TCL 30 LE unboxing and review from a real user

A review of this budget ($100 or so) Android phone from a person who's actually going to use it
Specs:
6.1" IPS LCD 1560x720 (720p)
MediaTek Helio A22
3GB RAM/32GB storage
13MP rear/8MP front cameras
Android 12

[@FEWP]

Some points I missed in the video: - Long pressing the power button only activates Google Assistant and can't be changed to open the power menu. You need to press power + volume up to turn off the phone - Speakers are mono and have zero bass. But this is the norm for phones in this price range.

[@PeaceChanel]

Thank You for All that you are doing for our Planet Earth.... Peace.. Shalom.. Salam.. Namaste 🙏🏻 😊 🌈 ✌ ☮ ❤

[@BnGFlava]

Thank u. U just stopped me from making a bad purchase.

[@AnthonyBox-lj2qo]

I Love these phone ❤🎉😊

[@natureboy6410]

Two other small things this so-called upgraded Android phone doesn't have, in lock screen it will not flash display when bumped and it doesn't give me the option of going into dnd when placed face down. The little guy in toolbar for magnification is not longer an option either.

[@davidt1621]

Do you know why Visible is trying to tell me to upgrade my phone while also offering me a TCL 30 LE at no cost? If it was necessary for the 5G network access, then why offer a phone that's incapable of 5G connection? I have no problems with my phone or it's access. Nothing's changed, but their sales pitch makes it sound like my service will be interrupted. Yet they say it won't, every time I ask. I've asked several months in a row, because every time the bill comes due, their sales pitch is texted to my phone along with the usual reminder of upcoming payment. This was the first month that they also sent the same message by traditional paper mail. Do you know if they want to convince people to leave the grandfathered-in old plans? To my knowledge Visible uses the Verizon network, which isn't planning to end support for 4G and LTE service any time soon, so I don't even understand how the context of a network upgrade is even relevant.

[@FEWP]

Their legacy network runs on the cloud and I heard they're bringing those functions in-house, which requires a different SIM card. If you're being offered the phone for free, just accept it, activate the SIM, and keep using it on your existing device. You can sell the TCL or keep it as backup. It has nothing to do with 5G.

[@davidt1621]

@@FEWP That would explain the drop in plan pricing for this "network upgrade." Running the service themselves would be cheaper for them, so they can competitively pass on the savings to us. So all I need is one of the new sim cards to upgrade and avoid this incessant nagging. I appreciate the heads-up.

[@fgbowen]

Here's the question. When I make a call- and am on the call- and then perhaps I have to go away from the call screen while on the call- then when I need to End the call (while not on that screen)... How do I Do that????? I can't even go back to the call screen- there is literally no way to get back to the call screen to end the call. So, if I am perhaps on HOLD, I have to WAIT until 4 Christmases have passed before Someone ends the call on the Other end.

[@dthomps157]

did you have any problems with adding an SD card to the phone to be used as internal storage? mine didn't give me an option no matter what I did.

[@FEWP]

I don't see this option on mine

[@natureboy6410]

Unfortunately, even though they claim that the internal memory of 32 GB is expandable upto 512gb, this phone will only give you the option to use your microSD as additional storage only. It will not allow you to formatted to expand the internal memory. Which is kind of bogus cuz after setup, the built-in apps of the phone itself use up 20 gigs of the 32 the phone has😢 So after adding only the few everyday apps that I have to use, it left me with about seven gigs leftover. First one I've ever had above Android six anyway, that wouldn't allow you to format your microSD card two internal storage or separate storage.

[@natureboy6410]

@@RevGearyTJonesSr yeah that was one of the first things I did was shut down that Google Assistant LOL. I think the point he was trying to make was regardless of which SD card you use, you could only use it as additional storage. It doesn't give you the option to tether it to the devices 32 gigs as additional internal memory, like most other phones do. I even installed one of the three microSD SanDisk Ultras that they recommend for this device, still doesn't give you any other option other than using it as additional storage, no tethering to internal memory.

[@natureboy6410]

@@RevGearyTJonesSr of course I've only had the device for a few days, but as far as the battery goes I just followed the advice it gives, which is to keep it plugged in if using hotspot. Keep battery saver on automatic, it automatically kicks off at 90% while charging.

[@natureboy6410]

@@RevGearyTJonesSr okay, bit of a tech dinosaur. LOL. NFC?

[@MamaLuke-re7dg]

When you first purchased this phone did the rear camera have a protective film on it? I just purchased this phone and it appears to have a small plastic protective film on the camera but I cannot seem to get it off.

[@FEWP]

Didn't have one on mine

[@f.allenrisler5303]

Any idea when this phone will be obsolete?

[@natureboy6410]

Unfortunately I found out after I purchased the phone, that they will stop putting out security upgrades for this phone in December of 2023.

[@imsoooimpresssss4574]

is this reliable? would anyone recommend?!

[@fgbowen]

imho no. I would not recommend.

[@valeriesoucie4667]

I would not recommend this phone. It is a piece of junk.

[@Varvariata]

Is this phone locked to a specific carrier? Or can it work with any operator?

[@FEWP]

Depends on where you buy it

[@Deathshack]

Its currently offered only threw Verizon/visible. After 60 days they will unlock it and it will work on most carriers

[@KamiM1111]

Can you turn off 5g and go with LTE on that TCL phone? THANK YOU!!!!

[@FEWP]

There is no 5G on this phone. LTE only.

[@Beanz2k7]

What is the notes all called

[@FEWP]

??

[@Beanz2k7]

@@FEWP app

[@FEWP]

@@Beanz2k7 if you're talking about the Notes app around 11:16, it's some built-in app from TCL

[@Beanz2k7]

@@FEWP I have one of these phones and put an important note in the app then went I went back to using Google keep and deleted the notes app from TCL

[@JoshQ-mc4bb]

I hate phones bigger than 6 inches

[@ltk20352]

Truly one of the worst phones of 22 and 23. Needs android go 13 on it and then would be fine. They are using an ancient 2016 low end chipset lol

[@FEWP]

2018 but yeah it's old. I was browsing the web, using Facebook, WhatsApp, Doordash, Google Maps. Basic stuff. For that it's fine.

[@Deathshack]

The procsssor cannot support a newer OS, this phone for the price is literally only meant for basic usage, calling texting and email browsing, solitary thats it

[@iluvuvibez6644]

this phone sucks ass... i got this phone for $40 and no nfc and the wifi can't pick up wifi at my job. can't even shut it down without using a 3rd party app. wish i got the pixel 3 instead of this shit...

[@valeriesoucie4667]

It is a piece of junk!

[@FEWP]

Power + volume up to bring up the shutdown menu

[@AnthonyBox-lj2qo]

That is stupid