The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is heating up, and the Lava Blaze Pro and TCL 30 V 5G are two contenders vying for your attention. While both offer 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they take drastically different approaches to achieving it, particularly in their chipset choices. This comparison will dissect those differences and determine which phone delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing smoother performance and faster charging, the TCL 30 V 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 480, built on an 8nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Lava Blaze Pro’s Helio G37, and the 18W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Lava Blaze Pro remains a viable option for those on a very tight budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 46, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 20 | 2022, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 20 | Available. Released 2022, January 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 76.3 x 8.9 mm (6.49 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) | 165.9 x 76 x 9.1 mm (6.53 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 200.4 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, TCL UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), 0.64µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
VGA | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, gyro, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Green, Blue, Orange | Midnight Gray |
| Models | LZX404 | - |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 270 EUR |
Lava Blaze Pro
- Lower price point (likely)
- 5G connectivity
- Functional for basic tasks
- Slower processor
- Slower charging (10W)
- Less efficient chipset
TCL 30 V 5G
- Faster processor (Snapdragon 480)
- Faster charging (18W)
- More efficient chipset (8nm)
- Slightly higher price (likely)
- May not have significantly better camera performance
- Still a budget device with inherent limitations
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specs necessitates focusing on the chipset's impact on UI smoothness. The TCL 30 V 5G’s Snapdragon 480 has a more capable GPU, potentially leading to slightly smoother scrolling and animations, even if the resolution and refresh rate are similar.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset plays a role in image processing. The Snapdragon 480’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more advanced than the Helio G37’s, potentially leading to better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Expect both phones to struggle with low-light photography, but the TCL 30 V 5G has a slight edge due to its superior processing capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The TCL 30 V 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm) is a clear step up from the Lava Blaze Pro’s MediaTek Helio G37 (12nm). The 8nm process node translates to better power efficiency and thermal management, meaning the Snapdragon 480 can sustain peak performance for longer periods. While both CPUs feature octa-core configurations, the Snapdragon 480’s Kryo 460 cores offer a more modern architecture and higher clock speeds (2x2.0 GHz vs 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 on the Helio G37), resulting in faster app loading and overall responsiveness. The Helio G37’s Cortex-A53 cores, while efficient, are older and less powerful.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified, but the charging wattage is a key differentiator. The TCL 30 V 5G’s 18W wired charging is significantly faster than the Lava Blaze Pro’s 10W charging. This means a much quicker top-up time, reducing downtime. While a larger battery capacity on the Lava Blaze Pro could partially offset the slower charging, the Snapdragon 480’s improved power efficiency in the TCL 30 V 5G likely minimizes the need for frequent charging in the first place.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Blaze Pro if you need a functional 5G phone with basic performance for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing, and are willing to accept slower charging speeds. Buy the TCL 30 V 5G if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, enjoy occasional gaming, and value the convenience of faster 18W charging, even if it means spending slightly more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G37 in the Lava Blaze Pro struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Helio G37, with its older Cortex-A53 cores, will likely exhibit noticeable lag when running multiple apps simultaneously. While sufficient for basic multitasking, demanding apps or numerous open applications will strain the processor.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the TCL 30 V 5G with the 18W charger?
While a precise time requires testing, the TCL 30 V 5G should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 2-2.5 hours with the included 18W charger. This is significantly faster than the Lava Blaze Pro’s estimated 4+ hours with its 10W charger.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on both phones compatible with all 5G networks?
Compatibility depends on your carrier and region. Both phones support 5G, but specific band support varies. Check with your carrier to ensure the phones are compatible with their 5G network before purchasing.
❓ Can I expect a smooth gaming experience on either of these phones?
Gaming performance will be limited on both devices. The TCL 30 V 5G’s Snapdragon 480 will handle less demanding games at lower settings, while the Lava Blaze Pro will struggle even with basic titles. These phones are not designed for serious gaming.
