The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, demanding compromises. Both the TCL 30E and Nokia G21 aim to deliver essential functionality at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The TCL 30E focuses on a streamlined experience with a MediaTek Helio G25, while the Nokia G21 prioritizes longevity with a Unisoc T606 and a claimed extended battery life. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained usability and faster charging, the Nokia G21 emerges as the better choice. While the TCL 30E is a functional device, the Nokia G21’s Unisoc T606 chipset offers a more balanced CPU architecture, and its 18W charging with PD3.0 support significantly reduces downtime compared to the TCL 30E’s slow 10W charging.
| 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 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 27 | 2022, February 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 20 | Available. Released 2022, February 15 |
| 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) | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| 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 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| 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 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (6127l only) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, RDS |
| 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Atlantic Blue | Nordic Blue, Dusk |
| Models | 6127A, 6127l | TA-1418, TA-1477, TA-1415, TA-1405, TA-1404, TA-1412 |
| Price | - | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1631:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.7 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 171299 (v9)
GeekBench: 1193 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
TCL 30E
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Simple user experience
- Outdated CPU architecture
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely lower display brightness
Nokia G21
- More modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A75)
- Faster 18W charging with PD3.0
- Brighter display (500 nits)
- Slightly higher price
- Camera specs are unknown
- Unisoc chipset may have limited software support
Display Comparison
The Nokia G21 boasts a measured peak brightness of 500 nits, a significant advantage over the TCL 30E, which lacks published brightness data but is likely lower given its market positioning. Both share a 1631:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar image quality in terms of black levels. However, the Nokia G21’s higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors and in brightly lit environments. The TCL 30E’s display specifications are largely unknown, making a detailed comparison difficult, but it’s reasonable to assume a less vibrant viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. Given the price point, expectations should be tempered. The absence of detailed camera specs suggests neither phone will excel in photography. Focusing on the core processing power, the Nokia G21’s more capable chipset may offer slightly better image processing capabilities, but the actual image quality will heavily depend on the sensor and lens quality, which remain unknown.
Performance
The Nokia G21’s Unisoc T606 utilizes a more modern CPU architecture with 2x Cortex-A75 cores alongside 6x Cortex-A55 cores, offering a performance boost over the TCL 30E’s Helio G25. The Helio G25 relies on older Cortex-A53 cores across all eight threads, resulting in lower single-core and multi-core performance. While both chipsets are 12nm, the architectural differences mean the Nokia G21 will handle multitasking and more demanding apps with greater ease. The TCL 30E will likely struggle with heavier workloads.
Battery Life
Both the TCL 30E and Nokia G21 achieve an endurance rating of 126 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Nokia G21’s 18W wired charging with PD3.0 support provides a significant advantage. PD3.0 ensures compatibility with a wider range of chargers and faster charging speeds. The TCL 30E’s 10W charging is considerably slower, meaning longer periods tethered to a power outlet. This difference in charging speed is a crucial factor for users who rely heavily on their smartphones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 30E if you need a basic, no-frills smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and are willing to accept slower performance and charging speeds. Buy the Nokia G21 if you prefer a device with a more modern CPU architecture, a brighter display, and the convenience of faster, standards-compliant charging, even if it means paying a slight premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 chipset in the Nokia G21 known for overheating under sustained load?
While Unisoc chipsets haven't historically been known for top-tier thermal performance, the T606 is a relatively efficient processor. Given the Nokia G21's plastic build and moderate performance expectations, significant overheating is unlikely during typical usage. However, prolonged gaming sessions may lead to some throttling.
❓ Does the TCL 30E support fast charging, or am I limited to the 10W charger in the box?
The TCL 30E officially supports only 10W wired charging. While it *might* technically accept a higher wattage charger, it will likely only draw 10W, rendering a faster charger ineffective. You are best served using the included 10W charger.
❓ How does the software support compare between TCL and Nokia for these models?
Nokia generally offers a more reliable software update schedule, promising at least 3 years of security updates for the G21. TCL's software support is less predictable, and updates may be less frequent. This is a key consideration for long-term usability and security.
