Coolpad Cool 30 Play: A Feature-Packed Entry-Level Smartphone With A Massive Display And Solid Performance

Body: Comfortably Bold

The Coolpad Cool 30 Play sports a 6.68-inch body, measuring 169.6×76.6×8.5 mm. At 208 grams, it feels solid without being overly bulky, but this weight does make its presence felt. Its design is functional and easy to handle, appealing to those seeking a no-nonsense device that gets the job done. The device comes in three attractive color options - Aurora Purple, Flowing Gold, and Velvet Black - giving you a choice between vibrant or more subdued aesthetics. Here are the relevant specs:

The body of the Coolpad Cool 30 Play offers a mix of heft and slim design, making it suitable for most users. With those dimensions and weight, it is a bit on the larger side, especially for an entry-level phone. The 6.68-inch height gives it a commanding presence, and while it's not excessively thick at 8.5 mm, the size may feel a bit bulky for one-handed use, especially for users with smaller hands.

The 208 g weight adds to the phone's solid feel but may be slightly taxing for prolonged use. If you're holding it up for long periods - like during binge-watching sessions or extended browsing - this weight can start to feel noticeable, especially compared to lighter phones in the sub-200 g range. However, the weight also contributes to a more premium feel, making it less likely to feel cheap or flimsy.

Carrying the phone in your pocket should be fine for most, but tighter pants might make it feel a bit bulky. In a bag, it's hardly noticeable, though.

The Coolpad Cool 30 Play comes in three distinct colors - Aurora Purple, Flowing Gold, and Velvet Black - each appealing to different types of personalities and style preferences:

• Aurora Purple: This color suits the bold and adventurous. It's vibrant, striking, and perfect for those who love to stand out in a crowd. If you're someone who enjoys eye-catching designs or just likes a touch of flair in your everyday tech, Aurora Purple might be the perfect match. It's playful yet still maintains a sleek edge, ideal for those who view their phone as an accessory.
• Flowing Gold: Flowing Gold is more sophisticated and elegant. This hue will appeal to users who like a subtle yet classy finish to their devices. It's not as flashy as gold tones on premium phones, but it gives the phone a distinct, refined look. Those who appreciate understated luxury will find this color perfect for their personality.
• Velvet Black: For the classic, no-nonsense type, Velvet Black is timeless. It exudes a minimalist, professional vibe that suits users who prefer their gadgets to look sleek and neutral. Whether you're a businessperson, a tech minimalist, or just someone who doesn't want to draw attention to one's phone, Velvet Black provides a polished, always-in-style option.

Overall, the Coolpad Cool 30 Play is comfortable for most daily activities and is easy to carry around, but its larger size and weight might not be ideal for extended one-handed use. The color choices reflect diverse styles, offering something for everyone - from the bold and expressive to the classic and refined.

IP Rating

(Related: IP ratings explained.)

So, the Coolpad Cool 30 Play doesn't come flaunting an official IP rating. Does that mean it's a fragile flower in the storm of life? Not necessarily. While this might raise an eyebrow or two, it's not necessarily a deal-breaker. Let's break it down and talk about how you can keep your precious gadget safe from the environmental elements.

While an IP rating provides a standardized measure of water and dust resistance, many phones can still handle a sprinkle or two without it. If you're the cautious type who doesn't take one's phone swimming, you might not miss the IP rating much. However, if you live in a monsoon-prone area or plan on taking your phone on extreme adventures, you might want to exercise a bit more caution.

Here are some practical tips for shielding your sidekick:

• Protective Case: Think of a protective case as your Cool 30 Play's superhero cape. It adds an extra layer of defense against bumps, drops, and the occasional tumble. Plus, it can inject some personality into your device with a variety of colors and designs. It's like giving your phone its own fashionable armor.
• Screen Protector: Ever seen a phone with a cracked screen? It's a heartbreaking sight. A tempered glass screen protector is your shield against scratches, cracks, and the general wear and tear that life throws at your Cool 30 Play. It's a small investment that can save you from major heartache.
• Avoid Extreme Conditions: As your Coolpad Cool 30 Play does not have an IP rating, it's not a fan of extreme weather conditions. Try not to expose it to prolonged periods of extreme heat, cold, or humidity. Your phone might be tough, but it's not invincible.
• Keep It Clean: Dust and grime might not be as dramatic as water, but they can still play havoc with your phone's internals. A gentle wipe with a microfiber cloth can keep your Cool 30 Play looking brand new.

