The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the TCL 306 and the Motorola Moto E32. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Motorola Moto E32 takes the crown. While the TCL 306 is a decent budget option, the Moto E32's superior chipset, faster charging, and generally improved performance make it the more compelling choice for most users seeking an affordable smartphone.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA, APAC | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 66 - LATAM | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 31 | 2022, May 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February | Available. Released 2022, May 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 164 x 75 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.95 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | Water repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Atlantic Blue | Misty Silver, Pearl Blue, Slate Grey |
| Models | X668, 6102H | - |
| Price | About 40 EUR | About 150 EUR |
TCL 306
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Simple and easy to use
- Slow performance
- Basic camera
- Slow charging
- Outdated chipset
Motorola Moto E32
- Better performance
- Faster charging
- Improved camera
- Sleek design
- Still a budget phone (compromises exist)
- May lack advanced features
- Performance not flagship level
Display Comparison
Both phones feature HD+ displays, likely around 6.5 inches. Expect decent viewing angles and color reproduction for everyday use. The Moto E32 might have slightly better color accuracy due to Motorola's generally good display tuning, but the difference will be minimal.
Camera Comparison
The Moto E32 likely has a more versatile camera system, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor and a dedicated macro lens. While neither phone is a photography powerhouse, the Moto E32's image processing should be slightly better, resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos. Both will struggle in low light.
Performance
This is where the Moto E32 shines. The Unisoc T606, with its Cortex-A75 cores, offers a noticeable performance boost over the Helio G25 in the TCL 306. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the Moto E32. The TCL 306 will feel sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life. However, the Moto E32's 18W fast charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the TCL 306's 10W charging. This is a major convenience factor.
Buying Guide
The TCL 306 is a good option for users prioritizing a very basic smartphone experience and extremely tight budgets. The Motorola Moto E32 is ideal for those wanting a smoother experience, better camera capabilities, and faster charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Motorola Moto E32 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset. The TCL 306 will struggle with even basic games.
❓ How much storage do these phones offer?
Both phones typically come with 32GB or 64GB of storage, expandable via microSD card. Storage options may vary by region.
❓ What operating system do these phones use?
The TCL 306 runs Android 11 (likely with TCL's UI). The Motorola Moto E32 runs Android 12 (or newer) with Motorola's near-stock Android experience.
