The TCL 30E and Realme C55 represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone space, but cater to slightly different priorities. The TCL 30E focuses on providing a basic, functional experience, while the Realme C55 aims to deliver a more modern feature set, particularly in charging speed and processing power. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C55 is the superior choice. Its Helio G88 chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift over the TCL 30E’s Helio G25, and the 33W fast charging is a game-changer in this price bracket. While both phones offer similar battery endurance ratings, the Realme C55’s faster charging mitigates any potential concerns.
| 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, 8, 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 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 20 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| 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) | 165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", 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, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, (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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (6127l only) | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| 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, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Atlantic Blue | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | 6127A, 6127l | RMX3710 |
| Price | - | ₹ 8,399 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 123h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1264:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.8 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 257263 (v9)
GeekBench: 1452 (v5.1), 1413 (v6)
GFXBench: 9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
TCL 30E
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Significantly slower processor
- Extremely slow 10W charging
- Likely inferior display brightness
Realme C55
- Faster and more efficient Helio G88 chipset
- 33W fast charging for quick top-ups
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- May be slightly more expensive
- Camera performance relies heavily on software processing
- Similar battery endurance to the TCL 30E
Display Comparison
Both the TCL 30E and Realme C55 feature displays with a 1264:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Realme C55 boasts a measured peak brightness of 659 nits, significantly brighter than what we’d expect from the TCL 30E based on its market positioning. This higher brightness translates to better outdoor visibility. While neither phone is likely to feature high refresh rate panels, the Realme C55’s brighter display provides a more pleasant viewing experience overall.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Given the price point, it’s safe to assume both rely on relatively basic camera sensors. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Realme generally invests more in camera software processing, potentially giving the C55 an edge in image quality, even with similar hardware. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact the overall photography experience.
Performance
The Realme C55’s Mediatek Helio G88 chipset represents a substantial upgrade over the TCL 30E’s Helio G25. The G88 utilizes a more modern CPU architecture – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores alongside 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the G25’s 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration. The Cortex-A75 cores in the G88 offer significantly improved single-core performance, resulting in snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. This difference will be particularly noticeable when running demanding applications or switching between multiple apps.
Battery Life
Both the TCL 30E and Realme C55 achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Realme C55’s 33W wired charging capability is a major advantage. It can reach 50% charge in just 29 minutes, a stark contrast to the TCL 30E’s slow 10W charging. This faster charging significantly reduces downtime and makes the Realme C55 more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 30E if you prioritize absolute simplicity and are on the tightest of budgets, needing a functional phone for basic communication and light tasks. Buy the Realme C55 if you value faster performance for social media, streaming, and casual gaming, and appreciate the convenience of significantly faster charging speeds. The C55 is the better all-rounder for the majority of users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme C55’s Helio G88 chipset capable of handling popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G88 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. While it won’t deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the TCL 30E’s Helio G25, which would likely struggle with consistent performance.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Realme C55 from 0% to 100%?
While the Realme C55 charges to 50% in 29 minutes, a full charge from 0% to 100% typically takes around 68-75 minutes with the included charger. This is still considerably faster than the TCL 30E, which could take several hours with its 10W charging.
❓ Does the TCL 30E support software updates beyond the initial Android version?
TCL’s update track record for budget devices is limited. Expect minimal software updates, potentially only security patches. The Realme C55, benefiting from Realme’s more active software support, is more likely to receive at least one major Android version update.
