TCL 501
$187
Overview
TCL 501 is a budget Android smartphone released in 2024 with a 6-inch IPS LCD, MediaTek Helio G36 chipset, 5 main camera, and 3000 mAh battery.
Priced at $187, it targets users seeking budget performance.
Specifications of TCL 501
The display of TCL 501 measures 6 inches with IPS LCD technology. Peak brightness reaches 400 nits for excellent outdoor visibility. The screen renders at 540x1092 pixels resolution.
The camera system of TCL 501 features 1 rear cameras: 5 main. Video recording supports up to 1080p.
The battery of TCL 501 has 3000mAh capacity with 10 wired charging. A full charge takes approximately 240 min minutes.
The performance of TCL 501 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 chipset with Qualcomm Adreno 640 600MHz GPU. AnTuTu benchmark achieves 442352.
The memory of TCL 501 offers 2GB RAM with 32GB storage options. RAM uses LPDDR4X technology. Storage is UFS Storage 2.1.
The connectivity of TCL 501 includes Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth 5.1.
The build of TCL 501 weighs 5g with Plastic frame and Plastic back. Dimensions measure 156.5 x 74.9 x 9.7 mm.
The software of TCL 501 runs Android 14 (Go edition) with Android Go. Software support extends 2 years through 2028.
Compare TCL 501
Frequently Asked Questions about TCL 501
TCL 501 has a 5 camera suitable for casual photography. For professional photography, consider phones with higher-resolution sensors.
TCL 501 with MediaTek Helio G36 can handle casual gaming. For intensive gaming, consider phones with flagship chipsets.
TCL 501 receives 2 years of updates through 2028. Consider this when planning long-term device usage.
TCL 501 has a 3000mAh battery. Battery life varies based on usage patterns.
TCL 501 at $187 is a budget device. It's worth buying if you prioritize affordability over premium features.
TCL 501 supports 10 wired charging with full charge in approximately 240 min minutes.
TCL 501 is available in 32GB storage options. Storage is not expandable, so choose your capacity based on your needs.
TCL 501 has a 6-inch IPS LCD with 60Hz refresh rate and 400 nits peak brightness. HDR support includes No.
TCL 501 in Category Rankings
See how TCL 501 ranks in these categories:
Verdict
The TCL 501 delivers practical value for users prioritizing affordability over premium features. Pick this phone for essential smartphone functionality, if you prioritize affordability while still needing core features.
Key Specifications
Display
6"
Main Camera
5
Chipset
MediaTek Helio G36
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 2G Bands | GSM / |
| 3G Bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G LTE Bands | LTE |
| 5G Sub-6 Bands | N/A |
| 5G mmWave Bands | N/A |
| Speed | N/A |
| Carrier Aggregation | |
| SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Dual SIM Mode | Dual SIM |
| eSIM Support | |
| VoLTE Support | N/A |
| VoWiFi | N/A |
| NR CA Support | N/A |
Launch
| Announced | 2024 |
| Status | available |
| Availability | N/A |
| Model Variants | N/A |
| Launch Price | $528.51 |
Body & Design
| Dimensions (mm) | 156.5 x 74.9 x 9.7 mm |
| Weight (g) | 5 |
| Build Materials | Glass |
| Frame | Plastic |
| Back Finish | Plastic |
| Colors | ["Black", "Glacial Blue"] |
| IP Rating | N/A |
| Rugged Certifications | N/A |
| Ingress Gaskets | N/A |
| Form Factor | Bar |
| Hinge Type | N/A |
| Folded Dimensions | N/A |
| Thermal Solution | Passive |
| Notification/Alert | |
| Haptics | Basic |
Display
| Panel Type | IPS LCD |
| Size (inches) | 6 |
| Resolution (px) | 540x1092 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 45:91 |
| Pixel Density (ppi) | 203 |
| Screen-to-body Ratio (%) | 86 |
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | 60 |
| Adaptive Refresh Rate | |
| Touch Sampling Rate (Hz) | 120 |
| Peak Brightness (nits) | 400 |
| HDR Standards | |
| Color Gamut | sRGB |
| Color Depth | 16 |
| PWM Dimming (Hz) | 240 |
