TCL 50 5G
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until April 2027 · Buy-by April 2025
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~3-year update track record — on that basis the 50 5G should be supported until around April 2027. Buying it today still gets you about 0.8 years of safe use, and Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years (verified June 2026).
Source: TCL's policy · last verified 2026-06-18 · how we compute this
TrueCost
Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.
100% above the under-$300 median ($6.89/mo, dying phones excluded)
Our verdict
A no-frills budget 5G phone with a big battery and a splash-resistant body, fine for the basics but limited by its 720p screen and modest software promise.
Pros
- Affordable 5G with NFC for tap-to-pay
- Large 5010mAh battery and a light 184g body
- IP54 splash resistance, uncommon at this price
- 90Hz screen and one confirmed OS upgrade to Android 15
Cons
- Only a 720p display on a 6.6-inch panel
- Just 4GB RAM and slower 18W charging
- Modest single OS upgrade limits long-term software life
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.6-inch IPS LCD, 720 x 1612 (HD+), 90Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 50MP |
| ultra-wide | 5MP |
| front | 8MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 5,010 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.1 x 8.3 mm |
| Weight | 184 g |
| Materials | Plastic frame and back |
| Water resistance | IP54 |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 14 (upgraded to Android 15) |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, BT 5.3, NFC, USB-C |
| Update policy | ~1 years of updates (our estimate from TCL's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TCL 50 5G still getting updates in 2026?
Yes, for security. It launched in 2024 with one OS upgrade (to Android 15) and around three years of security patches, so it should keep getting security updates into roughly 2027 even though OS upgrades are done.
How long will the TCL 50 5G last?
Its big battery and IP54 build help it hold up day to day, and with security support into 2027 it can serve as a basic daily phone for a few years, though the slow chip will feel dated for demanding apps.
Is the TCL 50 5G worth buying in 2026?
It is reasonable as a cheap 5G phone with NFC and a big battery, but the 720p screen and limited OS upgrades mean buyers wanting more longevity should consider stepping up to a better-supported model.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-18.