Apple iPhone 14 vs TCL 50 XL 5G
The Apple iPhone 14 is the premium option here, but TCL 50 XL 5G offers serious bang for your buck. The TCL's 120Hz display provides buttery-smooth scrolling, compared to Apple's 60Hz, making it a delight for gaming and social media scrolling.
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Apple iPhone 14

TCL 50 XL 5G
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 14 vs TCL 50 XL 5G

Apple iPhone 14

TCL 50 XL 5G
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 14 | TCL 50 XL 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(1,511)Best Buy | ★4.1(19)Amazon |
Operating System | iOS | Android |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | 1 Android OS upgrade (to Android 15) and 2 years of security updates |
Processor | Apple A15 Bionic chip (5nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core) |
Graphics | Apple 5-core GPU (A15 Bionic) | Mali-G57 MC2 |
RAM | 6 GB (LPDDR4X) | 6GB (Plus up to 6GB Virtual RAM Expansion) |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) | 128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 2TB) |
Display Size | 6.1" (6.06" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.78" |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | IPS LCD, 120Hz, NXTVISION Technology |
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi) | 2460 x 1080 (FHD+) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 120Hz (Adaptive) |
Peak Brightness | 800 nits max (typical); 1200 nits peak (HDR) | 500 nits (Typical) / 550 nits (HBM) |
Main Camera | 12MP Main (26 mm, f/1.5), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, Photonic Engine for better low-light performance | 50MP, f/1.8, PDAF (1/2.76" sensor) |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.4, 120° field of view) | 5MP, f/2.2, 115-degree FOV |
Telephoto Camera | No dedicated telephoto lens; Digital zoom only beyond 1x | No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Depth Sensor f/2.4 |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x (2x optical zoom out range) | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 5x | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps | 1080p @ 30fps |
Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | 8MP, f/2.0, 1080p @ 30fps |
Battery | 3279 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 20 hours video playback (16 hours streamed) | 5,010mAh (Typical) |
Wired Charging | Lightning; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher | 18W Fast Charging (Charger included in box) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W | No (Not supported) |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (First-generation); NFC with reader mode | 5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
USB | Lightning connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s) | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Aerospace-grade aluminum; Glass back | No official IP rating |
Dimensions | 5.78" x 2.82" x 0.31" (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.80 mm) | 6.60 x 2.97 x 0.32 in (167.6 x 75.5 x 8.2 mm) |
Weight | 6.07 oz (172 g) | 6.88 oz (195 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock |
Extras | Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Dual eSIM (US models); Ring/Silent switch | Stereo speakers (DTS Sound), 3.5mm Headphone Jack, microSD slot, 18W Charger included |
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Apple iPhone 14
✓ Pros:
- • Affordable entry point into the modern mainline iPhone ecosystem
- • Reliable A15 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU still performs well
- • Lightweight and compact 6.1-inch design
- • Excellent build quality with Ceramic Shield and IP68 rating
- • Autofocus on the front-facing TrueDepth camera
✗ Cons:
- • Uses the older Lightning port instead of USB-C
- • Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion)
- • No optical zoom for telephoto (only digital)
- • Not compatible with newer Qi2 wireless charging standard (limited to MagSafe/Qi)
- • Dynamic Island not available (uses the older notch design)
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TCL 50 XL 5G
✓ Pros:
- • Huge 6.78-inch FHD+ 120Hz display is rare for this price
- • Includes 18W charger, cable, and sometimes a case in the box
- • 6GB real RAM + 128GB storage is generous for the budget tier
- • Features NFC for contactless payments (often cut in budget phones)
- • Retains user-favorite 3.5mm jack and microSD expansion
✗ Cons:
- • Ultrawide camera is low resolution (5MP) and muddy
- • No official IP rating for water or dust resistance
- • Software support is minimal (only 1 OS update guaranteed)
- • Display brightness struggles in direct sunlight (~500 nits)
- • Video recording capped at 1080p (No 4K support)
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Which one is better?
The Apple iPhone 14 is the better buy for most people - its 4K Dolby Vision video recording crushes the TCL 50 XL 5G's 1080p.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 14 if: you shoot a lot of video in 4K, prefer a compact design, or want access to the iPhone ecosystem.
Choose the TCL 50 XL 5G if: you need a massive screen for gaming, want a battery that lasts 34 hours, or prefer a budget-friendly option.
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple iPhone 14 excels if you value affordable entry point into the modern mainline iphone ecosystem. TCL 50 XL 5G is better if you prioritize huge 6.78-inch fhd+ 120hz display is rare for this price. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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