In conclusion, while the absence of an official IP rating might make your phone a bit less daring in extreme conditions, with a bit of TLC (tender loving care) and some armor in the form of a protective case and a screen protector, your Coolpad Cool 30 Play can still be your trusty sidekick through thick and thin.

So, suit up your phone, be mindful of its surroundings, and let the adventures begin!

Display: Big, Bright, and Basic

(Related: Know more about the various kinds of displays and screen specs.)

The 6.79-inch IPS LCD display is one of the standout features of this phone, boasting a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 90%. It offers a resolution of 720×1640 pixels, which gives it a pixel density of around 264 PPI - decent for casual browsing and video consumption. With 450 nits of brightness, it performs adequately indoors but may struggle under direct sunlight. While it may not offer the crispness of Full HD or OLED panels, for an entry-level device, the display is large enough to enjoy streaming and casual gaming without any major drawbacks.

Coolpad Cool 30 Play display. Image credit: Coolpad

Here are the relevant specs:

The display of the Coolpad Cool 30 Play offers some notable features, but it does have a few limitations. Its 6.79-inch IPS LCD panel delivers decent performance for its price range. IPS (In-Plane Switching) LCDs are known for providing good color accuracy and wide viewing angles, which makes it great for everyday activities like watching videos, browsing, and gaming.

Unlike OLED displays, which offer deeper blacks and higher contrast, IPS LCDs don't provide the same level of punchiness in colors. However, they're often easier on the eyes with prolonged usage, which is a plus for long screen time sessions.

While it's not the most advanced display technology on the market, IPS LCDs are a solid choice for an entry-level smartphone like the Cool 30 Play, keeping costs down without sacrificing too much visual quality.

With a resolution of 720×1640 pixels and a pixel density of around 264 PPI (pixels per inch), the Cool 30 Play's display is fine for basic tasks such as streaming videos in standard definition, browsing social media, reading e-books, and casual gaming.

For most users, this resolution will be perfectly acceptable for watching content on platforms like YouTube and Netflix, especially at 720p or 1080p streaming levels. Text and images will appear reasonably sharp, though not as crisp as they would on a Full HD (1080p) or higher resolution display.

That said, the 720p resolution may feel a bit lacking for certain types of content, such as:

• High-resolution Gaming: Games that feature a lot of detail and textures, like certain RPGs or action games, would benefit from a higher resolution.
• Content Creation: If you frequently edit photos or videos, you might find the screen slightly lacking in detail, making fine adjustments harder to see.
• Watching Videos in Higher Resolutions: If you enjoy streaming in Full HD (1080p) or higher, you won't fully appreciate the sharpness and clarity that higher resolutions offer on a 720p screen.

In short, the resolution is perfectly fine for budget-conscious users focused on everyday tasks. But for pixel-peepers or those who love high-res media, it might feel somewhat underwhelming.

One of the display's key limitations is its maximum brightness of 450 nits. While this level of brightness is perfectly adequate for indoor use, where you'll likely spend most of your time, it may struggle in bright outdoor environments.

Indoors, at 450 nits, the screen should appear clear and vibrant enough for browsing, watching videos, and using apps. You won't have any issues reading the screen or seeing details in normal indoor lighting conditions.

In direct sunlight or very bright environments, however, you'll find yourself squinting to see what's on the screen. The display may become harder to read, especially if you're trying to view dark images or use the phone's camera in such conditions.

For comparison, higher-end smartphones often feature displays with 700 - 1000 nits or more, making them much easier to use in bright outdoor settings. The Cool 30 Play's 450 nits puts it on the lower end of brightness performance, which is something to consider if you spend a lot of time outdoors.

Overall, the Coolpad Cool 30 Play offers a solid display for its price segment. The IPS LCD panel ensures wide viewing angles and good color accuracy for regular tasks. However, the 720p resolution is more of a baseline, suited for casual users, and the 450 nits brightness does fall short for outdoor visibility, a potential downside for anyone constantly on the go.

Networks

(Related: Cellular networks explained.)

The phone supports GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE networks, ensuring reliable connectivity for calls and data.

GSM, the reliable workhorse, lays the foundation for 2G connectivity, ensuring seamless voice calls and text messages. CDMA is a parallel powerhouse, offering a different approach to network communication with distinct coding techniques. Then, HSPA steps up to the plate, championing 3G connectivity, providing faster data transfer rates and improved multimedia capabilities.

