Motorola ThinkPhone vs TCL 50 SE - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
TCL 50 SE
TCL 50 SE
Tcl

General

Launch Date January 29, 2023 April 8, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 98.06 cm³ 102.86 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.5 "/g 3.48 "/g
Weight 188.5 g 195 g
Height 158.8 mm 168.2 mm
Width 74.4 mm 75.5 mm
Thickness 8.3 mm 8.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Carbon Black
  • Space Gray
  • Midnight Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.6 " 6.78 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2460
Aspect Ratio 20:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89 % 86 %
Pixel Density 399 PPI 396 PPI
Refresh Rate 144 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 550 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 114.78 mAh/in² 108.99 mAh/in²
Battery Density 50.99 mAh/cm³ 48.71 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5010 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 730 Mali-G52 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 3.1 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.1, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 13 14
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureMotorola ThinkPhoneTCL 50 SEPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)158.8 x 74.4 x 8.3168.2 x 75.5 x 8.1ThinkPhone is noticeably smaller and may be more pocketable.
Weight (g)188.5195ThinkPhone is slightly lighter, contributing to better one-handed use.
Build MaterialsMissingMissingBuild quality and durability cannot be compared without this information.
Display
Display TypeP-OLEDIPS LCDThinkPhone's P-OLED offers deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and potentially better power efficiency. TCL's IPS LCD may offer better visibility in direct sunlight.
Display Size (inches)6.66.78TCL 50 SE offers a slightly larger screen for media consumption.
Resolution1080 x 24001080 x 2460Similar resolutions, but TCL 50 SE's larger display results in a lower pixel density (399 ppi vs 260 ppi). ThinkPhone will have sharper text and images.
Refresh Rate (Hz)14490ThinkPhone's 144Hz display provides a significantly smoother and more responsive user experience, especially noticeable in gaming and scrolling.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8+ Gen 1Helio G88ThinkPhone's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 vastly outperforms the Helio G88, resulting in significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)ThinkPhone's CPU architecture is superior, providing much better performance across the board.
RAM (GB)84/6ThinkPhone's 8GB RAM enables smoother multitasking and better performance with demanding applications. The TCL 50 SE offers a 4GB/6GB option, which may struggle with heavy multitasking.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)5050Megapixel count doesn't tell the whole story; image quality depends on sensor size, aperture, and processing. Missing sensor details for TCL limit comparison.
Video RecordingUp to 8K@30fpsUp to 1080p@30fpsThinkPhone offers significantly better video recording capabilities with higher resolution and frame rates.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50005010Nearly identical battery capacities. Real-world battery life will depend on software optimization and usage patterns.
Fast Charging68W33WThinkPhone charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola ThinkPhone Advantages:

  • Significantly superior performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 provides a vastly better user experience compared to the Helio G88.
  • Smoother and more responsive display: The 144Hz P-OLED display offers superior visual quality and responsiveness.
  • Faster charging: 68W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
  • More compact design: Easier for one-handed use and portability.

TCL 50 SE Advantages:

  • Slightly larger display: Offers a bigger screen for media consumption.
  • Lower price: Significantly more affordable.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Motorola ThinkPhone Ideal User:

  • Power users who demand top-tier performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Users who prioritize a smooth and responsive display experience.
  • Professionals who need a reliable and fast device for productivity.

TCL 50 SE Ideal User:

  • Budget-conscious users who prioritize affordability over top-tier performance.
  • Users primarily focused on basic tasks like calling, texting, and web browsing.
  • Users who prefer a larger display for media consumption.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The ThinkPhone is significantly more expensive.
  2. What level of performance do you need? For demanding tasks and gaming, the ThinkPhone is a clear winner.
  3. What are your display priorities? Do you value smoothness and responsiveness (ThinkPhone) or a larger screen size (TCL 50 SE)?

My Choice: Motorola ThinkPhone

While the TCL 50 SE offers a larger display and significantly lower price, the Motorola ThinkPhone's superior performance, smoother display, and faster charging are decisive factors for me. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 provides a vastly better user experience for demanding tasks, gaming, and everyday use. The 144Hz P-OLED display is a significant upgrade over the TCL 50 SE's 90Hz IPS LCD. The faster charging also significantly improves usability. Although the ThinkPhone is more expensive, the substantial performance and feature advantages justify the higher price for my needs. I prioritize a smooth and responsive user experience, which the ThinkPhone delivers in spades.

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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  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.