TCL 501 deals

The TCL 501 is in our catalog but no UK retailer currently stocks it.

Spec scores Under £200 Phones · 143 phones

Performance 1.1 /5 Basic

Display 1.5 /5 Basic

Rear Camera 1.5 /5 Basic

Front Camera 0.7 /5 Basic

Battery 1.5 /5 Basic

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First-time smartphone users, children, elderly relatives, or anyone needing an ultra-cheap backup device for basic calls, messaging, and essential apps.

One of the most affordable smartphones stocked by UK networks
Android 14 Go edition keeps performance smooth on minimal hardware
Compact 6.0-inch display that is easy to hold and operate one-handed

TCL 501

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The TCL 501 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 501

The TCL 501 sits at the very bottom of the smartphone market, and it embraces that position honestly. Sitting at the very bottom of UK network line-ups, it is designed for people who need a basic smartphone without pretence of competing with mid-range devices. Android 14 Go edition keeps the experience lean and responsive on just 2GB of RAM and the MediaTek Helio G36 processor, ensuring core apps like WhatsApp, YouTube, and web browsing run without major complaints. The 6.0-inch display is compact and easy to handle, though its 540 x 1092 resolution is noticeably soft compared to modern screens. The 5MP rear camera and 2MP selfie camera are bare minimum offerings suited for quick snaps rather than serious photography. At 3,000mAh, the battery is modest and will need daily charging with anything beyond light use. Where the TCL 501 earns its place is as a first phone for children, a backup device, a handset for elderly relatives who want simple smartphone access, or a temporary phone while your main device is being repaired. It does not try to be more than it is, and at its price, it does not need to.

Price History

Tracking the best prices since 27 Apr 2026.

TCL 501 vs TCL 505 — Key Differences

Feature	TCL 501	TCL 505
Display	6.0″ IPS (540 x 1092), 60Hz	6.75″ IPS (720 x 1600), 90Hz
Processor & RAM	Helio G36, 2GB RAM	Helio G36, 4GB RAM
Battery	3,000mAh	5,010mAh
Main Camera	5MP	50MP + 2MP
Software	Android 14 (Go edition)	Android 14
SIM-free price	Not available	From £71.28

Frequently asked questions

Is the TCL 501 worth buying?

The TCL 501 is worth buying only if your budget is extremely limited or you need a basic smartphone for simple tasks. As an ultra-budget handset, it handles WhatsApp, YouTube, web browsing, and phone calls adequately. It is not suitable for gaming, photography, or heavy multitasking, but as an ultra-budget device for essential use, it serves its purpose.

Can the TCL 501 run WhatsApp and social media apps?

Yes, the TCL 501 runs WhatsApp and YouTube smoothly thanks to Android 14 Go optimisations. Instagram works but can be laggy, and TikTok is usable but not ideal. Banking apps and BBC iPlayer also function well. Very demanding social media apps may feel sluggish due to the 2GB of RAM.

How good is the TCL 501 camera?

The 5MP rear camera and 2MP front camera are basic by any standard. Photos are acceptable for quick documentation in good lighting but lack detail and struggle significantly in low light. This is not a phone for anyone who values photography. It is functional for video calls and scanning QR codes.

How long does the TCL 501 battery last?

The 3,000mAh battery provides enough power for light usage throughout a day, including calls, messaging, and occasional browsing. Heavier usage including video streaming will require a midday top-up. The small battery is the phone's most notable weakness.

Does the TCL 501 support 5G?

No, the TCL 501 is a 4G-only device. At its ultra-budget price point, 5G is not available. For most of the basic tasks this phone is designed for, 4G connectivity is perfectly adequate.

Is the TCL 501 good for elderly users?

The TCL 501 can work well for elderly users who want basic smartphone functionality. Its compact 6.0-inch size is easy to hold, Android Go keeps the interface simple, and it handles calls, messaging, and video apps without complication. The lower resolution screen may be harder to read for some, but the overall simplicity is an advantage.

TCL 501 Specifications

Spec Scores

Under £200 Phones · 143 phones

Helio G36
Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53)

143 phones in this group →

This phone

22%

Avg

28%

Best

70%

652 phones in catalog →

This phone

22%

Avg

49%

Best

100%

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.

6.0 inches
540 x 1092 pixels (~203 ppi density)
IPS

143 phones in this group →

This phone

30%

Avg

46%

Best

82%

652 phones in catalog →

This phone

30%

Avg

61%

Best

98%

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
5 MP main camera
1080p video recording

143 phones in this group →

This phone

30%

Avg

30%

Best

61%

652 phones in catalog →

This phone

30%

Avg

41%

Best

98%

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.

2 MP front camera

143 phones in this group →

This phone

14%

Avg

40%

Best

92%

652 phones in catalog →

This phone

14%

Avg

55%

Best

92%

Based on selfie megapixels and max selfie-video resolution.

3,000 mAh
10W wired

143 phones in this group →

This phone

30%

Avg

49%

Best

72%

652 phones in catalog →

This phone

30%

Avg

53%

Best

100%

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

156.5 x 74.9 x 9.7

SIM

Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM

Operating System

Android 14

Colours

Black, Glacial Blue

Radio

Unspecified

Body

Black, Glacial Blue

Camera

Primary Camera Megapixels

Primary Camera

5 , f/2.2

Primary Camera Video

1080@30fs

Primary Selfie Camera

2 , f/2.8

Video Resolution

1080

Selfie Video Resolution

720@30fs

Display

Type

IPS LCD

Display Size

6.0

Display Resolution

540 x 1092 pixels (~203 ppi density)

CPU & Memory

Chipset

Helio G36

GPU

PowerVR GE8320

CPU

Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53)

Memory Card Slot

microSDXC (dedicated slot)

Internal Storage

32GB 2GB RAM

Sound

Loudspeaker

Yes

3.5mm Jack

Yes

Connectivity & Data

2G

GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

3G

HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100

4G

1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41

Network Speed

HSPA, LTE

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

NFC

GPS

GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS

Battery

3000

Charging

10W wired

Other

Sensors

Accelerometer