TCL 40 SE vs HTC U23 Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
TCL 40 SE
TCL 40 SE
Tcl

General

Launch Date April 4, 2023 May 18, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 109.18 cm³ 114.32 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.55 "/g 3.27 "/g
Weight 190 g 205 g
Height 167.9 mm 166.6 mm
Width 76.5 mm 77.1 mm
Thickness 8.5 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Dark grey
  • Twilight purple
  • Snow White
  • Coffee Black

Display

Screen Size 6.75 " 6.7 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.6 % 84.4 %
Pixel Density 260 PPI 393 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness 450 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 109.96 mAh/in² 102.47 mAh/in²
Battery Density 45.89 mAh/cm³ 40.24 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5010 mAh 4600 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU PowerVR GE8320 Adreno 644

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 3.0

Software

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

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureTCL 40 SEHTC U23 ProPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)167.9 x 76.5 x 8.5166.6 x 77.1 x 8.9TCL 40 SE is slightly taller and narrower. Negligible difference in daily usage.
Weight (g)190205TCL 40 SE is noticeably lighter, reducing hand fatigue during extended use.
Build MaterialNot specifiedNot specifiedCannot compare build quality and durability without this information.
Display
Display TypeIPS LCDOLEDHTC U23 Pro offers deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and potentially better power efficiency due to OLED technology.
Display Size (inches)6.756.7Negligible size difference.
Resolution720 x 16001080 x 2400HTC U23 Pro has a significantly sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images.
Refresh Rate (Hz)90120HTC U23 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing overall responsiveness.
Peak Brightness (nits)450 (typ), 900 (peak)Not SpecifiedTCL 40 SE's specified typical brightness is lower, potentially impacting outdoor visibility. However, its peak brightness is much higher. We cannot definitively compare without the typical brightness of the U23 Pro.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio G37Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1HTC U23 Pro offers significantly better performance in demanding tasks and gaming due to a more powerful chipset.
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)HTC U23 Pro utilizes more powerful core architectures resulting in significantly faster processing speeds.
RAM (GB)4/68/12HTC U23 Pro offers more RAM, enabling better multitasking and smoother performance with multiple apps open.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)50108HTC U23 Pro boasts higher resolution, potentially capturing more detail. However, megapixels alone don't guarantee image quality.
Video Recording1080p@30fps4K@30fpsHTC U23 Pro allows for higher resolution video recording.
Optical Image StabilizationNoYesHTC U23 Pro offers OIS, resulting in steadier videos and potentially better low-light photos.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50104600TCL 40 SE has a larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life. Actual usage will vary.
Charging SpeedNot specifiedNot specifiedCannot compare charging speeds without this information.

2. Key Differences Analysis

TCL 40 SE Advantages:

  • Lower Price: Significantly more affordable.
  • Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life.
  • Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.

HTC U23 Pro Advantages:

  • Significantly Better Performance: Smoother multitasking, faster app loading, better gaming experience.
  • Higher Resolution Display: Sharper visuals, better media consumption experience.
  • Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother scrolling and animations.
  • Superior Camera System: Higher resolution main sensor, Optical Image Stabilization, 4K video recording.
  • 5G Connectivity: Faster data speeds in areas with 5G coverage.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

TCL 40 SE: Budget-conscious users who prioritize basic functionality: calling, texting, web browsing, and light social media usage. Ideal for users who value battery life and affordability over high-end features.

HTC U23 Pro: Users who demand a premium smartphone experience with excellent performance, a high-quality display, and a capable camera system. Suitable for mobile gamers, content creators, and users who multitask heavily.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The TCL 40 SE is a budget-friendly option, while the HTC U23 Pro is a mid-range device.
  2. What are your primary smartphone usage patterns? For basic tasks, the TCL 40 SE is sufficient. For demanding tasks and media consumption, the HTC U23 Pro is better suited.
  3. Which features are most important to you? Prioritize features like battery life, performance, camera quality, and display resolution based on your needs.

My Choice: HTC U23 Pro

While the TCL 40 SE offers excellent value for its price, the HTC U23 Pro is the better overall device due to its significantly superior performance, higher quality display, and more capable camera system. The smoother user experience provided by the faster processor, higher refresh rate display, and OIS for stable video recording outweighs the benefits of the TCL 40 SE's larger battery and lower price for my personal needs. I prioritize a fluid and responsive user experience, and the HTC U23 Pro delivers in this regard. I am willing to pay the premium for the significant upgrade in performance and features. While the TCL 40 SE's larger battery is attractive, advancements in battery optimization software and faster charging technologies on the U23 Pro (although charging speeds were not specified) mitigate this advantage.

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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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.