Tecno has consistently offered affordable smartphones with impressive features. The Camon 12 Air was a popular budget option, but the newer Camon 20 Pro 5G brings significant upgrades, including 5G connectivity and a more powerful processor. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G is the clear winner. Its vastly superior chipset, 5G capabilities, and improved camera make it a worthwhile upgrade despite the higher price. The Camon 12 Air remains a viable option for those on a very tight budget seeking basic smartphone functionality.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, October | 2023, May 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, May 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.2 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) | 162.7 x 75.9 x 7.8 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 181 g (6.38 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 120Hz |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8050 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), HIOS 5.5 | Android 13, HIOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSD | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 16 MP, PDAF
5 MP
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Blue, Alpenglow Gold, Stellar Purple | Dark Welkin, Serenity Blue |
| Models | - | CK8n |
| Price | - | About 270 EUR |
Tecno Camon 12 Air
- Affordable
- Decent battery life
- Large display
- Outdated chipset
- Slow performance
- Basic camera
- No 5G
Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Powerful Dimensity 8050 chipset
- Improved camera
- Fast charging (33W)
- Modern design
- Higher price
- Potentially larger size
Display Comparison
The Camon 20 Pro 5G likely features a more modern display with better color accuracy and potentially a higher refresh rate (likely 120Hz) compared to the Camon 12 Air's likely standard LCD panel. Expect improved viewing angles and overall visual clarity on the 20 Pro 5G.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer multiple rear cameras, the Camon 20 Pro 5G's camera system is expected to deliver superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Expect better dynamic range, more detail, and improved video recording capabilities. The 20 Pro 5G likely has a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing algorithms.
Performance
This is where the Camon 20 Pro 5G truly shines. The Dimensity 8050 chipset is significantly faster and more efficient than the Helio A22/P22 found in the Camon 12 Air. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 20 Pro 5G. The 20 Pro 5G's CPU architecture is also more advanced.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 5000mAh). However, the Camon 20 Pro 5G's more efficient chipset should result in better battery life overall, despite the 5G connectivity. The 33W fast charging on the 20 Pro 5G is also a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Camon 12 Air is ideal for users on a strict budget who primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. The Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G is perfect for users who want a smoother experience, faster speeds (thanks to 5G), a better camera, and a more modern design, and are willing to spend a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G worth the upgrade from the Camon 12 Air?
Yes, absolutely. The Camon 20 Pro 5G offers a significant upgrade in performance, camera quality, and connectivity. The 5G support alone makes it a worthwhile investment for future-proofing.
❓ What is the battery life like on the Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G?
The Camon 20 Pro 5G should offer all-day battery life with moderate usage, thanks to its efficient chipset and 5000mAh battery. Fast charging (33W) allows for quick top-ups.
