TCL just launched a trio of affordable phones, with one of them being the company’s cheapest 5G offering. Meet the new TCL 40 XE, 40X, and 40 XL.
First, we have the new TCL 40 XE 5G, which is now the cheapest 5G phone the company makes. As expected, it is powered by the immortal MediaTek Dimensity700 processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage.

Like most budget phones, it has a 6.56-inch HD+ screen but does have a high 90Hz refresh rate. It also has a 5,000mAh battery, a 13-megapixel main camera, and an 8-megapixel selfie snapper.
The TCL 40 XE 5G has a price of USD169 (~Php9,300).
TCL 40 XE 5G Specs
- Android 13, TCL UI
- Dual SIM, Dual standby
- 6.56-inch HD+ IPS display, 1612 x 720 pixel resolution, 269ppi
- 90Hz refresh rate
- 2.2GHz MediaTek Dimensity 700 octa-core processor
- 4GB RAM
- Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- 64GB internal storage, expandable via microSD
- 8-megapixel front camera
- 13-megapixel (PDAF) + 2-megapixel (macro) + 2-megapixel (depth sensor) rear cameras, LED flash
- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner, Face unlock
- Stereo speakers
- Headphone jack
- HSPA+, 4G LTE, 5G
- WiFi
- Bluetooth
- GPS
- USB Type-C
- Color: Black
- 5,000mAh non-removable battery, 18W fast charging
If you want something a bit more interesting, there’s the TCL 40 X 5G, which has a better 50-megapixel main camera. Other than that, everything is the same as the 40 XE.

The TCL 40 X 5G retails for USD199 (~php11,000).
TCL 40 X 5G Specs
- Android 13, TCL UI
- Dual SIM, Dual standby
- 6.56-inch HD+ IPS display, 1612 x 720 pixel resolution, 269ppi
- 90Hz refresh rate
- 2.2GHz MediaTek Dimensity 700 octa-core processor
- 4GB RAM
- Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- 64GB internal storage, expandable via microSD
- 8-megapixel front camera
- 50-megapixel (PDAF) + 2-megapixel (macro) + 2-megapixel (depth sensor) rear cameras, LED flash
- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner, Face unlock
- Stereo speakers
- Headphone jack
- HSPA+, 4G LTE, 5G
- WiFi
- Bluetooth
- GPS
- USB Type-C
- Color: Black
- 5,000mAh non-removable battery, 18W fast charging
Lastly, there’s the TCL 40 XL. Obviously, this now lacks 5G connectivity. On the upside, it does come with a large 6.75-inch screen, albeit still with an HD+ screen. The cameras are the same as the 40 X, with the only main obvious difference being the processor. It uses a 4G-only MediaTek Helio G37 CPU.

The TCL 40 XL sits in between with a price of USD149 (~Php8,200). All three models were announced for the global stage at MWC 2023 and may soon arrive in the Philippines soon.
TCL 40 XL Specs
- Android 13, TCL UI
- Dual SIM, Dual standby
- 6.75-inch HD+ IPS display, 1640 x 720 pixel resolution, 265ppi
- 2.3GHz MediaTek Helio G37 octa-core processor
- 4GB RAM
- PowerVR GE8320 GPU
- 128GB internal storage, expandable via microSD
- 8-megapixel front camera
- 50-megapixel (PDAF) + 2-megapixel (macro) + 2-megapixel (depth sensor) rear cameras, LED flash
- Face unlock
- Stereo speakers
- Headphone jack
- HSPA+, 4G LTE, 5G
- WiFi
- Bluetooth
- GPS
- USB Type-C
- Color: Gray
- 5,000mAh non-removable battery, 18W fast charging