Enter EVDO, a CDMA-based technology, excelling in delivering high-speed data, particularly suited for broadband internet access on mobile devices.

And LTE, the bedrock of 4G networks, elevates the user experience with swift internet speeds and enhanced call quality.

SIM

The hybrid dual Nano-SIM (dual stand-by) support offers flexibility for users who need to balance work and personal life on a single device.

The "hybrid" part means one of the SIM card slots serves a dual purpose. It can either hold a SIM card or a memory card for expandable storage - but not both simultaneously. This means you have to make a choice between expanding your device's storage capacity with a memory card and using two SIM cards.

Chipset - Performance: Helio G99 - Power on a Budget

Under the hood, the Cool 30 Play is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99, a 6-nm chipset designed to bring impressive performance to budget smartphones. The octa-core processor is divided into two types of cores. Paired with the Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, this setup handles multitasking smoothly and can run graphically light games without a hitch. Here are the relevant specs:

The Coolpad Cool 30 Play comes equipped with the MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, an octa-core processor, and the Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, all of which work together to provide a decent level of performance for an entry-level to midrange device. The MediaTek Helio G99 is built on a 6-nm process, which makes it more power-efficient than older chipsets built on larger processes like 10 nm or 12 nm. Being a 6-nm chip, it strikes a nice balance between power efficiency and performance, ensuring that the phone delivers a smooth experience while managing battery life effectively.

This chipset is positioned toward budget-conscious users who need a reliable phone for day-to-day tasks, but it's also capable enough to handle more demanding workloads like light gaming and multitasking.

The octa-core CPU in the Coolpad Cool 30 Play uses a big.LITTLE architecture, which essentially means it has two types of cores designed for different tasks:

• Performance Cores: The CPU has two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, which are the "big" cores. These are the heavy lifters, handling more demanding tasks such as gaming, photo and video editing, and app multitasking.

  The Cortex-A76 cores are designed to prioritize performance; however, because there are only two of them, the phone will handle demanding tasks well to a point, but might struggle with really resource-heavy processes like high-end 3D gaming or large-scale photo editing.

• Efficiency Cores: The six Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz are the "LITTLE" cores, designed for everyday tasks that don't require as much processing power, such as web browsing, checking emails, social media, and streaming music or video.

  These cores are optimized for power efficiency, meaning that during light tasks, the phone consumes less battery. The Cortex-A55 cores ensure that routine tasks feel fluid while extending the battery life of the phone.

The Mali-G57 MC2 GPU handles the graphical tasks in the Cool 30 Play. While it's not a flagship GPU by any means, it's capable enough to support light to mid-range gaming. Games like Clash of Clans, Candy Crush, and PUBG Mobile on low to medium settings should run smoothly without significant issues. You'll have no trouble with video content, whether you're streaming on YouTube or Netflix in 720p or 1080p resolution.

However, for more demanding games like Genshin Impact and Asphalt 9, you'll need to dial down the settings to lower or medium graphics to get smooth frame rates. The Mali-G57 MC2 is not designed for the highest levels of 3D rendering, so performance in these cases may lag, especially if you try to push it too hard.

The Helio G99 chipset, combined with the octa-core CPU and Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, makes the Coolpad Cool 30 Play well-suited for a variety of tasks, including:

• Everyday Tasks: Browsing the web, messaging, social media, watching videos, and using productivity apps will run smoothly.
• Light to Mid-Range Gaming: You can enjoy casual games and even some more demanding titles on lower settings without much issue.
• Multitasking: With either 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM, the phone can handle multiple apps running in the background, though very heavy multitasking might cause occasional slowdowns.

However, while the Coolpad Cool 30 Play is capable of handling most everyday tasks, there are some areas where its processing power might fall short, particularly if you're a power user or someone who likes to push your phone to its limits:

• High-End Gaming: For graphically intensive games that demand high frame rates and detailed textures, you'll need to lower the settings. Phones with flagship chipsets like Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 series would handle these kinds of games much better.
• Heavy Multitasking: If you're constantly switching between several high-demand apps or running things like photo editing software or design tools, the dual-core Cortex-A76 might struggle to keep up. More powerful chipsets with additional high-performance cores (like 4 - 6 performance cores) would be better suited for such workloads.
• 4K Video Editing: While the phone can handle basic video editing, if you're dealing with 4K footage or trying to create complex edits with multiple layers, transitions, and effects, a more powerful phone would be necessary. A device with a more capable GPU and CPU, like those found in the Snapdragon 8 series or Apple's A-series chips, would handle this more easily.

