Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs TCL 50 SE - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
TCL 50 SE
TCL 50 SE
Tcl

General

Launch Date September 22, 2023 April 8, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 97.64 cm³ 102.86 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.33 "/g 3.48 "/g
Weight 201 g 195 g
Height 160.9 mm 168.2 mm
Width 77.8 mm 75.5 mm
Thickness 7.8 mm 8.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Yellow
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Pink
  • Space Gray
  • Midnight Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.78 "
Resolution 1290 x 2796 1080 x 2460
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88 % 86 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 396 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 550 nits
HBM Brightness 1000 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 2000 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 97.64 mAh/in² 108.99 mAh/in²
Battery Density 44.89 mAh/cm³ 48.71 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4383 mAh 5010 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Apple GPU (5-core graphics) Mali-G52 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 17 14
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureApple iPhone 15 PlusTCL 50 SEPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8168.2 x 75.5 x 8.1iPhone 15 Plus is slightly shorter, narrower, and thinner. TCL 50 SE is marginally taller and thicker.
Weight (g)201195Negligible weight difference in practical usage.
Build MaterialsNot specifiedNot specifiedMaterial differences can impact durability and premium feel, but we lack this information.
Display
Display TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDIPS LCDiPhone's OLED offers significantly better contrast, deeper blacks, and wider viewing angles. TCL's IPS LCD is generally less vibrant.
Display Size (inches)6.76.78Negligible size difference.
Resolution1290 x 27961080 x 2460iPhone has a much sharper display with higher pixel density (460 ppi vs 396 ppi), resulting in crisper text and images.
Refresh Rate (Hz)Not specified90A higher refresh rate on the TCL 50 SE results in smoother scrolling and animations. The lack of information for the iPhone prevents a direct comparison, but iPhones typically operate at 60Hz.
Peak Brightness (nits)2000Not specifiediPhone's significantly higher peak brightness ensures better visibility in direct sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetApple A16 Bionic (4 nm)Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm)A16 Bionic is a significantly more powerful chip, resulting in much faster performance in demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
CPUHexa-coreOcta-coreWhile TCL has more cores, the architecture and performance per core of the A16 are superior, leading to better overall performance.
GPUApple GPU (5-core)Mali-G52 MC2Apple's GPU offers significantly better graphics performance for gaming and visually intensive applications.
RAM6GB6GBSame RAM capacity.
Storage256GB/512GB256GBiPhone offers a 512GB storage option, providing more space for apps, photos, and videos.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)43835010TCL 50 SE has a larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life. Real-world usage will vary.
Camera
Video CapabilitiesUp to 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps1080p@30fpsiPhone offers superior video recording capabilities with higher resolution and frame rates, including slow-motion recording.
Specific sensor/lens detailsMissingMissingLack of information prevents detailed camera comparison.
Software
OSiOS 17Android 14Different operating systems cater to different user preferences and ecosystems.

2. Key Differences Analysis

iPhone 15 Plus Advantages:

  • Significantly higher performance: The A16 Bionic chip provides a vastly superior user experience for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Superior display: The OLED screen offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and higher resolution.
  • Better video recording: Supports higher resolutions and frame rates.

TCL 50 SE Advantages:

  • Larger battery capacity: Potentially longer battery life.
  • Higher refresh rate display: Smoother scrolling and animations.
  • Lower price (inferred): While not explicitly stated, TCL phones generally target a more budget-conscious market.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

iPhone 15 Plus: Users who prioritize performance, a premium display, a robust app ecosystem, and high-quality video recording. Ideal for demanding tasks, gaming, and content creation.

TCL 50 SE: Users who prioritize battery life, a large screen, and affordability. Suitable for everyday tasks, media consumption, and casual gaming.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your budget? The iPhone 15 Plus is expected to be significantly more expensive.
  2. What are your performance needs? For demanding tasks and gaming, the iPhone is far superior.
  3. What operating system do you prefer? iOS and Android offer different experiences.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Heavy user, gamer, content creator: iPhone 15 Plus
  • Casual user, budget-conscious, long battery life needed: TCL 50 SE

My Choice: Apple iPhone 15 Plus

While lacking specific details on certain aspects, the iPhone 15 Plus's superior performance, display quality, and video recording capabilities are compelling. The A16 Bionic chip alone provides a significantly better user experience for demanding tasks and ensures future-proofing. Although the TCL 50 SE offers a larger battery and higher refresh rate, these advantages don't outweigh the performance gap and the premium visual experience offered by the iPhone. I prioritize a smooth and responsive user experience, and the iPhone 15 Plus is clearly the better choice in that regard. The lack of camera specifics limits a full assessment, but based on Apple's track record, I'd expect a superior camera experience as well.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.