TCL 40 SE vs ZTE nubia Flip - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
TCL 40 SE
TCL 40 SE
Tcl

General

Launch Date April 4, 2023 April 23, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 109.18 cm³ 89.85 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.55 "/g 3.22 "/g
Weight 190 g 214 g
Height 167.9 mm 170 mm
Width 76.5 mm 75.5 mm
Thickness 8.5 mm 7 mm
Foldable Design No Yes
Available Colors
  • Dark grey
  • Twilight purple
  • Cosmic Black
  • Sunshine Gold
  • Flowering Lilac

Display

Screen Size 6.75 " 6.9 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1188 x 2790
Aspect Ratio 20:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.6 % 86.3 %
Pixel Density 260 PPI 439 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 90.53 mAh/in²
Battery Density 45.89 mAh/cm³ 47.97 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5010 mAh 4310 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 N/A
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C

Software

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

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureTCL 40 SEZTE nubia FlipPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)167.9 x 76.5 x 8.5170 x 75.5 x 7Nubia Flip is slightly taller and narrower when unfolded, significantly thinner when folded. TCL 40 SE is lighter. Nubia Flip's foldability offers portability and a larger screen in a pocketable device.
Weight (g)190214TCL 40 SE is noticeably lighter for everyday use.
BuildNot specifiedNot specifiedBuild materials impact durability and premium feel; information is missing for both.
Display
Display TypeIPS LCDFoldable OLEDOLED offers deeper blacks, richer colors, and potentially better power efficiency. Foldable design provides a unique, larger screen experience.
Size (inches)6.756.9Nubia Flip offers a larger display area for media consumption and multitasking.
Resolution720 x 16001188 x 2790Nubia Flip has a significantly sharper and more detailed display.
Refresh Rate (Hz)90120Nubia Flip's higher refresh rate results in smoother animations and scrolling.
PPI260439Nubia Flip's much higher PPI results in significantly sharper text and images.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio G37Snapdragon 7 Gen 1Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 provides significantly better performance and efficiency for demanding tasks and gaming.
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)Nubia Flip's CPU architecture is more modern and powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
RAM (GB)4/68/12Nubia Flip offers more RAM, enabling better multitasking and preventing app closures in the background.
Storage (GB)128/256256/512Nubia Flip provides more storage options for apps, photos, and videos.
Camera
Rear Camera50MP Main, 2MP Depth, 2MP Macro50MP Main, 2MP DepthBoth have comparable main camera resolution, but details on sensor quality are missing. Nubia Flip lacks a dedicated macro lens.
Front Camera8MP16MPNubia Flip has a higher resolution front camera for better selfies.
Video Recording1080p@30fpsUnspecifiedNubia Flip's video capabilities are unclear, limiting a full comparison.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50104310TCL 40 SE has a larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life. However, real-world usage depends on software optimization and display power consumption.
Fast Charging18W33WNubia Flip supports significantly faster charging.

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.

ZTE nubia Flip Advantages:

  • Foldable Design: Offers portability and a larger screen in a compact form factor.
  • Superior Display: Higher resolution, refresh rate, OLED technology, and vibrant colors.
  • Significantly Faster Performance: More powerful processor and ample RAM for smooth multitasking and demanding applications.
  • Faster Charging: Reduces downtime.
  • 5G Connectivity: Offers faster data speeds in areas with 5G coverage.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

TCL 40 SE: Ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize basic functionality, long battery life, and a large screen for media consumption. Suitable for casual users who primarily use their phone for calling, texting, browsing, and social media.

ZTE nubia Flip: Ideal for users who value cutting-edge technology, a premium display, and a compact yet large-screen device. Suitable for power users, multitaskers, content creators, and those who want a unique foldable phone experience.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The TCL 40 SE is a budget-friendly option, while the ZTE nubia Flip is a mid-range device.
  2. What are your performance needs? For demanding tasks and gaming, the Nubia Flip's superior hardware is essential. For basic tasks, the TCL 40 SE is sufficient.
  3. How important is portability and screen size? The Nubia Flip's foldable design offers a unique combination of portability and a large screen.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Limited Budget, Basic Usage: TCL 40 SE
  • Power User, Multitasker, Content Creator: ZTE nubia Flip
  • Desire for Latest Technology and Foldable Design: ZTE nubia Flip

My Choice: ZTE nubia Flip

While the TCL 40 SE offers excellent value for its price, I would choose the ZTE nubia Flip. The foldable design, superior display quality (OLED with 120Hz refresh rate), and significantly more powerful performance (Snapdragon 7 Gen 1) outweigh the higher price and smaller battery capacity. The future-proof 5G connectivity and faster charging are also compelling advantages. While the lack of detailed camera specifications makes a complete comparison difficult, the overall package of the Nubia Flip offers a much more compelling and modern smartphone experience. The TCL 40 SE is a great budget option, but the Nubia Flip represents a leap forward in technology and user experience that I find more appealing.

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.