The Tecno Camon 12 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent distinct approaches to the smartphone market. The Camon 12 Pro aims for extreme affordability, while the A51 5G UW attempts to deliver 5G connectivity and a more polished experience at a mid-range price. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing 5G access and a smoother overall experience, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Camon 12 Pro’s Helio P22, justifying the price difference for those needing faster speeds and more responsive multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 260, 261 mmWave |
| 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, September. Released 2019, September | 2020, August 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, August 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.6 x 75.5 x 7.8 mm (6.24 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) | 158.8 x 73.4 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.89 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 161 g (5.68 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~276 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), HIOS 5.5 | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 5 MP, AF |
| Triple | 16 MP, PDAF
8 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 672 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 5 h |
| Type | 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn Blue | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 10000 INR | About 470 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.32 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Camon 12 Pro
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful chipset
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the A51 5G UW
- Limited gaming capabilities
- Likely inferior camera quality
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- More powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset
- Smoother multitasking and gaming experience
- Higher price tag
- 15W charging is relatively slow
- May experience some thermal throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
While specific display details for the Camon 12 Pro are unavailable, it likely features an LCD panel typical of its price bracket. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW, similarly, utilizes an LCD. However, the critical difference lies under the hood: the A51 5G UW benefits from a more modern chipset capable of driving higher resolutions and refresh rates, though neither device is known for high refresh rate panels. The Helio P22’s limited graphics processing power will constrain the visual fidelity achievable on the Camon 12 Pro, impacting gaming and video playback.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the Camon 12 Pro, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the A51 5G UW likely boasts superior image processing capabilities thanks to the Snapdragon 765G’s integrated ISP. While both phones may feature multiple rear cameras, the A51 5G UW’s image quality will likely be more consistent across different lighting conditions. The A51 5G UW’s sensor size and aperture are likely larger, allowing for better low-light performance. The Camon 12 Pro will likely rely heavily on software processing to compensate for its less capable hardware.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm) is built on a far more advanced process node than the Tecno Camon 12 Pro’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). This translates to significantly improved power efficiency and thermal management. The Snapdragon 765G’s octa-core CPU, with its Kryo 475 architecture (Prime, Gold, and Silver cores), offers a more nuanced and powerful processing experience compared to the Camon 12 Pro’s homogenous octa-core Cortex-A53 setup. The 765G’s Adreno 620 GPU also provides a considerable advantage in graphics performance, making it suitable for moderate gaming, while the Helio P22 will struggle with demanding titles.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW includes 15W wired charging. While the Camon 12 Pro’s battery capacity and charging speed are unknown, its less power-hungry chipset may result in comparable battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s efficiency gains mean the A51 5G UW can maintain performance for longer periods under load, while the Helio P22 in the Camon 12 Pro will likely throttle performance to conserve battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 12 Pro if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you prioritize 5G connectivity, smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, and a more refined software experience, even if it means spending more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Camon 12 Pro struggle with popular apps like TikTok or Instagram?
The Helio P22 chipset in the Camon 12 Pro is a budget-oriented processor. While it can run apps like TikTok and Instagram, you may experience noticeable lag, slow loading times, and occasional stutters, especially when multitasking or using the apps for extended periods.
❓ Is the 5G on the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW actually useful, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. If you live in an area with robust 5G infrastructure, you'll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G LTE. However, if 5G coverage is limited, the benefits will be minimal. The Snapdragon 765G ensures the A51 5G UW can take full advantage of available 5G networks.
❓ Can I play demanding games like PUBG Mobile on either of these phones?
PUBG Mobile is playable on the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Tecno Camon 12 Pro will struggle significantly with PUBG Mobile, even on the lowest settings, due to the Helio P22’s limited graphics capabilities.