In summary, the Coolpad Cool 30 Play's processing setup with the Helio G99, octa-core CPU, and Mali-G57 MC2 GPU is well-suited for everyday use, casual gaming, and light multitasking. It's a great performer for its price range, but if you're into high-end gaming, demanding productivity tasks, or complex multitasking, you might need a device with more power under the hood.

Memory and Storage

Here are the relevant specs:

Available in two configurations, you have flexibility depending on your needs. Storage-wise, the inclusion of UFS 2.2 ensures faster read/write speeds, making the Cool 30 Play feel more responsive during app loading and data transfers.

The hybrid SIM slot doubles as a microSD card slot, meaning you can expand storage if needed, though this comes at the cost of sacrificing the second SIM slot.

Camera Setup: Solid for the Price

The Coolpad Cool 30 Play features a triple camera setup on the rear, led by a 64 MP main sensor, capable of taking decent pictures in good lighting conditions with enough detail and clarity for social media sharing. However, like most budget phones, low-light performance may not be its strong suit.

The secondary 2 MP macro camera is more of a bonus feature than a useful tool, ideal for niche close-up shots but not something you'll use daily. The 0.08 MP depth sensor helps create more natural-looking bokeh effects, which can be fun for portrait shots.

On the front, the 8 MP selfie camera with an f/2.0 aperture does a decent job for video calls and quick selfies. It records videos at 1080p at 30 fps.

Rear Camera

Coolpad Cool 30 Play main camera setup. Image credit: Coolpad

The Coolpad Cool 30 Play offers a versatile triple-camera setup on the back, with each lens serving a different purpose. Although it's not a high-end photography powerhouse, this setup will satisfy casual photographers looking for a variety of shooting options. Let's break down the roles of the three lenses and the features that support them. Here are the relevant specs:

Specification	Coolpad Cool 30 Play
Number of Cameras	3 (Triple)
Resolution (Megapixels)	64 MP (wide), 2 MP (macro), 0.08 MP (depth)
Aperture	f/1.79, f/2.45, N/A
Autofocus	AF, N/A, N/A
Video Recording	1080p at 30 fps
Other Features	LED flash, panorama

The star of the show is the 64 MP main camera. This is a wide-angle lens with an f/1.79 aperture, making it suitable for a variety of lighting conditions. This high resolution sensor allows for high-detail images, especially in well-lit conditions. This is useful for landscapes, city shots, and moments when you want to capture finer details in your photos.

Thanks to the f/1.79 aperture, the lens can let in a decent amount of light, which helps in low-light situations. While it won't compete with flagship models that feature advanced low-light processing, it should still produce respectable shots when lighting isn't ideal.

Next up is the 2 MP macro lens, designed specifically for close-up photography. While a 2 MP sensor won't capture stunning detail, it does allow you to get very close to your subject - something your main camera can't do without losing focus.

This lens is great for capturing small objects like flowers, insects, and textures. It allows you to get up close (within a few centimeters) and still maintain focus. It is more of a fun feature for casual users who want to experiment with extreme close-ups. At 2 MP, the detail won't be as crisp as on higher-end phones with better macro sensors, but it's a nice addition for anyone who enjoys creative photography.

The 0.08 MP depth sensor serves as a companion to the main lens, and while its resolution is minimal, it plays a critical role in portrait photography. This lens helps the camera distinguish between the subject and the background, creating a bokeh effect (blurred background) for portraits.

While the resolution seems low, the sensor's role is not to capture detail but to assist the primary camera in measuring depth, which can result in better subject isolation and background blur in portrait mode. Thanks to this lens, you can take photos with a professional-looking blurred background, which is great for portraits and subject-focused photography.

Among the camera features, AF (Autofocus) on the 64 MP primary camera is crucial for getting sharp images. It allows the camera to automatically adjust the focus to ensure that the subject is clear and detailed. Whether you're photographing a moving object or switching between near and far subjects, AF is your friend in ensuring the sharpness of the shot.

