The TCL Stylus 5G is one of the latest mid-range 5G smartphones released by TCL. As the name suggests, the Stylus 5G comes with stylus support, allowing users to take handwritten notes and draw sketches directly on the phone’s display.

Some of the key features and specifications of the TCL Stylus 5G include:

• 5G network connectivity for faster data speeds
• 6.81-inch HD+ LCD
• Quad camera system with 48MP main camera
• Octa-core Snapdragon 690 processor
• Built-in stylus with 4,096 pressure levels
• 4GB RAM and 128GB storage
• 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging
• Android 11 OS

The Stylus 5G aims to provide a good balance of features and performance at a relatively affordable price point. The combination of 5G connectivity, a large display with stylus support, and decent cameras make it an intriguing option in the mid-range category.

Design

The TCL Stylus 5G has a stylish and compact design despite having a large 6.81-inch display. It measures 173.2 x 77.1 x 9.1mm and weighs in at 210g, making it easy and comfortable to hold.

The front and back of the phone are made of smooth plastic that looks premium with a reflective finish. The plastic build helps keep the weight down compared to metal or glass builds.

The Stylus 5G comes in two color options: – Moonlight gray and Starlight Black. Both feature a unique metallic shimmer effect under certain lighting.

The highlight of the design is the huge 6.81-inch LCD screen with an HD+ resolution of 1640 x 720 pixels. The display takes up most of the front, surrounded by relatively thin bezels on all sides. This gives you a large and immersive viewing experience whether browsing the web, watching videos, or using apps.

Overall, the TCL Stylus 5G has a sleek and modern design defined by its spacious display and stylish reflective finish. The plastic body construction helps reduce weight without making the phone feel cheap.

Display

The TCL Stylus 5G features a 6.81-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. AMOLED displays provide deeper blacks, higher contrast ratios, and better viewing angles compared to standard LCD displays. The screen has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which means animations and scrolling look smooth. For brightness, the Stylus 5G reaches a peak of 500 nits. This should provide decent visibility when using the phone outdoors in sunlight.

To help protect against scratches and cracks, TCL has included a pre-installed screen protector on the Stylus 5G. While plastic screen protectors don’t offer as much protection as glass ones, they can help prevent minor scuffs and scratches during daily use. The screen protector can be replaced with a more durable tempered glass one for added security. Overall, the large AMOLED panel makes the Stylus 5G well-suited for media consumption and gaming. The mid-range brightness and standard 60Hz refresh rate are understandable trade-offs at this price point.

Camera

The TCL Stylus 5G comes with a dual rear camera setup consisting of a 48MP main sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. On the front, it has an 8MP camera for selfies and video calls.

The 48MP main rear camera can capture decent shots in daylight conditions. Images have fairly good detail, and colors look vivid. However, low-light performance is just average. The 2 MP depth sensor helps create a bokeh effect for portrait shots.

For selfies, the 8MP front camera gets the job done, but again, low-light performance could be better. The camera app has a few features, like portrait mode, pro mode, panorama, and more. There is support for 4K video recording at 30 fps using the rear camera. Videos shot with the Stylus 5G are good enough for social media, but stabilization could be improved.

Overall, the cameras on the TCL Stylus 5G are decent for the price but not exceptional. The cameras deliver good social media-ready shots in daylight but struggle in low-light situations.

Performance

The TCL Stylus 5G comes equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G processor, which provides fast and efficient performance. This chipset features an octa-core CPU running at 2.0 GHz along with an Adreno 619 GPU.

For memory, the Stylus 5G offers 4GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. The 4GB RAM provides smooth multitasking capabilities, allowing you to easily switch between multiple apps at once. The 128GB of internal storage gives you ample room to store photos, videos, apps, and other files directly on the device. If you need additional storage, the Stylus 5G does include a microSD card slot that supports cards up to 1TB.

