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 Samsung Galaxy A04e. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04e edges out the TCL 30E thanks to its slightly faster processor and potentially better software support. While both are budget options, the A04e offers a marginally smoother experience and the reliability of the Samsung brand. However, the TCL 30E might offer better value depending on pricing and regional availability.
| 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, October 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 20 | Available. Released 2022, November 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 188 g (6.63 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 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| 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 MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| 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) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| 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 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Atlantic Blue | Black, Copper, Light Blue |
| Models | 6127A, 6127l | SM-A042F, SM-A042F/DS, SM-A042M, SM-A042M/DS |
| Price | - | ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.29 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) |
TCL 30E
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Slow Charging (10W)
- Less Powerful Processor
- Potentially Limited Software Updates
Samsung Galaxy A04e
- Slightly Faster Processor
- Samsung Brand Reliability
- Potentially Better Software Support
- Basic Camera Performance
- Slow Charging (Likely)
- Limited Storage Options
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.5 inches, with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but limited color accuracy. The Samsung might have slightly better calibration, but the difference will be minimal in everyday use. The TCL 30E may have a slightly higher screen-to-body ratio.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar, with both phones featuring a primary camera around 13MP and a depth sensor. Image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. Samsung's image processing might offer slightly more natural-looking results.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04e's Helio P35 chipset holds a slight advantage over the TCL 30E's Helio G25. The P35's higher clock speeds should translate to a marginally smoother experience when multitasking and running apps. However, neither phone is a powerhouse and demanding games will struggle.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. The TCL 30E's slower 10W charging is a significant disadvantage compared to the A04e, which may support slightly faster charging (though likely still slow). Expect around 8-10 hours of screen-on time on both.
Buying Guide
The TCL 30E is ideal for users prioritizing a large display and basic functionality on a tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A04e is a better choice for those who value a slightly more responsive performance and the assurance of Samsung's software updates and ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A04e has a slightly faster processor (Helio P35 vs Helio G25), resulting in marginally better performance.
❓ How is the camera quality on each phone?
Both phones offer basic camera performance suitable for casual snapshots in good lighting. The Samsung Galaxy A04e's image processing might produce slightly more natural-looking results.
❓ Which phone offers better battery life?
Both phones likely offer all-day battery life with a 5000mAh battery, but the TCL 30E's slower charging is a drawback.