Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Nokia G100 and the TCL 50 SE. As always, I'm looking beyond the spec sheet to figure out what these numbers actually mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at the key technical specifications of both phones, focusing on how they impact your daily use:
| Feature | Nokia G100 | TCL 50 SE | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.6 x 76.7 x 8.9mm | 168.2 x 75.5 x 8.1mm | TCL is a tad taller and thinner, Nokia slightly wider. Both are standard, pocketable phones. |
| Weight | 195.1g | 195g | Virtually identical, both feel reasonably substantial in the hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.52" | 6.78" | The TCL offers a slightly more immersive viewing experience with its larger screen. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2460 | TCL's display will appear much sharper and clearer, making text and images more crisp. |
| Pixel Density | 269 ppi | 396 ppi | TCL wins on clarity; you’ll notice the difference in detail, especially for reading and viewing high-res content. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use LCD tech, meaning good but not exceptional color and contrast; no AMOLED magic here. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | TCL's smoother scrolling will be noticeable, reducing eye strain and making animations feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | Huge win for TCL – far better outdoor visibility under sunlight. Nokia's rating seems to be an error. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 | Helio G88 | TCL has better performance in general tasks, especially gaming and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 201,615 | 250,000 | TCL is noticeably faster in benchmarks, meaning snappier app launches and slightly smoother operation. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 | TCL handles graphics-intensive tasks, including gaming, with a bit more ease. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5010mAh | Both offer a full day of moderate use, or potentially two with lighter usage. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charge | 33W Fast Charge | TCL's faster charging significantly reduces downtime, much more convenient for daily charging. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer batteries tend to have slightly better longevity and charging characteristics, though the difference is not huge for most. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 13MP f/2.0 | 50MP f/1.8 | TCL has a much higher resolution sensor that will capture significantly more detail, especially in good lighting. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.4 | 8MP f/2.0 | TCL's wider aperture should result in better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 5MP f/2.2 | N/A | Nokia can capture wide-angle shots, which is good for landscape and group photos. TCL is missing this function. |
| Portrait (depth) | 2MP f/2.4 | N/A | Nokia offers depth information for portrait effects. TCL does not have a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro lens | N/A | 2MP f/2.4 | TCL has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots; Nokia does not have a dedicated macro lens. |
| Video Record | 1080p@30fps, 120fps Slow-mo | 1080p@30fps, no Slow-mo | Nokia does 120fps slow-mo, TCL does not. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | TCL is running a newer version of Android, which is likely to come with performance, security and feature enhancements. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both offer dual-band Wi-Fi for reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE | TCL's newer Bluetooth offers slightly faster and more energy-efficient connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | TCL can use more satellite networks, leading to better accuracy, especially in urban or remote areas. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/128 GB | 128/256GB | TCL offers more internal storage as a starting point. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 4/6 GB | TCL comes with more RAM options, which improves multitasking and app handling. |
| Expandable storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Feature | 2 microphones | Stereo Speakers | TCL has a slight edge here, offering a fuller audio experience. Nokia is good for voice, but not for multimedia sound. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted finger print | Side-mounted finger print | Both have similar fingerprint sensor setup. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Nokia gets more protection in the build category thanks to Corning. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer | Nokia packs in more sensors and includes a gyroscope and barometer. |
2. Key Insights
TCL 50 SE: The Clear Winner on Many Fronts
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, higher pixel density, higher refresh rate and brightness all make for a much better viewing experience. The difference will be very noticeable.
- Better Performance: The Helio G88 and better AnTuTu score means faster app launches and smoother multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging will get you back up and running much faster than Nokia's 15W, critical in today's fast-paced world.
- Better Camera: While not perfect, a 50MP sensor with a wider aperture will capture more detail and offer better low-light performance than Nokia's 13MP sensor.
- Newer Software: Running on Android 14 is a plus.
- Better Audio: The stereo speakers provides a better multimedia experience.
Nokia G100: A Few Niche Advantages
- Wide-Angle Lens: The dedicated wide-angle lens is very useful for landscape and group photos, a feature missing on the TCL.
- Gyroscope & Barometer: For certain users, having these sensors available is a big advantage, especially for enhanced gaming and weather tracking.
- Better Video Slow Mo: The Nokia has 120fps slow-mo video, which TCL does not have.
Trade-Offs
- Nokia has slightly better build quality with Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
- Nokia lacks the TCL's charging speed and display quality.
- TCL lacks the Nokia's wide angle lens and secondary sensors.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- TCL 50 SE: Ideal for:
- Everyday Users: Someone who values a sharp display for media consumption, a responsive phone, fast charging, and solid camera.
- Budget Gamers: Those who want moderate gaming performance without breaking the bank.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those that want newer software and a phone that keeps up with everyday life.
- Nokia G100: Ideal for:
- Specific Needs: Those who need a wide-angle lens, secondary sensors, or 120fps video.
- Value Conscious Users: Someone looking for a budget phone with no frills, who would use the basic phone functions.
- Users who care about physical protection of their device: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 is a good selling point.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is display quality and overall performance to you? If a sharp, fluid display and smooth performance are priorities, the TCL 50 SE is the clear winner. If you are more concerned with having a wider lens, go for the Nokia.
- Do you need fast charging and modern software? The TCL's fast charging and newer software version offer more convenience, while Nokia uses a slower charge and older Android version.
- Are wide-angle shots and additional sensors must-haves for you? If you rely on wide-angle photos and would want the additional information from the gyroscope and barometer, the Nokia is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- If you're a student on a budget: The TCL 50 SE offers better all-around performance and a superior display at the expense of a wide-angle lens.
- If you're a social media enthusiast: The TCL is a good choice, but the wide angle of Nokia might be good to capture more in your videos and photos.
- If you prefer to record a lot of slow-mo video: Nokia is the better choice.
- If you want a very budget phone that works fine: The Nokia is a suitable option.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would go with the TCL 50 SE. The significantly better display (higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness), faster charging, more modern software, better processor and higher overall performance, and superior main camera outweigh the advantages offered by the Nokia in my opinion. For the majority of users, these are the key elements of modern smartphone use. The missing wide-angle lens and additional sensors on the TCL are not something I would value as much as the other points above. The difference in overall usability will be night and day. The TCL is the smarter choice overall for general use.
