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Launch price (RRP) | $499 |
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Launch date | 2019-12 |
TCL as a brand is far better known in Australia for its range of highly affordable TVs, but it's not actually a newcomer to the mobile phone space. Under its Alcatel brand, it's been selling affordable budget handsets to Australians for many years now, and it's also the company behind the most recent BlackBerry and Palm devices sold locally too.
The TCL Plex is something a little different again. It's TCL's play for a "flagship" in the mid-range space, and that's a field that's hotly contested by phones from manufacturers such as Samsung, Google, Huawei, realme and Oppo.
First attempts are often somewhat awkward affairs, but TCL has actually managed to produce a phone that can mostly hold its head up high against its competition, offering some interesting features for a lower-end mid-range price.
Given TCL's background in super-cheap phones, my expectations around the TCL Plex weren't spectacularly high. While there are some aspects of the TCL Plex experience that could be a little sharper, especially around battery life, it's a generally good mid-range phone for the money, albeit one with plenty of competition at that price point. If the prospect of super-slow motion and fair low-light performance appeal, it's well worth considering.
RRP $499
At that $499 price point, you've got a lot of flexibility when it comes to phone choices. If camera quality is a key concern – and if you can stretch your budget out just a little, or score a bargain – consider the exceptional Google Pixel 3A, which also benefits from guaranteed Android updates.
At the same price point, if you want a phone with a really good camera, there's the realme XT, or the realme 5 Pro if you wanted to save a little money.
You could also opt for Motorola's Moto One Vision at this price point, or indeed its Moto G8 Plus.