TCL has become a significant player in the budget smartphone market, offering compelling features at aggressive price points. The TCL 605 and TCL 30 LE represent two distinct approaches within that segment. The 605 aims for a balance of performance and endurance, while the 30 LE prioritizes affordability. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and longevity, the TCL 605 is the clear winner. Its Helio G81 chipset and significantly longer 49:07h battery endurance provide a smoother experience and reduce the need for frequent charging, justifying the likely price premium over the TCL 30 LE.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, March 03 | 2022, July 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, June | Available. Released 2022, July |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 76.2 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 156.2 x 73.8 x 9.4 mm (6.15 x 2.91 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 5 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~79.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G81 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761V Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | PowerVR GE8300 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF | 13 MP, (wide), 1.12µm , AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5200 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Blizzard White, Quartz Blue, Obsidian Black | Black |
| Models | T517D | - |
| Price | $ 118.56 / £ 74.00 / € 158.41 | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 49:07h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class B (180 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
TCL 605
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance
- Superior battery endurance (49:07h)
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Likely higher price point
- May be slightly larger and heavier
TCL 30 LE
- More affordable price
- Lightweight and compact design (assumed)
- Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks
- Acceptable battery life for minimal usage
- Slow processor struggles with multitasking and gaming
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited camera capabilities
- Shorter battery lifespan
Display Comparison
While both devices share a 12nm manufacturing process for their chipsets, the display details are not provided. Assuming typical LCD panels for this price bracket, the user experience will likely be similar in terms of color accuracy and viewing angles. However, the TCL 605’s potential for a higher refresh rate (not specified, but common in this chipset tier) would offer a smoother scrolling experience compared to the standard 60Hz expected on the 30 LE.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are not detailed beyond the chipsets. Given the market positioning, both phones likely feature basic camera setups. The TCL 605, benefiting from the more powerful ISP within the Helio G81, will likely offer better image processing, resulting in sharper images and improved low-light performance. It’s reasonable to expect the 605 to handle video recording at a higher resolution and frame rate than the 30 LE. The presence of a more capable chipset suggests better computational photography features, even with similar sensor resolutions.
Performance
The performance disparity between these two devices is substantial. The TCL 605’s Mediatek Helio G81, featuring an octa-core configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, is significantly more powerful than the TCL 30 LE’s quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 processor within the Helio A22. The A75 cores in the 605 provide a noticeable boost in single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and general responsiveness. The 605’s GPU will also handle graphics-intensive tasks, like gaming, far more effectively. The A22 in the 30 LE is geared towards basic functionality and will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery life is a key differentiator. The TCL 605 boasts an impressive 49:07h endurance, indicating a large battery capacity and efficient power management. This is coupled with 18W wired charging, allowing for relatively quick top-ups. The TCL 30 LE, with its 10W charging, will take considerably longer to charge, and its smaller battery (capacity unspecified, but likely smaller than the 605) will necessitate more frequent charging cycles. The 605’s 1000 charge cycles also suggest a longer lifespan before significant battery degradation.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 605 if you need a phone capable of handling moderate multitasking, occasional gaming, and demand all-day battery life. It’s ideal for students, commuters, or anyone who relies heavily on their smartphone throughout the day. Buy the TCL 30 LE if you primarily need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media use, and are on a very tight budget. It’s a suitable option for first-time smartphone users or as a secondary device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the TCL 30 LE struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While the TCL 30 LE can run these apps, the Helio A22 processor and limited RAM may result in noticeable lag and slow loading times, especially when multitasking. The experience won't be as fluid as on the TCL 605.
❓ Is the TCL 605 a good option for playing mobile games?
The TCL 605, with its Helio G81 chipset, is capable of playing many popular mobile games at medium settings. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the TCL 30 LE, which will struggle with most modern titles.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the TCL 30 LE from 0%?
With only 10W charging, the TCL 30 LE will likely take over 3 hours to fully charge from 0%. This is considerably slower than the TCL 605’s 18W charging, which will significantly reduce charging times.
❓ Does the TCL 605 support fast charging protocols beyond 18W?
While the TCL 605 supports 18W charging, it's unlikely to support more advanced fast charging protocols like Power Delivery or Quick Charge. Using a higher wattage charger may not result in faster charging speeds.
