TCL 30 5G and TCL 30+ hands-on at MWC 2022

TCL unveiled its 30 series right ahead at MWC 2022, and we’re in Barcelona, where we were able to get a hold of the TCL 30 5G and the TCL 30+ - two of the more impressive devices in the affordable lineup.

The two devices share the same form factor and a 50 MP camera, but the main difference is the chipset. Here are our initial impressions of the duo.

TCL 30 5G

This phone is developed for 5G markets, and TCL equipped it with a Dimensity 700 chipset. It is practically indistinguishable from the TCL 30+, the main differences coming in performance, thanks to the relatively more powerful 7 nm platform.

TCL did a great job developing the phone for taking photos - after all, the 50 MP main camera with an f/1.8 lens in front is one of the selling points. Images are sharp, with enough brightness and color.

The display is a 6.7” AMOLED, but to keep the price low, TCL still pushed the fingerprint scanner to the side, acting as a power key as well. Brightness is fairly impressive for a device in this price range, and the colors are accurate.

The TCL UI 4.0 is based on Android 12. We should not act surprised that it has the latest Google OS, but other more powerful competitors like Xiaomi are still launching phones with A11, so kudos to TCL for bringing the latest in the 30 5G.

The camera arrangement on the back, the plastic back and the plastic rim remind us we’re holding a €250 smartphone. TCL deserves praise for the sole reason it knows its position on the smartphone market and is not claiming the 30 5G to be something it isn’t. We loved the straightforward design, customized user interface, and the fact it has 18W fast charging for its 5,010 mAh.

TCL 30+

This phone runs on Helio G37 chipset, built on the 12 nm FinFET process technology. It’s not as mighty as the 7nm platform on the 30 5G but still does the job, at least at first glance. These two devices share the same body, and we wouldn’t be able to tell them apart if it wasn’t for the dual stereo speakers on the 30+ - there is a dedicated second speaker on top of the phone.

Here, we also have a 50 MP main camera, which sits behind a slightly smaller f/1.9 aperture. It still does the same good job because it is the same sensor as the 30 5G, after all. The other two shooters are 2 MP, allowing for some fancy cam features, such as AI Portrait Mode and macro photos.

We love that this phone, as well as the 30 5G, has a 3.5 mm audio jack on the bottom, next to the USB-C port for the 5,010 mAh battery. The fingerprint scanner is also on the side, despite the phone having a 6.67” Full HD+ AMOLED, but TCL realized you don’t need fancy features to sell a phone for €200.

All you need is a big battery that doesn’t take a lot of time charging, a bright screen, a good enough camera, a 3.5 mm audio jack for wired earphones, and you can easily sell this phone in the overcrowded world of affordable midrangers.