The TCL 50 XL 5G is a budget-friendly phone priced at $160, offering a range of features that are typically found in higher-end models. It includes a 6.78-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, NFC contactless payments, and runs on Android 14 with 128GB of storage. While it may lack some software update support compared to other phones in its price range, it still offers a lot of value for the price.
The phone has a large circular camera bump that houses a wide, ultrawide, and depth sensor, as well as an 8-megapixel selfie camera. The camera performance seems to be decent, with balanced colors in images, but struggles with capturing fine details. The front-facing camera produces slightly blurry photos, but is adequate for video calls. The large camera bump also makes it easy to line up the rear camera for better quality shots.
In terms of design, the TCL 50 XL features a textured-plastic back that feels somewhat like leather, with a slippery plastic feel. The standout feature remains the 6.78-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,080p resolution, along with NxtVision HDR settings that enhance color saturation for videos and games. The phone also includes dual speakers, a headphone jack, and a MediaTek Dimensity 6100 Plus processor with 6GB of memory.
Despite some limitations in software support and camera performance, the TCL 50 XL offers a lot of value for its price point. The large display, NFC contactless payments, and decent performance make it a functional and affordable option for those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone. While it may not compete with higher-end models in terms of features and performance, it still provides a good overall experience for everyday tasks and media consumption.