Overall, with its Snapdragon 480 processor and 4GB of RAM, the TCL Stylus 5G delivers solid performance that can handle daily tasks, gaming, streaming and more without issue. The ample storage space also means you don’t have to worry about running out of room for your files and media.

Battery

The TCL Stylus 5G has a large 4,000 mAh battery that should easily last a full day on a single charge. The phone supports 18W fast charging via USB-C, which can charge the battery to about 50% in 30 minutes.

While TCL doesn’t provide exact battery life estimates, reviewers report excellent battery life from the Stylus 5G even under heavy use. The large capacity battery paired with the phone’s lower resolution 720p display means the Stylus 5G should have noticeably better battery life compared to 1080p phones with smaller batteries.

In real-world usage, you can expect the Stylus 5G to last around 1.5–2 days on a charge with moderate use. Heavy users may need to charge daily, but they should still get a full day of use thanks to the fast charging support. All in all, battery life is a strength for the TCL Stylus 5G.

Software

The TCL Stylus 5G comes with Android 11 right out of the box, along with TCL’s UI version 3.0 on top. This provides a clean stock Android experience with some added customization options from TCL.

Some of the pre-installed apps on the Stylus 5G include:

• TCL Hub – For discovering and downloading more apps from TCL’s app store
• TCL+ – A media aggregation app
• NXTVISION – For display optimization and adjustments
• Gallery – TCL’s photo gallery app
• Music – TCL’s music player app
• Radio – FM radio app
• Notes – For taking notes
• Weather – Weather information app
• Calculator – Calculator app
• Sound Recorder – Voice recorder app
• File Manager – For accessing and managing files on the device
• Support – Customer support and troubleshooting tips

The amount of bloatware is fairly minimal on the Stylus 5G. Most of the pre-installed apps are quite useful for daily use rather than being completely redundant. TCL seems to have struck a good balance here without going overboard with bloatware.

Special Features

One of the most notable special features of the TCL Stylus 5G is its waterproof design. The phone has an IP68 rating, meaning it can withstand being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes without damage. This makes it a great choice for anyone who wants a durable phone that can handle the occasional splash or drop in water.

Another standout feature is built-in wireless charging support. The Stylus 5G is compatible with Qi wireless charging pads, allowing you to easily charge up without fumbling for cables. Just set the phone down on a wireless charger, and it will start charging right away.

And of course, as the name suggests, the Stylus 5G comes with a handy stylus included right in the box. The stylus slots into the bottom edge of the phone and can be removed when needed for drawing, writing notes, markup, and other precision tasks. It provides a natural pen-on-paper feel for easy content creation.

Overall, the waterproofing, wireless charging support, and included stylus help make the TCL Stylus 5G a versatile and capable smartphone with productivity and creativity features you don’t always find at its price point. These special features help it stand out from the competition.

Pricing and Availability

The TCL Stylus 5G was first released in May 2021. The phone is available globally, including in Europe, for an average retail price of €279.

The Stylus 5G can be purchased directly from phone providers like T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile if you live in the US. Major electronics retailers that carry the phone include Best Buy, Amazon, and B&H Photo.

In Europe, the TCL Stylus 5G is sold by Phone House, Media Markt, Amazon, and other major electronics retailers. The price in Europe averages around €279 without a contract.

The phone is an affordable option that still includes premium features like 5G connectivity. With its competitive pricing, built-in stylus, and decent specs, the TCL Stylus 5G is a great value smartphone for the price.

Conclusion

The TCL Stylus 5G is a solid budget smartphone that excels in certain areas but falls short in others.

Compared to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G and Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G, the TCL offers better battery life and stylus functionality at a lower price. However, those alternatives have better performance, build quality, and cameras.

Overall, the TCL Stylus 5G is best suited for budget-conscious shoppers who prioritize long battery life and want a built-in stylus. It covers the basics well but falls short in the performance and camera departments compared to pricier models. For its price, it’s a decent option, but spending a bit more gets you significant upgrades in processing power, screen quality, and photo capturing.

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