Apple iPhone 15 Pro 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 85.9 cm³ 102.86 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.26 "/g 3.48 "/g
Weight 187 g 195 g
Height 146.6 mm 168.2 mm
Width 70.6 mm 75.5 mm
Thickness 8.3 mm 8.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black Titanium
  • White Titanium
  • Blue Titanium
  • Natural Titanium
  • Space Gray
  • Midnight Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.78 "
Resolution 1179 x 2556 1080 x 2460
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.2 % 86 %
Pixel Density 461 PPI 396 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness 1000 nits 550 nits
HBM Brightness 2000 nits N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 87.99 mAh/in² 108.99 mAh/in²
Battery Density 38.11 mAh/cm³ 48.71 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3274 mAh 5010 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A17 Pro (3 nm) Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Apple GPU (6-core graphics) Mali-G52 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 3.2 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.2, Gen 2, 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 ProTCL 50 SEPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm168.2 x 75.5 x 8.1 mmiPhone 15 Pro is significantly smaller and more pocketable. TCL 50 SE is larger, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use.
Weight187g195giPhone 15 Pro is slightly lighter, reducing hand fatigue during extended use.
Build MaterialsInformation not providedInformation not providedBuild quality and durability cannot be compared without material information.
Display
Display TypeLTPO Super Retina XDR OLEDIPS LCDiPhone's OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and wider viewing angles. TCL's IPS LCD is generally less vibrant and power-hungry.
Size6.1 inches6.78 inchesTCL 50 SE provides a larger screen for media consumption and multitasking but might be less comfortable for one-handed use.
Resolution1179 x 25561080 x 2460iPhone 15 Pro has a sharper display with higher pixel density (461 ppi vs 396 ppi), resulting in crisper text and images.
Refresh Rate120Hz90HziPhone 15 Pro's 120Hz offers smoother animations and scrolling compared to the 90Hz on the TCL 50 SE.
Brightness1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)550 nits (typ)iPhone 15 Pro gets significantly brighter, ensuring better visibility in direct sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetApple A17 Pro (3 nm)Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm)A17 Pro is a significantly more powerful and efficient chip, enabling faster performance and smoother multitasking.
CPUHexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)iPhone's CPU architecture and clock speeds suggest significantly better performance in demanding tasks and gaming.
GPUApple GPU (6-core graphics)Mali-G52 MC2iPhone's GPU should offer a superior gaming and graphics-intensive application experience.
RAM8GB6GBiPhone has more RAM, allowing for more apps to run in the background and smoother multitasking.
Camera
Rear CameraInformation not providedInformation not providedCamera quality cannot be compared without detailed sensor and lens specifications.
Video CapabilitiesUp to 4K@60fps (HDR), 1080p@240fps (HDR)1080p@30fpsiPhone offers significantly higher video resolution and frame rate options, including slow-motion capabilities.
Battery
Capacity3274 mAh5010 mAhTCL 50 SE has a much larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life. However, real-world battery life depends on many factors, including display type and processor efficiency.

2. Key Differences Analysis

iPhone 15 Pro Advantages:

  • Significantly higher performance: The A17 Pro chip offers a substantial performance advantage for demanding tasks, gaming, and future-proofing.
  • Superior display: The OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate offers a vastly improved visual experience.
  • Premium build quality (assumed): While materials aren't specified, iPhones generally have superior build quality.
  • Advanced camera features (assumed): iPhones are known for their excellent camera systems.

TCL 50 SE Advantages:

  • Larger battery: The 5010 mAh battery potentially provides longer battery life.
  • Larger display: Offers more screen real estate for media consumption.
  • Lower price: The "medium price" suggests significant cost savings compared to the iPhone's "high price".

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

iPhone 15 Pro: Users who prioritize performance, premium design, a vibrant display, and a smooth user experience. Ideal for demanding tasks, gaming, content creation, and users who value the Apple ecosystem.

TCL 50 SE: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and a large display for media consumption. Suitable for casual gaming, web browsing, and general smartphone use.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your budget? The iPhone 15 Pro is significantly more expensive.
  2. What are your performance needs? For demanding tasks and gaming, the iPhone 15 Pro is far superior.
  3. What are your priorities? Larger screen and battery vs. performance, premium features, and ecosystem.

My Choice

I would choose the iPhone 15 Pro. While the TCL 50 SE offers a larger battery and display at a lower price, the iPhone 15 Pro's significant advantages in performance, display quality, and overall user experience (based on historical Apple product performance) outweigh the trade-offs for me. I prioritize a smooth, responsive device with a high-quality display and powerful performance for demanding tasks and longevity. The higher price reflects these premium features and the robust iOS ecosystem. While battery life is important, the A17 Pro's efficiency might mitigate the difference in battery capacity compared to the TCL 50 SE. The lack of specific camera information prevents a complete assessment, but historically, iPhones have excelled in this area, further justifying my choice.

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.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.