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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy S23 FE vs TCL 50 XL 5G
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is the premium option here, while the TCL 50 XL 5G is all about budget-friendly features. If you're looking for a phone that excels in photography and build quality, the S23 FE with its 3x optical zoom lens is worth considering. That means you'll enjoy longer video marathons on the S23 FE, making it a fantastic choice for media consumption enthusiasts.
📱 Display: 6.4" vs 6.78"🔋 Battery: 4500 mAh vs 5010 mAh⚖️ Weight: 7.37 oz vs 6.88 oz
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Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
★4.8
(13)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) — *Note: US/Canada model specific*
Graphics:Adreno 730
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TCL 50 XL 5G
★4.1
(19)•Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:1 Android OS upgrade (to Android 15) and 2 years of security updates
Processor:MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core)
Graphics:Mali-G57 MC2
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
TCL 50 XL 5G
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
6.4"
TCL 50 XL 5G
6.78"Winner
Refresh Rate
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
60Hz / 120Hz (Adaptive)
TCL 50 XL 5G
120Hz (Adaptive)
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) — *Note: US/Canada model specific*
TCL 50 XL 5G
MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core)
RAMKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
8GBWinner
TCL 50 XL 5G
6GB (Plus up to 6GB Virtual RAM Expansion)
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
128GB / 256GB (No microSD expansion)
TCL 50 XL 5G
128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 2TB)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
50MP, f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF
TCL 50 XL 5G
50MP, f/1.8, PDAF (1/2.76" sensor)
Ultra-Wide Camera
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
12MP, f/2.2, 123-degree FOV
TCL 50 XL 5G
5MP, f/2.2, 115-degree FOV
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
4,500mAh (Typical)
TCL 50 XL 5G
5,010mAh (Typical)Winner
Wireless Charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
15W Fast Wireless Charging; Wireless PowerShare (Reverse)
TCL 50 XL 5G
No (Not supported)
Design2 specs
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
7.37 oz (209 g)
TCL 50 XL 5G
6.88 oz (195 g)Winner
Dimensions
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in (158.0 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm)
TCL 50 XL 5G
6.60 x 2.97 x 0.32 in (167.6 x 75.5 x 8.2 mm)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
TCL 50 XL 5G
5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs TCL 50 XL 5G
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
★4.8(13)Best Buy
TCL 50 XL 5G
★4.1(19)Amazon
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | TCL 50 XL 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(13)Best Buy | ★4.1(19)Amazon |
Operating System | Android | Android |
Software Support | 4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates | 1 Android OS upgrade (to Android 15) and 2 years of security updates |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) — *Note: US/Canada model specific* | MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core) |
Graphics | Adreno 730 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
RAM | 8GB | 6GB (Plus up to 6GB Virtual RAM Expansion) |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB (No microSD expansion) | 128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 2TB) |
Display Size | 6.4" | 6.78" |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 1,450 nits (Peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, NXTVISION Technology |
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 (FHD+) | 2460 x 1080 (FHD+) |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz / 120Hz (Adaptive) | 120Hz (Adaptive) |
Peak Brightness | 1,450 nits (Peak) | 500 nits (Typical) / 550 nits (HBM) |
Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF | 50MP, f/1.8, PDAF (1/2.76" sensor) |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, 123-degree FOV | 5MP, f/2.2, 115-degree FOV |
Telephoto Camera | 8MP, f/2.4, OIS, 3x Optical Zoom | No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Depth Sensor f/2.4 |
Optical Zoom | 3x Optical Zoom | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 30x | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 8K @ 24fps; 4K @ 30/60fps | 1080p @ 30fps |
Front Camera | 10MP, f/2.4 | 8MP, f/2.0, 1080p @ 30fps |
Battery | 4,500mAh (Typical) | 5,010mAh (Typical) |
Wired Charging | 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately) | 18W Fast Charging (Charger included in box) |
