Coolpad Cool 30i review
The Cool 30i suits someone who values battery life and camera over processing muscle and display clarity, and who has a tight budget with no room for compromise. Anyone who plays games, watches video frequently, or plans to keep the phone beyond three years should look elsewhere—the Helio G37 and 720p screen are already feeling dated, and upgrades from rivals offer better longevity for not much more money.
This review is based on Coolpad’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Coolpad Cool 30i, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Cool 30i is a budget-focused phone built around battery life and screen size rather than speed or display sharpness. It delivers a decent 50MP camera and all-day runtime, but the Helio G37 chipset and 720p LCD mean you're trading performance and visual clarity for price.
Design & build
At 197.6 g and 8.3 mm thick, the Cool 30i is slim and pocketable. The weight is reasonable for a 6.56-inch phone, and the dual nano-SIM setup plus dedicated microSD slot gives you storage flexibility without sacrificing a second SIM. There is little to say about durability or materials from the spec sheet, but the form factor is practical for the budget segment. It is not going to feel premium, and the lack of any splash resistance is worth noting if you live in a humid or wet climate.
Display
The 6.56-inch IPS LCD is generously sized, but 720p resolution at 267 ppi is showing its age by 2024 standards. Individual pixels are noticeable when you hold the phone close, and text is readable at arm's length but lacks the sharpness of 1080p displays that now appear at similar prices. Video and web browsing feel less detailed as a result. The 81.5% screen-to-body ratio is decent for an LCD of this era, and 20:9 aspect ratio suits media well enough. For casual use and messaging it is adequate; for anyone who spends time reading or watching content, the resolution limitation will wear quickly.
Performance
The Helio G37 and 6 GB RAM are entry-level components even by budget standards in late 2023. Day-to-day apps—email, messaging, social media, and light web browsing—run without drama. The moment you try a moderately demanding game or a heavy app like video editing, the CPU hits a ceiling. Video playback at 1080p is handled fine, but 4K is not an option with this chipset. Think of it as a phone that keeps you connected and scrolling, not one that entertains or competes in any gaming way. If you are upgrading from a much older device, it will feel snappy. If you are coming from anything from the last two years, the Helio G37 will frustrate you.
Software
Android 13 with CoolOS lands it on a customized base that is stable but not known for bloat reduction. Updates and long-term support are not a given on Coolpad's track record, so plan on the phone aging into slower performance as Android versions pile up. Out of the box there is enough breathing room, but this is not a device you should count on using for five years or keeping current with major OS upgrades.
Camera
The 50MP main sensor with f/1.6 aperture and phase-detection autofocus is the phone's genuine strength. In daylight and well-lit indoor scenes, it produces usable, reasonably detailed shots. The f/1.6 aperture helps in low light, and the depth camera hints at portrait mode potential. However, the lack of 4K recording and fixed frame rate of 1080p at 30 fps limit you to basic video capture—no slow-mo, no high-frame-rate options. The 8 MP selfie camera is bare-bones but adequate for video calls. For a budget phone, this camera setup is one of the few areas where the Cool 30i does not feel compromised.
Battery & charging
The 4500 mAh battery, paired with a frugal Helio G37 chipset, will deliver roughly a full day of light to moderate use, or 5–6 hours of continuous screen-on time at moderate brightness. That is respectable for the class and one reason someone on a tight budget might choose this phone. The weak point is the 10W charger, which takes about 2.5 to 3 hours from empty to full. In an era when 30W and 60W are common at this price, 10W feels glacially slow if you need to top up before stepping out. Night charging is fine; daytime top-ups are impractical.
Value & verdict
The Cool 30i targets buyers with genuinely limited budgets and no expectation of flagship niceties. What it offers is a large screen, adequate battery life, a capable camera for its price, and room to expand storage cheaply via microSD. Where it stumbles is in speed and display sharpness—two areas where rivals increasingly offer better value at similar price points. If your primary needs are messaging, social media, and photography without high-speed gaming or content consumption, and you can live with 720p resolution and modest performance, it is functional. But if you have even a modest buffer in budget, a 1080p phone with a faster chipset will serve you better in two years' time.
Verdict
The Cool 30i suits someone who values battery life and camera over processing muscle and display clarity, and who has a tight budget with no room for compromise. Anyone who plays games, watches video frequently, or plans to keep the phone beyond three years should look elsewhere—the Helio G37 and 720p screen are already feeling dated, and upgrades from rivals offer better longevity for not much more money.
- Dedicated microSD slot for cheap storage expansion
- Large 6.56-inch screen and 4500 mAh battery suit long absences from power
- 50MP main camera with f/1.6 aperture handles daylight shooting decently
- Thin and light at 197.6 g, easy to pocket
- Helio G37 is dated even for budget class—struggles with any demanding app or game beyond light use
- 10W charging takes 2+ hours from empty, too slow for a phone this size
- 720p LCD at 267 ppi means visible pixels and soft text; rivals at this price now offer 1080p
Coolpad Cool 30i Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2023, December |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.56 inches, 103.9 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.6 (wide), PDAF Depth camera |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP |
| Battery | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 10W wired |
| Software | Android 13, CoolOS |
| Dimensions | 166.2 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.54 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 197.6 g (6.98 oz) |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Coolpad Cool 30i FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Cool 30i support 5G?
No. The Cool 30i tops out at GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the Cool 30i use?
The Cool 30i runs on the Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm).
What display does the Cool 30i have?
A 6.56 inches, 103.9 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density).
How big is the Cool 30i battery?
The Cool 30i has a 4500 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 10W wired.
Does the Cool 30i have NFC?
No, the Cool 30i does not list NFC support.
Does the Cool 30i support a microSD card?
Yes, the Cool 30i supports expandable storage (microSDXC (dedicated slot)).
Does the Cool 30i have a headphone jack?
No, the Cool 30i does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Cool 30i isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Cool 40i
Cool 20+
C16s
C15
Galaxy XCover 7
