The TCL 20S is proof that TCL’s method bringing mid-range and flagship options to a funds worth level isn’t simply attainable, it makes different phonemakers seem like they aren’t making an attempt arduous sufficient.
The TCL 20S is without doubt one of the model’s greatest combos of a top quality 6.67-inch LCD show and refined design but, and comes at a really aggressive worth.
It’s a fairly highly effective cellphone, too, packing a Snapdragon 665 chipset, both 4GB or 6GB of RAM, and 128GB or 256GB of storage (expandable as much as 1TB by way of microSD). While not excellent, these specs are nice for the value, and the 20S is definitely zippy sufficient for searching the web and bingeing media.
Like different TCL telephones launched in 2021, one of many TCL 20S’s strongest factors is its 6.67-inch Full HD Plus show, which has a remarkably vivid and crisp image, usually rivaling and even exceeding the standard of video on present flagship telephones just like the Google Pixel 5 and iPhone 12 Pro.
The TCL 20S has an honest suite of cameras, too, with a 64MP principal shooter and 8MP ultra-wide digicam to care for the necessities (plus 2MP macro and 2MP depth sensors to help your images). They take crisp photographs, each shut up and at longer distances utilizing digital zooming, albeit with darker and extra underexposed pictures taken with different telephones.
The 5,000mAh battery can also be respectable, although there are different funds telephones round which have the identical, or higher, capability, just like the Moto G Power. But that’s consultant of the TCL 20S total – it’s pretty much as good as different telephones however in just about each class, making it a funds handset with out many weaknesses.
After being introduced in April 2021, the TCL 20S launch date was May 20 in some areas. While TCL sells the 20S on its retailer within the US, it is unclear the place it is offered in different nations, because the cellphone is not listed on its UK or AU shops, as an example.
The TCL 20S worth begins at $249 (round £180 / AU$345) for the 4GB RAM and 128GB storage model. While we all know it is available in a barely better-specced 6GB RAM and 256GB storage model (and have seen listings of such), it is unclear what TCL's official pricing is for that configuration.
The TCL 20S is available in two colours: Milky Way Gray and North Star Blue. 
The TCL 20S’s design has been refined over its predecessors, and it seems to be extra like a mid-range cellphone than a funds gadget. At 199g, it’s not gentle, however loads of flagship telephones are heavier.
It’s on the bigger finish of the smartphone spectrum with a 6.67-inch show, which has noticeable however not excessively giant bezels. The rear cowl is plastic, and feels plastic, however has a matte end for a classier look.
The digicam block on the top-left of the rear is lengthy and skinny, with 4 lenses aligned vertically – it’s the one characteristic on the rear of the cellphone moreover a TCL emblem on the bottom-left. Sandwiched between the back and front casings, the cellphone’s plastic facet rim has a chromed look for a extra refined look.
The cellphone has a large lock button in the course of the suitable facet that additionally serves as a fingerprint scanner, and it’s lightning-quick at recognizing prints. It’s handy to succeed in, situated roughly the place the thumb rests when the cellphone is held in the suitable hand, which suggests the quantity rocker simply above the lock button is somewhat harder to succeed in.
On the left facet there’s a button that summons Google Assistant, though regrettably, this isn’t customizable – we’d a lot favor a perform button that may be set to a shortcut to open apps or different options. On the underside of the cellphone there’s a USB-C port within the middle with speaker grilles to both facet, whereas on the highest there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack on the left and a microphone on the suitable. 
Like the opposite 20-series telephones TCL has launched this 12 months, the TCL 20S’s 6.67-inch LCD Full HD Plus (2400 x 1080 decision) show is considered one of its strengths, providing a vibrant and crisp image. While the show solely has the ‘standard’ 60Hz refresh charge – many telephones, together with mid-range handsets, are actually 90Hz or sooner – it’s a better decision than different TCL funds telephones (the TCL 20SE solely has customary HD at 1640 x 720).
It’s a testomony to TCL that the 20S’s show has an image that rivals far pricier telephones. In a facet by facet comparability watching a 4K video on YouTube, the cellphone confirmed very clear element in topics and landscapes on the identical degree as shows of different flagship telephones, just like the iPhone 12 Pro.
The show is damaged up by a punch-hole for the 16MP f/2.2 selfie digicam within the top-center of the display, and, as we’ve talked about, it has noticeable however not overly deep bezels throughout. It seems to be extra premium than its worth would recommend, even when bezels have been slimming on even funds telephones for years now.
