The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, with both Samsung and TCL offering compelling options. The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G aims for a balance of features and 5G connectivity, while the TCL 30+ focuses on delivering essential smartphone functionality at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G is the superior choice. Its significantly more powerful Exynos 1280 chipset, coupled with a brighter display, provides a smoother and more responsive user experience. While the TCL 30+ offers a lower entry price, the performance gap is substantial.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 27 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 20 | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.2 x 7.7 mm (6.48 x 2.96 x 0.30 in) | 159.7 x 74 x 8.1 mm (6.29 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 650 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (T676K only) | Yes (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, 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5010 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Tech Black, Muse Blue | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | T676K, T676J | SM-A336E, SM-A336B, SM-A336B/DS, SM-A336B/DSN, SM-A336E/DS, SM-A336M, SM-A3360 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | £ 174.99 / € 187.50 / ₹ 21,999 |
| SAR | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 354420 (v8), 394918 (v9)
GeekBench: 1900 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
TCL 30+
- More powerful Exynos 1280 chipset
- Brighter and potentially smoother display
- Faster 25W charging
- Higher price point
- Potentially larger physical size
Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
- More affordable price
- Decent battery endurance
- Compact and lightweight design (likely)
- Significantly weaker Helio G37 performance
- Slower charging speed
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured 728 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the TCL 30+. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays are likely LCD panels given the price points, Samsung’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a more refined panel with deeper blacks. The A33’s larger screen real estate also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience. We expect the TCL 30+ to have a standard 60Hz refresh rate, while the A33 5G is likely to offer a smoother 90Hz experience, though this is not explicitly stated in the provided data.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the specifics are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Samsung’s history, the A33 5G likely features a more sophisticated image processing pipeline and potentially a larger main sensor. The TCL 30+ may rely more heavily on software enhancements to compensate for potentially inferior hardware. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the TCL 30+ is a common, but often underwhelming, feature in this price range, offering limited practical benefit. The A33 5G is more likely to offer features like optical image stabilization (OIS) for sharper photos and smoother videos.
Performance
The performance disparity is the most significant difference between these two devices. The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G’s Exynos 1280, built on a 5nm process, is a substantial upgrade over the TCL 30+'s MediaTek Helio G37 (12nm). The Exynos 1280 features a more modern CPU architecture – Cortex-A78 cores versus the A53 cores in the Helio G37 – resulting in significantly faster processing speeds. The 5nm fabrication process also contributes to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling. The A33 5G’s CPU configuration (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) is designed for more demanding tasks, while the Helio G37’s (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) is geared towards basic functionality. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Samsung.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the TCL 30+ lacking any charging speed information. However, the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G’s 25W wired charging is significantly faster than the TCL 30+'s 18W charging. This means the A33 5G can replenish its battery much quicker, minimizing downtime. While the battery capacity isn't specified for either device, the more efficient Exynos 1280 in the A33 5G likely contributes to comparable battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery cell.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 30+ if you prioritize affordability above all else and primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G if you value a smoother, more capable experience for gaming, multitasking, and content consumption, and are willing to spend a bit more for the improved performance and display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Samsung A33 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280, built on a 5nm process, is generally efficient and well-managed in terms of thermal performance. While some throttling may occur during extended, graphically intensive gaming, it's unlikely to be a significant issue for most users. Samsung's software optimizations also contribute to managing heat effectively.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the TCL 30+ actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Typically, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited image quality. The small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization result in soft, noisy images with limited detail. While it can be fun to experiment with, don't expect professional-level macro photography from the TCL 30+.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G reliably maintain 60fps in popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Exynos 1280 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at 60fps with medium to high graphics settings. However, achieving consistently smooth performance may depend on the specific game settings and background processes. The A33 5G's more powerful GPU provides a significant advantage over the TCL 30+ in gaming performance.
