The TNT Panalo Phone 5G is designed for budget-conscious users who want to experience 5G connectivity without stretching their wallets. It packs essential features, such as a 90Hz display, a decent battery, and expandable storage, making it an attractive option for entry-level smartphone users. How does this fare the most affordable 5G phone in the country today? Here’s what we found out.
Design and Construction
The TNT Panalo Phone 5G keeps it simple with a plastic build and a matte finish, prioritizing durability and comfort. The lightweight body makes it easy to carry and operate with one hand.
On the back, the triple-camera module is housed in a circular layout, complemented by an LED flash. While most of the back is in a matte finish, there’s a section where it’s glossy to provide a unique design. The whole of the back, though, is a fingerprint and smudge magnet especially if you have sweaty hands like me.
The phone has a power and lock button and volume keys at the side. You’ll noticed the flat sides and chamfered edges it has to provide that grip when holding the device.
At the bottom, you’ll find the hybrid SIM Tray, the USB Type-C port, a microphone, and a single-firing loudspeaker. It’s surprising that there’s no 3.5mm audio jack here.
The thick bezels around the 6.51-inch display, especially the chin, make the device look slightly dated compared to other budget phones. There’s the back which could be very fragile too, as my unit got this really bad crack on my bag during travelling. While the overall design isn’t flashy, it’s functional and appropriate for a phone at this price point.
Display and Audio
The TNT Panalo Phone 5G features a 6.51-inch HD+ IPS LCD with a resolution of 1600 x 720 and a 90Hz refresh rate. The display offers smooth scrolling and a responsive touch experience, which is a nice addition for an entry-level device.
Color reproduction is decent, with natural tones that work well for watching videos or scrolling through social media. However, the HD+ resolution is less sharp compared to Full HD panels, and the screen struggles under direct sunlight, which could be an issue for outdoor users.
Audio performance is handled by a single bottom-firing speaker. While it gets the job done for calls and casual video watching, the sound lacks depth and bass, particularly at higher volumes. If you’re looking for a better audio experience, using wired headphones via the USB-C port or Bluetooth earphones is recommended.
Camera
The TNT Panalo Phone 5G has a triple-camera setup consisting of:
- 13MP wide sensor (main shooter)
- 2MP depth sensor (for portrait effects)
- 0.08MP auxiliary sensor (likely for basic scene enhancements)
The main camera produces good results in well-lit conditions, with natural colors and reasonable sharpness for social media use, though sometimes it appears too overexposed. It actually snaps fast but sometimes have slower shots resulting to motion zoom. Portrait shots from the 2MP depth sensor are decent but can struggle with edge detection in complex scenes.
Low-light photography is where the camera falls short. Images appear grainy, and the lack of a night mode makes nighttime shots challenging. Video recording is capped at 1080p and works fine for casual use, though it lacks stabilization, resulting in shaky footage during movement.
The 5MP front-facing camera delivers acceptable selfies in proper lighting but suffers from noise and soft details in low-light conditions. It’s enough for video calls and occasional selfies but isn’t ideal for demanding users.
Video recording is surprising. It can take up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second with output similar to how it was in the photos. There’s no stabilization but it didn’t feel shaky for the most part.
Here are some samples:
Performance and Connectivity
The phone is powered by the UNISOC T765 chipset, featuring 2 Cortex-A76 cores and 6 Cortex-A55 cores, paired with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. It’s backed by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, which is expandable via microSD. Android 14 runs the show, and it’s very vanilla. The only apps here aside from the usual ones are some built-in phone apps like security and Themes, along with Netflix, Tiktok, Facebook and Messenger, Instagram, Grab, and even Smart Ka-Partner app.
For everyday tasks like messaging, web browsing, and light social media use, the phone performs adequately. Casual gaming on titles like Mobile Legends or Subway Surfers is smooth, but more demanding games like Genshin Impact require lower settings and still experience occasional stutters. Multitasking is also limited by the 4GB RAM, so switching between heavy apps may cause slowdowns.
5G connectivity is the phone’s standout feature, offering faster download speeds and future-proofing for areas where 5G networks are expanding. It also supports Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS for location-based services. The dual nano-SIM slots allow users to manage two numbers or take advantage of different network plans.
Battery
The TNT Panalo Phone 5G is equipped with a 4,000mAh battery, which provides a surprisingly all-day battery life with light to moderate usage. For basic activities like calls, social media, and video streaming, the phone comfortably lasts almost a day. However, heavy usage, especially with 5G enabled, drains the battery faster. When on standby with just one SIM card, the phone can last up to 3 days.
Charging is done via USB Type-C, but the phone lacks fast charging support. A full charge takes around 2 to 2.5 hours, which may feel slow for users who are always on the go. While the battery life is sufficient for casual users, power users may need to charge it more frequently.
The Rundown
The TNT Panalo Phone 5G is an entry-level smartphone that brings 5G connectivity to users on a budget. It’s ideal for casual users who prioritize connectivity and affordability over premium features. The phone’s design is simple yet functional, and its display and performance are sufficient for everyday tasks. It’s a practical choice for first-time smartphone users, students, or those in areas with accessible 5G networks.
