TCL 40 SE

Cheap ; Lots of storage (128GB) ; Stereo speakers ; Can take good-looking daytime photos

Flat-out bad CPU results in a languorous feel ; No 5G ; Default screen calibration doesn’t look good ; Camera array not as advanced as it looks

The TCL 40 SE is a slow phone, but it’s also cheap and has a couple of notable features you wouldn’t expect when spending this little. It has lots of internal storage and stereo speakers.

Long battery life ; 90Hz refresh rate screen ; Decent performance ; Solid main lens

Display HD+ resolution only ; Secondary rear lenses not great ; No 5G

There are few things you can ask of an entry-level phone, but the TCL 40 SE delivers on almost all of them. The low-resolution screen is compensated for by the long battery life, good performance and a main camera that is surprisingly solid