If you search for Telegram on the Play Store, you’ll find two versions of it — Telegram and Telegram X. Most people are familiar with the former, but the latter (Telegram X) is confusing for many. What exactly is Telegram X? Is it faster, better, or more secure than the original Telegram app in any way? If you have these questions in mind, stick to this article as we’ll dive deep into the differences — comparing speed, features, and security — to help you decide which one is actually worth using in 2025.
What is Telegram X, and why was it built?
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Telegram X is an official alternative client to the standard Telegram app. In other words, it is a separate app by the official Telegram team, designed to work with the same Telegram network and your existing Telegram account, but with a slightly different approach.
Telegram X was originally Challegram, a third-party Telegram client that was later acquired by Telegram and rebranded as Telegram X. Its primary purpose is to test new features, design ideas, and technologies that may or may not eventually make it to the main Telegram app. This allows Telegram to experiment more freely and quickly without risking the main Telegram app.
Telegram X is built using the Telegram Database Library (TDLib), a modern, efficient, and flexible backend library designed for speed and reliability. Additionally, it is more battery-efficient than the main Telegram app.
Telegram vs Telegram X: what’s the difference?
Telegram vs Telegram X: Design
Telegram uses a more traditional, familiar layout similar to standard messaging apps. The main screen features a list of chats with a separate menu for calls and settings.
Telegram X, on the other hand, adopts a modern, minimalist design. The primary screen is divided into two sections — CHATS and CALLS — for easier and quicker switching. The pinned chats are placed in a separate section at the top, differentiating them from the rest, whereas in the regular Telegram app, those have a light grey background and a pin icon on the right.
If you own Telegram groups and channels, you’ll see the number of views of the latest post on the primary screen itself, without even entering the chat. This can be useful for many.
The Telegram app shows each message inside a rounded bubble, whereas the Telegram X, by default, shows messages in a bubble-free mode, though you can enable the bubble mode from the settings.
On Telegram, the night mode toggle is located towards the right of your profile, but in Telegram X, the option is located at the bottom of the menu.
Telegram vs Telegram X: Performance
Telegram X is built for speed and fluidity, offering faster and smoother experience compared to the regular Telegram app, while also offering dynamic animations throughout the app. While switching between chats, opening media, or navigating the menu, you’d feel Telegram X to be noticeably faster and smoother.
Overall, in terms of performance, it’s a clean win for Telegram X.
Telegram vs Telegram X: Features
This is where things get more exciting as Telegram X introduces several exciting features, but it also has several features that are missing from the main Telegram app.
New features in Telegram X:
These features are a part of Telegram X but not found in the main Telegram app.
1. Dual swipe functionality: You can swipe right or left on the primary screen to switch between CHATS and CALLS. This makes switching a lot easier and smoother.
2. Preview chats: You can long-press a chat to preview it quickly. While in preview mode, you can swipe up to open the chat in full, or drag your finger to the options below to perform the required action.
3. Chat stats (for channel/group owners): Telegram X lets you see statistics for every post. Simply tap on the number of views of a post and click View Statistics.
4. Chat filter: Swipe down from CHATS to see the archived chats, private chats, group chats, channels, bots, or unread chats. To see all chats again, use No Filter.
5. Incognito keyboard: Enabling this feature instructs the keyboard app not to remember what you type in Secret Chats. You can enable it via Telegram X’s Settings > Privacy and Security > Incognito Keyboard.
6. Image preview: Telegram X users can choose to see or hide image previews in notifications. To use this feature, go to Telegram X’s Settings > Notifications > choose Private Chats/Groups/Channels > Image Preview.
7. Hide secret chats on lock screen: Users can hide secret chats on the lock screen. To do this, go to Telegram X’s Settings > Notifications > Private Chats and disable Secret Chats on Lock Screen.
8. Dismissed messages: You can choose to include or exclude dismissed messages when you receive a new notification. This can be helpful if you receive a lot of messages. To enable this feature, go to Telegram X’s Settings > Notifications > choose chat type and toggle on/off Include Dismissed Messages.
9. Silence non-contacts: If you receive too many spams from unknown numbers, use this feature to disable notifications from unsaved numbers. To use this feature, go to Telegram X’s Settings > Notifications > Silence Non-Contacts.
