TCL 40 XLFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 27 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment39%
PROS 39%
CONS 61%

Rank based on 27 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a large-screen budget phone under $150 for basic use
  • You mainly need it for media, music, or as a backup phone
  • You live in the USA and don't need 5G or NFC

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need reliable 4G/5G outside the USA
  • You want to play demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty smoothly
  • You're bothered by built-in ads or want NFC/5G support

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choiceBest value
1Mid
Vivo T3x~$160 · 1.2× cheaper
Battery LifeValue For MoneyGaming PerformanceAverage CameraOverheatingRising Variant Pricing
Vivo T3x~$160 · 1.2× cheaper
Battery Life
Value For Money
Gaming Performance
Average Camera
Overheating
Rising Variant Pricing
2Mid
Poco X3~$229 · 1.2× pricier
Exceptional price-to-performance valueLarge battery with good screen featuresAds can be disabled easilyBaked-in MIUI ads and bloatwareLong-term hardware reliability concernsBattery drain issues reported by some users
Poco X3~$229 · 1.2× pricier
Exceptional price-to-performance value
Large battery with good screen features
Ads can be disabled easily
Baked-in MIUI ads and bloatware
Long-term hardware reliability concerns
Battery drain issues reported by some users
3Value
Poco M3~$149 · 1.3× cheaper
Huge battery lifeExceptional value for moneySharp Full HD+ displayNoticeable lag and stutterWeak camera systemReliability failures reported by some users
Poco M3~$149 · 1.3× cheaper
Huge battery life
Exceptional value for money
Sharp Full HD+ display
Noticeable lag and stutter
Weak camera system
Reliability failures reported by some users
4Value
Samsung Galaxy A06~$119 · 1.7× cheaper
Great value for the priceReliable, smooth everyday performanceGood fit for basic or backup phone useDisappointing camera qualityRAM limitations on lower-end configurationBulkier, thicker design
Samsung Galaxy A06~$119 · 1.7× cheaper
Great value for the price
Reliable, smooth everyday performance
Good fit for basic or backup phone use
Disappointing camera quality
RAM limitations on lower-end configuration
Bulkier, thicker design
5Value
Realme C53~$119 · 1.7× cheaper
iPhone-like designFast 33W SuperVOOC chargingGood value for priceOutdated front camera and notchUnderpowered chipsetFalling behind on specs vs competitors
Realme C53~$119 · 1.7× cheaper
iPhone-like design
Fast 33W SuperVOOC charging
Good value for price
Outdated front camera and notch
Underpowered chipset
Falling behind on specs vs competitors
6Mid
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9~$199 · similar price
Excellent battery lifeStrong camera qualityGreat value for moneyInconsistent camera quality over time or vs rivalsLong-term reliability issuesPerformance decline after updates
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9~$199 · similar price
Excellent battery life
Strong camera quality
Great value for money
Inconsistent camera quality over time or vs rivals
Long-term reliability issues
Performance decline after updates
7Mid
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10~$199 · similar price
AMOLED 120Hz DisplayExcellent Value for MoneyComplete Feature Set for the PriceInconsistent Night Mode Camera QualitySoftware Quirks and BugsBattery Degradation Over Time
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10~$199 · similar price
AMOLED 120Hz Display
Excellent Value for Money
Complete Feature Set for the Price
Inconsistent Night Mode Camera Quality
Software Quirks and Bugs
Battery Degradation Over Time
8Upper
OnePlus Nord N20~$299 · 1.5× pricier
Strong battery life
OnePlus Nord N20~$299 · 1.5× pricier
Strong battery life
9Mid
TCL 60 SE~$179 · similar price
Eye-friendly NXTPAPER displayGood for minimalist/reading useLong battery life in ink/B&W modeNot suited for gaming or heavy tasksLag and glitching in normal useLimited availability by region
TCL 60 SE~$179 · similar price
Eye-friendly NXTPAPER display
Good for minimalist/reading use
Long battery life in ink/B&W mode
Not suited for gaming or heavy tasks
Lag and glitching in normal use
Limited availability by region
10Mid
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4~$180 · similar price
Active custom ROM communityExceptional longevitySuccessful DIY repairsConfusing hardware variantsBootloader unlocking hassleDropped software/app support over time
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4~$180 · similar price
Active custom ROM community
Exceptional longevity
Successful DIY repairs
Confusing hardware variants
Bootloader unlocking hassle
Dropped software/app support over time
You are here
30Mid
TCL 40 XL~$199
Strong value at low price pointsLarge, well-optimized displayEasy setup and data transfer4G not working outside USAInconsistent refresh rate reportsUnderpowered Helio G37 chipset
TCL 40 XL~$199
Strong value at low price points
Large, well-optimized display
Easy setup and data transfer
4G not working outside USA
Inconsistent refresh rate reports
Underpowered Helio G37 chipset

Who wins on what (similar price)

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Good value camera and screen for the price. Multiple buyers highlight that for roughly $100-140, the TCL 40 XL delivers a solid 13MP camera producing good photos, a large 6.75in display, and smooth content transfer from old phones. One user rated it 9/10, and others note TCL does a great job optimizing cheap screens, making it an appealing low-cost option compared to pricier flagships.

Chipset and software issues frustrate users. The Helio G37 chip is repeatedly criticized as underpowered, with commenters suggesting TCL should use a Dimensity 810 or Snapdragon 695 instead, even for a slightly higher price. Built-in ads are a recurring annoyance, forcing users to install adblockers. A poorly placed spacebar near the home button also causes frequent typing errors during use.

Connectivity and reliability concerns outside the USA. Several commenters report that 4G doesn't work outside the USA, falling back to slow 2G, described by one user as the worst phone they've owned. Others experienced severe reboot failures requiring repeated factory resets. The phone also lacks 5G and NFC, and refresh rate claims are inconsistent, with some seeing 90Hz and others questioning if it's really 60Hz.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?