The ZTE Blade A75 and TCL 30 SE represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 Android market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The A75 leverages a newer, 6nm Unisoc chipset, while the 30 SE relies on the older, 12nm Mediatek Helio G25. This comparison dives deep into the implications of these core differences, alongside battery life, charging, and overall user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the ZTE Blade A75 is the better choice. Its Unisoc T760 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the TCL 30 SE’s Helio G25. While the TCL 30 SE offers slightly faster charging, the A75’s superior processing power makes it the more compelling option.
| 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, September | 2022, February 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, September | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 74.9 x 8.6 mm (6.44 x 2.95 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 | 205.5 g (7.27 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x Cortex-A76 & 4x Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T760 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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 | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W or 18W wired (market/region dependent) | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Mint Green | Atlantic Blue, Space Gray, Glacial Blue |
| Models | Z2357N | 6165H, 6156H1, 6165A, 6165A1, 6165S |
| Price | About 170 EUR | - |
ZTE Blade A75
- More powerful Unisoc T760 chipset
- More efficient 6nm fabrication process
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Faster charging option (region dependent)
- Charging speed can be limited to 10W in some regions
- Limited brand recognition compared to TCL
TCL 30 SE
- Slightly faster 15W charging
- Established brand in the TV and mobile space
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Less powerful Mediatek Helio G25 chipset
- Less efficient 12nm fabrication process
- Potentially slower app loading and multitasking
- Lower performance in demanding games
Display Comparison
Neither ZTE nor TCL provide detailed display specifications beyond the basic panel type. However, the chipset differences indirectly impact the display experience. The Unisoc T760 in the A75 has a more capable GPU, potentially allowing for smoother rendering of UI elements and video playback. The TCL 30 SE’s Helio G25, while adequate for basic tasks, may exhibit slight stuttering during scrolling or animations. Without knowing the panel technology (IPS vs. VA) or peak brightness, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the A75’s processing power gives it an edge in display responsiveness.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature modest camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison. However, the Unisoc T760’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the A75 offers potential advantages in image processing, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. The TCL 30 SE’s Helio G25 ISP is less sophisticated, which may lead to less detailed and vibrant photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. It’s safe to assume both phones will include a primary camera and potentially a depth or macro sensor, but the quality of these secondary sensors is likely to be limited on both devices.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The ZTE Blade A75’s Unisoc T760 (6nm) features a 2.2GHz Cortex-A76 prime core, alongside three additional Cortex-A76 cores and four Cortex-A55 cores. This configuration, combined with the smaller 6nm fabrication process, translates to significantly better performance and efficiency compared to the TCL 30 SE’s Mediatek Helio G25 (12nm). The G25 utilizes four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0GHz and another four at 1.5GHz. The A76 cores in the A75 are architecturally superior to the A53 cores in the G25, offering a substantial uplift in single-core and multi-core performance. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable overall user experience on the A75. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The TCL 30 SE boasts 15W wired charging, while the ZTE Blade A75 supports either 10W or 18W charging depending on the region. While 15W is faster than 10W, the A75’s more efficient Unisoc T760 chipset may offset the charging speed difference with lower power consumption. The actual battery capacity isn’t specified, but given the price point, both are likely to be in the 4000-5000mAh range. The A75’s efficiency could translate to longer real-world battery life, even with a similar capacity, as the processor isn’t working as hard to accomplish the same tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A75 if you need a phone that feels responsive for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming, and you value a more modern chipset architecture. Buy the TCL 30 SE if you prioritize slightly faster charging speeds and are primarily focused on very basic smartphone functions with minimal multitasking, and are on an extremely tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T760 in the ZTE Blade A75 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
While the Unisoc T760 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some occasional stuttering, especially in intense scenes. The TCL 30 SE’s Helio G25 will struggle more with these titles, requiring lower settings and potentially exhibiting more significant performance drops.
❓ Does the TCL 30 SE’s 15W charging significantly reduce charging time compared to the ZTE Blade A75’s 10W option?
The difference between 15W and 10W charging isn't massive, especially on phones with relatively small batteries (likely around 4000-5000mAh). You'll likely see a difference of around 30-60 minutes for a full charge, but the ZTE Blade A75’s more efficient processor may partially offset this difference by consuming less power overall.
❓ Is the camera quality on either of these phones good enough for social media sharing?
Both phones will produce acceptable results for casual social media sharing in good lighting conditions. However, don't expect flagship-level image quality. The ZTE Blade A75 has a slight advantage due to its more capable ISP, potentially resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos.