10. Merge notification categories: Enable this feature to display notifications from private chats, groups, and channels in a single notification group. To use this, go to Telegram X’s Settings > Notifications and enable Merge notification categories.
11. Data saver: This feature reduces data usage when using mobile data. It does so by limiting automatic media downloads and reducing excessive data usage in the background or foreground. Enable it by going to Telegram X’s Settings > Data and Storage > Data Saver.
12. In-app browser: Users can choose to enable or disable the in-app browser by going to Telegram X’s Settings > Interface > In-app Browser. Disabling this will directly open a link in the default browser.
13. Custom vibrations: You can set custom vibrations for each chat, helping you distinguish between different types of notifications without even looking at your phone.
To enable it, go to Telegram X’s Settings > Interface > Custom Vibrations. Now, open a chat, tap on the profile name, and click Notifications. Then, tap Customize > Vibrate and choose from predefined vibration patterns (Default, Double Short, or Long).
14. Customize swipe action: You can customize swipe actions as per your needs — swipe right a message to share and/or swipe left a message to reply. Or, you can disable both actions. To enable it, Telegram X’s Settings > Interface > Swipe actions.
15. Hide keyboard on chat scroll: You can choose to hide keyboard on chat scroll. For this, go to Telegram X’s Settings > Interface and enable Hide keyboard on chat scroll.
16. Separate photo/video tabs: The media section inside a chat/channel/group shows photos and video together, but you can have separate tabs by enabling this feature. Go to Telegram X’s Settings > Interface and toggle on Separate photo and video tabs.
17. Playback through earpiece: You can allow voice and video messages to play through earpiece when you keep the phone close to an ear. It uses the proximity sensor to detect if the phone is near your ear. To enable it, go to Telegram X’s Settings > Interface > Playback through earpiece.
18. Prompt before calling: You can enable this feature as an extra measure before calling someone. It’s useful for those who accidentally press the call icon. You can find this feature at Telegram X’s Settings > Interface > Prompt before calling.
19. Use system font: This feature lets you use system fonts. To use it, go to Telegram X’s Settings > Interface and toggle on Use System Fonts.
20. Camera features: With Telegram X, you can always start video calls with the rear camera. You can also record HQ Round Videos, change camera type and aspect ratio, and customize the volume key to take pictures/record videos or work with zoom or system volume. You can find these camera features under Telegram X’s Settings > Interface.
Missing features in Telegram X:
1. Telegram Premium: Telegram X does not support Telegram Premium. So, you’ll miss out on many good things that the Premium subscription offers. This includes doubled limits, exclusive stickers and reactions, advanced chat management, animated profile videos, special badges, new app icons, and more.
2. Topics in groups/channels: This feature allows group chats to be organized into separate discussion threads, similar to Discord. Unfortunately, it’s not available in Telegram X.
3. Chat Folders: This missing feature in Telegram X lets you organize your chats into custom tabs such as Work, Family, Fun, Friends, etc.
4. TON blockchain: The main Telegram app supports Mini Apps and has deeper integration with TON blockchain. These are not available in Telegram X.
5. Power saving mode: This feature helps conserve battery by disabling resource-intensive effects. It’s available on the main app but not on Telegram X.
6. Profile QR: The main Telegram app lets you generate QR code for your profile. You can share it with anyone, or let others scan to connect with you on Telegram. This feature is missing on Telegram X.
Telegram vs Telegram X: Network speed
Telegram and Telegram X do not bring any difference in terms of download and upload speeds. But there’s a cap on the download speed put by Telegram, which gets removed when you subscribe to Telegram Premium. So, with Telegram Premium (only available on the main app), you can download files at a significantly faster speed.
Telegram vs Telegram X: Privacy and security
Both share the same core security architecture. However, there are a few things you should note. The main app receives security updates more often than Telegram X. Second thing, since Telegram X receives experimental features first, they might introduce bugs or temporary vulnerabilities. The main Telegram app is generally more stable and secure.
Telegram vs Telegram X: which is better?
If you want a cleaner design, smoother animations, and a handful of experimental features, Telegram X is definitely worth trying. But if you care more about stability and premium perks, the regular Telegram app is the safer bet. Ultimately, it depends on whether you’re a curious tester or someone who just wants everything to work.
More Telegram guides:
1. How to use Telegram without phone number
1. How to Get Old Telegram Account Without Phone Number
2. How to Hide Online Status and Last Seen on Telegram
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