TCL’s New 5G Phone Packs a Big Punch for $300

The TCL 30 V 5G.

TCL

There’s nothing better than a cheap phone with killer specs. And that’s the best way to describe the first of TCL’s 2022 releases, the TCL 30 V 5G. It’s a Verizon exclusive, but at just $300, its features are hard to beat.

The TCL 30 V 5G packs a large 6.67-inch 1080p display with NXTVISION technology that automatically improves contrast and color while streaming video. It uses a respectable Snapdragon 480 5G processor with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which you can expand with a microSD Card.

Shockingly, this phone supports mmWave 5G. Most budget 5G handsets are stuck on the slower sub-6 5G bands. It also has a very large 50MP main camera and 16MP selfie lens, though these impressive features are joined by a paltry 5MP ultrawide lens and 2MP macro camera. (After experiencing TCL 20 Pro 5G’s ultrawide and macro cameras, I have a feeling that these two lenses will be the TCL 30 V 5G’s weak point.)

TCL also stuck a large 4,500mAh battery in the 30 V 5G, which supports 18-watt fast charging and reverse wireless charging for wireless headphones and other accessories. The phone ships with Android 11, and in case you’re wondering, it has a headphone jack.

In past years, TCL developed phones for other companies to sell. TCL only recently began manufacturing phones with its own branding. When I reviewed the company’s phones last year, I found that its budget models were a lot more compelling than its high-end offerings. So, I’m glad to see TCL continue down this budget path.

TCL says the 30 V 5G will launch as a Verizon exclusive in the coming weeks. The company will also roll out an ultra-budget device, called the TCL 30 XE 5G, for T-Mobile.