The Oppo A55 and Tecno Camon 17 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim for affordability, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in processing power and camera capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Helio G95 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the A55’s Helio G35, translating to smoother multitasking and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The faster 25W/33W charging also offers a convenience the A55’s 18W charging lacks.
| 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 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 01 | 2021, May 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 01 | Available. Released 2021, June 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.44 x 2.98 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 | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | NEG T2X-1 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 550 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| 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 | 50 MP, f/1.8 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS |
| Radio | No | 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 (side-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 | Rainbow Blue, Starry Black, Green | California Silver, Malibu Blue |
| Models | CPH2325 | CG8, CG8h |
| Price | £ 100.00 | About 280 EUR |
| 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 A55
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Reliable for basic tasks
- Significantly weaker performance
- Slower charging speeds
- Less capable camera system
Tecno Camon 17 Pro
- Superior performance with Helio G95
- Faster 25W/33W charging
- Likely better camera image quality
- Potentially higher price
- May experience more heat under heavy load
- Software experience may vary
Display Comparison
Both devices share a similar contrast ratio of 781:1, suggesting comparable color reproduction. However, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 538 nits, which will provide better visibility outdoors compared to the Oppo A55, whose brightness is not specified. While neither display is expected to feature high refresh rates, the Camon 17 Pro’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the specifics are lacking. However, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro is likely to offer a more versatile camera experience due to its more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) integrated within the Helio G95. While sensor sizes and apertures are unknown, the G95’s processing capabilities will allow for better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The Oppo A55’s camera will likely be sufficient for casual snapshots, but will fall short in more challenging scenarios. We can assume both will include standard features like HDR and portrait modes, but the Camon 17 Pro will likely offer more advanced features.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Camon 17 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G95, with its 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, represents a significant upgrade over the Oppo A55’s Helio G35 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53). The G95’s newer CPU architecture and higher clock speeds will result in noticeably faster app launch times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The G35 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with more demanding applications. Both utilize a 12nm process, so thermal efficiency differences will be less pronounced, but the G95’s superior processing power will still generate more heat under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 140 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro’s charging capabilities are significantly faster, supporting 25W/33W wired charging compared to the Oppo A55’s 18W. This translates to a much quicker 0-100% charge time, reducing downtime and offering greater convenience. While the battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging of the Camon 17 Pro is a clear advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A55 if you prioritize a simple, reliable device for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and are on an extremely tight budget. Buy the Tecno Camon 17 Pro if you value performance for gaming and demanding apps, appreciate faster charging speeds, and want a more capable camera system for capturing photos and videos.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G95 in the Tecno Camon 17 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Helio G95 is specifically designed for gaming. It offers a significant performance boost over the Helio G35, allowing for smoother frame rates and a more enjoyable gaming experience in titles like PUBG Mobile, even at medium to high settings. However, sustained performance may be limited by thermal throttling.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Tecno Camon 17 Pro compared to the Oppo A55?
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro supports 25W/33W charging, while the Oppo A55 is limited to 18W. This means the Camon 17 Pro will charge significantly faster, potentially reducing charge times by 30-50%, depending on the charger used and battery level. This is a substantial convenience factor.
❓ Is the camera on the Tecno Camon 17 Pro noticeably better for low-light photography?
While specific camera specs are unavailable, the Helio G95’s superior image signal processor (ISP) will likely result in better low-light performance on the Camon 17 Pro. The ISP handles noise reduction and image processing, leading to clearer and more detailed photos in challenging lighting conditions.
❓ Will the Oppo A55 struggle with multitasking or running multiple apps simultaneously?
Yes, the Oppo A55’s Helio G35 chipset is less capable when it comes to multitasking. Running several apps concurrently may lead to noticeable slowdowns and lag, especially with more demanding applications. The Tecno Camon 17 Pro’s Helio G95 handles multitasking much more efficiently.
