The juggernaut TCL, now a must in televisions, is tackling the smartphone shelves for good. While he has decided to focus his Alcatel brand on entry-level smartphones, he is launching his second series of mobiles in his own name. Alongside budget smartphones - the TCL 20 SE (€ 149), the 20L (€ 229) and the 20L + (€ 269) -, TCL delivers its first high-end 5G phone: the TCL 20 Pro 5G, which we were able to test. Between slick design, meticulous finishes, balanced configuration and photo modules without chinoiserie, this first foray into the range of devices around € 550 is a successful trial run.
A very successful design
TCL’s bias with its 20 Pro 5G? Offer high-end services at a contained price. And we can say that on the form, the mission is successful. On the color side, the manufacturer has bet, in addition to a matte black, on an iridescent blue whose competing models sporting the same style, especially at Honor and Huawei, have met with great success. In this version, the back of the TCL 20 Pro 5G has its effect, with its slightly darker strip emphasizing the photo sensors. It is extended by an aluminum ringing sound of the same tone which enshrines its curved screen.
On the back, metal is not one of the materials used to dress it and for good reason: a resistant plastic was preferred because of the 5G antenna which tends to heat the devices. A choice of reason which also has an impact on its weight: 190 grams.
To stand out from smartphones with bulky photo sensors, TCL preferred to integrate them completely into the case (9.07mm thick). As a result, the phone is not wobbly when placed on a flat surface. And the sensors are less prone to shocks and breakage when the device is protected by its transparent shell delivered in its box.
On the bottom edge of the device are the speaker, the USB Type-C port as well as the drawer for receiving SIM card and micro SD cards.
On the right side, there is the traditional ignition / unlock button as well as the sound adjustment buttons.
On the upper edge, fans of wired headphones will not be disappointed since there is a jack port.
A beautiful smart display
Champion of innovations on its TV screens, TCL has taken care of that of its smartphone. The TCL 20 Pro 5G thus sports a very large 6.67-inch screen. Its edges are curved to provide a premium finish. Even if discreet little black bands are present at the top and bottom of the screen, it occupies 93% of the front panel and thus offers a very comfortable reading surface.
TCL has chosen to spare the battery and contain the price of the TCL 20 Pro 5G by providing it only with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. The brand has nevertheless incorporated an innovation coming from its expertise in TV: technology NXT Vision 2.0. This automatically upscales SDR video content to HDR. This improvement allows you to enjoy videos with more vivid colors, better adjusted contrast and enhanced sharpness even if the source is in standard quality.
TCL also allows to customize the “warmth” of the display according to its sensitivity: standard, bright, natural and advanced to adjust the color temperature manually.
A fingerprint sensor is also integrated at the bottom of the screen for its biometric unlocking. And despite its large size (164.2 mm in length), it can be operated with one hand thanks to a feature that allows you to slide up (display settings), down (app store) and sides from the middle of the screen without having to make large gaps with your fingers. A good point !
A price-driven configuration
Marketed at € 549, TCL had to make compromises for its 20 Pro 5G. Rather than a Snapdragon 888 processor, the brand preferred a Snapdragon 750G, released in 2020, commonly found on mid-range smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G where the OnePlus Nord CE 5G. It is supported by 6 GB of RAM.
Geekbench and 3D Mark
Everything remains largely sufficient for classic use, but also to gently run 3D games, even the most greedy.. A game mode can even be activated to focus the performance of the device on the game and cut some functionality. It also allows you to use photo and video editing software without problem of fluidity and overheating.
On the storage side, the TCL 20 Pro 5G houses a storage space with a capacity of 256 GB. A very generous space that can be enlarged up to 1TB with a microSD card.
An interface that can be customized as desired
The TCL 20 Pro 5G runs under Android 11 and benefits with a discreet overlay from the manufacturer, the TCL UI in version 3.0.3. This offers new features, such as the display of notification mini-bubbles that allow you to open a floating window in order to reply to a message without interrupting the tasks in progress.
The smartphone also allows you to share your screen in order to display two windows simultaneously. A very practical solution, for example when you want to consult an application or the internet while listening to music on an audio streaming application in its free version, such as Youtube or Spotify. The flow is no longer interrupted since the apps do not detect the other window.
Other very practical modes are also available: such as using the “one-handed” smartphone, the default size of which can be chosen (3.5 inches, 4 inches, etc.). It is also possible to activate a sidebar on which you can display your favorite applications and functions.
