TLC's new 406 Android phone carries a price tag of less than $200, but it already offers Android 13.
The Chinese phone maker recently introduced its new 40 series smartphones, including a device that brings 5G, namely the TCL 40 X 5G.
(Photo : JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images)
A logo of Chinese electronic goods manufacturer TCL is seen at the TCL stand during the 53rd IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung) electronics trade fair in Berlin on September10, 2013. IFA, Europe's largest consumer electronics and home appliances fair opens from September 6 to September 11, 2013.
TCL 406 Android Phone Only Costs $120
As per a recent report by GSM Arena, the Chinese tech firm introduced insanely cheap Android devices, including the TCL 40 X, 40 XE, 40 XL, and much more affordable TCL 406. All these phones run Android 13 right off the bat.
Among the new Android 13-powered phones of TCL, the TCL 406 is the cheapest option, selling to the tune of $120. With that price, there are a couple of compromises in the specifications of the mobile device.
It sports a 6.6-inch IPS LCD with up to 720 x 1612 pixels, along with standard stereo speakers and a huge 5,000 mAh battery.
As for its cameras, it provides a 13-megapixel main shooter and a two-megapixel depth sensor. For its selfie or front-facing snapper, it offers up to two megapixels as well.
It comes with usual connectivity functions like WiFi, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, and 4G LTE. Yes, its skips on 5G.
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TCL 40 X
On the other hand, CNET reports that the TCL 40 X 5G comes with a more expensive yet still affordable price tag. It only sells for $199.
It comes with a 6.56-inch HD Plus screen and offers a refresh rate, which is beyond the standard 60Hz option these days. It flaunts up to 90Hz, making scrolling a bit smoother than other budget drives. Not to mention it provides a 180Hz touch sampling rate, making the phone responsive enough for daily use.
The MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset powers the $120 phone, running along with up to 4GB of RAM and up to 64GB of storage.
It provides modern connectivity, such as WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC. Despite its dirt-cheap pricing, it already offers 5G connectivity.
TCL is selling lower-priced 40 X series phones, but these options lack 5G. So if you are fine with 4G LTE connectivity or mostly connect to WiFi. These other devices might work for you.
For instance, the TCL 40 XL offers a bigger 6.75-inch display, yet it skips on 5G connectivity, retailing for only $149.
Although these new Android phones lack features that most budget phones offer, these devices are surely affordable at less than $200 price tags.
Budget phones nowadays range from around $300 to $600 price point. Yet, TCL seems to be targeting an insanely cheaper pricing.
CNET notes in its report that TCL previously teased higher-end mobile devices, such as a foldable concept, which should challenge Samsung and Oppo. However, the Chinese phone maker is now setting back on these ambitious projects to focus on entry-level phones.
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