TCL 30 5G vs Samsung Galaxy A54: A Detailed Showdown

Looking for a new smartphone but unsure which way to go? The TCL 30 5G offers a budget-friendly 5G experience, while the Samsung Galaxy A54 boasts a reputation for excellent features and longevity. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A54 is the clear winner. While the TCL 30 5G provides 5G connectivity at a lower price, the A54’s superior display, camera, performance, and significantly better battery life make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 30 5G Samsung Galaxy A54
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
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, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, February 272023, March 15
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 11Available. Released 2023, March 24
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions164.5 x 75.2 x 7.7 mm (6.48 x 2.96 x 0.30 in)158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight184 g (6.49 oz)202 g (7.13 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 650 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Exynos 1380 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G68 MP5
OSAndroid 12, TCL UI 4.0Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only)
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging18W wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 5010 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsTech Black, Dreamy BlueLime, Graphite, Violet, White
ModelsT776HSM-A546V, SM-A546U, SM-A546U1, SM-A546B, SM-A546B/DS, SM-A546E, SM-A546E/DS, SM-A5460, SM-A546M, SM-A546M/DS, SM-A546W
PriceAbout 250 EUR€ 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999
SAR-0.81 W/kg (head)     0.67 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.69 W/kg (head)     1.34 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 119h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 506678 (v9) GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

TCL 30 5G

  • Affordable 5G connectivity
  • Decent performance for basic tasks
  • Relatively lightweight

  • Lower display quality
  • Less powerful processor
  • Subpar camera
  • Shorter battery life
  • Slower charging

Samsung Galaxy A54

  • Excellent display (brightness, contrast, color accuracy)
  • Powerful and efficient processor
  • Outstanding camera system
  • Exceptional battery life
  • Fast charging (25W)
  • Premium build quality

  • Higher price point
  • Can be slightly bulky

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A54’s display is a standout feature. Its 980 nits peak brightness and infinite contrast ratio provide a stunning visual experience, far surpassing the TCL 30 5G’s likely less vibrant and less bright screen. The A54 also likely has better color accuracy and viewing angles.

Camera Comparison

Samsung consistently delivers strong camera performance, and the Galaxy A54 is no exception. Expect better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance compared to the TCL 30 5G. The A54 likely offers more advanced camera features and video recording capabilities.

Performance

The Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy A54 offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Mediatek Dimensity 700 in the TCL 30 5G. The A54's Cortex-A78 cores provide better responsiveness and smoother multitasking, especially in demanding applications. While both have octa-core CPUs, the A54's architecture is more efficient and powerful.

Battery Life

The Galaxy A54’s battery life is a major selling point, boasting an endurance rating of 119 hours. This significantly outpaces the TCL 30 5G, which, while decent, doesn't offer the same level of longevity. The A54's active use score of 11:15h further reinforces its battery dominance.

Buying Guide

The TCL 30 5G is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize 5G connectivity above all else and don't need top-tier performance or camera capabilities. The Samsung Galaxy A54 is perfect for those seeking a well-rounded smartphone with a vibrant display, excellent camera, reliable performance, and long-lasting battery life, even if it comes at a slightly higher price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the TCL 30 5G worth buying if I just need 5G?
It's a budget option for 5G, but consider the trade-offs in display, performance, and camera. The Galaxy A54 offers a much better overall experience.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A54 have expandable storage?
Yes, the Galaxy A54 supports microSD card expansion, which is a valuable feature for storing photos, videos, and other files.