The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the TCL 30 5G and the Motorola Moto G52. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Motorola Moto G52 edges out the TCL 30 5G thanks to its faster charging, smoother display, and efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset. While the TCL 30 5G offers 5G connectivity, the Moto G52 provides a more refined and well-rounded user experience for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/150 Mbps, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 27 | 2022, April 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 11 | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.2 x 7.7 mm (6.48 x 2.96 x 0.30 in) | 160.1 x 74.5 x 8 mm (6.30 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~86.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 650 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 | Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5010 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Tech Black, Dreamy Blue | Charcoal Gray, Porcelain White |
| Models | T776H | XT2221-1, XT2221-2 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 470 EUR |
TCL 30 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Larger Display (6.7 inches)
- Decent Battery Life
- Slower Charging (18W)
- LCD Display
- Mediocre Performance
Motorola Moto G52
- 120Hz AMOLED Display
- Faster Charging (30W)
- Efficient Snapdragon 680 Chipset
- Sleek Design
- No 5G
- Smaller Display (6.6 inches)
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G52 boasts a 120Hz AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a significantly smoother scrolling experience compared to the TCL 30 5G's standard LCD panel. While the TCL 30 5G has a larger screen, the Moto G52's display quality is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer decent camera systems for their price range. The Moto G52 typically captures slightly more natural-looking photos, while the TCL 30 5G's camera can sometimes produce oversaturated images. Low-light performance is comparable on both devices.
Performance
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 in the Moto G52, despite being a 4G chip, generally outperforms the Mediatek Dimensity 700 in the TCL 30 5G in real-world usage. The Snapdragon 680's efficiency and optimized software integration contribute to a snappier feel. The TCL 30 5G's 5G capabilities are a plus, but the performance trade-off is noticeable.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G52's 30W fast charging is a significant advantage over the TCL 30 5G's 18W charging. Both phones offer similar battery capacity, but the Moto G52 will charge considerably faster.
Buying Guide
The TCL 30 5G is ideal for users prioritizing 5G connectivity and a larger screen, even if it means sacrificing some performance. The Motorola Moto G52 is a better choice for those seeking a smoother display, faster charging, and a more efficient processor for everyday tasks and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the TCL 30 5G support 5G bands in my region?
Check the TCL 30 5G's specifications for supported 5G bands to ensure compatibility with your carrier's network.
❓ Is the Motorola Moto G52 worth buying if I don't need 5G?
Absolutely! The Moto G52 offers a superior display, faster charging, and better performance, making it a compelling choice even without 5G.
