Alright, let's break down the Motorola Edge 20 Pro and the TCL 50 SE. We'll go beyond the specs and talk about what these numbers actually mean for how you'd use these phones every day.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look, broken down into the areas that really matter:
| Feature | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | TCL 50 SE | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163 x 76 x 8 mm, 190g | 168.2 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm, 195g | Edge 20 Pro is slightly smaller and lighter; the difference is small, but those who value compact feel might prefer it. |
| Build Quality, Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | The Edge 20 Pro should be more resistant to scratches and drops. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Virtually identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 (385 ppi) | 1080x2460 (396 ppi) | Very similar sharpness. You won't notice a difference with the naked eye. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | Huge Difference: OLED offers much richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. The Edge 20 Pro will have a more visually stunning display. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 90Hz | The Edge 20 Pro will feel significantly smoother, especially when scrolling or playing games. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | TCL 50 SE will be MUCH brighter. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Helio G88 (12 nm) | Massive Difference: The Snapdragon 870 is a much more powerful chip. The Edge 20 Pro will handle demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming far better. |
| AnTuTu Score | 813,800 | 250,000 | The AnTuTu score confirms the massive performance gap. The Edge 20 Pro will feel much faster and more responsive in everyday use. |
| RAM | 12 GB | 4/6 GB | Edge 20 Pro's 12GB of RAM ensures smoother multitasking and less app reloading. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.64µm | The Edge 20 Pro has a higher resolution sensor, potentially capturing more detail. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 16MP | None | Motorola Edge 20 Pro allows you to take ultra wide pictures, compared to the TCL 50 SE. |
| Telephoto Camera | 8MP, f/3.4 | None | Motorola Edge 20 Pro allows you to take zoomed in pictures, compared to the TCL 50 SE. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.3, 0.7µm | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | The Edge 20 Pro has a much higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Edge 20 Pro offers significantly higher video quality. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5010 mAh | TCL 50 SE has a slightly larger battery, potentially leading to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W | 33W | Similar fast charging speeds. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | TCL 50 SE ships with a newer version of Android. |
| Other | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 5 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro supports newer WiFi standard, offering faster speeds. |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Stereo Speakers | TCL 50 SE has a slight edge in audio features offering better audio separation and immersion. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 20 Pro Strengths:
- Blazing Performance: The Snapdragon 870 absolutely destroys the Helio G88. This translates to a phone that feels significantly faster in everyday use, handles demanding apps and games with ease, and is more future-proof.
- Superior Display: The OLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate is a huge win for media consumption and gaming. The colors will pop, the blacks will be deep, and the animations will be buttery smooth.
- Camera Versatility: The triple-camera system (including telephoto and ultrawide lenses) gives you more creative options compared to the TCL 50 SE's simpler setup.
- Better Connectivity: Features like WiFi 6 and a more comprehensive GPS suite give the Edge 20 Pro an edge in terms of connectivity and location accuracy.
TCL 50 SE Strengths:
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 14, which means you'll get the latest features and security updates out of the box (at least initially).
- Potentially Better Battery Life: The slightly larger battery might translate to a longer runtime, but this will depend heavily on usage patterns.
- Stereo Speakers: TCL 50 SE has a slight edge in audio features offering better audio separation and immersion.
- Brighter Display: TCL 50 SE has a brighter display, resulting in better outdoor visibility.
Significant Trade-Offs/Limitations:
- Motorola Edge 20 Pro: It's an older phone, and while the Snapdragon 870 is still very capable, software updates may be less frequent. Additionally, the brightness of the Motorola Edge 20 Pro is a lot less than the TCL 50 SE.
- TCL 50 SE: The biggest limitation is the underpowered Helio G88 chipset. This phone will struggle with demanding tasks, and the experience will likely feel sluggish compared to the Edge 20 Pro.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 20 Pro:
- Ideal for: Gamers, power users, anyone who values a smooth and responsive experience, and those who prioritize display quality and camera versatility.
- Use Cases: Playing graphically intensive games, editing photos and videos, multitasking between demanding apps, watching HDR content.
TCL 50 SE:
- Ideal for: Budget-conscious users who primarily use their phones for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and communication.
- Use Cases: Casual web browsing, social media, making calls, sending messages, and watching videos on a smaller scale.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are some questions to guide your decision:
- How important is performance to you? If you're a gamer or a power user, the Edge 20 Pro is the clear winner. If you only use your phone for basic tasks, the TCL 50 SE might suffice.
- How much do you value display quality? The Edge 20 Pro's OLED screen with a high refresh rate offers a far superior viewing experience compared to the TCL 50 SE's LCD.
- How important is software and the lastest software? TCL 50 SE ships with Android 14 while Motorola Edge 20 Pro runs on Android 11.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between these two, I'd pick the Motorola Edge 20 Pro, even though it's an older device. Here's why:
The performance difference is just too significant to ignore. The Snapdragon 870 will provide a much smoother, more enjoyable experience in virtually every aspect of using the phone. The OLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate is also a major draw, making it much better than the display of the TCL 50 SE. The brighter display of the TCL is a nice feature, but I would take the OLED display over the brighter display. The camera system on the Edge 20 Pro is more versatile, offering more creative options.
While the Android 11 is a bit outdated, that is something I can live with.