The TCL 20S’s suite of cameras presents respectable selection for a funds cellphone. While it doesn’t have a telephoto lens, not many telephones at this worth level do, so its principal and ultra-wide cameras deal with all photographs, and so they accomplish that impressively.
The TCL 20’s rear array contains a 64MP f/1.8 principal shooter and an 8MP f/2.2 ultra- extensive digicam, supplemented by 2MP f/2.4 macro and 2MP f/2.4 depth sensors.
Images look fairly respectable, with good element. The TCL 20S’s photographs are noticeably a bit dimmer than these taken with pricier telephones, however other than a slight lack of readability in shadows, the 20S takes first rate daylight pictures with its principal and ultra-wide lenses.
While the dearth of a telephoto lens is obvious, the digital zoom on the first cameras isn’t that a lot worse than that on handsets that even have restricted optical zoom, just like the iPhone 12 Pro. In daylight and at most zoom, distant topics confirmed the identical diploma of slight blur as in zoomed pictures taken with telephones a lot pricier than the TCL 20S.
The TCL 20S has good daylight images, even when its coloring modifications between principal and ultra-wide cameras.
The cellphone does not have a telephoto lens, however crops within the picture to zoom decently effectively:
The cellphone additionally takes first rate meals photographs, although it is perhaps powerful to get the themes lit sufficient.
The TCL 20S has respectable specs, on par or higher than different funds telephones on the identical worth level. The cellphone runs on the Snapdragon 665 chipset, and comes with 4GB RAM and 128GB of storage or 6GB and 256GB (although the storage is expandable as much as 1TB by way of microSD card).
Those middling specs ship correspondingly middling benchmark scores. On Geekbench 5, the TCL 20S scored a median 1343, which is a bit decrease than the 1582 scored by the comparably-priced and specced OnePlus Nord N200 5G. But that doesn’t imply this cellphone is a slouch in the case of performing on a regular basis duties: quite the opposite, it performs on-line video games like Wild Rift and streams reveals on Netflix simply high quality.
The cellphone runs Android 11 out of the field with TCL’s personal overlay, which is fairly gentle on bloatware however does rearrange the settings considerably. These embrace some TCL-only NXTVISION show choices for extra vibrant shade, though we didn’t discover a lot distinction after they had been turned on.
The TCL 20S packs a 5,000mAh battery, which is kind of giant for a funds cellphone, and will comfortably final you a day and alter from a full cost. It’s good for sustained media watching and taking part in – a 20-minute Wild Rift match, as an example, drained simply 5% battery, whereas a 30-minute TV present took a mere 3%.
That 5,000mAh capability isn’t particularly exceptional – the Moto G Power additionally has a 5,000mAh battery (and the Moto G9 Power offered in different areas has a 6,000mAh battery) – however it’s nonetheless nice for this worth vary.
The in-box charger isn’t notably quick, recharging the cellphone to 66% in an hour, 79% after 90 minutes, and absolutely charging it in underneath two hours. While different telephones have a lot sooner chargers – the Asus ROG 5’s 65W charger can refill 90% of that cellphone’s large 6,000mAh battery in simply 45 minutes – it’s the TCL 20S’s giant capability that can be extra necessary to most customers at this worth level.
You need a funds cellphone with a fantastic show
The TCL 20S’s greatest characteristic is its show, and it’s nice for watching media and taking part in video games, particularly given the cellphone’s low worth.
You need a funds cellphone with an enormous battery
Budget telephones have greater batteries than ever, however few of them sport 5,000mAh batteries just like the TCL 20S’s – purchase this if you'd like a less expensive cellphone with a long-lasting battery.
You need an inexpensive cellphone with none weaknesses
Okay, ‘no weaknesses’ sounds unexciting, however there are normally areas the place funds telephones reduce corners. Compared to another funds telephones, nonetheless, the TCL 20S actually doesn’t have weaknesses.
You need a cellphone for zoom and evening images
Compared to mid-range and pricier telephones the TCL 20S’s cameras fall brief, particularly in the case of zoomed pictures and evening images.
You need a cellphone with the most recent bells and whistles
Not that it is best to actually count on such options in funds telephones, however if you'd like in-screen fingerprint sensors or wi-fi charging and even sooner wired charging, look elsewhere.
You need a extra premium-feeling cellphone
It’s attainable you need one thing that appears much more luxe with a metallic body and glass again – if that’s the case, choose up a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or an iPhone 13. ONE MORE?
First reviewed: October 2021
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