TCL 30 5G vs Google Pixel 7: A Detailed Showdown

The smartphone market is overflowing with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we're pitting two very different contenders against each other: the budget-friendly TCL 30 5G and the flagship Google Pixel 7. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Google Pixel 7 is the clear winner, offering superior performance, a vastly better camera, and a premium experience. While the TCL 30 5G provides 5G connectivity at a lower price point, the Pixel 7's overall quality and features justify its higher cost for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 30 5G Google Pixel 7
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GQML3
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - GQML3
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GVU6C
Launch
Announced2022, February 272022, October 06
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 11Available. Released 2022, October 13
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions164.5 x 75.2 x 7.7 mm (6.48 x 2.96 x 0.30 in)155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm (6.13 x 2.88 x 0.34 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight184 g (6.49 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~416 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 96.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 650 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak)AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 12, TCL UI 4.0Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired20W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 20W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5010 mAhLi-Ion 4355 mAh
Misc
ColorsTech Black, Dreamy BlueObsidian, Lemongrass, Snow
ModelsT776HGVU6C, GQML3, GO3Z5
PriceAbout 250 EUR€ 199.00 / $ 179.26 / £ 189.99 / ₹ 28,499
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 96h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.2 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 813114 (v9) GeekBench: 3288 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

TCL 30 5G

  • Affordable price
  • 5G connectivity
  • Decent battery life
  • Lightweight design

  • Lower performance
  • Mediocre camera
  • Less premium build quality
  • Slower charging

Google Pixel 7

  • Exceptional camera
  • Smooth performance
  • Clean Android experience
  • Guaranteed software updates
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Fast charging (wired & wireless)

  • Higher price
  • Design can be polarizing
  • No expandable storage

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7 boasts a significantly brighter display (974 nits) with an infinite contrast ratio, delivering vibrant colors and excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The TCL 30 5G's display is adequate but lacks the Pixel 7's premium quality and brightness. The Pixel 7's display is a clear winner.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7's camera is renowned for its exceptional image quality, computational photography prowess, and video capabilities. It consistently delivers stunning photos in various lighting conditions. The TCL 30 5G's camera is decent for basic photography but falls far short of the Pixel 7's capabilities. The Pixel 7 is the undisputed camera champion.

Performance

The Google Pixel 7's Google Tensor G2 chipset and octa-core CPU (with Cortex-X1 core) provide a substantial performance advantage over the TCL 30 5G's Mediatek Dimensity 700. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Pixel 7. Gaming performance will also be noticeably better.

Battery Life

Both phones offer impressive battery life, with the Pixel 7 achieving an endurance rating of 96 hours. The TCL 30 5G likely has a larger battery capacity, but the Pixel 7's efficient Tensor G2 chip helps it maintain excellent longevity. The Pixel 7 also offers faster charging (20W wired, PD3.0, 20W wireless, reverse wireless) compared to the TCL 30 5G's 18W wired charging.

Buying Guide

The TCL 30 5G is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize 5G connectivity and basic smartphone functionality. The Google Pixel 7 is perfect for those seeking a top-tier camera, smooth performance, and a clean Android experience with guaranteed software updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the TCL 30 5G a good budget phone?
Yes, the TCL 30 5G offers 5G connectivity and essential features at an affordable price, making it a decent option for budget-minded users.
❓ Does the Google Pixel 7 have expandable storage?
No, the Google Pixel 7 does not offer expandable storage via microSD card.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Google Pixel 7 has significantly better software support, with guaranteed updates and feature drops directly from Google.
❓ Is the Pixel 7 worth the extra money compared to the TCL 30 5G?
For most users, yes. The Pixel 7's superior camera, performance, and software experience justify the higher price tag.