The TCL 502 is a budget-friendly smartphone that combines essential features with a modern design, making it an attractive option for those looking for a reliable daily driver. Released in 2023, December 04, the TCL 502 caters to users who need a capable device without the frills of high-end models.
Design and Display
The TCL 502 comes in a sleek Black color and features a sturdy build, measuring 159 x 78 x 9.6 mm and weighing 182 grams. Its dimensions provide a comfortable grip, while the 6.0 inche IPS LCD screen delivers an immersive visual experience. With a 90Hz refresh rate, the display ensures smooth scrolling and transitions, making it ideal for casual browsing and social media. The screen resolution of 480 x 960 pixels offers decent clarity, with a pixel density of around 179 ppi. While it’s not Full HD, the display still provides vibrant colors and good contrast for everyday use.
Under the hood, the TCL 502 is powered by the Mediatek Helio A22 chipset, built on a 12nm process. This Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53, ensures a balance between performance and power efficiency. The PowerVR GE8320 GPU handles graphics, offering smooth performance in casual gaming and video playback.
Running on Android 13, the TCL 502 offers the latest Android features and security updates. The device comes with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSDXC card. This combination is suitable for multitasking and storing essential apps, photos, and media.
Camera System
The TCL 502 sports a dual-camera setup on the back, featuring a 5 MP wide lens. While it may not have the advanced camera capabilities of flagship phones, it still performs well in good lighting conditions, capturing decent photos with natural colors. The camera app includes features like LED flash, HDR, and panorama mode, and it can record videos at 1080p@30fps.
For selfies, there’s an 2 MP front camera, which also supports 720p video recording. It’s adequate for video calls and casual selfies, offering clear and detailed images.
Battery and Connectivity
The device is equipped with a 3000 mAh non-removable battery, which is slightly smaller than some competitors but still offers enough power to last through a day of moderate use. With 10W wired charging support, you can quickly top up the battery when needed.
In terms of connectivity, the TCL 502 covers all the essentials. It supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, providing reliable connectivity for calls and data. Other features include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with dual-band support, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO for location services, and a USB Type-C port with OTG support. The device also has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for convenient and secure unlocking.
Conclusion
The TCL 502 is an excellent choice for users seeking an affordable smartphone without compromising essential features. Its 90Hz display, decent performance, expandable storage, and reliable camera setup make it a well-rounded device for everyday use. If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly phone that covers the basics and then some, the TCL 502 is worth considering.
