Nowadays it is really difficult to find yourself in front of a smartphone that manages to thrill out of the box. TCL 10 PRO has succeeded, although it is certainly not the perfect device. In our review the pros and cons we found. In any case, it was a really nice, and unexpected, surprise. Here's why.
Unboxing and aesthetics
The sales package is complete. In addition to the smartphone, there is a USB-C charging cable, wall adapter with support for fast charging from 18W , and a transparent case, which increases its grip. To amaze, right from the start, is the terminal: light, aesthetically very beautiful, balanced from all points of view, minimal and modern. TCL 10 PRO is a terminal that offers curved edges , and which, net of personal tastes, is however magnificently assembled. It is true that the upper and lower bezels are not as optimized as the side ones, but overall the design of the device, starting from its front, is of a premium nature and nothing is feared in the face of more famous curved terminals.
On the front there is the classic drop notch , and nothing else, while on the right side there is the standby button and the volume rocker. Another key is then present on the left side, and is used to call up the voice assistant. At the bottom there is the USB-C , while on the top the surprise of the 3.5mm headphone jack . The presence of this jack is also surprising because the terminal is really light and thin, a clear sign that if you want you can still insert it without weighing down the design of a device.
In no uncertain terms, TCL 10 PRO is one of the most attractive terminals available on the market today. Really unexpected. It must be said that in the hand it holds very well, even if there is no lack of unnoticed touches on the display due to the curved edges. It is noticeable, above all, during gaming sessions, while in everyday use we have never encountered any problems.
Technical features and daily use
TCL 10 PRO, despite the nickname, is not a terminal that boasts a technical data sheet at the highest levels, although some features are undoubtedly high-sounding. Let's start with these. The display is one of the protagonists, with its diagonal from 6.47 inches , with resolution Full HD + and with AMOLED technology . This is certainly not the best panel out there, and it loses a direct comparison if you look at the sacred monsters on the scene. It is useless, however, to compare a 500 euro terminal by putting it alongside another that exceeds and touches the 1000 euro. It is clear that in a hyper meticulous comparison, side by side, TCL 10 PRO gives way.
However, if you use your smartphone in everyday life, you can only be satisfied with the panel. Good colors, especially blacks, while whites are not perfectly crystalline. Even in the part where the curved screen is possible to perceive, on white backgrounds, a very slight light gray shade. In any case, even on the folding of the TCL 10 PRO display it defends itself magnificently: without making comparisons, in other cases we had underlined how the folding gave rise to an annoying color line tending to black. On TCL PRO 10, on the other hand, it is absent, and even at the edges the display makes its figure.
Good brightness, readability under the direct sun. There is even an option to convert SDR content to HDR10 . Let's be honest, however, it will be difficult to notice the differences. Great news, then, for lovers of watching TV series on the go: TCL 10 PRO officially supports viewing of HD content on Netflix . In short, the display of this terminal, although not the best AMOLED ever seen, is still an advantage not to be underestimated at all.
The other technical features, on paper, are certainly less striking, such as the Snapdragon 675 processor, flanked by a Adreno 612 GPU . It is, to tell the truth, a processor that we did not think could find a place on a “PRO” version of a smartphone. It is an 11nm CPU, with a maximum clock of 2GHz. In everyday use, to tell the truth, it does not make you regret more powerful processors, but in this case the difference with a more expensive top of the range is evident.
The menus and the entire interface are still particularly fluid and free from real slowdowns. Switching between applications is also really fast, as is web browsing or any other standard activity. TCL 10 PRO is still a reactive terminal, even if for lovers of numbers, the benchmark score may not thrill you, or it may lose the comparison with other terminals in the same price range. Surely the reactivity of the device is also helped by the presence of 6GB of RAM , which are more than enough to move everything smoothly.
What we didn't like, however, is the fingerprint unlocking system. It is located under the screen, and is by no means the most responsive. As for accuracy, it is still sufficient, in the sense that unlocking occurs about 8 times out of 10, but the speed is really mediocre. It would have been preferable, at this point, to use a much more responsive rear To uch ID . Fortunately, the face unlock comes to the rescue, which has a slightly higher speed, and which works quite well, although it is still a two-dimensional unlock.
There is also 128 GB of ROM , another positive fact, which can be further improved with the help of a MicroSD, even if in the latter case you will have to sacrifice support for one of its NanoSim. There is no shortage of Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. Dual band ac WiFi, NFC chip and, as previously announced, the 3.5mm headphone jack .
