TCL 306 vs Gionee K3 Pro: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The TCL 306 and Gionee K3 Pro are both contenders in the budget market, offering a range of features at accessible prices. But which one delivers the better overall experience?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Gionee K3 Pro edges out the TCL 306 thanks to its significantly more powerful Helio P60 chipset, resulting in smoother performance and a better user experience. While both offer basic features, the K3 Pro's processing advantage makes it the preferable choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 306 Gionee K3 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA, APACHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41
EDGE-Class 10
GPRS-Class 10
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 66 - LATAMCDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2022, January 312020, August 24. Released 2020, September
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, FebruaryDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions165.2 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 2.97 x 0.35 in)164.3 x 77.6 x 9.7 mm (6.47 x 3.06 x 0.38 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)205 g (7.23 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 450 nits (typ)IPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G72 MP3
OSAndroid 12, TCL UIAndroid 9.0 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC
Internal32GB 3GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm1.3 MP
Triple13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, AF 2 other unknown cameras
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP4.0, A2DP
NFCYes (market/region dependent)No
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
Browser-WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
Stand-by-Up to 666 h
Talk time-Up to 12 h
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace Gray, Atlantic BlueJade Green, Pearl White
ModelsX668, 6102H-
PriceAbout 40 EURAbout 80 EUR
SAR EU-0.90 W/kg (head)    
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -70.7dB
Loudspeaker- Voice 75dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 70dB

TCL 306

  • Affordable price
  • Simple and easy to use
  • Decent battery life

  • Underpowered chipset
  • Limited camera capabilities
  • Slow charging

Gionee K3 Pro

  • More powerful processor
  • Better performance for multitasking
  • Potentially slightly better camera processing

  • May have limited software updates
  • Design might be less premium
  • Slow charging

Display Comparison

Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.5 inches with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but limited brightness. The Gionee K3 Pro *might* have slightly better color accuracy due to its more powerful chipset allowing for better display processing, but this is speculative without specific display panel details.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are likely comparable, with both phones probably featuring a primary 13MP or 16MP sensor and a depth sensor. Image quality will be decent in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. The K3 Pro's more powerful processor *could* allow for slightly better image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in marginally better photos.

Performance

This is where the Gionee K3 Pro shines. The Helio P60 is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G25. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and better overall responsiveness on the K3 Pro. The G25 will handle basic tasks adequately, but struggles with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones have 10W charging, suggesting battery capacities are in the 4000-5000mAh range. Expect all-day battery life with moderate usage on either device. Charging times will be relatively slow due to the 10W charging speed.

Buying Guide

The TCL 306 is ideal for users prioritizing a simple, straightforward phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. The Gionee K3 Pro is better suited for those who want a slightly more responsive experience for multitasking, gaming, and general app usage, even within a budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Gionee K3 Pro is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio P60 chipset. The TCL 306 will struggle with even moderately demanding games.
❓ How long will the battery last on each phone?
Both phones should offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. Expect around 8-10 hours of screen-on time.