TCL K70 Power with 6,500mAh battery, Helio G100 chip unveiled, TCL K70 to follow

TCL has quietly introduced two new budget 4G smartphones, the K70 and K70 Power, expanding its lineup with devices that prioritize battery life and display refresh rates over cutting-edge specifications.

TCL K70 Power: The Battery Champion

The TCL K70 Power takes center stage with its impressive 6,500mAh battery, which TCL claims can last up to three days on a single charge. The phone is already available for pre-order in Thailand through Lazada, priced at THB 13,090 ($415/€350/₹37,500) for the 4GB/256GB model and THB 14,090 ($445/€380/₹40,000) for the 8GB/256GB variant.

Powering the K70 Power is MediaTek's Helio G100 Turbo chipset, paired with either 4GB or 8GB of RAM. The device offers 256GB of storage with a hybrid SIM slot that allows users to choose between dual SIM functionality or a SIM plus microSD card configuration.

Display and Camera Features

The phone sports a 6.8-inch LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1,570 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. While the resolution might seem modest by today's standards, the display can reach 750 nits of peak brightness in sunlight mode, making it usable outdoors. A punch-hole cutout houses an 8MP selfie camera on the front.

On the rear, despite appearances suggesting a dual-camera setup, there's actually just a single 50MP main camera. The second lens is described as a "helper" lens, likely serving as a depth sensor or macro camera.

Battery Life and Charging

The 6,500mAh battery is the star of the show, with TCL promising over 12 hours of gaming or up to 21 hours of video playback on a single charge. The battery is rated for 1,000 charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its original capacity, which translates to approximately five years of use under normal conditions. Charging is handled through a 33W adapter, though notably, TCL doesn't include the charger in the box.

Additional Features

The K70 Power includes stereo speakers with DTS support, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a side-mounted fingerprint reader. It carries an IP64 rating for splash resistance and supports Bluetooth 6.0 and NFC connectivity. However, it's limited to 4G connectivity and features a USB 2.0 port for data transfer.

Available colors include Nebula Blue and Space Gray, and the package includes a USB-C 2.0 cable and a TPU case.

TCL K70: The More Affordable Option

The standard TCL K70 shares the same Helio G100 chipset and 6.8-inch 120Hz 720p+ LCD display but comes with a smaller 5,200mAh battery. So far, only one configuration has been spotted: 4GB of RAM with 128GB of storage.

The K70 is proving harder to find in stores, though a user manual is available on TCL's official website. Interestingly, the device appears on Infor Valencia, an IT maintenance company's website, listed at €135.50 (including VAT). This suggests the K70 could be positioned as an even more budget-friendly option compared to the K70 Power.

There are also indications of a cheaper TCL K70 SE model with 64GB storage, though details remain scarce.

Market Context and Consumer Reaction

The launch of these devices has sparked mixed reactions from tech enthusiasts. Some users expressed frustration with MediaTek's naming conventions, particularly the "G100 Turbo" designation, suggesting the company is recycling existing chipsets under new names rather than introducing genuine innovations.

Others criticized the design choices, comparing the aesthetic to older budget devices like the Redmi A1 and expressing disappointment at the continued use of 720p displays in 2026.

Despite these criticisms, the focus on large batteries and high refresh rate displays at accessible price points could appeal to budget-conscious consumers who prioritize battery life and smooth scrolling over cutting-edge camera systems or flagship performance.

Competition and Positioning

These TCL devices enter a crowded budget smartphone market where brands like Redmi, Realme, and Samsung dominate with similarly specced offerings. The emphasis on battery capacity and display quality helps differentiate them, though the 4G-only connectivity and modest camera systems may limit their appeal in markets where 5G is becoming standard.

The pricing strategy appears to target the sub-$500 segment, with the K70 Power positioned slightly higher than competing devices from other manufacturers, potentially justified by its larger battery and higher storage options.

The TCL K70 and K70 Power represent the company's continued push into the budget smartphone segment, focusing on practical features like battery life and display smoothness rather than chasing flagship specifications. Whether this strategy will resonate with consumers remains to be seen, but it certainly fills a niche for users who prioritize longevity and basic functionality over cutting-edge features.