We test drove two of the cheapest smartphones on the market

We have been testing out  two of the cheapest TCL models – the 501 and the 505.  How do they compare with the latest iPhone or Samsung models? They are modern and functional, one is quite basic, but the other is more upmarket and shiny emulating the look of the iPhone. They do all the things you need a phone to do, as well as a few extras.  The bonus is they cost a fraction of the price of the high-end models.

TCL 501 – Under £50

General – The 501 is really lightweight (weighing 178g) and comes with just 2GB of RAM and 32Gb of memory.  It operates on the Android Go OS, which is built for smartphones with 2GB of RAM or less, so it runs lighter and saves data; it has fewer features than the full version of Android but still has plenty to have a go at.  You can also extend the memory with a microSD card.  It also has dual sim which is a great feature.

Feel – On inspection the phone looks like a very basic smartphone, the cover is matt black, and the phone feels very lightweight; it actually feels a bit like a toy, which would suggest it might be prone to damage. A case and screen protector would be a quick fix for this.

Speed – Seems okay but can be slow to load certain apps.

Camera – The camera is really basic, just point and shoot with no scope for editing, or any other settings. However, it does take fairly high quality photos.

Verdict – If you’re looking for a really affordable no frills smartphone, then this is ideal. Perhaps not recommended for streaming videos, lots of complicated apps, or attempting iPhone quality photos.  But if you need a mobile phone for calls, messaging, social media and occasional smartphone style extras, then this would be good for the job.

TCL 505 – Under £80

General – The 505 feels more like a high-end smartphone, it is larger than the 501 and very shiny, it’s just a bit bigger than an iPhone 15 Pro Max.  It has 128GB of memory, and comes with a microSD slot which gives you a bit of elbow room with the memory.  Android 14 is the operating system, so is compatible with all the latest apps. The battery is also easily replaceable, should the need arise.  It also has a dual sim which can be very useful.

Feel – As mentioned above, it looks and feels expensive, with its shiny cover and hybrid camera.  It’s a bit more lightweight than an iPhone (although with its straight edges it is clearly designed to look like an iPhone) weighing in at 190g. (An iPhone Pro Max weighs 221g).

Speed – It feels pretty quick, with smooth navigation across the screens and between apps.  However, compared to an iPhone, there is a bit of a lag when opening up some of the apps, or when you’re waiting for the keyboard to appear when replying to a message, which could be a problem for anyone who is slightly impatient…

Camera – The HDR 50MP hybrid camera is good, it comes with a few settings including panorama, portrait mode, and it has a macro lens, which is great for those high detail close up shots.  Some critics complain that it is slow to open – perhaps we are too used to instant gratification?

Verdict – There’s no doubt that this is a budget smartphone, but it includes many of the features you would expect from the modern smartphone – HD display, long battery life, dual stereo speakers, high resolution front and rear cameras, face recognition, NFC, runs on the latest Android operating system, and the shiny cover gives the illusion of a much more expensive phone.

The takeaway from this experiment is that Smartphones don’t have to be expensive, you can get a functional one for a fraction of the price of an iPhone or a Samsung, you just need to know where to look.

Specifications

Here are some of the specifications:

TCL 501

  • Dimensions – 156.48 x 74.88 x 9.6mm
  • Weight 178.5g
  • 6.0” qHD display
  • 2GB RAM
  • 32GB memory plus extended storage with a microSD card
  • 3000 mAh battery provides up to 10 hours of continuous use
  • Charging time 4.5 hours
  • Face Unlock
  • 3.5mm audio jack
  • Rear Camera – 5MP
  • Front Camera – 2MP
  • Runs on Android Go which is a lightning speed OS built for smartphones with less than 2GB of RAM.  It runs lighter and saves data.

TCL 505

  • Dimensions 76.7 x 168.3 x 8.32mm
  • Weight 190g
  • 6.75” HD display
  • 4GB RAM
  • 128GB memory plus extended storage with a  microSD card
  • 5010 mAh battery – charging time 3 hours
  • Face Recognition, fingerprint reader
  • Face Unlock
  • Rear Hybrid Camera – 50 + 2MP with HDR, Panorama, Face Tracking, LED flash, Macro
  • Front Camera – 5MP Gesture Capture
  • Runs on Android 14