The TCL 30 XL and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G represent two approaches to the budget 5G smartphone market. The TCL prioritizes affordability, while the Samsung aims for a more balanced experience with a newer chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and smoother performance, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, built on a 6nm process, offers a significant performance advantage over the TCL 30 XL’s Helio A25, despite both phones sharing a 138-hour endurance rating.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 30, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 01 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 01 | Available. Released 2022, September 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 172.2 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.78 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) | 165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204.4 g (7.20 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762V Helio A25 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 3.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| 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 | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm - USA
8 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm - International |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | T671G | SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL |
| Price | About 150 EUR | $ 84.44 / £ 129.00 / € 125.28 / ₹ 21,000 |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.57 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.49 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 138h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1328:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318821 (v9)
GeekBench: 1940 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
TCL 30 XL
- Extremely affordable price point
- 5G connectivity for budget users
- Acceptable battery life
- Outdated and underpowered Helio A25 chipset
- Slower 18W charging
- Likely limited camera performance
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 695 5G
- Faster 25W wired charging
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Higher price compared to the TCL 30 XL
- Camera performance may still be limited by sensor quality
- Software updates may be slower than flagship Samsung devices
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with a 1328:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 508 nits, significantly brighter than what we'd expect from the TCL 30 XL, making it more usable outdoors. While neither manufacturer specifies panel technology, the A23’s higher brightness suggests a more advanced LCD panel. Bezels are likely comparable given the price points, and color accuracy is expected to be standard for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is missing. Given the market positioning, expect both to rely heavily on software processing. The absence of specific details suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography. The TCL 30 XL likely features a simpler camera system, while the A23 5G may benefit from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 695, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction. We can assume both will include a standard macro lens, but its utility will be limited.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the TCL 30 XL’s MediaTek Helio A25 (12nm). The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling. The A23’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver – offers a more balanced and powerful architecture compared to the TCL’s 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53. This means faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Samsung.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 138 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s 25W wired charging is a significant advantage over the TCL 30 XL’s 18W charging. This translates to faster top-ups, reducing downtime. While both batteries are likely around the 5000mAh mark (based on segment norms), the faster charging speed gives the A23 5G a practical edge.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 30 XL if you need a functional, extremely affordable 5G phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and are willing to compromise on performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G if you prefer a more responsive experience for everyday use, occasional gaming, and benefit from faster 25W charging, even if it comes at a slightly higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Galaxy A23 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it offers a significantly better gaming experience than the Helio A25 in the TCL 30 XL.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G with the 25W charger?
While Samsung typically includes a 15W charger in the box, using a separate 25W charger (sold separately) should fully charge the Galaxy A23 5G in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging.
❓ Is the TCL 30 XL a good option for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls, texts, and basic browsing?
Yes, the TCL 30 XL is a perfectly adequate choice for basic smartphone tasks. Its Helio A25 chipset is sufficient for calls, texts, and light browsing, and its battery life is comparable to the Samsung. However, expect slower performance and longer loading times.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695 5G supports carrier aggregation, which allows the phone to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more reliable data speeds, provided your carrier supports it.