Finally, the TCL 20 Pro 5G is equipped with an intelligent quick launch button on its left edge. It too can be personalized through three gestures: a single press, two presses and a long press to intuitively access its most used applications and functions, for example.
Photo: sincerity in the clichés
The TCL 20 Pro 5G has not fallen into the pixel hype that other major manufacturers engage in. There are 4 rear sensors:
- 48-megapixel wide-angle Sony IMX582 (f / 1.79) with optical stabilizer
- An ultra wide-angle (123 °) of 16 megapixels, (f / 2.4)
- A 5 megapixel macro (f / 2.2)
- A 2-megapixel depth-of-field sensor (f / 2.4)
As for the sensor intended for selfies, it is not in the lace with its 32 megapixels.
In practice, TCL stands out positively on this point from its Chinese competitors. Because rather than impose an artificial intervention allowing to boost (sometimes a little too much) the clichés, the manufacturer made the bet of sincerity. The photos thus faithfully reproduce the colors as seen “with the naked eye”. even if it is still possible to activate artificial intelligence.
Several modes facilitating shooting can also be activated: super night, super macro, portrait, panoramic and pro for more advanced settings. An effect mode, which inserts three types of light traces for night photos, is also part of the game.
Result, the TCL 20 Pro 5G gets a high score after being passed to the top-rope by DxOMark: 117. For comparison, it is thus placed above the Samsung galaxy s21 and S21 + 5G (score of 116) or the Huawei P40 (112), but also old references, such as the Huawei P30 Pro or the Google Pixel 4.
The wide-angle does not distort the edges as it often does. Image is true to light conditions, although drawing a little on the white, environment obliges.
The 5x zoom gives a very satisfactory result.
On the other hand, the 10x zoom barely a bit, with a fog that appears on the pictures.
Another test, in a less white environment at wide angle then in 5x zoom.
Indoors, the TCL 20 Pro 5G reproduces scenes without boosting them. Artificial lights still produce a white halo.
In medium brightness, no problem. The colors of the scene are perfectly reproduced, without artificial intelligence.
The super macro mode is quite impressive. the pictures are of millimeter precision and the details are well respected.
For two night photos, two options: automatic mode one special night mode. The latter accentuates the light sources to give more depth to the photos.
In automatic mode, again the rendering is faithful to what the photographer’s eye perceives.
More artistic modes with interpretation of light are also on the menu. Example with a stylized landscape in master canvas.
Autonomy in the nails
With a battery of 4500 mAh, the TCL 20 Pro 5G is tough enough to withstand a whole day without being recharged. This is thanks to its configuration that does not consume much resources. Obviously, it melts more quickly if it is very busy (video games, video streaming, etc.), but can last more than a day in “normal” mixed use.
The TCL 20 Pro 5G comes with a fast charger of 18W which allows to regain 50% of capacity in about thirty minutes. To fully reinflate the battery, it is necessary to count around 1h45. The smartphone is also compatible with 15W wireless charging and also allows reverse charging, for example to reboost raplapla Bluetooth headphones.
Competition update
If we stick to its price of € 549, the TCL 20 Pro 5G sits between the middle and the top of the range. Facing it, a handful of competitors offer a similar configuration, including the same Snapdragon 750G processor. Among 5G smartphones, it can therefore be compared to the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G (€ 379), but the latter only offers 128 GB of storage and a screen that does not compare. Another device, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G (€ 399) whose screen is refreshed to 90 Hz. The fact remains that the TCL 20 Pro 5G largely surpasses them for its photo capabilities, which is a decisive choice criterion.
A little step above in power, the Google Pixel 4a 5G (€ 499) released almost a year ago, competes in photo, but not in design and autonomy. Finally, the Oppo Find X3 Lite (€ 449), is limited by the inability of its users to expand its memory beyond 128 GB of storage, since there is no space for a memory card.
Conclusion
The TCL 20 Pro 5G is a successful foray into the “almost” high end. The manufacturer has relied on a very successful design and above all a magnificent screen, derived from his experience in TV, to assert his skills in the field. Its photography capabilities are also notable thanks to the very natural shots it offers while allowing AI addicts to boost their shots or apply filters for their social networks. These performances explain why TCL preferred to offer a more modest configuration so as not to explode the price of its device. The TCL 20 Pro 5G is therefore a budget-wise choice for users looking for a 5G device that throws in and lots of pictures.
