The Coolpad Legacy and TCL 30 SE represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at an accessible price point, but they achieve this with different approaches to chipset selection and core specifications. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the TCL 30 SE is the better choice. Its MediaTek Helio G25, built on a 12nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Coolpad Legacy’s older Snapdragon 450, despite both sharing an octa-core configuration. While both offer similar battery and charging capabilities, the TCL 30 SE’s chipset provides a smoother user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA/APAC |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 66, 71 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, May | 2022, February 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.9 x 80.5 x 8.4 mm (6.53 x 3.17 x 0.33 in) | 165.2 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~380 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.36 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~78.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, AF
5 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes (6165H/6165H1 only) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver | Atlantic Blue, Space Gray, Glacial Blue |
| Models | - | 6165H, 6156H1, 6165A, 6165A1, 6165S |
| Price | About 160 EUR | - |
Coolpad Legacy
- Proven Qualcomm chipset (Snapdragon 450)
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Likely lower initial price point
- Older chipset architecture
- Less responsive performance compared to the TCL 30 SE
- Potentially shorter software support lifespan
TCL 30 SE
- More modern MediaTek Helio G25 chipset
- Higher CPU clock speeds for improved responsiveness
- Potentially better power efficiency
- MediaTek chipset may have less brand recognition
- Similar camera performance to the Coolpad Legacy
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the price bracket, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. However, display quality beyond resolution isn't specified. The TCL 30 SE's potential for slightly better color reproduction due to the newer chipset's image signal processor is a possibility, but without detailed panel specs, it's speculative. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a budget.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both devices relying on budget sensors. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. Both manufacturers often include a variety of sensors (wide, macro, depth) to inflate the megapixel count, but image quality will primarily depend on the main sensor’s size and aperture. Expect adequate performance in well-lit conditions, but significant noise and softness in low light. Image processing will likely be basic on both, prioritizing speed over detail.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The TCL 30 SE’s MediaTek Helio G25 (12nm) is a more modern design than the Coolpad Legacy’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 (14nm). The 12nm process generally translates to improved power efficiency and potentially lower thermal throttling. While both CPUs feature octa-core Cortex-A53 cores, the TCL 30 SE splits its configuration into a 4x2.0 GHz and 4x1.5 GHz cluster, offering a higher peak clock speed for demanding tasks. This means the TCL 30 SE will likely exhibit snappier app loading times and smoother multitasking. The Snapdragon 450’s consistent 1.8 GHz clock speed is adequate for basic use but will struggle with more intensive applications.
Battery Life
Both the Coolpad Legacy and TCL 30 SE feature 15W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds – approximately 2-3 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity isn’t specified, but given the target market, both likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The Helio G25’s improved power efficiency *could* translate to slightly longer battery life on the TCL 30 SE, but real-world usage will depend heavily on individual usage patterns.
Buying Guide
Buy the Coolpad Legacy if you need a reliably basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and prioritize a proven, if older, Qualcomm platform. Buy the TCL 30 SE if you prefer a slightly more responsive experience for everyday apps, occasional gaming, and appreciate a more modern chipset architecture that may receive longer software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the TCL 30 SE handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G25 in the TCL 30 SE can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (low or medium) to maintain a playable frame rate. The Snapdragon 450 in the Coolpad Legacy will struggle even at the lowest settings, making the TCL 30 SE the better choice for casual gaming.
❓ How long will software updates be supported on each device?
Both Coolpad and TCL have historically offered limited software support for their budget devices. However, the TCL 30 SE, with its newer chipset, is more likely to receive at least one major Android update (potentially Android 12 or 13) compared to the Coolpad Legacy, which may be limited to security patches.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The TCL 30 SE’s Helio G25 will result in faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall user experience compared to the Coolpad Legacy’s Snapdragon 450. This is particularly evident when multitasking or switching between apps.
