The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Oppo A53, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, and the Tecno Camon 16 Pro, featuring a MediaTek Helio G70, both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best value for everyday users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Tecno Camon 16 Pro emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Helio G70 chipset, built on a 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Oppo A53’s Snapdragon 460 (11nm), particularly in gaming and multitasking. While both offer 18W charging, the Camon 16 Pro’s processor gives it a slight advantage in overall responsiveness.
| 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, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 20. Released 2020, August 25 | 2020, September 04. Released 2020, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 170.9 x 77.2 x 9.2 mm (6.73 x 3.04 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 207 g (7.30 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.2% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 | Android 10, HIOS 7.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | Unspecified |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Penta-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
4th unknown camera |
| 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 |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
2nd unknown camera |
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | - |
| 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, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fairy White, Electric Black, Fancy Blue | Onyx Black, Ice Crystal Blue |
| Models | CPH2127, CPH2131 | - |
| Price | £ 158.16 / € 169.99 | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | - |
Oppo A53
- Qualcomm chipset generally offers good software support.
- Potentially better power efficiency with the Snapdragon 460.
- Established brand reputation.
- Snapdragon 460 is less powerful than the Helio G70.
- Likely to struggle with demanding games and apps.
Tecno Camon 16 Pro
- Helio G70 provides a noticeable performance boost.
- Better suited for gaming and multitasking.
- Competitive pricing.
- MediaTek chipsets sometimes have less consistent software updates.
- Potentially slightly lower battery life due to higher processor power.
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo nor Tecno provide display specifications in the provided data. However, given the price bracket, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. The real difference will lie in color accuracy and brightness, which are unknown. Bezels are likely comparable, aiming for maximum screen real estate within the budget constraints. Without further data, a definitive winner cannot be determined.
Camera Comparison
Without sensor size or aperture information, a detailed camera comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, but the quality will depend heavily on the primary sensor. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices suggests a focus on quantity over quality; these sensors typically produce underwhelming results. Image processing algorithms will also play a crucial role, and brand-specific tuning will likely differentiate the final image output. The Camon 16 Pro’s marketing often emphasizes camera features, suggesting a potential advantage in this area, but concrete data is needed to confirm.
Performance
The Tecno Camon 16 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G70 (12nm) holds a clear architectural advantage over the Oppo A53’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm). The G70 features a dual-cluster configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores for performance and 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. This contrasts with the Snapdragon 460’s homogenous octa-core setup. The Cortex-A75 cores in the G70 deliver significantly higher single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While the Snapdragon 460’s 11nm process is theoretically more efficient, the G70’s superior core design provides a more substantial real-world performance boost for users who play mobile games or use resource-intensive applications.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A53 and Tecno Camon 16 Pro support 18W wired charging. While the charging wattage is identical, the Helio G70’s slightly higher power consumption might result in marginally slower overall charging times on the Camon 16 Pro, assuming both have similar battery capacities (which is unknown). The actual 0-100% charge time will depend on the battery capacity of each device, which isn’t provided. The Snapdragon 460’s efficiency could offset this slightly, but the performance benefits of the G70 likely outweigh this minor difference for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A53 if you prioritize a brand with a more established global presence and a generally conservative, power-efficient approach. It’s a good choice for basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Tecno Camon 16 Pro if you want a more capable processor for gaming and demanding apps, and are comfortable with a brand that’s rapidly gaining traction with competitive specs.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Camon 16 Pro’s Helio G70 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Helio G70 is more powerful, it's built on a 12nm process. Overheating is possible during extended gaming, but the phone’s thermal management system (which we don’t have data on) will be crucial. Expect some throttling after a significant period of intense gameplay, but it should still provide a better gaming experience than the Snapdragon 460.
❓ Is the 18W charging on either phone considered fast charging in 2024?
18W charging is relatively slow by 2024 standards. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours. While it’s sufficient for overnight charging, it won’t provide a quick top-up when you’re in a hurry. Both phones offer the same charging speed, so this isn’t a differentiating factor.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 460’s efficiency impact daily battery life on the Oppo A53?
The Snapdragon 460’s 11nm process is designed for efficiency. This means it consumes less power during basic tasks like browsing, calling, and texting. However, the Helio G70’s performance advantage means it can complete tasks faster, potentially offsetting some of the efficiency gains. The actual battery life will depend on usage patterns.