Wireless Charging | 15W Fast Wireless Charging; Wireless PowerShare (Reverse) | No (Not supported) |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC | 5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Durability | IP68 (Water/Dust Resistant); Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (Front & Back) | No official IP rating |
Dimensions | 6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in (158.0 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm) | 6.60 x 2.97 x 0.32 in (167.6 x 75.5 x 8.2 mm) |
Weight | 7.37 oz (209 g) | 6.88 oz (195 g) |
Biometrics | Optical under-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock |
Extras | Samsung DeX, Stereo speakers, Samsung Knox | Stereo speakers (DTS Sound), 3.5mm Headphone Jack, microSD slot, 18W Charger included |
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Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Rating:★4.8(13)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) — *Note: US/Canada model specific*
Graphics:Adreno 730
RAM:8GB
Storage:128GB / 256GB (No microSD expansion)
Display Size:6.4"
Screen Type:Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 1,450 nits (Peak)
Resolution:2340 x 1080 (FHD+)
Refresh Rate:60Hz / 120Hz (Adaptive)
Peak Brightness:1,450 nits (Peak)
Main Camera:50MP, f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP, f/2.2, 123-degree FOV
Telephoto Camera:8MP, f/2.4, OIS, 3x Optical Zoom
Optical Zoom:3x Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 30x
Video Recording:8K @ 24fps; 4K @ 30/60fps
Front Camera:10MP, f/2.4
Battery:4,500mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:15W Fast Wireless Charging; Wireless PowerShare (Reverse)
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
Durability:IP68 (Water/Dust Resistant); Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (Front & Back)
Dimensions:6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in (158.0 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm)
Weight:7.37 oz (209 g)
Biometrics:Optical under-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Extras:Samsung DeX, Stereo speakers, Samsung Knox
✓ Pros:
- • Dedicated 3x optical telephoto lens (rare in this price bracket)
- • Premium build with IP68 rating and aluminum frame
- • Bright 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (1,450 nits)
- • Full flagship software experience including Samsung DeX
- • Guaranteed long-term software support (4 OS updates)
✗ Cons:
- • Significantly thicker bezels compared to standard S23
- • Uses older Gorilla Glass 5 (vs. Victus 2 on S23)
- • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset can be less power-efficient than Gen 2
- • Optical fingerprint sensor is slower than the Ultrasonic sensor on S23
- • Charging speed capped at 25W
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TCL 50 XL 5G
Rating:★4.1(19)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:1 Android OS upgrade (to Android 15) and 2 years of security updates
Processor:MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core)
Graphics:Mali-G57 MC2
RAM:6GB (Plus up to 6GB Virtual RAM Expansion)
Storage:128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 2TB)
Display Size:6.78"
Screen Type:IPS LCD, 120Hz, NXTVISION Technology
Resolution:2460 x 1080 (FHD+)
Refresh Rate:120Hz (Adaptive)
Peak Brightness:500 nits (Typical) / 550 nits (HBM)
Main Camera:50MP, f/1.8, PDAF (1/2.76" sensor)
Ultra-Wide Camera:5MP, f/2.2, 115-degree FOV
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Depth Sensor f/2.4
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:1080p @ 30fps
Front Camera:8MP, f/2.0, 1080p @ 30fps
Battery:5,010mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:18W Fast Charging (Charger included in box)
Wireless Charging:No (Not supported)
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
USB:USB Type-C 2.0
Durability:No official IP rating
Dimensions:6.60 x 2.97 x 0.32 in (167.6 x 75.5 x 8.2 mm)
Weight:6.88 oz (195 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Extras:Stereo speakers (DTS Sound), 3.5mm Headphone Jack, microSD slot, 18W Charger included
✓ 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 Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is the better buy for most people - its dedicated 3x optical zoom crushes the TCL 50 XL 5G’s lack of optical capabilities. That said, grab the TCL 50 XL 5G if you want a budget-friendly device with a huge 6.78-inch display.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if: you want superior photography with a 3x optical zoom, appreciate premium build quality with an IP68 rating, or need long-term software support.
Choose the TCL 50 XL 5G if: you want a massive 6.78-inch display for media consumption, prefer a budget-friendly option with expandable storage, or need a lightweight phone for everyday tasks.
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE excels if you value dedicated 3x optical telephoto lens (rare in this price bracket). 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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