TCL 605 review
The TCL 605 suits people in developing markets who want a large, light phone for messaging and video on a tight budget. Skip it if you value display sharpness, outdoor brightness, gaming, or rapid app switching—these aren't its strengths.
This review is written with AI assistance from TCL’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the TCL 605, 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 605 is a big, light, budget Android phone that prioritizes screen size and battery life over performance or display clarity. It's a decent fit for messaging and video in developing markets, but the 720p screen is grainy and the chipset stutters on anything demanding.
Design & Build
At 190g and 8.3mm, the TCL 605 is pocket-friendly and light enough for one-handed use if you have reasonable hands. The glass front and plastic frame-and-back feel ordinary for the price, and the IP54 rating shields it from dust and water splashes, though it won't survive a dunk. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner works quickly enough in daily use. The thin profile is nice, but it also means the phone is more prone to flexing under pressure—not a dealbreaker, but something to keep in mind if you're rough with devices.
Display
The 6.7-inch screen is genuinely large and comfortable for video and reading, and 90Hz refresh makes scrolling feel smooth. But here's the catch: 720 x 1600 pixels on a 6.7-inch panel gives you only 262 ppi, and you will see pixelation on text and icons at normal viewing distance. It's not unusable, but it's noticeable if you've handled phones with 1080p or sharper screens. The 480-nit peak brightness is another limitation; indoors and overcast it's fine, but in bright sunlight the screen becomes hard to read without cranking the brightness slider. The IPS LCD panel reproduces colors flatly, which is typical for this tier but not a strength.
Performance
The MediaTek Helio G81 is entry-level silicon designed for everyday tasks, not gaming. It handles messaging, light browsing, social media, and YouTube without fuss. Open multiple apps or switch between them heavily and you'll see pause. Intensive 3D games or video editing will make the phone stall noticeably. If your day is built on casual use—texting, email, casual social media, light web browsing—it's adequate. If you're into mobile games or heavy multitasking, step up to a midrange chipset.
Camera
The 50MP main camera captures acceptable photos in good light, and the f/1.8 aperture and PDAF help with focusing speed. But 50MP on budget hardware means the software relies on pixel-binning to deliver usable images, and detail isn't as sharp as a true 50MP sensor on a pricier phone. Low-light photos are soft and noisy. Video is capped at 1080p@30fps, which is standard for this tier but underwhelming in 2025. The 5MP selfie camera is basic and will produce thin, web-quality results. For casual snapshots it's serviceable, but don't expect portraits or night shots to impress.
Battery & Charging
The 5200 mAh cell comfortably lasts a full day on moderate use—texting, browsing, video streaming. A heavier day of video calls or gaming will push you toward the evening, and you'll want to charge. The spec sheet doesn't mention charging wattage clearly, but TCL typically pairs phones in this tier with 18W charging, which is slow by today's standards; rivals at this price now offer 30W or more. Plan on about 90 minutes to full charge, which is sluggish for a phone in 2025.
Software
Android 15 is current and should deliver reasonable support. TCL's skin is light, and the phone launches with a clutter-free home screen, which is refreshing compared to bloat-heavy phones at similar prices. Updates are a question mark for budget TCL devices—the company's track record on post-launch patches isn't reliable, so don't count on more than a year or two of meaningful updates.
Value & Verdict
At roughly €160, the TCL 605 is cheap, and the large screen and long battery life make it an obvious choice if you're on a tight budget and your use case is straightforward. It's a phone for people who message, watch videos, and browse, not creators or gamers. The weak display resolution and entry-level chipset are real trade-offs, and there's no hiding from the fact that 720p on a 6.7-inch screen shows its age. But for the money, the size-to-price ratio is hard to beat in markets where every euro counts.
Verdict
The TCL 605 suits people in developing markets who want a large, light phone for messaging and video on a tight budget. Skip it if you value display sharpness, outdoor brightness, gaming, or rapid app switching—these aren't its strengths.
- Large 6.7-inch screen and 90Hz refresh for a phone under €160, making it a good deal for video and reading
- 5200 mAh battery delivers a full day on moderate use—texting, browsing, social media
- Lightweight at 190g and only 8.3mm thick, easy to pocket and hold for long periods
- Expandable storage via dedicated microSD slot, useful for those who shoot video or download offline content
- 720p resolution on a 6.7-inch screen means visible pixelation and text fuzziness at normal viewing distance
- MediaTek Helio G81 is entry-level; it handles apps and casual browsing but will lag on multitasking and stall on demanding games
- 480-nit display brightness is weak outdoors in direct sunlight, washing out content on a sunny day
TCL 605 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2025, March 03 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G81 (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Battery | 5200 mAh |
| Software | Android 15 |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 76.2 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Durability | IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
TCL 605 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the 605 support 5G?
No. The 605 tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the 605 use?
The 605 runs on the Mediatek Helio G81 (12 nm).
What display does the 605 have?
A 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density).
How big is the 605 battery?
The 605 has a 5200 mAh battery.
Does the 605 have NFC?
Yes, the 605 has NFC.
Is the 605 water resistant?
The 605 carries a IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) rating.
Does the 605 support a microSD card?
Yes, the 605 supports expandable storage (microSDXC (dedicated slot)).
Alternatives to consider
If the 605 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
NXTpaper 11 Gen 2
60R 5G
60 SE NXTpaper 5G
60 5G
Galaxy M17e
