TCL 30+ vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G: Which Budget 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage, and the blazing-fast 67W charging dramatically reduces downtime. While the TCL 30+ is a viable option, it struggles to compete with the Redmi's overall package.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | TCL 30+ | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA/APAC | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 - LATAM | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 27 | 2022, January 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 20 | Available. Released 2022, February 18 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.2 x 7.7 mm (6.48 x 2.96 x 0.30 in) | 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| - | IP53, dust and splash resistant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 650 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide) 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), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (T676K only) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, 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, compass |
| - | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 42 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5010 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Tech Black, Muse Blue | Graphite Gray, Polar White, Atlantic Blue |
| Models | T676K, T676J | 21091116I, 2201116SG |
| Price | About 220 EUR | € 120.33 / $ 230.00 / £ 319.00 |
| SAR | - | 1.05 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 115h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -25.8 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 288914 (v8), 382902 (v9) GeekBench: 2063 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
TCL 30+
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional 5G connectivity
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Outdated chipset (Helio G37)
- Slow 18W charging
- Likely lower display brightness
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
- Blazing-fast 67W charging
- Brighter display (746 nits)
- Slightly higher price
- May not be significantly better in all camera scenarios
- Potential for software bloat (Xiaomi's MIUI)
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 746 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a clear advantage over the TCL 30+, whose brightness is not specified but is likely lower given its less advanced chipset and overall positioning. While both displays share an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for AMOLED/OLED panels), the Redmi’s higher brightness translates to a more vibrant and usable experience in bright conditions. The lack of refresh rate information for the TCL 30+ suggests it likely operates at the standard 60Hz, while the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is expected to have a 90Hz or 120Hz panel, contributing to smoother scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. The Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 695, which generally provides superior image processing compared to MediaTek’s ISP in the Helio G37. Without specific sensor size or aperture information for either device, it’s difficult to make definitive claims, but the Redmi’s more powerful chipset suggests better low-light performance and more advanced image processing features. The TCL 30+’s camera is likely focused on basic functionality, while the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G aims for a more versatile camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), featuring a Kryo 660 CPU configuration with 2x2.2 GHz performance cores and 6x1.7 GHz efficiency cores. This 6nm fabrication process is significantly more efficient than the 12nm process used in the TCL 30+'s MediaTek Helio G37. The Helio G37’s Cortex-A53 cores, while adequate for basic tasks, are older and less performant than the Kryo 660 cores. The Snapdragon 695 also benefits from a more modern GPU, resulting in better graphics performance. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and a more responsive overall experience on the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 115 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the charging capabilities are drastically different. The TCL 30+ is limited to 18W wired charging, which will take a considerable amount of time to fully charge the battery. In contrast, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G supports 67W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC3 standards, achieving 50% charge in just 15 minutes and a full charge in 42 minutes. This rapid charging is a game-changer for users who value convenience and minimal downtime, effectively mitigating any potential battery life differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 30+ if your primary need is a basic, functional 5G smartphone and you prioritize a lower upfront cost above all else. You'll be making compromises in performance and charging speed. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G if you value a smoother user experience, faster app loading times, and the convenience of incredibly rapid charging – even if it means spending a bit more.