The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Realme Q3i 5G and the Tecno Camon 18 Premier. Both promise compelling features, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tecno Camon 18 Premier edges out the Realme Q3i 5G thanks to its faster charging, potentially better camera capabilities, and impressive battery endurance. While the Realme offers 5G connectivity, the Camon's overall package provides a more premium feel and faster charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 22 | 2021, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 22 | Available. Released 2021, October 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 163.8 x 75.9 x 8.2 mm (6.45 x 2.99 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 200.6 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits | AMOLED, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, HIOS 8.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) | 32 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/3.5, 135mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, 5x optical zoom
12 MP, (ultrawide), gimbal OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) | 32 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Yes |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, 64% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 4750 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Supersonic Blue, Supersonic Black | Polar night, Vast sky |
| Models | RMX3042 | CH9, CH9n |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 390 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 112h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.2 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 293517 (v8), 346389 (v9)
GeekBench: 1758 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme Q3i 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Modern Chipset (Dimensity 700)
- Generally good performance for the price
- Slower Charging (18W)
- Potentially less impressive camera
- Battery life not as exceptional as Camon
Tecno Camon 18 Premier
- Exceptional Battery Life (112h Endurance)
- Faster Charging (33W)
- Potentially better camera system
- High Contrast Ratio Display
- Older Chipset (Helio G96)
- Performance slightly behind Dimensity 700
- Nominal 'Infinite' Contrast Ratio claim
Display Comparison
Both phones feature respectable displays, but the Tecno Camon 18 Premier boasts a higher contrast ratio (though 'infinite' is a nominal claim). The Realme Q3i 5G's display likely offers good color accuracy, while the Camon's 422 nits brightness suggests decent outdoor visibility. Screen size and resolution are likely similar, offering a comfortable viewing experience for most users.
Camera Comparison
The Tecno Camon 18 Premier is expected to have a more versatile and potentially higher-quality camera system. While specific camera specs are missing, Tecno often focuses on camera features in their devices. The Realme Q3i 5G's camera is likely adequate for casual photography, but may not match the Camon's capabilities in low light or with advanced features.
Performance
The Realme Q3i 5G's Dimensity 700 chipset generally outperforms the Tecno Camon 18 Premier's Helio G96 in synthetic benchmarks and real-world tasks. The Dimensity 700's 7nm process also contributes to better power efficiency. However, both are mid-range chips and will handle everyday tasks smoothly, but may struggle with demanding games at high settings.
Battery Life
The Tecno Camon 18 Premier shines in this category with an impressive endurance rating of 112 hours. The Realme Q3i 5G's battery life is likely good, but not as exceptional. The Camon's 33W charging is also significantly faster than the Realme's 18W, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Realme Q3i 5G is ideal for users prioritizing 5G connectivity and a slightly more modern chipset. The Tecno Camon 18 Premier is a better choice for those who value long battery life, faster charging, and potentially superior camera performance, especially if photography is a key consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme Q3i 5G's Dimensity 700 chipset generally offers slightly better gaming performance, but both phones are best suited for casual gaming rather than demanding titles at high settings.
❓ Is the Tecno Camon 18 Premier worth the extra cost?
If battery life and fast charging are priorities, then yes. The Camon 18 Premier's superior battery and charging capabilities justify the potential price difference.