| Glass Protection | N/A |
| Oleophobic Coating | N/A |
| Curvature | Flat |
| Always-on Display | |
| Display Driver IC | N/A |
| Cover Display |
Platform (SoC)
| OS at Launch | Android 14 (Go edition) |
| Update Policy | 2 years |
| Chipset | MediaTek Helio G36 |
| CPU | 1x Kryo 485 2.84 GHz + 3x Kryo 485 2.4 GHz + 4x Kryo 485 1.8 GHz |
| GPU | Qualcomm Adreno 640 600MHz |
| NPU/AI TOPs | 0.5 TOPS |
| ISP Features | Basic |
| Modem | MediaTek Helio G36 |
| Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Chip | N/A |
| Throttling Behavior | N/A |
| Geekbench Single-Core | N/A |
| Geekbench Multi-Core | N/A |
| AnTuTu Score | 442352 |
| 3DMark Scores | N/A |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 2GB |
| RAM Type | LPDDR4X |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Storage Type | UFS Storage 2.1 |
| Storage Speed | eMMC 5.1 |
| Expandable Storage | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Slot Type | microSD |
| USB OTG | |
| Filesystem Encryption |
Main Camera System
| Rear Cameras | 1 |
| Main Sensor | 5 |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/5.0" |
| Main Sensor Model | N/A |
| Main Lens | f/2.2, 2.0mm |
| OIS | |
| Autofocus | Fixed |
| Pixel Binning | 1.12µm |
| Ultrawide | N/A |
| Telephoto | N/A |
| Macro | N/A |
| Depth/ToF/LiDAR | 24.0 MP depth |
| Flicker/Color Sensors | N/A |
| Flash | LED |
| Video Resolution | 1080p |
| HDR/Dolby Vision Video | |
| Video Codecs | H.264 |
| Slow Motion | |
| Video Stabilization | EIS |
| Night Mode Features | basic |
| RAW/Pro Controls | N/A |
Selfie Camera
| Resolution | 2 |
| Sensor Size | 0.1 |
| Aperture | f/2.8 |
| AF/OIS | |
| Secondary Front Cam | |
| Front Flash | |
| Video | 720p@30fps |
| HDR/Dolby Vision | N/A |
| Face Unlock | 2D |
Audio
| Loudspeakers | |
| 3.5mm Jack | |
| Hi-Res Audio | |
| Spatial Audio / Dolby Atmos | |
| Microphones | 1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| DAC/Amp | Basic |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Wi-Fi Features | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 |
| NFC | |
| IR Blaster | |
| UWB | N/A |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Dual-Band GNSS | |
| FM Radio | |
| USB | USB Type-C |
| Display Out | |
| eSIM Capacity |
Sensors
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted |
| 3D Face ID | N/A |
| Accelerometer | |
| Gyroscope | |
| Magnetometer | |
| Proximity Sensor | |
| Ambient Light | |
| Barometer | |
| Thermo/Hygrometer | N/A |
| UV Sensor | N/A |
| Hall Sensor | |
| Color Temp Sensor | |
| Health Sensors | Basic |
| Satellite SOS |
Battery & Charging
| Capacity (mAh) | 3000 |
| Type | Li-Polymer |
| Removable | |
| Endurance Rating | N/A |
| Wired Charging | 10 |
| Wired Standard | 10W |
| 0-50% Time (mins) | 120 min |
| Full Charge Time | 240 min |
| Wireless Charging | N/A |
| Wireless Standard | N/A |
| Reverse Wireless | N/A |
| Reverse Wired | |
| Charger in Box | 10W |
| Battery Health Features | Basic |
Software
| OS at Launch | Android 14 (Go edition) |
| Update Window | 2 years |
| UI Skin / Launcher | Android Go |
| Feature Drops | N/A |
| App Cloning | N/A |
| Game Mode | Basic |
| Privacy Features | Basic |
| Accessibility | Basic |
| Satellite Messaging UI |
Miscellaneous
| In-Box Contents | Phone, 10W charger, USB cable, SIM ejector tool, User manual |
| Recycled Materials (%) | N/A |
| Repairability Score | N/A |
| Warranty | N/A |
Reviews & Ratings
186 ratings
Showing 3 of 186 reviews
Alex R.
2 weeks ago
Absolutely love the camera on this phone! The zoom is incredible and the photos are so crisp. Battery life is also a huge plus.
Ben C.
1 month ago
Great performance and beautiful display. My only complaint is that it feels a bit heavy, but you get used to it. Solid phone overall.
Chloe D.
3 months ago
The best phone I've ever owned. It's fast, the software is clean, and the build quality is top-notch. Highly recommend!