Review: THL T6C 3G Smartphone with 5-inch Display for RM320

THL T6C is one of the budget smartphones for people who need more than a feature phone without breaking their bank. Read on for my THL T6c smartphone review to learn more about its specs, performance, and price.

Who is THL?

Have not heard about THL? It is okay, neither I know about the brand when I was contacted by DD4.com in the end of 2015.

Apparently, THL (Technology, Happy, Life — technology-based happy life) is an established smartphone brand in China with over 300 brand experience stores in 2012. It is founded by Shenzhen Hongjiayuan Communication Technology Co., Ltd in 2008.

Design

In the white package box, you get a THL T6C smartphone, a quick start guide, microUSB cable, USB power adapter, and a back cover phone case.

My review unit is White colour, Black colour is also available. The smartphone has curved edges at the top and bottom. Chrome lines at the left and right sides.

The power button at the right side and volume rocker at the opposite are transparent buttons. Both microUSB port and headphone jack are located at the top. 3 permanent non-back-lit capacitive buttons (options, home, back) at the front bottom.

The protruding rear camera has single LED flash. The rear bottom is a row of speaker grills. The patterned rear cover improves grip, reduce oily finger prints.

Open up the rear cover to reveal the 1900mAh removable lithium-ion battery and dual sim slot with microSD memory card slot.

Overall, THL T6C design is simple and nothing too fancy (chrome line and transparent buttons). The build does not feel cheap or frangible.

Display

THL T6C front

THL T6C has a 5-inch IPS 5-point multi-touch display with FWVGA 854×480 pixels resolution (16:9 aspect ratio). It is bright and vibrant, the viewing angle is good. You seldom get a 5-inch IPS display smartphone at this price range.You seldom get a 5-inch IPS display smartphone at this price range.

You seldom get a 5-inch IPS display smartphone at this price range.

Software

THL T6C stock ROM runs Android 5.1 Lollipop with an active wireless update (latest update version on January 16th, 2016). The skin applies material design and cheerful icons.

I am impressed that it does not pre-installed useless 3rd party bloatware. Only total 26 apps in app drawer consist of basic Android apps and Google apps. *thumb up*

Plus, THL smartphone has an “App Permission Manager” allows you to monitor each app’s permission and block as you wish.

Performance

THL T6C is powered by a Mediatek MT6580 quad-core 1.3Ghz processor, 1GB RAM and 8GB storage, supporting microSD memory card up to 32GB. The usable free storage out of the box is 5GB.

In AnTuTu Benchmark v6.0.1 test, the budget smartphone scored 18,688 and failed in 3D test. Yes, it is very far far behind the top smartphones that scored over 70,000 points.

THL T6C ain’t your top performance phone.

In my real-life test, it is okay for most people’s daily phone usage. No problem for web browsing, watching online video and playing a game (Temple Run 2).

The mono speaker has high volume output but lost in details. The WiFi reception is kind of weaker than my other smart devices.

By the way, T6C is a 3G smartphone with Dual SIM Dual Standby mode.

Camera

THL T6C has 5MP auto-focus rear camera and 0.3MP front camera. The cameras’ performance is disappointing. Photos are blur and lost of details as if it is over post-processing to reduce noises.

Check out the original photos below: (full-size image available)

THL T6C Specification

• CPU: Mediatek MTK6580 Quad-core 1.3GHz processor
• RAM: 1GB
• Storage: 8GB (support up to 32GB microSD memory card)
• Display: 5-inch (854×480 pixels), IPS
• Battery: 1900mAh
• Camera: 5MP (rear) with LED flash , 0.3MP (front)
• Standby: 2 SIM 2 Standby
• Data Transfer: GPRS, EDGE, HSPA, HSPA+
• Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, micro USB, audio jack
• Dimensions: 143.9 x 71.6 x 8.2 mm
• Weight: 123 g

Competition

THL T6C competitions with similar specs and price range are:

• LEAGOO Alfa 6 — Mediatek MTK6580 Quad-core 1.3GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, 4.5-inch IPS display, 1600mAh battery, 5MP/2MP cameras
• ASUS Zenfone C — Intel Z2520 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage (support 64GB microSD card), 4.5-inch TFT display, 5MP/0.3MP cameras

Conclusion

THL T6C is an affordable Android smartphone that works for most people. I like its clean custom ROM and app permission manager. Performance is okay with a quad-core processor and 1GB RAM. The camera quality is disappointed. I do not understand why the rear camera has to be protruding, it is not super-resolution nor optical zoom.

THL T6C is selling on DD4.com for USD$74.99 (~RM320).

[box type=”info”]Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free for the review. Opinions are my own.[/box]