The TCL 30E and Oppo A57s represent the fiercely competitive sub-$200 smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver essential functionality at an accessible price point, but they diverge significantly in charging speed and processing power. This comparison dissects the key differences between the Mediatek Helio G25-powered TCL 30E and the Helio G35-equipped Oppo A57s, helping you determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Oppo A57s is the superior choice. While both phones share a similar price bracket, the A57s’ Helio G35 chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift, and its 33W fast charging – completing a full charge in just 69 minutes – is a game-changer 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 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 | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 20 | Available. Released 2022, September 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Panda Glass), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 163.8 x 75 x 8 mm (6.45 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| | - | IP5X (dust), IPX4 (water) resistance |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| 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 MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, ColorOS 12.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB 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 | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 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, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| 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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (6127l only) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| 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 | 33W wired, 100% in 69 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Atlantic Blue | Starry Black, Sky Blue |
| Models | 6127A, 6127l | CPH2385 |
TCL 30E
- Potentially lower price point
- Stable performance for basic tasks
- Reliable Mediatek chipset
- Significantly slower charging (10W)
- Less powerful processor than the Oppo A57s
- Likely limited multitasking capabilities
Oppo A57s
- Faster processor (Helio G35)
- 33W fast charging (69-minute full charge)
- Improved multitasking performance
- May be slightly more expensive
- Potentially less battery life if capacity is lower
- Similar camera performance to TCL 30E
Display Comparison
Neither TCL nor Oppo provide display specifications beyond resolution in their marketing materials. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. However, the focus here is on internal components, and display quality is unlikely to be a major differentiator. Bezels are expected to be relatively substantial on both devices, typical for this segment. Color accuracy will likely be standard for budget phones, prioritizing power efficiency over color fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are unavailable for either device. However, given the market segment, both likely feature a primary camera paired with depth or macro sensors of limited utility. The focus should be on the main sensor’s capabilities. Without specific megapixel counts or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. Image processing will likely be similar, prioritizing computational photography to enhance image quality in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A57s boasts the Mediatek Helio G35, featuring a CPU clocked up to 2.3 GHz, compared to the TCL 30E’s Helio G25, which peaks at 2.0 GHz. While both are octa-core designs utilizing Cortex-A53 cores, the higher clock speed of the G35 translates to faster processing. The G35’s 4x1.8 GHz cores also represent a slight improvement over the G25’s 4x1.5 GHz cores. This means the A57s will exhibit snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The 12nm fabrication process is shared, so thermal efficiency differences will be minimal, but the G35’s architectural advantages are clear.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified, the most significant difference is charging speed. The TCL 30E is limited to 10W wired charging, meaning a full charge will take well over two hours. The Oppo A57s, however, supports 33W wired charging, achieving a 100% charge in just 69 minutes. This is a substantial advantage for users who prioritize convenience and quick top-ups. Even if the A57s has a slightly smaller battery capacity, the faster charging mitigates this concern, providing more usable uptime throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 30E if your primary concern is absolute affordability and you prioritize a consistently stable, if slower, experience for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Oppo A57s if you value faster performance for app switching and occasional gaming, and if you frequently find yourself needing to quickly top up your battery throughout the day. The A57s is the better all-rounder.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Oppo A57s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
The Helio G35 in the Oppo A57s is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty, but expect to play on medium or low graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The TCL 30E’s Helio G25 will struggle more with these titles, requiring even lower settings and potentially experiencing noticeable lag.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Oppo A57s compared to the TCL 30E’s 10W charging in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Oppo A57s can go from 0% to 100% in 69 minutes, while the TCL 30E will likely take over 2 hours. This means you can quickly top up the A57s during a short break, whereas the 30E requires a much longer charging period.
❓ Is the difference in processor speed between the Helio G25 and G35 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Oppo A57s with the Helio G35 will feel snappier when switching between apps, opening websites, and scrolling through social media feeds. The TCL 30E will handle these tasks, but with slightly more lag and slower response times.
