IFA 2019 | TCL claims to have applied its display know-how to the new PLEX smartphone

TCL, a name perhaps better known for TVs, has unveiled its latest mobile device at IFA. The PLEX is a 6.53-inch FHD+ phone with a 24MP punch-hole camera. It has triple rear cameras, one of which is 48MP, and AI enhancements for the same. The PLEX also has T-Cast, an app that allows it full control over certain smart TVs from the same brand.

Deirdre O Donnell, 09/08/2019

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TCL is a company more often associated with larger-scale displays such as those found in its TVs. However, it also owns the smartphone brands Palm and Alcatel, and may thus have drawn on them to develop a smartphone of its own to launch at IFA 2019.

The PLEX is equipped with TCL's NXTVISION, a new technology to enhance screens of its size. The company claims that it supports a 6-axis color enhancement technique, 2D edge enhancement and the ability to convert SDR image signals to HDR in real-time. These properties are packed into a 6.53-inch FHD+ panel developed by TCL itself. This screen has a "Dotch", "which is this brand's way of saying "punch-hole camera") that confers a 90% screen-to-body ratio on the same.

The TCL PLEX is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 SoC. It also features T-Cast, which is a universal remote control and smart TV assistant app that integrates the phone with some smart TVs from the same company. It also has a triple AI rear cameras, which include a Sony 48MP sensor and a 16MP 123° super wide-angle camera with 960fps slow-motion.

The PLEX has a modern-day glass back with a "3D holographic" finish reminiscent of those found in new Honor smartphones. It is available in Obsidian Black or Opal White options. TCL has made just 1 SKU of this new phone, which has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, as well as up to 256GB in microSD card support. It will go for a recommended price of €329 (US$356) on its release to some European markets later this year.