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TCL 503 Smartphone Launched in South Africa with NXTVISION Display and 5000mAh Battery

TCL 503

TCL has launched the TCL 503 smartphone in South Africa, targeting users who need reliable performance and essential features at an entry-level price.

TCL 503 Smartphone Specifications

The TCL 503 comes with a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display offering a resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels and a pixel density of 267 ppi. The screen includes a notch housing the front-facing camera. TCL has integrated its NXTVISION technology into the display, which enhances color balance and overall clarity to improve everyday viewing quality.

Under the hood, the device runs on the Unisoc SC9863A chipset, paired with an octa-core CPU (4x 1.6GHz + 4x 1.2GHz Cortex-A55). It comes with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card up to 512GB. The phone also supports up to 6GB of usable memory through an additional 3GB of virtual RAM. It runs Android 14 (Go edition), designed for smoother operation on budget hardware.

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For photography, the TCL 503 is equipped with an 8MP main rear camera and a 0.08MP secondary sensor, with software interpolation raising the effective output to 13MP. Features include autofocus, LED flash, HDR, and panorama support, with video recording at 1080p@30fps. A 5MP front camera handles selfies and video calls.

Powering the device is a 5000mAh non-removable battery, supporting extended use across communication, media, and browsing. It charges over USB-C and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio.

TCL 503

The phone supports dual Nano SIM cards and connects to GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks. It lacks 5G but offers standard connectivity options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, FM radio, and OTG. Security is handled through a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and face unlock.

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In terms of design, the TCL 503 has a glass front, plastic back, and plastic frame. It weighs 185.5g and measures 163.9 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm. It comes in four color options: Black, White, Blue, and Grey. Other features include an accelerometer and virtual proximity sensing.

The TCL 503 was announced in February 2024 and became globally available in October 2024. It is priced at $120 (approximately ZAR 2,200 in South Africa).

In related news, TCL has launched the NXTPAPER 11 Plus in the US, featuring a paper-like display and priced at $249. Meanwhile, TCL CSOT has confirmed an exclusive display partnership with Xiaomi for its upcoming MIX Flip 2 smartphone and YU7 vehicle, strengthening its role in the flexible OLED panel market.

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Xiaomi 18 Pro will retain the rear display with TCL CSOT expected to supply panels

Xiaomi 17 Pro Rear Display

Xiaomi has confirmed that its next-generation (likely Xiaomi 18 Pro) smartphones will continue to feature a rear display design. Lu Weibing, President of Xiaomi Group and head of the smartphone division, made the announcement during a recent livestream. He also revealed that the Xiaomi 17 Pro will introduce new interactive features on the rear display, including real-time translation.

Lu emphasized that the rear screen is not only for visual appeal but will also serve functional purposes. Xiaomi plans to release monthly updates to enhance the rear display experience, with the first set of features arriving by the end of October. The company is actively working on new use cases and has invited feedback from users through Lu’s recent post on Weibo.

Xiaomi 17 Pro Rear Display

The Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max both use displays supplied exclusively by TCL CSOT. The 17 Pro includes a 6.3-inch front screen, while the 17 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch panel. The rear display also matches flagship standards, using TCL’s M10 luminescent material and supporting peak brightness of up to 3500 nits. Xiaomi has equipped the series with Dragon Crystal Glass for added durability.

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TCL CSOT remains a key display partner for Xiaomi’s flagship lineup. With the company supplying both the main and rear displays on the 17 series, it is likely that TCL will continue its role with the Xiaomi 18 Pro. As Xiaomi pushes forward with dual-screen functionality, TCL’s display technology will play a central role in enabling new features and maintaining high visual performance.

Xiaomi aims to turn the rear display into more than a secondary screen. The upcoming updates could mark the beginning of a broader shift toward dual-display interaction across its premium smartphone line.

In related news, TCL has completed the full acquisition of LG Display’s China operations. Meanwhile, China’s TV market continues to decline, with Q3 shipments down 10.4% and deeper cuts expected in Q4.

