Nokia C32 vs TCL 40 SE - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Nokia C32
Nokia C32
Nokia
TCL 40 SE
TCL 40 SE
Tcl

General

Launch Date February 25, 2023 April 4, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 107.44 cm³ 109.18 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.26 "/g 3.55 "/g
Weight 199.4 g 190 g
Height 164.6 mm 167.9 mm
Width 75.9 mm 76.5 mm
Thickness 8.6 mm 8.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Charcoal
  • Autumn Green
  • Beach Pink
  • Dark grey
  • Twilight purple

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.75 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.6 % 85.6 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 260 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 450 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 109.96 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.54 mAh/cm³ 45.89 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5010 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU IMG8322 PowerVR GE8320

Connectivity

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

Software

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

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureNokia C32TCL 40 SEPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)164.6 x 75.9 x 8.6167.9 x 76.5 x 8.5TCL 40 SE is slightly larger
Weight (g)199.4190Nokia C32 is slightly heavier
BuildBuild materials not specified for either phone, limiting comparison.
Display
Size (inches)6.56.75TCL 40 SE offers a larger screen for more immersive content consumption.
Resolution (pixels)720 x 1600720 x 1600Same resolution, but TCL's larger screen results in slightly lower pixel density (260 vs 270 ppi). Difference is negligible in practice.
Refresh Rate (Hz)Not specified90TCL 40 SE's 90Hz refresh rate delivers smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more responsive feel.
Display TypeIPS LCDIPS LCDBoth use IPS LCD technology, offering good color reproduction and viewing angles.
Performance
ChipsetUnisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm)Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm)TCL 40 SE likely has better performance and power efficiency due to a more modern and efficient chipset (12nm vs 22nm).
CPUOcta-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)TCL 40 SE's CPU boasts higher clock speeds, suggesting better performance in demanding tasks.
GPUIMG8322PowerVR GE8320Difficult to compare GPUs directly without benchmarks.
RAM (GB)44/6TCL 40 SE offers a 6GB RAM option, enabling better multitasking and smoother performance with multiple apps.
Storage (GB)64/128128/256TCL 40 SE offers more storage options, beneficial for users who store lots of media or apps.
Camera
Rear Camera50MP + 2MP50MP + 2MP + 2MPTCL 40 SE features a triple camera setup with an added depth sensor, potentially offering better portrait mode capabilities.
Front Camera8MP8MPSimilar front camera resolution.
Video Recording1080p@30fps1080p@30fpsBoth offer basic video recording capabilities.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50005010Negligible difference in battery capacity.
Fast Charging10W18WTCL 40 SE offers significantly faster charging, minimizing downtime.
OtherNFC: NoNFC: YesTCL 40 SE supports NFC for contactless payments and other functionalities.

2. Key Differences Analysis

TCL 40 SE Advantages:

  • Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid user experience.
  • Better Performance: More powerful and efficient processor.
  • Faster Charging: 18W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
  • Larger Storage Options: Up to 256GB for storing more data.
  • NFC: Enables contactless payments and other functionalities.
  • Larger Display: More immersive for media consumption.

Nokia C32 Advantages:

  • Potentially Lower Price: Depending on specific configurations. While prices overlap, the base model of the C32 might be cheaper.
  • Slightly Smaller Form Factor: Might be preferred by users who prefer smaller phones.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Nokia C32: Budget-conscious users who prioritize basic communication and light usage. Best for:

  • Calling and texting
  • Basic web browsing
  • Casual social media

TCL 40 SE: Users seeking a better overall experience with smoother performance, faster charging, and a larger display. Best for:

  • Media consumption (videos, games)
  • Multitasking
  • Mobile photography enthusiasts (due to triple camera)
  • Users who need NFC for contactless payments

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The Nokia C32 might be a better option for extremely tight budgets.
  2. What is your primary phone usage? Basic communication vs. multimedia consumption and multitasking.
  3. How important are features like NFC and fast charging?

My Choice: TCL 40 SE

While pricing can be a deciding factor, the TCL 40 SE offers significant advantages in terms of performance, display, and features (especially the 90Hz refresh rate, faster charging, and NFC). The slightly larger size is a preference, and the performance difference makes the TCL 40 SE a more future-proof choice. For the relatively small price difference, the TCL 40 SE delivers a noticeably better user experience. The 90Hz refresh rate alone significantly impacts daily usage, making interactions feel far more responsive. Coupled with the faster processor and quick charging, the TCL 40 SE provides a more enjoyable and efficient overall experience.

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.