsung A-series, and other entry-level 5G phones. It lands in a crowded segment where 5G is now the baseline, not a premium. The real question is how you weigh specs against practicality. The big screen and all-day battery suit someone doing basic tasks: calling, texting, maps, YouTube, casual social apps. The display and performance mean you're accepting visible compromises—a duller, softer screen and a processor that won't impress. The microSD slot is a real win for storing media without paying for more storage. If brightness and snappiness matter less to you than size and battery life, and your budget is tight, this makes sense. If you watch video or play games regularly, or spend time outdoors in bright sun, look upmarket by 50–80 EUR for a brighter, crisper screen and faster chip.
Verdict
Pick this if you spend most time calling, texting, and watching video, and you're willing to live with a dimmer, lower-res screen and slower charging to save money. Skip it if you use your phone outdoors often, play demanding games, or want a genuinely snappy device—50–80 EUR more gets you noticeably better brightness, resolution, and performance."
- Large 6.6-inch screen suits video and web browsing, and the 90Hz refresh keeps scrolling feeling smooth.
- 5010 mAh battery runs a full day on mixed use without fussing; microSD slot lets you expand storage affordably for photos or video.
- IP54 splash resistance and NFC are genuine conveniences at the budget end; eSIM support is forward-thinking.
- 480 nits brightness and 720p resolution mean the screen is dim in sunlight and small text looks soft compared to phones at this price in 2024.
- 18W charging is slow; expect 2–2.5 hours to fill the battery, and rivals now routinely double or triple that speed.
- Dimensity 6100+ with 4GB RAM feels dated; app switching reloads apps more often, and anything beyond basic use reveals its limits.
TCL 50 5G Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, February 26 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.5", 0.7µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Battery | 5010 mAh |
| Software | Android 14, planned upgrade to Android 15 |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.1 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 183.5 g (6.49 oz) |
| Durability | IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
TCL 50 5G FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the 50 5G support 5G?
Yes. The 50 5G supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the 50 5G use?
The 50 5G runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm).
What display does the 50 5G have?
A 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density).
How big is the 50 5G battery?
The 50 5G has a 5010 mAh battery.
Does the 50 5G have NFC?
Yes, the 50 5G has NFC.
Is the 50 5G water resistant?
The 50 5G carries a IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) rating.
Does the 50 5G support a microSD card?
Yes, the 50 5G supports expandable storage (microSDXC).
Alternatives to consider
If the 50 5G isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
50 Pro NXTpaper 5G
50 NXTpaper 5G
50 Pro NxtPaper
50 XL 5G
Galaxy M06 5G
