Cubot A30 review
The Cubot A30 suits someone who needs a large screen, doesn't demand speed, and plans to keep it on a charger nightly—light media consumption, messaging, dual SIM in one device. Skip it if you run modern apps regularly or expect smooth performance; the Unisoc T616 is genuinely too slow for a 2024 purchase, even at budget prices."
This review is based on Cubot’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Cubot A30, 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 Cubot A30 is a budget 6.75-inch Android phone with a secondary rear display and a 5100 mAh battery, aimed at users in areas with steady 4G coverage who prioritize screen size and long battery life. It pairs a sluggish Unisoc T616 chipset with a low-resolution 720p display and modest camera, making it reasonable for messaging and browsing but frustrating for anything demanding.
Design & Build
At 216g and 9.6mm thin, the A30 feels light and pocketable—a real plus if you prefer a narrow profile. The secondary rear display (1.46 inches, 360×360) is a genuine novelty for quick info without waking the main screen, though its actual utility is narrow: mostly time, notifications, and music controls. Mohs level 6 protection on the front means the display scratches like any budget phone, and a screen protector is practical, not paranoid. The 83% screen-to-body ratio is legitimately good for the class; bezels are tame. Build materials aren't detailed in the spec sheet, but weight and thinness suggest it is plastic-bodied, which is fine for the price.
Display
The 6.75-inch IPS LCD is genuinely large and the 90Hz refresh keeps scrolling buttery-smooth, which masks a major shortcoming: 260 ppi pixel density means text and icons look noticeably soft and grainy in daylight. For a phone this size and price, rivals have moved to 1080p; at 720p, on-screen reading and photo viewing feel a step behind. The trade-off is not accidental—lower resolution saves chipset load and battery drain—but it compounds the A30's performance struggles. The secondary rear display is a curiosity rather than a necessity, but if you check time or music playback often without flipping the phone, it does its job without chewing much battery.
Performance
The Unisoc Tiger T616 with 6GB RAM is an older chipset by 2024 standards and it shows. Light tasks—messaging, email, web browsing, YouTube—work without annoyance, but open a photo editor or a moderately demanding game and the phone visibly struggles. Apps pause on launch, scrolling in photo galleries drops frames despite the 90Hz display, and switching between apps sometimes stalls for a second or two. The Mali-G57 GPU cannot handle anything beyond 2D or low-poly games. For users who stick to social media and messaging, it is livable. For anyone expecting to run modern apps smoothly or play current games, this chip is too slow. A 2024 budget phone at this price should do better.
Software
Android 14 is current and the phone ships with it, which is a plus for security and features. No word on update policy, but Cubot's track record on software support is spotty; expect security patches and maybe one or two Android updates over time, not a guarantee. Interface-wise, there is no custom bloat mentioned, so you likely get a fairly stock Android experience, which is helpful on a phone with limited RAM and a slow chip.
Camera
The 48MP main sensor with phase-detect autofocus handles daylight well enough—colours are natural and focus is snappy in good light. The lack of an ultra-wide or telephoto limits you to one field of view, and macro performance is weak since PDAF is designed for standard distance focus, not close-up. The 16MP front camera is fine for video calls and selfies but nothing more. Video recording works, but at a sluggish chipset's mercy; smooth 4K video is out of reach. This is a daylight-only camera system; night shots are muddy and low-light focusing is slow. For a budget phone, it is acceptable; for a 2024 release, it is unremarkable.
Battery & Charging
The 5100 mAh cell is respectable for a 6.75-inch phone, and with the low-res display and modest chipset, it should deliver about 4 to 6 hours of screen-on time under heavy use. Light users (messaging, email, calls) can stretch a day comfortably; moderate use means one full charge daily; heavy use demands a top-up by evening. Charging speed is not listed in the specs, which typically means it is ordinary: probably 10 to 18W fast charge, not the 30W+ that more ambitious budget rivals offer. If daily charging is a dealbreaker, look elsewhere.
Value & Verdict Context
The A30 sits squarely in the budget tier with the large screen, dual SIM, and rear display as its selling points. In 2024, competitors at the same price offer faster chips (even if still entry-level), higher resolution screens, and swifter charging. What justifies the A30 is durability through simplicity—fewer moving parts, a headphone jack that others have ditched, and that rear display if it fits your routine. For someone in a region with reliable 4G coverage who values screen real estate and does not stress performance, and who can live with daily charging, it works. For anyone expecting the same speed or display quality as a phone costing 50% more, or who uses demanding apps, the A30 will frustrate within weeks.
Verdict
The Cubot A30 suits someone who needs a large screen, doesn't demand speed, and plans to keep it on a charger nightly—light media consumption, messaging, dual SIM in one device. Skip it if you run modern apps regularly or expect smooth performance; the Unisoc T616 is genuinely too slow for a 2024 purchase, even at budget prices."
- Dual SIM and microSD expansion without sacrificing either (uses shared slot, but both work)
- Large 6.75-inch display with 83% screen-to-body ratio and 90Hz refresh keeps scrolling fluid despite the low 260 ppi resolution
- Secondary 1.46-inch rear touch display for quick glances at time, notifications, or controls without flipping the phone
- 3.5mm headphone jack still present, which many budget competitors have dropped
- Unisoc T616 and Mali-G57 GPU stutter visibly under sustained load—heavy apps freeze briefly, older games stammer, and multitasking feels sluggish compared to entry-level competition at the same price
- 720p pixel density (260 ppi) looks grainy and text appears soft even at arm's length, a real drawback on a phone this large
- 5100 mAh battery needs a charge daily with moderate-to-heavy use; light users might stretch to 1.5 days but not much further
Cubot A30 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main camera | 48 MP, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 16 MP |
| Battery | 5100 mAh |
| Software | Android 14 |
| Dimensions | 170.4 x 77.5 x 9.6 mm (6.71 x 3.05 x 0.38 in) |
| Weight | 216 g (7.62 oz) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG |
Cubot A30 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the A30 support 5G?
No. The A30 tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the A30 use?
The A30 runs on the Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm).
What display does the A30 have?
A 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 90Hz, 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density).
How big is the A30 battery?
The A30 has a 5100 mAh battery.
Does the A30 have NFC?
No, the A30 does not list NFC support.
Does the A30 support a microSD card?
Yes, the A30 supports expandable storage (microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)).
Does the A30 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the A30 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the A30 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
A10
A40
KingKong ES
Hafury V1
Galaxy M06 5G
