Looking for a budget-friendly Android phone? The TCL 30 XL and LG Velvet 5G offer compelling options, but cater to different needs. This comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG Velvet 5G is the clear winner thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset, brighter display, and 5G connectivity. While the TCL 30 XL offers a larger screen and potentially longer battery life in some usage scenarios, the Velvet 5G provides a superior overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 28, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1000/75 Mbps, 5G 2Gbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 01 | 2020, May 07. Released 2020, May 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 01 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 172.2 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.78 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) | 167.2 x 74.1 x 7.9 mm (6.58 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204.4 g (7.20 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | P-OLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762V Helio A25 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 3.0 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, LG UX |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.9, 29mm (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 17mm, 115˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 15mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/1.9, 29mm (standard), 1/3.06, 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired, PD3.0, QC4
9W wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue | Aurora White, Aurora Green, Aurora Gray, Illusion Sunset, Red, Pink |
| Models | T671G | LM-G900N, LM-G900EM, LM-G900, LM-G900TM |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.23 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 79h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-23.5 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 297372 (v8)
GeekBench: 1905 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
TCL 30 XL
- Large Display
- Potentially Long Battery Life
- Affordable Price
- Weak Processor
- Lower Display Quality
- Slow Charging
LG Velvet 5G
- Powerful Processor (Snapdragon 765G)
- Bright and Vibrant Display
- 5G Connectivity
- Fast Charging (Wired & Wireless)
- Smaller Battery (potentially)
- Availability (LG exiting smartphone market)
Display Comparison
The LG Velvet 5G boasts a significantly brighter display at 617 nits compared to the TCL 30 XL (brightness data unavailable, assumed lower). The Velvet 5G's 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggests excellent blacks and vibrant colors, while the TCL 30 XL's display, while large, likely lacks the same visual pop. The Velvet 5G's display is the clear winner here.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the LG Velvet 5G's superior processing power likely translates to better image quality, especially in low light. The Velvet 5G's camera likely offers more advanced features and better video stabilization. Specific camera specs are missing for both, making a definitive judgment difficult, but the Velvet 5G is expected to perform better.
Performance
The Snapdragon 765G in the LG Velvet 5G is a powerhouse compared to the Helio A25 in the TCL 30 XL. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Velvet 5G. The TCL 30 XL will handle basic tasks adequately, but struggles with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones are reported to have excellent endurance ratings (79h). However, the LG Velvet 5G also supports 25W wired and 9W wireless charging, offering faster charging speeds than the TCL 30 XL's 18W wired charging.
Buying Guide
The TCL 30 XL is ideal for users prioritizing a large display and extended battery life on a very tight budget. The LG Velvet 5G is a better choice for those who value performance, a brighter screen, 5G connectivity, and a more premium feel, even if it means a slightly smaller battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the TCL 30 XL good for gaming?
The TCL 30 XL's processor is not ideal for demanding games. It can handle basic titles, but expect lag and low frame rates.
❓ Will I get 5G on the LG Velvet 5G?
Yes, the LG Velvet 5G supports 5G connectivity, offering faster download and upload speeds where available.
❓ Is the LG Velvet 5G still supported with software updates?
LG has largely exited the smartphone market, so software updates are likely to be limited or discontinued. Check LG's website for the latest information.
