Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The TCL 30 SE and TCL 30 XL are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The TCL 30 XL edges out the SE thanks to its slightly faster charging and potentially larger display (though screen size is unconfirmed). While both share a similar processor, the XL's minor advantages and potentially larger battery make it the slightly better choice for most users seeking a budget-friendly device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA/APAC | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 66 - LATAM | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 27 | 2022, June 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 20 | Available. Released 2022, June 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 172.2 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.78 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 204.4 g (7.20 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762V Helio A25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 | Android 12, TCL UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 29mm (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 17mm, 115˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | 13 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (6165H/6165H1 only) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Yes |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Atlantic Blue, Space Gray, Glacial Blue | Dark Blue |
| Models | 6165H, 6156H1, 6165A, 6165A1, 6165S | T671G |
| Price | - | About 150 EUR |
TCL 30 SE
- Compact design
- Decent camera for the price
- Good value
- Slower charging
- Lower battery capacity
- Performance can be sluggish
TCL 30 XL
- Potentially larger display
- Faster charging (18W)
- Larger battery capacity
- Slightly better processor (Helio A25)
- Larger size may not be ideal for everyone
- Performance still limited
- Camera quality is average
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature LCD displays, but the TCL 30 XL is rumored to have a larger screen size (potentially 6.67 inches vs. the SE's 6.65 inches). Resolution is likely FHD+ on both. Color accuracy and brightness are typical for budget phones – don't expect flagship-level performance here.
Camera Comparison
The TCL 30 SE typically features a triple camera setup (13MP main, 2MP macro, 2MP depth). The TCL 30 XL also has a triple camera setup, but the main sensor might be slightly improved (potentially 50MP). Image quality will be decent in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will be average. Video recording capabilities are limited.
Performance
Performance is very similar. Both utilize the Mediatek Helio G25/A25 chipset. Expect adequate performance for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. Demanding games will struggle, and multitasking with many apps open can lead to slowdowns. The Helio A25 in the XL *might* offer a slight edge, but it's minimal.
Battery Life
The TCL 30 XL is expected to have a larger battery capacity (5000mAh vs. the SE's 4000mAh). This, combined with the slightly faster 18W charging, gives it an advantage in battery life and charging speed. Both should comfortably last a full day with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The TCL 30 SE is ideal for users prioritizing a compact design and basic smartphone functionality. The TCL 30 XL is better suited for those who want a larger screen for media consumption and slightly faster charging, even if it means a larger overall device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the TCL 30 SE and TCL 30 XL?
The main differences are the screen size (XL likely larger), battery capacity (XL larger), charging speed (XL faster), and the chipset (XL uses Helio A25, SE uses Helio G25).
❓ Which TCL 30 phone is better for gaming?
Neither phone is ideal for demanding games. However, the TCL 30 XL's slightly more powerful chipset *might* offer a marginally better gaming experience, but don't expect miracles.
