TCL 40 SE vs Samsung Galaxy M15 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
TCL 40 SE
TCL 40 SE
Tcl

General

Launch Date April 4, 2023 April 5, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 109.18 cm³ 114.35 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.55 "/g 3 "/g
Weight 190 g 217 g
Height 167.9 mm 160.1 mm
Width 76.5 mm 76.8 mm
Thickness 8.5 mm 9.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Dark grey
  • Twilight purple
  • Gray
  • Light Blue
  • Dark Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.75 " 6.5 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2340
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.6 % 84.3 %
Pixel Density 260 PPI 396 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness 450 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 800 nits
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 109.96 mAh/in² 142.01 mAh/in²
Battery Density 45.89 mAh/cm³ 52.47 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5010 mAh 6000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU PowerVR GE8320 Mali-G57 MC2

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 14
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureTCL 40 SESamsung Galaxy M15Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)167.9 x 76.5 x 8.5160.1 x 76.8 x 9.3M15 slightly shorter and thicker. Negligible difference in daily use.
Weight (g)190217TCL 40 SE noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended use.
BuildNot specifiedNot specifiedCannot compare build quality without materials information.
Display
Display TypeIPS LCDSuper AMOLEDAMOLED offers deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and potentially better power efficiency. LCD may be brighter in direct sunlight.
Size (inches)6.756.5TCL 40 SE offers a slightly larger screen for media consumption.
Resolution720 x 16001080 x 2340M15 significantly sharper display with higher pixel density (396 ppi vs 260 ppi), resulting in clearer text and images.
Refresh Rate90Hz90HzBoth offer smooth scrolling and animations.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio G37 (12nm)Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm)M15 has a significantly more powerful and efficient processor, leading to smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and improved battery life.
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)M15's CPU architecture is more modern and powerful.
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G57 MC2M15 has a more powerful GPU, better for gaming and graphically demanding tasks.
RAM4GB4GBSame RAM capacity. Multitasking performance will depend more on chipset and software optimization.
Camera
Main Camera50MP50MPResolution similar, but sensor quality and image processing will likely differ. Cannot compare without more details.
Other Cameras2MP Depth, 2MP Macro, 8MP Selfie5MP Wide, 2MP Macro, 13MP SelfieM15 offers a wider angle lens and a higher resolution selfie camera.
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps with EISM15 includes Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for smoother video recording.
Battery
Capacity5010mAh6000mAhM15 boasts a larger battery capacity, likely translating to longer battery life.
Fast Charging18W25WM15 supports faster charging.

2. Key Differences Analysis

TCL 40 SE Advantages:

  • Lighter and potentially more affordable: Easier to hold and potentially less expensive.
  • Slightly Larger Screen: More immersive for media consumption.

Samsung Galaxy M15 Advantages:

  • Significantly better performance: Smoother user experience, better gaming, and improved efficiency due to a superior chipset.
  • Sharper Display: Higher resolution and AMOLED technology result in a more visually appealing experience.
  • Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Longer battery life and quicker charging times.
  • 5G Connectivity: Provides access to faster mobile data speeds where available. This is a significant advantage.
  • Electronic Image Stabilization: Smoother video recording.

Trade-offs:

  • Price: The Samsung Galaxy M15 is likely more expensive given its superior specifications.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

TCL 40 SE: Budget-conscious users who prioritize basic communication, light media consumption, and a large display. Best for:

  • Casual social media browsing
  • Making calls and texting
  • Light web browsing

Samsung Galaxy M15: Users who value performance, a great display, long battery life, and 5G connectivity. Best for:

  • Mobile gaming
  • Demanding applications
  • Media consumption with high quality
  • Users who need fast data speeds

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The TCL 40 SE is a budget option, while the M15 is a mid-range device.
  2. What are your primary use cases? For basic tasks, the TCL 40 SE might suffice. For demanding tasks and gaming, the M15 is better.
  3. How important is battery life and charging speed? The M15 offers a clear advantage in this area.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Student on a tight budget: TCL 40 SE
  • Power user who needs performance and 5G: Samsung Galaxy M15
  • Casual user who prioritizes battery life: Samsung Galaxy M15

My Choice: Samsung Galaxy M15

While I lack specific pricing information, the Samsung Galaxy M15 is the superior device due to its significantly better performance, sharper display, larger battery with faster charging, and 5G connectivity. The performance difference alone would greatly impact the daily user experience, making the M15 a more future-proof and enjoyable device to use. Even if the M15 has a higher price, the value proposition leans heavily in its favor for most users beyond those strictly on the tightest budgets. The inclusion of 5G makes the M15 a much better long-term investment.

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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