TCL 40 SE vs Motorola Edge 40 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
TCL 40 SE
TCL 40 SE
Tcl
Motorola Edge 40
Motorola Edge 40
Motorola

General

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

Physical

Volume 109.18 cm³ 86.68 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.55 "/g 3.92 "/g
Weight 190 g 167 g
Height 167.9 mm 158.4 mm
Width 76.5 mm 72 mm
Thickness 8.5 mm 7.6 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Dark grey
  • Twilight purple
  • Eclipse Black
  • Nebula Green
  • Viva Magenta
  • Lunar Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.75 " 6.55 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.6 % 90.8 %
Pixel Density 260 PPI 402 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 144 Hz
Typical Brightness 450 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 1200 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 109.96 mAh/in² 102.56 mAh/in²
Battery Density 45.89 mAh/cm³ 50.76 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5010 mAh 4400 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 8020 (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU PowerVR GE8320 Mali-G77 MC9

Connectivity

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

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 13 13
Maximum OS Version 15

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureTCL 40 SEMotorola Edge 40Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)167.9 x 76.5 x 8.5158.4 x 72 x 7.6Motorola Edge 40 is significantly more compact and thinner, making it easier to hold and pocket.
Weight (g)190167Motorola Edge 40 is noticeably lighter, improving one-handed use.
BuildUnspecifiedUnspecifiedBuild materials impact durability and premium feel; lacking information limits comparison.
Display
Size (inches)6.756.55TCL 40 SE offers a slightly larger screen for media consumption.
Resolution720 x 16001080 x 2400Motorola Edge 40 has a much sharper display with significantly higher pixel density, resulting in clearer text and images.
Panel TypeIPS LCDP-OLEDMotorola Edge 40's P-OLED offers deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency.
Refresh Rate (Hz)90144Motorola Edge 40 provides a smoother scrolling and gaming experience with its higher refresh rate.
Peak Brightness (nits)450 (typ), 900 (peak)1200Motorola Edge 40's display is much brighter, improving outdoor visibility.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio G37 (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 8020 (6 nm)Motorola Edge 40's Dimensity 8020 is significantly more powerful, enabling smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance. The 6nm process also implies better battery efficiency.
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Motorola Edge 40 has a more modern and powerful CPU architecture.
RAM (GB)4/68More RAM in the Motorola Edge 40 allows for better multitasking and smoother performance with demanding applications.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)5050Megapixel count is similar, but sensor quality and other factors impact image quality; detailed comparison is limited by missing sensor specifications for TCL.
Aperture (Main)f/1.85f/1.4Motorola Edge 40's wider aperture allows for better low-light performance and shallower depth of field.
Video Recording1080p@30fpsUp to 4K@30fpsMotorola Edge 40 offers higher resolution video recording and more advanced features like HDR and EIS.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50104400TCL 40 SE has a larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life, but the Edge 40's more efficient processor may offset this.
Charging SpeedUnspecifiedUnspecifiedCharging speed significantly impacts usability; lacking this information limits comparison.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Edge 40 Advantages:

  • Significantly more powerful: The Dimensity 8020 chipset and more RAM deliver a vastly superior performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Higher quality display: The P-OLED with 144Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support offers a smoother, more vibrant, and brighter viewing experience.
  • More compact and premium design: Thinner, lighter, and likely using higher quality materials (although unspecified).
  • Superior camera features: Wider aperture for better low-light photography, higher resolution video recording with OIS and EIS.

TCL 40 SE Advantages:

  • Larger battery: Potentially longer battery life, but this depends on usage and optimization.
  • Lower price: Significantly more affordable.

Trade-offs:

  • The TCL 40 SE sacrifices performance, display quality, and camera features for a lower price and potentially longer battery life.
  • The Motorola Edge 40 prioritizes performance, display, and camera, potentially compromising on battery life compared to the TCL 40 SE, although this is uncertain due to missing charging and efficiency data. It also comes at a significantly higher price.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

TCL 40 SE: Budget-conscious users who prioritize basic functionality: calling, texting, web browsing, and light media consumption. Ideal for users who are not concerned with high performance or advanced features.

Motorola Edge 40: Users who value a premium experience: smooth performance, vibrant display, good camera quality, and a sleek design. Ideal for gamers, content creators, and those who demand a responsive and visually appealing smartphone.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your budget? The price difference is significant.
  2. What are your primary smartphone uses? Basic communication vs. demanding tasks and gaming.
  3. How important are display quality and camera performance?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Limited budget, basic usage: TCL 40 SE
  • Moderate budget, balanced needs: Consider other mid-range options, as the TCL lacks key features and the Motorola is a significant price jump.
  • Higher budget, demanding user: Motorola Edge 40

My Choice: Motorola Edge 40

While the TCL 40 SE offers a larger battery and a lower price, the Motorola Edge 40 provides a significantly better overall experience. The superior performance, stunning display, and more advanced camera make it a much more compelling device for my needs. I prioritize a smooth and responsive user experience, and the Edge 40's Dimensity 8020, coupled with the 144Hz P-OLED display, delivers exactly that. The higher price is justified by the substantial upgrade in quality and features. While battery life is a concern, I would rather have a faster, more enjoyable phone that I might need to charge more often than a slower device with slightly longer battery life. The compact form factor is also a significant plus.

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.

Key Strengths:

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