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.
🏆 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.
| 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 / 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 Cat5 150/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| 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 | 2022, September 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 20 | Available. Released 2022, October 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | 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) | 163.6 x 74.7 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.94 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.5% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (6127l only) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Atlantic Blue | Graphite Gray, Winter White |
| Models | 6127A, 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.