The ZTE Blade A75 4G and TCL 30 SE represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The key differentiator lies in their chipsets: Unisoc’s T606 in the ZTE versus MediaTek’s Helio G25 in the TCL. This comparison will dissect these differences and determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and slightly faster charging, the ZTE Blade A75 4G emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc T606 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance edge over the TCL 30 SE’s Helio G25, despite the TCL’s slightly higher clock speeds on some cores. However, the TCL 30 SE remains a viable option for basic tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA/APAC |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, July 10 | 2022, February 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, July | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.8 x 8.6 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 165.2 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (6165H/6165H1 only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Basalt Black, Aqua Green, Marble White | Atlantic Blue, Space Gray, Glacial Blue |
| Models | Z2359 | 6165H, 6156H1, 6165A, 6165A1, 6165S |
| Price | About 110 EUR | - |
ZTE Blade A75 4G
- Faster CPU performance due to Cortex-A75 cores
- Faster 22.5W charging
- Potentially better image processing
- Brand recognition is lower than TCL
- May be slightly more expensive than the TCL 30 SE
TCL 30 SE
- Generally lower price point
- TCL is a well-known brand
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- Slower CPU performance
- Slower 15W charging
- Less responsive user experience
Display Comparison
Neither ZTE nor TCL provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The real difference lies in the processing power driving them. While panel quality is likely similar, the Unisoc T606 in the ZTE Blade A75 4G may offer slightly smoother scrolling and animations due to its more capable GPU, even if the TCL 30 SE has a marginally higher clock speed on some CPU cores.
Camera Comparison
Both devices likely feature modest camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. The Unisoc T606’s ISP, while not flagship-level, is likely more capable than the Helio G25’s, potentially resulting in slightly better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The chipset is the defining factor here. The ZTE Blade A75 4G’s Unisoc T606 utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture with 2x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This is a significant advantage over the TCL 30 SE’s MediaTek Helio G25, which employs 4x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Cortex-A75 cores in the ZTE offer substantially higher single-core performance, crucial for app launch times and general responsiveness. While the Helio G25’s higher clock speeds on the A53 cores might seem appealing, the older A53 architecture is less efficient and delivers lower performance per clock cycle. This translates to a more sluggish experience on the TCL 30 SE, especially when multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but both phones likely feature batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, typical for this price segment. The ZTE Blade A75 4G’s 22.5W wired charging is a clear advantage over the TCL 30 SE’s 15W charging. This means the ZTE will recharge significantly faster, reducing downtime. While a larger battery capacity on the TCL 30 SE could offset the slower charging, the more efficient Unisoc T606 in the ZTE may result in comparable real-world battery life despite potentially having a slightly smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A75 4G if you need a phone that feels more responsive for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light multitasking. The more powerful CPU architecture will translate to a smoother user experience. Buy the TCL 30 SE if you prioritize a slightly lower price point and are primarily focused on very basic smartphone functions like calls, texts, and occasional light web browsing, and aren't concerned with demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the TCL 30 SE struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While the TCL 30 SE can run these apps, the MediaTek Helio G25’s weaker CPU architecture may result in noticeable lag and slower loading times, especially when multitasking or using the apps extensively. The ZTE Blade A75 4G will provide a smoother experience.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone from 0%?
With its 22.5W charging, the ZTE Blade A75 4G should fully charge in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The TCL 30 SE’s 15W charging will likely take closer to 2.5 to 3 hours for a full charge.
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 chipset reliable and well-supported?
Unisoc has been steadily improving its chipsets, and the T606 is a reasonably capable processor for the budget segment. While it doesn't have the same brand recognition as Qualcomm or MediaTek, it offers a solid performance-to-price ratio and receives regular software updates from ZTE.
❓ Can either of these phones handle basic mobile gaming?
Both phones can handle less demanding 2D games. However, for more graphically intensive 3D games, the TCL 30 SE will likely struggle with low frame rates and stuttering. The ZTE Blade A75 4G will offer a slightly better gaming experience, but don't expect flagship-level performance.
