OnePlus Nord 2T vs TCL 30+: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Contenders

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord 2T and TCL 30+ represent distinct approaches. The Nord 2T aims for a balance of performance and features, leveraging Mediatek’s Dimensity series, while the TCL 30+ focuses on affordability with a more basic chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2T is the superior choice. Its significantly more powerful Dimensity 1300 chipset and blazing-fast 80W charging offer a dramatically improved user experience, justifying the price premium over the TCL 30+'s Helio G37.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 30+ OnePlus Nord 2T
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA/APACHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, February 272022, May 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 20Available. Released 2022, May 21
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions164.5 x 75.2 x 7.7 mm (6.48 x 2.96 x 0.30 in)159.1 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm (6.26 x 2.88 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight184 g (6.49 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 650 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak)AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 12, TCL UI 4.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 4GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRAuto HDR
Single13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYes (T676K only)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired80W wired, PD
TypeLi-Po 5010 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsTech Black, Muse BlueGray Shadow, Jade Fog
ModelsT676K, T676JCPH2399, CPH2401
PriceAbout 220 EUR€ 144.39 / $ 169.99 / ₹ 31,490
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 100h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 490545 (v8) | 604467 (v9) GeekBench: 2790 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

TCL 30+

  • Highly affordable price point
  • Decent battery endurance (100h)
  • Functional for basic smartphone tasks

  • Weak processor (Helio G37)
  • Slow charging speed (18W)
  • Likely limited camera performance

OnePlus Nord 2T

  • Powerful processor (Dimensity 1300)
  • Ultra-fast 80W charging
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility

  • Higher price than the TCL 30+
  • May not offer expandable storage
  • LCD panel instead of AMOLED

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 2T boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 636 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the TCL 30+. While both likely utilize LCD panels given their price points, the higher peak brightness of the Nord 2T translates to better visibility outdoors. The Nord 2T’s ‘infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a standard LCD contrast, while the TCL 30+'s contrast ratio is not specified. Bezels are likely comparable, but the brighter panel gives the Nord 2T a clear advantage for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Nord 2T’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Dimensity 1300 chipset will likely result in better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The TCL 30+ will likely rely more heavily on software processing to compensate for a potentially less capable sensor. We can assume the Nord 2T will offer more versatile video recording options.

Performance

The performance gap between these phones is substantial. The OnePlus Nord 2T’s Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6nm) features a core configuration of 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78, 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55, offering significantly more processing power than the TCL 30+'s Mediatek Helio G37 (12nm) with its 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 1300 also provides superior power efficiency, reducing thermal throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Nord 2T will handle gaming and multitasking far more effectively. The TCL 30+ is suitable for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both devices have an endurance rating of 100 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the TCL 30+'s unspecified battery capacity. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The OnePlus Nord 2T’s 80W wired charging with PD support allows for a full charge in a fraction of the time compared to the TCL 30+'s 18W charging. This is a significant convenience factor, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The faster charging effectively mitigates any potential battery capacity difference.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL 30+ if you prioritize absolute affordability and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. You’ll accept compromises in performance and charging speed. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2T if you value a smoother, more responsive experience, faster charging, and the ability to handle more demanding apps and games. It’s the better investment for users who want a phone that will last and perform well over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the TCL 30+ suitable for playing demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The TCL 30+'s Helio G37 chipset is not designed for demanding games. While you might be able to run them at the lowest settings, expect significant lag and frame rate drops. The Nord 2T, with its Dimensity 1300, offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How long does it actually take to fully charge the OnePlus Nord 2T with the 80W charger?
OnePlus claims the Nord 2T can charge from 1-100% in approximately 32 minutes with the 80W SuperVOOC charger. This is a substantial improvement over the TCL 30+'s 18W charging, which would likely take well over two hours for a full charge.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 2T support wireless charging?
No, the OnePlus Nord 2T does not support wireless charging. It relies solely on its incredibly fast 80W wired charging.
❓ What type of storage does the TCL 30+ use, and is it expandable?
While the exact storage type isn't specified, it's likely eMMC. The TCL 30+ does offer expandable storage via microSD card, allowing you to increase the internal storage capacity.