The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the TCL 30 XL and the Xiaomi Poco M5. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Poco M5 emerges as the clear winner. Its significantly more powerful Helio G99 chipset, combined with a similar battery life and a potentially better camera, provides a superior user experience compared to the TCL 30 XL's older and less capable Helio A25.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 01 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 01 | Available. Released 2022, September 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 172.2 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.78 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204.4 g (7.20 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762V Helio A25 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 3.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| 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) | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue | Black, Green, Yellow |
| Models | T671G | 22071219CG |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.04 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1363:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 386311 (v9)
GeekBench: 1896 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
TCL 30 XL
- Potentially larger screen
- Likely more affordable
- Decent battery life
- Outdated chipset (Helio A25)
- Lower performance
- Likely inferior camera
- Slower charging
Xiaomi Poco M5
- Powerful chipset (Helio G99)
- Better performance for gaming and multitasking
- Potentially better camera
- Good battery life
- Brighter display
- May be slightly more expensive
- Design might not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
Both phones boast impressive contrast ratios (1363:1), but the Poco M5's measured 448 nits brightness gives it a slight edge in outdoor visibility. The TCL 30 XL likely has a larger display, but resolution and panel quality are key factors not explicitly stated, potentially favoring the Poco M5.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Poco M5's chipset generally allows for better image processing and potentially higher resolution cameras. The Poco M5 likely has a more advanced camera system, though specific sensor details are needed for a definitive comparison. Expect better low-light performance from the Poco M5.
Performance
This is where the Poco M5 truly shines. The Helio G99 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the TCL 30 XL's Helio A25 (12nm). The G99's Cortex-A76 cores offer significantly better performance for demanding tasks and gaming, while the A53 cores in the A25 are less efficient. Expect noticeable lag on the TCL 30 XL when multitasking or running heavier apps.
Battery Life
Both devices claim an endurance rating of 121 hours, suggesting comparable battery life. However, the Poco M5's more efficient chipset might translate to slightly better real-world battery performance, especially under load.
Buying Guide
The TCL 30 XL is a decent option for users prioritizing a larger screen and potentially a slightly more affordable price point, but with minimal performance demands. The Xiaomi Poco M5 is ideal for those seeking a smoother, faster experience for gaming, multitasking, and general use, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Poco M5 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G99 chipset.
❓ Does the TCL 30 XL have a good camera?
The TCL 30 XL's camera is likely adequate for basic photography, but the Poco M5's chipset and potentially better hardware will result in superior image quality.
