Looking for an affordable smartphone without breaking the bank? The TCL 30 XL and TCL 30 SE are both contenders in the budget market, offering a range of features at accessible prices. But which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The TCL 30 XL edges out the 30 SE thanks to its slightly faster chipset, larger display, and quicker charging. While both offer solid value, the XL provides a more premium experience for a small price difference, making it the overall winner for most users.
| 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 - EMEA/APAC |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 01 | 2022, February 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 01 | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 172.2 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.78 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) | 165.2 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204.4 g (7.20 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| 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 MT6762V Helio A25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 3.0 | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB 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 | 13 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm |
| 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 | 13 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (6165H/6165H1 only) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue | Atlantic Blue, Space Gray, Glacial Blue |
| Models | T671G | 6165H, 6156H1, 6165A, 6165A1, 6165S |
| Price | About 150 EUR | - |
TCL 30 XL
- Larger Display
- Slightly Faster Chipset
- Faster Charging (18W)
- Potentially Larger Battery
- May be slightly more expensive
- Performance still limited by chipset
TCL 30 SE
- Lower Price Point
- Compact Size
- Decent Battery Life
- Slower Charging (15W)
- Slightly Slower Chipset
- Smaller Display
Display Comparison
The TCL 30 XL boasts a larger 6.67-inch display compared to the 30 SE's 6.6-inch screen. Both utilize an IPS LCD panel, but the XL's size offers a more immersive viewing experience, especially for media consumption. Resolution is likely similar (likely 720+ HD) on both, so pixel density will be slightly higher on the 30 SE.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar on both devices, potentially featuring a 13MP main sensor and a few secondary lenses (depth, macro). Image quality will be comparable, with both phones producing decent results in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will be average on both.
Performance
While both phones share the same Cortex-A53 cores, the TCL 30 XL utilizes the MT6762V Helio A25 chipset, which generally offers a slight performance advantage over the MT6762G Helio G25 found in the 30 SE. This translates to marginally smoother multitasking and app loading times on the XL. Both will struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
The TCL 30 XL typically has a larger battery capacity (5000mAh) compared to the 30 SE (4000mAh). Coupled with its slightly more efficient chipset, the XL should offer longer battery life. The XL also supports 18W wired charging, while the 30 SE is limited to 15W, resulting in faster charging times.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the TCL 30 XL? Users prioritizing a larger screen, slightly better performance, and faster charging. Who should buy the TCL 30 SE? Those seeking the absolute lowest price point and are comfortable with a smaller display and slower charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the Helio A25 and Helio G25 chipsets?
The Helio A25 is generally considered slightly more efficient and offers a small performance boost compared to the Helio G25, although both are entry-level chipsets.
❓ Are these phones good for gaming?
Neither phone is ideal for demanding games. They can handle basic games, but expect lower frame rates and potential lag.