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TCL completes full acquisition of LG Display’s China operations

LG display

TCL has officially completed its acquisition of LG Display’s business operations in mainland China. The announcement was made by TCL’s panel-making arm, China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT), confirming that it has acquired 100% ownership of two former LG Display subsidiaries.

The transaction includes LGD CA, which operated the Guangzhou-based 8.5-generation LCD production line, and LGD GZ, which managed module assembly. TCL said the total deal value stands at 11.088 billion yuan ($1.55 billion), with the entire amount already paid to LG Display.

The agreement between TCL and LG Display was first reached in September 2024. LG Display held an 80% stake in the Guangzhou LCD plant at the time, while it fully owned the module factory. By April 2025, LG Display had already announced the completion of the Guangzhou factory sale. TCL’s latest statement serves as the official confirmation under Chinese regulatory procedures.

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Following the acquisition, the Guangzhou factory was renamed T11. TCL also confirmed that financial data from both facilities had already been included in its second-quarter earnings report. The deal marks LG Display’s official withdrawal from LCD manufacturing operations in mainland China.

LG display

TCL now expands its control over mid-to-large-size LCD panel production, strengthening its position in the global display market. While LG Display and other rivals have shifted focus toward OLED and high-end display technologies, TCL continues to invest in LCD production capacity to serve mainstream demand in televisions, monitors, and commercial displays.

This acquisition allows TCL CSOT to scale production while maintaining competitive pricing. The company aims to grow its market share in a segment that still accounts for a large portion of global panel shipments. With LG Display’s exit, TCL gains additional manufacturing resources and greater leverage in the supply chain.

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In related news, China’s TV market continued to shrink in the third quarter, with shipments falling by 10.4% and deeper declines expected in the fourth quarter.

(Source)

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China’s TV Market Shrinks Again: Q3 Shipments Drop 10.4%, Deeper Cuts Expected in Q4

TCL QM7K TV

China’s TV market is losing steam, and not just by inches. September shipments fell 8.5% year on year to 2.92 million units, according to new data from RUNTO Technology. The number may look decent next to August’s, which was 17.3% lower, but it’s a temporary lift driven by seasonal stocking. The broader trend? Steady decline.

Q3 closed with 7.27 million units shipped, down 10.4% year on year, marking three straight months of double-digit contraction. The year-to-date total stands at 23.895 million units, 2.5% lower than the same period in 2024. And things aren’t likely to get better. With national subsidies tightening and last year’s Q4 setting a high bar, analysts expect the final quarter of 2025 to plunge even further.

Big brands are holding ground. The top eight domestic players, including Hisense, TCL, Skyworth, Xiaomi, Changhong, Haier, Konka, and Huawei, shipped 2.813 million units in September, capturing a combined share of over 95 percent, despite a 5.8 percent year-over-year decline. Hisense, TCL, and Skyworth alone commanded 62 percent of the market and saw only a negligible 0.5 percent year-on-year drop.

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China TV Shipments September 2025

Xiaomi (Redmi TV included) clocked in around 500,000 units for the month, grabbing a 17.1 percent share. Meanwhile, Changhong, Haier, and Konka slid harder, with their combined shipments falling 14 percent to about 440,000 units.

Huawei’s yearly total is hovering around 700,000 units, likely to finish under a million, while foreign brands like Samsung, Sony, and Sharp remain niche players, shipping just tens of thousands of units monthly.

The real question is whether Q4’s looming subsidy freeze will trigger a sharper market contraction or if leading brands will tighten their grip and weather the coming storm. Either way, 2025’s final tally may end up redefining the baseline for China’s TV industry.

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In related news, TCL has recently launched its R94 and R84 series gaming monitors, both featuring QD-Mini LED technology and a 165Hz refresh rate. The R94 lineup offers 4K resolution with 2304 local dimming zones for superior contrast and precision lighting control, while the R84 series delivers up to 1500 nits peak brightness for vibrant HDR visuals and smooth gaming performance.

(Via)

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