The Tecno Camon 17 Pro and Oppo A53s represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim for affordability, they take distinctly different approaches: the Camon 17 Pro prioritizes gaming performance with its MediaTek Helio G95 chipset, while the A53s focuses on efficient everyday use with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460. This comparison dissects these choices to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing gaming and faster charging, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G95 chipset offers a significant performance uplift over the Snapdragon 460 in the Oppo A53s. However, the A53s remains a viable option for those seeking a reliable, power-efficient device for basic tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1, Version 3 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Version 1 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Version 3 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 12. Released 2020, October 17 | 2021, May 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 168.9 x 77 x 9 mm (6.65 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 (single lane) | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W / 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Electric Black, Fancy Blue | California Silver, Malibu Blue |
| Models | CPH2139, CPH2135 | CG8, CG8h |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 280 EUR |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 140h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 781:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 309107 (v8)
GeekBench: 1668 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A53s
- More power-efficient chipset (Snapdragon 460)
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Potentially longer battery life during light use
- Significantly weaker gaming performance
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Less capable chipset for demanding applications
Tecno Camon 17 Pro
- Superior gaming performance (Helio G95)
- Faster charging (25W/33W)
- More powerful CPU for multitasking
- Less power-efficient chipset
- Potentially shorter battery life during heavy use
- May experience more thermal throttling during prolonged gaming
Display Comparison
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 538 nits and a 781:1 contrast ratio, providing a reasonably vibrant viewing experience. While the Oppo A53s’ display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to offer similar contrast given the price point. The lack of high refresh rate panels on either device is typical for this segment, but the Camon 17 Pro’s higher brightness will be noticeable in outdoor conditions. Both displays share the same 781:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar panel technology and color reproduction capabilities.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are advertised with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are lacking. The Tecno Camon 17 Pro likely benefits from the processing power of the Helio G95 for image processing. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively assess camera quality. However, the Camon 17 Pro’s chipset suggests a greater capacity for computational photography features. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing tactic, offering limited real-world benefit due to the small sensor size.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Camon 17 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm) features a more powerful CPU configuration – 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – compared to the Oppo A53s’ Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm) with its 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240. This translates to significantly better performance in demanding tasks like gaming. The 12nm process of the Helio G95, while less efficient than the 11nm Snapdragon 460, is offset by its superior core architecture. The Snapdragon 460 prioritizes power efficiency, making the A53s suitable for prolonged, less intensive use.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 140 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the differing chipsets. However, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro offers significantly faster charging with 25W/33W wired charging compared to the Oppo A53s’ 18W. This means the Camon 17 Pro can replenish its battery much quicker, mitigating any potential power drain from the more demanding Helio G95 chipset. The faster charging is a key advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A53s if you need a dependable smartphone for everyday communication, social media, and light web browsing, and value long-term battery life over raw performance. Buy the Tecno Camon 17 Pro if you enjoy mobile gaming, frequently capture photos and videos, and appreciate faster charging speeds, even if it means slightly reduced battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G95 in the Tecno Camon 17 Pro overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G95 is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 460. While the Camon 17 Pro likely has thermal management features, prolonged gaming at maximum settings may lead to some throttling to prevent overheating. Adjusting graphics settings can mitigate this issue.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Oppo A53s slow compared to the 33W on the Tecno Camon 17 Pro?
Yes, 18W charging is considerably slower than 33W. Expect a full charge on the A53s to take significantly longer – potentially over 2 hours – compared to the Camon 17 Pro, which could reach full charge in under 1.5 hours. This difference is substantial for users who need quick top-ups.
❓ Can the Oppo A53s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Oppo A53s can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you'll likely need to play at lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Snapdragon 460 is not designed for demanding gaming, so expect compromises in visual fidelity.
❓ Does the Tecno Camon 17 Pro support video recording at 1080p 60fps?
While not explicitly stated in the provided specifications, the Helio G95 chipset is capable of 1080p 60fps video recording. However, the actual implementation and video quality will depend on Tecno's software optimization.