The TCL 50 XL 5G: A Mid-Range Marvel or Just Another Budget Phone?
The Indian smartphone market is a battlefield, dude. Every month, some new contender storms in, waving specs like a Black Friday sale flyer—*”Look at me! I’ve got more megapixels than your ex has regrets!”* But here’s the twist: TCL, the underdog best known for TVs (and, let’s be real, those weirdly addictive budget displays), is now throwing its hat into the 5G ring with the TCL 50 XL 5G. Priced under ₹20,000, this thing promises a big screen, faster-than-your-WiFi 5G, and a battery that might outlast your last relationship. But is it legit, or just another shiny distraction for the budget-hungry masses? Let’s dig in.
—
Big Screen, Bigger Promises
First up: that 6.78-inch display. TCL’s flexing a 120Hz refresh rate—smooth enough to make your TikTok doomscrolling feel like a cinematic masterpiece. For under ₹20K? *Seriously?* Most phones in this price range still treat 90Hz like a luxury upgrade, so this is either a genius move or a desperate plea for attention.
But here’s the catch: a big screen is useless if it’s duller than a department store mannequin. TCL’s banking on its NXTVISION tech (fancy talk for “colors that don’t look like dishwater”) to stand out. And with a 5010mAh battery, you’d think this thing could last through a *Lord of the Rings* marathon. But hold up—18W charging? In 2024? That’s slower than a clearance-line checkout. Xiaomi and Realme are out here offering 33W or even 67W in this range. TCL, sweetie, we need to talk.
—
5G or Just a Fancy Gimmick?
Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room: 5G. Yeah, it’s the buzzword every brand slaps on their box like a “SALE” sticker. But here’s the thing—India’s 5G rollout is still patchier than your local thrift store’s sweater selection. So, does the TCL 50 XL 5G actually future-proof you, or is it just a marketing checkbox?
On paper, it’s got the goods: dual SIM 5G, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, NFC (hello, Google Pay!). But real talk—how many people in this price bracket are even tapping into 5G yet? It’s like buying a gym membership because you *might* start working out next year. Still, if you’re the type who upgrades phones as often as your Instagram bio, this could be a sneaky-good long-term play.
—
Camera, Performance, and the “But Wait…” Moments
Now, the 50MP camera. Sounds impressive until you remember megapixels are the *”free coffee refills”* of smartphone marketing—nice, but not the whole story. Without solid software tuning, that 50MP sensor might as well be a potato. Early reviews suggest it’s… fine. Daylight shots? Decent. Low light? *Eh.* But hey, at least there’s a headphone jack (RIP, iPhone users) and expandable storage—two things budget buyers actually care about.
Under the hood, the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ is… *serviceable*. It’ll handle WhatsApp, YouTube, and the occasional *BGMI* session, but don’t expect flagship-level speed. The real win? Lightweight software. No bloatware, no nonsense—just Android doing its thing. After years of brands cramming their apps down our throats (*cough* Samsung *cough*), this is a breath of fresh air.
—
The Verdict: Should You Wallet-Dive?
Here’s the breakdown: The TCL 50 XL 5G isn’t perfect. That charging speed is a letdown, and the camera won’t dethrone the Pixel 6a. But for ₹20K? It’s a solid “bang-for-your-buck” pick—especially if you want a big screen, 5G bragging rights, and a battery that won’t quit before lunch.
TCL’s playing the long game here. They’re not trying to out-spec the giants; they’re offering *just enough* to make budget shoppers pause mid-scroll. So, if you’re eyeing this phone, ask yourself: Do you need 5G now, or are you cool waiting? Is that screen worth the slower charging?
Either way, one thing’s clear—the mid-range market just got a little more interesting. And hey, at least it’s not another boring rehash of the same old specs. *Case closed.*