TCL A30 In-Depth Review
Review Cellular strives to provide unbiased, comprehensive, up-to-date smartphone and cell phone plan reviews. We use our extensive knowledge of the marketplace and user feedback across the web to provide valuable insights. Let us do all the digging so you can make an informed decision.
Disclosure: Review Cellular is reader supported. When you buy through links on this site, we will earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for your support.
TCL A30 In-Depth Review Image Gallery
November 3, 2021
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
What We Love About TCL A30
- Android 11
- Decent processor
- Compact body
- HD+ display
- Reliable battery
- 4G LTE capable device
- Google Assistant button
- Facial recognition
- Portrait mode
TCL A30 Overview
The TCL A30 is an entry-level device designed for users with modest smartphone needs. Launched in September 2021, it comes loaded with some great features, including a Google Assistant button, facial recognition, and HD screen that is appealing to users looking for low-budget smartphones. Besides, you also get a rear and front camera with TCL A30. The Twigby website reports this as their top-selling device. We will learn more about the device and how it fulfills user needs in our full TCL A30 review.
TCL A30 Unboxing
The TCL A30 arrives in a sturdy white colored box. It has a picture of the device on the front and TCL branding on the top left. The edge of the package has TCL A30 branding. You can find some device specifications at the back, like the 5.5-inch display, face unlock, battery, and storage. Opening the box reveals the device on top. A transparent cover protects the device.
Below the mobile phone, you’ll find a quick start guide, safety and precautions guide, SIM card ejection tool, charging adapter, and micro USB cable. There is also a removable 3,000mAh battery in the box.
What’s in the box:
- TCL A30 smartphone
- Quick start guide
- Safety and precautions guide
- Charging adapter
- Micro USB cable
- Removable battery
- SIM ejection pin
TCL A30 Related Videos
TCL A30 Video
YouTube content on this site is displayed using an Elementor Pro Video Playlist widget under YouTube Terms of Service https://www.youtube.com/static?template=terms. Trademarks, copyrights, brand names and images displayed in this embed are the property of their respective owners, and are for identification purposes only.
TCL A30 Design
Dimension-wise, the TCL A30 measures 5.74 x 2.80 x 0.39 inches, making it a compact device. It effortlessly slips into the pocket and also feels good to hold. On the front is a 5.5-inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The top and front bezels are thicker than the bezels on the sides. The top bezel also hosts a stereo speaker and selfie camera.Â
The back of the device has a carbon fiber-like texture that gives it a bold appearance. It is available in a single color – Prime Black. On the top left is a squircle-shaped rear camera. The LED flash is just below the camera. The TCL logo appears vertically near the bottom edge.
The volume rocker and power button are located on the right edge. There’s a dedicated Google Assistant button on the left. The bottom edge has a speaker and Micro USB charging port. It’s also nice to see a 3.5mm headphone jack on the top.
TCL A30 Camera
Experience a simple way to snap photos with the TCL A30. It features the following cameras:
- 8MP rear camera
- 5MP selfie camera
The above camera setup is similar to the Alcatel A30. Capture artistic photos and record smooth high definition videos, thanks to the 8MP rear camera. The 5MP front camera is great for selfies or video chat with friends and family. Both the cameras have some great options such as Portrait mode, Pro mode, Auto mode, Stop motion, and more. Portrait mode allows you to blur the background to highlight the subject. Pro mode is where you can control professional settings of the camera such as brightness, saturation, color, etc. Stop motion puts your creativity to work for animated effects and making objects come alive. Similar to the Samsung Galaxy A30, both front and rear cameras can record 1080p videos at 30 fps.
You may be concerned about running out of space if you frequently take photos and videos. But that’s not the case with TCL A30, as you can move the videos to the SD card. In our opinion, the TCL A30 camera lived up to the expectation as an entry-level device.
TCL A30 Display
View vivid, detailed images on the 5.5-inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio and HD+ 720×1440 resolution. We had no problem streaming or reading content on the Android smartphone. The icons on the screen were easily recognizable. Split-screen ensures better multitasking. There’s also 2D Asahi Glass protection for the display to prevent accidental scratches and ensure better durability. The display is smart as it automatically adjusts brightness according to lighting conditions in the surroundings. It will also help you save battery life.
TCL A30 Battery
The TCL A30 features a 3,000mAh battery that can keep up with all your demands and still have juice to spare. According to TCL, the device offers more than 14 hours of mixed usage with Smart Manager. It is a tool that ensures optimal performance by restricting startup apps and data usage, resulting in extended battery life. You can also manually change the settings according to your preferences.
The 3,000mAh battery provides talk time of up to 4 hours on 4G, 22 hours on 3G, and 30 hours on 2G. And the standby time is up to 15.8 days on 4G, 17.5 days on 3G, and 17.9 days on 2G. So in our opinion, the device can easily last all day through heavy usage and multiple days with light use.
TCL A30 StorageÂ
The TCL A30 storage easily meets your growing storage needs. It features 32GB of internal memory, expandable up to an additional 512GB storage with a microSD card. Out of 32GB, users get 21GB of space for personal use as the remaining is pre-occupied for system requirements. 32GB is sufficient for a decent number of photos, videos, files, and apps. However, if you want to store more data, investing in an SD card is a better option.Â
TCL A30 Performance
TCL A30 is powered by the Mediatek MT6762 octa-core processor and 3GB of RAM, so you can fire up a bunch of apps, browse the internet at 4G LTE speeds, or watch movies seamlessly. We didn’t face any issues during basic tasks like calling, texting, or sending e-mails. Out of the box, the device runs on Android 11. The user interface is straightforward, and apps are easy to find.Â
The dedicated Google Assistant button is a big plus. You can give voice commands by pressing the button and quickly bringing up the assistant. For instance, you can place calls, send text, play or pause music, and pull information from the web. Users who aren’t tech-savvy will appreciate the quick assistant support. Although the cell phone doesn’t have a fingerprint sensor, you can use Facial Recognition as the phone unlocks when it detects your face. Alternatively, you can unlock the device using a PIN code or pattern if you do not wish to use facial recognition. Overall, TCL A30 performs similarly to other entry-level smartphones in its price range.
Where to Buy
Final Words About TCL A30
Small in size but big on specs, the TCL A30 is a no-frills smartphone. The device is not designed to compete with an Apple iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy. Instead, it’s an affordable device offering all the necessary features for day-to-day activities. If you want a device for uncomplicated tasks like calling, texting, and web browsing, while spending as little money as possible, the TCL A30 is a solid option. It is ideal for seniors or kids as it features decent battery life, a simple camera, and an easy-to-use interface.
TCL A30 Specifications
- Android 11
- 5.5-inch 720×1440 HD display
- 2D Asahi Glass
- Aspect ratio: 18:9
- MediaTek MT6762 2.0 GHz octa-core processor
- 3GB RAM
- 32GB internal storage
- Rear camera: 8 MP
- Front camera: 5 MP
- 3,000mAh battery
- Dimensions: 145.79 x 71.12 x 9.90 mm (5.74 x 2.80 x 0.39 in)
Frequently Asked Questions About TCL A30
TCL A30 is available unlocked and with carriers like US Cellular, Twigby, Simple Mobile, and Cricket Wireless.
Yes, the TCL A30 supports mobile hotspots.
No, it doesn’t have a fingerprint sensor. However, it does support facial recognition.
You can set up password lock, pattern lock, or face lock for security.
Yes, TCL A30 has a 3.5m headphone jack.
The TCL A30 was released in September 2021.
| Carrier | Twigby |
|---|
