TCL 40 SE deals
The TCL 40 SE is in our catalog but no UK retailer currently stocks it.
Release date: 4 April 2023
Media lovers and everyday users who want a large, smooth display, stereo speakers, and plenty of storage without spending a premium.
TCL 40 SE
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The TCL 40 SE is in our catalog but no UK retailer currently stocks it. Check back later, or browse TCL alternatives below.
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About the TCL 40 SE
The TCL 40 SE is an affordable smartphone that punches above its weight in terms of media consumption and storage. Released in early 2023, it sports a large 6.75-inch HD+ display with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and animations feel fluid. One of its standout features in the budget segment is its audio setup, which includes dual stereo speakers and a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. Under the hood, it is powered by the MediaTek Helio G37 chipset and comes with generous storage options of either 128GB or 256GB, which can be further expanded via a microSD card. The device is equipped with a high-resolution 50MP main camera that captures detailed photos, complemented by a macro sensor. A robust 5,010mAh battery with 18W fast charging ensures you can comfortably get through a busy day without reaching for a charger.
Expert Rating
Price History
Tracking the best prices since 27 Apr 2026.
TCL 40 SE vs TCL 40 NxtPaper 5G — Key Differences
| Feature | TCL 40 SE | TCL 40 NxtPaper 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | 4G LTE | 5G (SA/NSA) |
| Display Tech | 6.75″ HD+ standard IPS LCD, 90Hz | 6.6″ HD+ matte NxtPaper LCD, 90Hz |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G37 | MediaTek Dimensity 6020 |
| Memory | 4GB RAM / 128GB or 6GB RAM / 256GB | 6GB RAM / 256GB |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers | Single loudspeaker |
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
Frequently asked questions
Is the TCL 40 SE good for watching videos?
Does the TCL 40 SE have a good camera?
Does the TCL 40 SE support fast charging?
Does the TCL 40 SE have NFC for contactless payments?
Should I get the TCL 40 SE or the TCL 40 NxtPaper 5G?
TCL 40 SE Specifications
Spec Scores
Under £200 Phones · 124 phones
- Helio G37
- Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
Based on calibrated CPU benchmark rankings (60%) and GFXBench GPU scores (40%). Apple chipsets included via editorial calibration since AnTuTu under-represents Apple's architecture.
- 6.75 inches
- 720 x 1600 pixels
- IPS, 90Hz, 450 nits peak
Based on panel type (LTPO is the modern flagship gold standard), resolution, refresh rate, peak brightness, screen size, and HDR10+ / Dolby Vision support. Marketing peak-brightness claims are capped at 3500 nits to prevent inflation.
- Single camera setup
- 50 MP main camera
- 1080p video recording
Based on main-sensor size (1-inch / 1/1.3" beats 1/2.0"), telephoto reach (periscope > 5x > 3x optical), image processing tier (Apple Pro, Pixel Pro, Galaxy Ultra, Honor Magic Pro, Xiaomi Ultra), pro video features (ProRes, Apple Log, Dolby Vision), camera-partnership branding (Leica, Hasselblad, Zeiss) and OIS. Older flagships are de-rated since image processing pipelines have advanced significantly each generation. Megapixel count is deliberately downweighted — it correlates poorly with real-world camera quality. Where DXOMARK has lab-tested the phone, its measured score replaces this estimate.
- 8 MP front camera
- 1080p selfie video
Based on the image-processing tier (Apple Pro, Pixel Pro, Galaxy Ultra and Honor Magic lead on computational processing), sensor resolution in tiers rather than raw megapixels, autofocus, aperture and max selfie-video resolution. Calibrated against DXOMARK's selfie protocol.
- 5,010 mAh
- 18W wired
Based on battery capacity (mAh) adjusted for platform efficiency calibrated against NotebookCheck, Tom's Guide, GSMArena and CNET reviewer tests. Apple A-series gets +45% (iOS process freezing + LTPO 1Hz + tuned panels make iPhone Pro Max outlast many 6500+ mAh Android phones in measured tests). Top Snapdragon / Dimensity flagships get +15%, budget chipsets are penalised −15% to −25% to reflect less efficient displays and looser background limits. Charging speed is excluded — see the separate Fast charging tag for that.
General
Dimensions
167.9 x 76.5 x 8.5
Weight
190 g
SIM
Nano-SIM
Operating System
Android 13, TCL UI 5.0
Colours
Dark grey, Twilight purple
Radio
Unspecified
Body
Dark grey, Twilight purple
Camera
Primary Camera Megapixels
50
Primary Camera Video
1080p@30fps
Third Camera
50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Selfie Camera Features
HDR
Primary Selfie Camera
8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video Resolution
1080
Selfie Video Resolution
1080p@30fps
Display
Type
IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ)
Display Size
6.75
Display Resolution
720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density)
CPU & Memory
Chipset
Helio G37
GPU
PowerVR GE8320
CPU
Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
Memory Card Slot
microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal Storage
128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
Sound
Loudspeaker
Yes, with stereo speakers
3.5mm Jack
Yes
Connectivity & Data
2G
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - T610K
4G
1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T610K
Network Speed
HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps
Network Technology
GSM / HSPA / LTE
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth
5.1, A2DP, LE
USB
USB Type-C 2.0
NFC
Yes (T610K, T610K2, T610P, T610P2)
GPS
GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Battery
Battery
5010
Charging
18W wired
Other
Sensors
Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity