A smartphone with decent features isn’t uncommon, but when it’s a new 5G it gets noticed, like this 30 XE device from giant TCL, well known for its TVs and home appliances.
Launched earlier this spring, this TCL 30 XE 5G device is aimed at the entry-level market with basic and reliable features on the menu that deserve attention.
Speaking of menu, the device offers a 6.5” screen, triple rear camera, 4GB RAM, Android 11 system, biometric security system and a 4500mAh non-removable battery.
Despite its size and large screen, the device remains light; 195g. It sits well in the hand and you don’t feel that the shell is made of plastic. More expensive materials would have only increased the price. In the same vein, also note that it is only available in black.
Like a high-end device
Despite these cost-effectiveness requirements, the screen still shows very thin borders like in high-end devices for a screen/surround ratio of 89.5% and, on the back, the 30 XE has a triple camera, a flash (flashlight) and the fingerprint sensor.
At startup, the configuration offers biometric unlocking by facial recognition or fingerprint, not to mention the option of the personal PIN code. My test device required a system update which took longer than normal, so expect long minutes before the system asks for a reboot.
Digging into the system settings, this TCL offers three choices for displaying the notch at the very top of the screen.
- The default one with the full display area
- That of the notch without moving the status bar (more contrasty and easy to read)
- And the one to hide the notch and move the status bar
Continuing on to the 6.5” LCD screen, its 1600×720 resolution (20:9 ratio) is more than enough and crisp for an entry-level smartphone. For its protection, it has a Dragontrail glass against scratches. However, the phone is not water resistant.
Processor and memory
Under the hood, the amount of RAM is what you’d expect for this kind of device, 4 GB. For storage, it’s the bare minimum, 64 GB. only 23% of the available space, or 14.54 GB. For more space, a microSD card up to 512 GB will meet the needs. At the prices where these cards are sold online, it’s cheap per gigabyte.
Also in the same place, TCL installed an eight-core MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor (2 @ 2.2 GHz, 6 @ 2.0 GHz).
In terms of sensors, the device embeds a:
- Accelerometer (G-sensor)
- GPS (A-GPS)
- Proximity sensor
- light sensor
- Electronic compass
- Gyro barometer
In use, this TCL runs smoothly even while juggling several applications open simultaneously. No need to close and reopen them to save a few megabytes.
Also, the device uses the TCL interface rather than the Android one. In my opinion, the manufacturer’s one is attractive, with a clean and simple interface.
Autonomy
Let’s finish with the generous 4500 mAh battery which ensures the phone to work for a long time, one of the strong points of this TCL device which promises 25 hours of telephone communication and up to 15 days on standby. So, no fear of running out of energy in the middle of the day. In addition, this phone offers fast charging up to 18 W.
Sold $300, like here at Videotronthe price is so small that the purchase by monthly payment becomes superfluous.
Well designed for its price and well equipped, the device has everything it takes to meet 90% of the needs of users who are not necessarily looking for a lightning bolt.
Coming soon, the test of the TCL 30 5G.
