Realme 9 Pro+ vs TCL 30 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range 5G Contenders

The TCL 30 5G and Realme 9 Pro+ represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at accessible price points, they diverge significantly in their approach to performance and features. The TCL 30 5G prioritizes affordability, while the Realme 9 Pro+ pushes the boundaries with faster charging and a more powerful chipset.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing speed and convenience, the Realme 9 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 920 chipset and 60W charging significantly outperform the TCL 30 5G's Dimensity 700 and 18W charging. However, the TCL 30 5G remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers who don't demand top-tier performance.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 30 5G Realme 9 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, February 272022, February 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 11Available. Released 2022, February 21
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back
Dimensions164.5 x 75.2 x 7.7 mm (6.48 x 2.96 x 0.30 in)160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight184 g (6.49 oz)182 g (6.42 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 650 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 12, TCL UI 4.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYes-
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired60W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 44 min (advertised)
TypeLi-Po 5010 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsTech Black, Dreamy BlueMidnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue, Free Fire Limited Edition
ModelsT776HRMX3392, RMX3393
PriceAbout 250 EUR€ 289.90 / $ 390.00 / ₹ 25,999
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.73 W/kg (body)    
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 117h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 495096 (v8), 416031 (v9) GeekBench: 2335 (v5.1) GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

TCL 30 5G

  • More affordable price point
  • Reliable 5G connectivity
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks

  • Slower charging speed (18W)
  • Less powerful chipset (Dimensity 700)
  • Likely lower quality display

Realme 9 Pro+

  • Faster performance (Dimensity 920)
  • Ultra-fast 60W charging
  • Potentially better camera system

  • Higher price tag
  • May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
  • Potentially less battery endurance (needs testing)

Display Comparison

The provided data lacks detailed display specifications for either device. However, given the Realme 9 Pro+'s positioning, it likely features a higher quality panel with potentially a higher refresh rate than the TCL 30 5G. The Realme 9 Pro+’s advertised ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a VA-type panel, potentially offering deeper blacks, while the TCL 30 5G likely uses an IPS LCD. Without specific brightness (nits) data, it’s difficult to definitively state which display is superior, but Realme’s focus on visual experience suggests a more refined display.

Camera Comparison

The provided data doesn't offer sufficient detail for a comprehensive camera comparison. However, the Realme 9 Pro+ is likely to feature a more advanced camera system, potentially with a larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The TCL 30 5G likely focuses on providing a functional camera experience without prioritizing cutting-edge features. Without sensor size or aperture information, it's difficult to assess low-light performance, but the Realme’s higher-tier chipset suggests better image signal processing capabilities.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9 Pro+’s Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the TCL 30 5G’s Dimensity 700 (7nm). The 6nm process node inherently offers better power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Furthermore, the Dimensity 920 utilizes Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.5 GHz, compared to the TCL’s A76 cores at 2.2 GHz. This translates to a noticeable performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. While both phones share the same Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the Realme’s superior chipset will deliver a smoother and more responsive user experience.

Battery Life

The Realme 9 Pro+ boasts a significant advantage in charging speed with its 60W wired charging, capable of a full charge in a claimed 44 minutes. The TCL 30 5G’s 18W charging is considerably slower. While the Realme 9 Pro+ has an endurance rating of 117 hours, the TCL 30 5G’s battery life is not specified. The faster charging of the Realme 9 Pro+ mitigates any potential battery capacity disadvantage, offering greater convenience for users who frequently need to top up their device.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL 30 5G if you need a reliable 5G connection on a tight budget and aren't a heavy gamer or power user. It's ideal for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light media consumption. Buy the Realme 9 Pro+ if you prioritize faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and value the convenience of incredibly rapid 60W charging, making it perfect for users constantly on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 920 in the Realme 9 Pro+ get noticeably warmer than the Dimensity 700 during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Dimensity 920 is a more powerful chipset and will generate more heat under sustained load. While Realme likely incorporates thermal management solutions, users may experience some throttling during prolonged gaming. The TCL 30 5G’s Dimensity 700 will run cooler, but at the cost of performance.
❓ How much faster is the 60W charging on the Realme 9 Pro+ compared to the 18W charging on the TCL 30 5G in real-world use?
The 60W charging on the Realme 9 Pro+ is dramatically faster. While the TCL 30 5G may take over 2 hours to fully charge, the Realme 9 Pro+ can reach 100% in approximately 44 minutes (advertised). This difference is particularly beneficial for users who need a quick power boost before leaving the house.
❓ Will the Realme 9 Pro+ handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings without significant frame drops?
The Dimensity 920 in the Realme 9 Pro+ is capable of running Genshin Impact at medium to high settings, but expect some frame drops during intense scenes. Optimizing graphics settings and utilizing the phone’s gaming mode will help improve performance. The TCL 30 5G will struggle to maintain a playable framerate at higher settings.