The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the TCL 30E and the Honor X7a. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor X7a emerges as the winner thanks to its significantly faster charging, slightly better performance, and potentially improved camera capabilities. While the TCL 30E is a decent option, the X7a's added features and charging speed provide a more compelling package for the price.
| 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 | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat5 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, February 27 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 20 | Available. Released 2023, January 06 |
| 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) | 167.5 x 76.9 x 8.3 mm (6.59 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765H Helio G37 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (6127l only) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 22.5W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5330 or 6000 mAh (market/region dependent) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Atlantic Blue | Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black |
| Models | 6127A, 6127l | RKY-LX1, RKY-LX2, RKY-LX3 |
| Price | - | About 120 EUR |
TCL 30E
- Affordable
- Reliable for basic tasks
- Decent battery life
- Slow charging
- Lower performance
- Less impressive camera
Honor X7a
- Faster charging (22.5W)
- Better performance (Helio G37)
- Potentially better camera
- Reverse wired charging
- May have slightly less RAM depending on configuration
- Design might be less appealing to some
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.5 inches, with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but don't anticipate vibrant colors or high brightness. The Honor X7a might have a slight edge in terms of color accuracy and brightness based on typical Helio G37 panel performance.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature a multi-lens camera setup (likely a 48MP main sensor), the Honor X7a's chipset and potentially better image processing algorithms could result in slightly better photo quality, especially in low-light conditions. Expect decent results from both, but don't expect flagship-level photography.
Performance
The Honor X7a's Helio G37 chipset offers a noticeable performance boost over the TCL 30E's Helio G25. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the X7a. Gaming performance will also be better on the Honor device.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life. However, the Honor X7a's 22.5W fast charging is a significant advantage over the TCL 30E's 10W charging, allowing for much quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The TCL 30E is a good choice for users prioritizing a simple, reliable phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing. The Honor X7a is ideal for those who want a smoother experience, faster charging, and a potentially better camera, even on a tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Honor X7a is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G37 chipset.
❓ How long does the battery last on each phone?
Both phones offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the Honor X7a charges much faster.
❓ Which phone has better camera quality?
The Honor X7a likely has slightly better camera quality due to its chipset and image processing capabilities.
❓ Does the Honor X7a support reverse charging?
Yes, the Honor X7a supports 5W reverse wired charging, allowing you to charge other devices from your phone.