AF can save you from missing a moment, as it adjusts the focus automatically and quickly. This is essential for casual users who don't want to fiddle with manual focus settings. Whether you're snapping a portrait or a landscape, AF will help the primary camera produce well-focused, sharp images.

The LED flash is a standard feature that helps illuminate subjects in low-light situations. While it's not a replacement for natural or studio lighting, it can be handy when shooting in dark environments, such as during nighttime events or dim indoor settings.

The flash ensures that even in poorly lit areas, your subject is visible. Of course, the results won't be as smooth or natural as shots taken with better lighting, but it's still useful for quick snapshots in the dark.

The panorama mode allows you to capture wide-angle shots by stitching together multiple images into one large photo. If you're out in nature and want to capture a wide vista, panorama mode allows you to take in the entire scene. Urban environments with large skylines or architectural elements also benefit from the wide field of view provided by panorama mode.

While panorama shots can look stunning, they do require a steady hand to avoid mismatched seams when the images are stitched together.

Both the main camera and the selfie camera can record 1080p video at 30 fps. While this isn't 4K, it's good enough for casual video capturing, especially for social media uploads, video chats, and casual vlogging.

In conclusion, the Cool 30 Play's camera setup is aimed more at casual photographers who want a flexible camera for different types of shots without diving into professional-level photography. While it has solid features, users looking for professional-grade photos or advanced night mode capabilities might find the phone lacking in finer image details and low-light performance.

Overall, the Coolpad Cool 30 Play provides a versatile camera system that covers a wide range of basic photography needs. For everyday users looking for a budget-friendly phone with a decent camera, it checks many of the right boxes.

Battery Life: All-Day Power with Fast Charging

(Related: Battery specs and charging types explained.)

Here are the relevant specs:

One of the highlights of the Coolpad Cool 30 Play is its robust 5000 mAh battery, which ensures that the phone can last a full day of heavy use. For light to moderate users, you might even get two days of battery life, which is impressive for an entry-level device.

Charging is handled by a 33 W wired charger, which is a nice touch at this price point. This fast-charging ability ensures that even if you run low on battery, you won't be tethered to a charger for long periods.

Sound

(Related: Know more about the sound specs and features.)

Here are the relevant specs:

The absence of a 3.5 mm headphone jack may be a slight inconvenience for those who prefer wired audio. However, you can use Bluetooth for wireless audio or a USB Type-C dongle for wired headphones.

Connectivity

The Coolpad Cool 30 Play covers the connectivity essentials, with the various options contributing to a well-rounded connectivity suite. With support for Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, it ensures you can connect to common Wi-Fi networks.

The Cool 30 Play boasts Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring a seamless connection, whether you're connecting to headphones, speakers, or other devices. With features like A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) for high-quality audio streaming and LE (Low Energy) for power efficiency, your Bluetooth experience reaches new heights.

The Coolpad Cool 30 Play features GPS, GLONASS, and BDS positioning systems for accurate navigation and location services.

Depending upon the market where you get your Cool 30 Play, it may have NFC, which is a huge plus, enabling contactless payments - a feature not always available in budget phones. This technology also allows you to share files and connect with other NFC-enabled devices with just a tap. It's like having a digital handshake, simplifying tasks and making your device interactions effortless.

Last but not least, the trusty USB-C - the universal connector. Whether you're charging your device, transferring files, or connecting to external devices, USB Type-C ensures a reliable connection. It's the jack-of-all-trades, allowing you to expand your device's capabilities and stay connected to the wider world of technology.

Sensors

The Coolpad Cool 30 Play comes equipped with the following sensors:

• Proximity Sensor: Detects the presence or movement of an object (say, with infrared, sound, light, or electromagnetic fields) without physically contacting it. It is used, for example, to turn off the screen when you position your device close to your ear while making a call.
• Fingerprint Sensor: Used for quick and secure unlocking. It is side-facing in the Cool 30 Play.
• Gyro: The gyroscope can detect when your device is being twisted or turned in any direction. It enhances the accuracy of apps and games that rely on precise motion, like augmented reality (AR) apps and racing games.
• Accelerometer: The accelerometer detects changes in the device's orientation and acceleration. If you tilt, shake, or move your device, the accelerometer knows.
• Compass: The compass determines your device's orientation. It is essential for navigation apps, map orientation, and augmented reality experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is Coolpad Cool 30 Play release date?

  The Coolpad Cool 30 Play has been announced and released in July 2024.