TCL 40 SE vs Sony Xperia 1 VI - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
TCL 40 SE
TCL 40 SE
Tcl

General

Launch Date April 4, 2023 June 3, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 109.18 cm³ 98.3 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.55 "/g 3.39 "/g
Weight 190 g 192 g
Height 167.9 mm 162 mm
Width 76.5 mm 74 mm
Thickness 8.5 mm 8.2 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Dark grey
  • Twilight purple
  • Black
  • Platinum silver
  • Khaki green
  • Scar red

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 % 86.5 %
Pixel Density 260 PPI 396 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 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 45.89 mAh/cm³ 50.86 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5010 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU PowerVR GE8320 Adreno 750

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.2
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, Video Output

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 13 14
Maximum OS Version 17

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureTCL 40 SESony Xperia 1 VIPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)167.9 x 76.5 x 8.5162 x 74 x 8.2Xperia 1 VI is slightly smaller and thinner, making it potentially more pocketable.
Weight (g)190192Negligible weight difference.
Build MaterialNot specifiedNot specifiedCannot compare build quality and durability without material information.
Display
Display TypeIPS LCDLTPO OLEDXperia 1 VI's OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially better power efficiency due to LTPO. TCL 40 SE's LCD may be brighter in direct sunlight.
Display Size (inches)6.756.5TCL 40 SE offers a larger screen for media consumption, but may be less comfortable for one-handed use.
Resolution720 x 16002520 x 1080Xperia 1 VI boasts a significantly sharper display with higher pixel density, resulting in crisper text and images.
Refresh Rate (Hz)90120Xperia 1 VI provides smoother scrolling and animations thanks to the higher refresh rate.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio G37 (12 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Xperia 1 VI significantly outperforms the TCL 40 SE in processing power, enabling smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance.
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)Xperia 1 VI has a much more powerful and modern CPU architecture.
RAM (GB)4/612Xperia 1 VI's larger RAM allows for more apps to run in the background without performance slowdown.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)5048While the TCL 40 SE boasts a higher megapixel count, the Xperia 1 VI utilizes a larger sensor (Sony IMX888) with larger pixel size, potentially capturing more light and detail in various conditions.
ZoomDigitalOptical 7.1xXperia 1 VI offers superior zoom capabilities with lossless optical zoom, while the TCL 40 SE relies on digital zoom, resulting in quality degradation.
Video Recording1080p@30fpsUp to 4K@120fpsXperia 1 VI provides significantly higher resolution and frame rate video recording capabilities.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50105000Negligible difference in battery capacity. Real-world battery life will depend on usage and software optimization.
Fast Charging18W30WXperia 1 VI supports faster charging, reducing downtime.

2. Key Differences Analysis

TCL 40 SE Advantages:

  • Larger Display: Better for media consumption.
  • Lower Price: Significantly more affordable.

Sony Xperia 1 VI Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: Smoother multitasking, better gaming, faster app loading.
  • Higher Quality Display: Sharper, more vibrant, and smoother with higher refresh rate and OLED technology.
  • Advanced Camera System: Better low-light performance, superior zoom capabilities, higher quality video recording.
  • Faster Charging: Reduced downtime.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

TCL 40 SE: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a large display for media consumption and basic smartphone functionality. Ideal for casual users who primarily use their phone for browsing, social media, and light gaming.

Sony Xperia 1 VI: Power users, photographers, and videographers who demand top-tier performance, a high-quality display, and advanced camera features. Ideal for demanding tasks like mobile gaming, professional photography/videography, and multitasking.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The TCL 40 SE is significantly more affordable.
  2. What are your primary smartphone uses? Casual use vs. demanding tasks.
  3. Which features are most important to you? Display quality, performance, camera capabilities, battery life.

My Choice: Sony Xperia 1 VI

While the TCL 40 SE offers a larger display and a much lower price, the Sony Xperia 1 VI is the clear winner for me. The significantly superior performance, stunning display, advanced camera system, and faster charging outweigh the price difference. I prioritize a smooth and responsive user experience, high-quality visuals, and the ability to capture excellent photos and videos. The Xperia 1 VI delivers on all fronts, making it a worthwhile investment for my needs. While the price is higher, the long-term value proposition of a more powerful and feature-rich device aligns better with my usage patterns.

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.