The Oppo A33 (2020) and Tecno Camon 16 S represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this. The Oppo leverages Qualcomm's Snapdragon 460, while the Tecno opts for MediaTek's Helio P22. This comparison dissects these choices, revealing which phone offers the best value for everyday users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Oppo A33 (2020) emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 460 chipset, built on an 11nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and improved efficiency over the Tecno Camon 16 S’s 12nm Helio P22. While both phones are entry-level, the Oppo offers a smoother experience for multitasking and light gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 28. Released 2020, October 01 | 2020, November 05. Released 2020, November 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 164.5 x 76.5 x 9 mm (6.48 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 10, HIOS 6.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | Unspecified |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 gear 3 (one-lane) | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Moonlight Black, Mint Cream | Ice Jadeite, Misty Grey, Blue Hawaii |
| Models | CPH2137 | - |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 130 EUR |
Oppo A33 (2020)
- More efficient Snapdragon 460 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially smoother user experience
- Camera likely less emphasized than Tecno
- May lack advanced camera features
Tecno Camon 16 S
- Potentially better camera features and software
- Lower price point (potentially)
- Larger focus on camera marketing
- Less efficient Helio P22 chipset
- Slower charging speeds
- Potentially noticeable performance lag
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specs necessitates focusing on the chipset's impact on UI smoothness. A more powerful chipset like the Snapdragon 460 in the Oppo A33 will contribute to a more fluid scrolling experience, even if the panel itself is basic.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of multiple sensors, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Tecno Camon 16 S, given Tecno’s marketing focus, likely prioritizes camera features. While the Oppo A33 likely has a capable main sensor, the Tecno may offer more software enhancements and potentially a higher megapixel count. It's important to note that megapixel count isn't everything; sensor size and image processing are crucial. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A33’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, fabricated on an 11nm process, offers a clear advantage over the Tecno Camon 16 S’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The Snapdragon 460’s Kryo 240 cores, with their split clock speeds (1.8 GHz and 1.6 GHz), provide a more efficient and balanced performance profile. The Helio P22’s Cortex-A53 cores, while octa-core, operate at a fixed 2.0 GHz, potentially leading to higher power consumption for similar tasks. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the Oppo.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature similar battery capacities, typical for this segment (around 5000mAh is common). The Oppo A33’s 18W charging is a slight advantage over the Tecno Camon 16 S, which likely offers standard 10W or 15W charging. The Snapdragon 460’s 11nm process contributes to better power efficiency, potentially resulting in slightly longer battery life for the Oppo A33, even with similar usage patterns. The faster charging also reduces downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A33 (2020) if you prioritize a more responsive user experience and slightly better long-term performance, even if it means potentially sacrificing some camera features. Buy the Tecno Camon 16 S if your primary focus is maximizing camera capabilities within a tight budget, and you're willing to accept some performance trade-offs for potentially better image quality in certain scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P22 in the Tecno Camon 16 S struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While the Helio P22 can handle basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, you may experience occasional lag or slowdowns when multitasking or using more demanding features within those apps. The Snapdragon 460 in the Oppo A33 will provide a smoother experience for these everyday tasks.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Oppo A33 a significant improvement over standard 10W charging?
Yes, 18W charging is noticeably faster than 10W charging. It will reduce the time it takes to fully charge your phone, getting you back up and running quicker. Expect a roughly 30-50% reduction in charging time with the Oppo A33.
❓ Can either of these phones handle basic mobile gaming like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
Both phones can *run* these games, but expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and potentially experience frame rate drops. The Snapdragon 460 in the Oppo A33 will offer a slightly more stable gaming experience, but neither phone is designed for serious mobile gaming.