Summing up, if we exclude the really subdued Touch ID, the rest of the features that do not shine on paper, still allow a more than satisfactory use of the terminal.
Cameras
On the back of the TCL 10 PRO there are six modules: four cameras and two LED flashes. Said this way it might seem a confusing disaster, but even in this case the terminal is a nice surprise. Without putting too much effort into odd shapes, the development team placed the entire set in a horizontal position, and without any bump. The cameras are in line with the body, and only the LEDs protrude slightly, but the rise is imperceptible. Once again we confirm the validity from an aesthetic point of view: although the six modules, TCL 10 Pro appears absolutely discreet and elegant.
The main camera is 64-megapixel with ƒ / 1.8 aperture, but takes 16-megapixel images via pixel binning. To support this sensor, a second 16 MP camera with ƒ / 2.4 wide-angle aperture, a 5 megapixel ƒ / 2.2 macro and a 2 megapixel ƒ / 2.4 camera for the depth effect. Unfortunately, there is no telephoto lens.
In general, the terminal takes good photos in optimal lighting conditions. Some may turn up their noses for particularly saturated color tones, but the impact of daytime photos is definitely positive. We are not at the levels of a top of the range that costs twice as much, but in relation to the price we would like to promote the photos during the day.
Macro
The shooting mode with Artificial Intelligence seems to be too present and aggressive, and intervenes with a straight leg by radically modifying some colors. Red and green, in particular, seem to be really too saturated. Be careful, however, to say that it is a “against”: the particularly vivid final effect could also please. A little less, probably on the blues, where for example the sea and sky tend to be a little distorted.
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When it comes to taking night photos there is Super Night mode. This too is appreciable, even if there are flaws. First, the shutter is particularly slow, requiring the user to remain in position for several seconds. It is unthinkable, for example, to immortalize an elusive scene in this way, such as the foreground of a subject at an early age that is unlikely to remain still, as well as any other moving subject, such as an animal. In addition, although the photo is actually particularly illuminated, the colors are slightly pastel: the photo is largely modified. The final result, however, is pleasant and actually the mode is convenient when there is total absence of light.
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From the video point of view, unfortunately, there is no recording mode at 60 fps, with 4K and 1080p reaching a maximum of 30 FPS. To be honest, however, the recording is enjoyable, also thanks to the presence of electronic stabilization.
Autonomy
Good autonomy, without particular miracles, however, manages to ensure intense use throughout the day, also leaving you some margin in the evening to be totally calm. It will be thanks to the battery from 4500 mAh (really big if you consider the reduced thickness of the terminal and the weight of just 177 grams), as well as the processor that does not weigh particularly . The fast charging speed is also good, which certainly is not at the levels of a Realme X50 Pro, but which far exceeds the terminals with standard charging, as well as the iPhones.
Software
The terminal arrives with Android 10 on board, customized by TCL, even if not in an invasive way. There is a sidebar to take advantage of the curved edge, which looks a lot like one of the first implementations of the old Samsung models with curved edges. It is not particularly interesting, but still it is still enjoyable.
It is possible to insert or delete the app drawer, as well as the full management of the graphic interface via gesture. They work well and are customizable: you can choose whether the slide to go back works from the bottom or from the sides. Again, there is one-handed use, which however only works if you have chosen navigation via virtual buttons.
Overall, TCL's customization is good, with the Google feed menu well implemented in the Home. At the first start, however, the po up is quite invasive which would tend to stop the automatic start of most applications. Fortunately, the user can choose via the Smart Manager installed which apps to start automatically, so as to be sure not to prevent them from running in the background.
Conclusions
TCL 10 PRO is truly a pleasant surprise. Surprising aesthetics, good and pleasant responsiveness. It is a device that in daily use will give satisfaction, without excelling in performance. To forget the Touch ID, while the photographic department is also sufficient, which will give you some exceptional shots in optimal light conditions. Sin only for the price of 499 euros euros. Considering that there are so many competitors in this range, some of which offer better technical characteristics on paper, TCL 10 PRO could struggle.
If we were to find, however, a justification for the price, we would identify it in the aesthetics: it is the most beautiful terminal in this price range, and it would have no problem competing in the higher ranges.
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Prices and availability
On Amazon at the moment it costs 499 euros; if you want an aesthetically flawless terminal you could also choose it at this price. If with any offer it were to go down by 50 or more euros, then it would become a best buy.
