TCL 40 SE vs Samsung Galaxy M35 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
TCL 40 SE
TCL 40 SE
Tcl

General

Launch Date April 4, 2023 May 24, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 109.18 cm³ 116.09 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.55 "/g 2.97 "/g
Weight 190 g 222 g
Height 167.9 mm 162.3 mm
Width 76.5 mm 78.6 mm
Thickness 8.5 mm 9.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Dark grey
  • Twilight purple
  • Gray
  • Light Blue
  • Dark Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.75 " 6.6 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2340
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.6 % 83.8 %
Pixel Density 260 PPI 390 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness 450 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 1000 nits
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 109.96 mAh/in² 137.74 mAh/in²
Battery Density 45.89 mAh/cm³ 51.69 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5010 mAh 6000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) Exynos 1380 (5 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU PowerVR GE8320 Mali-G68 MP5

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 14
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureTCL 40 SESamsung Galaxy M35Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)167.9 x 76.5 x 8.5162.3 x 78.6 x 9.1M35 is slightly shorter and narrower but thicker. Negligible difference in everyday use.
Weight (g)190222TCL 40 SE is noticeably lighter, improving one-handed use and reducing pocket bulk.
Display
Size (inches)6.756.6TCL 40 SE has a marginally larger screen.
Resolution (px)720 x 16001080 x 2340M35 has a significantly sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images.
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzSuper AMOLED, 120HzM35 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and smoother animations due to AMOLED technology and higher refresh rate. More vibrant and responsive.
PPI260~390M35's higher pixel density provides significantly sharper visuals.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio G37 (12 nm)Exynos 1380 (5 nm)M35 has a significantly more powerful and efficient processor, leading to much smoother multitasking and gaming.
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz A53 & 4x1.8 GHz A53)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz A78 & 4x2.0 GHz A55)M35 uses more powerful CPU cores, translating to a considerably faster and more responsive user experience.
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G68 MP5M35 boasts a much more capable GPU, enabling smoother gaming and faster graphics rendering.
RAM4GB8GBM35's double the RAM allows for significantly better multitasking and app switching.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)5050Comparable resolution, but M35 has OIS for steadier shots and videos. Sensor details for TCL 40 SE are lacking to make a detailed comparison.
Video Recording1080p@30fpsUp to 4K@30fps, 720p@480fpsM35 provides higher resolution video recording and slow-motion capabilities.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50106000M35 offers a larger battery capacity, likely translating to longer battery life.
Fast Charging18W25WM35 supports faster charging.

2. Key Differences Analysis

TCL 40 SE Advantages:

  • Lighter: Noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
  • Lower Price: Falls in a lower price range, offering budget-conscious buyers an affordable option.

Samsung Galaxy M35 Advantages:

  • Significantly Better Performance: The Exynos 1380 chipset, coupled with 8GB of RAM, offers a vastly superior user experience compared to the TCL 40 SE, especially for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Superior Display: The Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate delivers vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and smoother scrolling than the TCL 40 SE's LCD.
  • Enhanced Camera Features: Optical image stabilization (OIS) enables steadier photos and videos. Higher resolution video recording and slow-motion capabilities provide more creative options.
  • Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery promises longer usage time between charges.
  • Faster Charging: 25W fast charging replenishes the battery quicker than the TCL 40 SE's 18W charging.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

TCL 40 SE: Suitable for budget-conscious users primarily using their phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, browsing, and social media. Users who prioritize a lightweight phone.

Samsung Galaxy M35: Ideal for users who demand smooth performance for gaming, multitasking, and media consumption. Also a good choice for those who value a high-quality display and camera features.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The TCL 40 SE is significantly cheaper.
  2. What are your primary phone usage patterns? For basic tasks, the TCL 40 SE might suffice. For demanding tasks and gaming, the M35 is essential.
  3. How important is display quality and camera performance? The M35 significantly outperforms the TCL 40 SE in these areas.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Tight Budget, Basic Usage: TCL 40 SE
  • Balanced Performance and Price: Consider other mid-range options, potentially offering better value than the TCL 40 SE without the higher price of the M35.
  • Performance and Features Focused: Samsung Galaxy M35

My Choice: Samsung Galaxy M35

While the TCL 40 SE offers an attractive price point, the Samsung Galaxy M35 provides a significantly better overall user experience. The superior performance, display, camera, and battery life justify the higher price for most users. The smoother performance and higher quality display alone would make a huge difference in day-to-day use. The M35 is a more future-proof choice due to its more powerful hardware. Unless budget is an extremely limiting factor, the M35 is the clear winner.

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.