TCL 30E vs. Motorola Moto E22i: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the TCL 30E and the Motorola Moto E22i. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Motorola Moto E22i edges out the TCL 30E thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and potentially better software support. Both offer decent value, but the E22i's performance advantage makes it the preferred choice for most users, especially those prioritizing responsiveness.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 30E Motorola Moto E22i
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA/APACHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat5 150/75 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 66 - LATAM-
Launch
Announced2022, February 272022, September 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 20Available. Released 2022, October 11
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions165.2 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 2.97 x 0.35 in)163.6 x 74.7 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.94 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)169 g (5.96 oz)
 -Water-repellent coating
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 450 nits (typ)IPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 12Android 12 (Go edition)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 3GB RAM32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm -
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm5 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (6127l only)No
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4020 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace Gray, Atlantic BlueGraphite Gray, Winter White
Models6127A, 6127l-
Price-About 90 EUR

TCL 30E

  • Potentially lower price
  • Large display
  • Decent battery life

  • Less powerful chipset
  • Slower charging
  • Software updates may be less frequent

Motorola Moto E22i

  • Slightly better performance
  • Cleaner Android experience
  • Potentially better software support

  • Slightly higher price
  • Average camera performance
  • Slow charging

Display Comparison

Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.5 inches with a standard resolution (720 x 1600). The TCL 30E might have slightly better color accuracy, but overall, the display experience will be comparable. Expect decent viewing angles and brightness for everyday use.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are likely similar, with both phones featuring a primary 13MP camera and a depth sensor. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. Motorola often delivers slightly more natural-looking photos, while TCL might enhance colors more aggressively. Low-light performance will be average on both.

Performance

The Motorola Moto E22i holds a slight advantage here. Its Helio G37 chipset offers a modest performance boost over the TCL 30E's Helio G25. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience. Both phones will handle basic tasks well, but the E22i will feel snappier.

Battery Life

Both phones are expected to have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life under moderate usage. Charging speeds are limited to 10W wired, so expect relatively slow charging times for both devices.

Buying Guide

The TCL 30E is a good option for users prioritizing a large display and potentially a slightly lower price point. The Motorola Moto E22i is ideal for those who want a bit more processing power and a cleaner Android experience, even if it comes at a slightly higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better software support?
Motorola generally offers better software support and quicker updates compared to TCL, especially in the budget segment.
❓ Is the TCL 30E worth buying if it's cheaper?
If your budget is extremely tight and you primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and browsing, the TCL 30E can be a viable option. However, the Moto E22i's performance advantage is worth the slight price difference for most users.