A particularly noteworthy aspect of the rollout of 5G is the rapid decrease in costs for phones equipped with this advanced wireless capability. The drive towards reasonably priced 5G-enabled phones is a strong reflection of the current smartphone market – consumers are not replacing their devices at the same rate as in the past. Furthermore, they are hesitant to spend a substantial amount, such as $1,000, when they do choose to upgrade.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G processor has played a key role in this trend. It’s therefore not surprising to find this mid-range chip powering TCL’s latest 5G phone, which is priced at $400. TCL is marketing the device as being “under $400,” specifically at $399.99, which is accurate in a technical sense – and represents the most desirable type of accuracy.

It’s an overstatement to claim that the TCL 10 5G UW represents a “premium combination of performance, capabilities, attractive design, and 5G access previously limited to higher-priced flagship phones.” Affordable 5G phones are not a completely new development – nor are affordable 5G phones offering respectable specifications and aesthetics. Nevertheless, the price remains significant given the current stage of the 5G adoption process – which is the primary reason this device is being highlighted.

The attractive price combined with 5G capability is the most compelling feature, coming in at a lower cost than alternatives like the OnePlus Nord, which previously set a benchmark for value in the 5G phone category. Additional features that may appeal to buyers include a 4,500mAh battery and the ability to wirelessly charge other devices. The phone features a triple-camera system on the rear: a 48-megapixel primary lens, an eight-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a five-megapixel macro lens, which is becoming increasingly common in smartphones.

The phone will be available starting October 29th, and is exclusively offered through Verizon (the parent company of TechCrunch) in the United States, utilizing the carrier’s mmWave network technology.