The Tecno Camon 12 Pro and vivo V17 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget and mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this goal, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications to determine which device offers the best overall package.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a smoother experience, the vivo V17 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 675, built on an 11nm process, provides a significant performance advantage over the Tecno Camon 12 Pro’s MediaTek Helio P22, despite both phones sharing a 107-hour endurance rating.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2019, September 20. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158.6 x 75.5 x 7.8 mm (6.24 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) | 159 x 74.7 x 9.8 mm (6.26 x 2.94 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 161 g (5.68 oz) | 201.8 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~276 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 612 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), HIOS 5.5 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
13 MP, (telephoto), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, PDAF
8 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | Motorized pop-up 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Motorized pop-up 8 MP, 17mm (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@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 (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | 3500 mAh, non-removable | 4100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn Blue | Crystal Black, Crystal Sky, Midnight Ocean |
| Models | - | 1909, PD1931F_EX, 1910 |
| Price | About 10000 INR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.95 W/kg (head) 0.39 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -94.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 107h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 67dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 89dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 176791 (v7)
GeekBench: 6629 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 7.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 12 Pro
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Decent battery endurance (107h)
- Inferior chipset performance (Helio P22)
- Likely struggles with demanding apps
- Display specifications unknown, potentially lower brightness
vivo V17 Pro
- Superior performance (Snapdragon 675)
- Brighter display (504 nits)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Potentially higher price
- May not be significantly better for extremely basic users
- Infinite contrast ratio is a marketing term
Display Comparison
The vivo V17 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 504 nits, a crucial advantage for outdoor usability compared to the Tecno Camon 12 Pro, whose display specifications are not provided. While the V17 Pro’s contrast ratio is listed as ‘Infinite (nominal)’ – a common marketing term – the higher brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. Without knowing the Camon 12 Pro’s panel type or brightness, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy, but the V17 Pro’s brighter display is a clear win for users who spend time outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are advertised with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking for the Tecno Camon 12 Pro. The V17 Pro likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 675, offering improved image processing and potentially better low-light performance. Without knowing sensor sizes or apertures on the Camon 12 Pro, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison, but the V17 Pro’s chipset provides a foundation for superior image quality. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests limited utility; focusing on the main sensor performance is more critical.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo V17 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 (11nm) utilizes a Kryo CPU architecture with a dual-cluster configuration (2x2.0 GHz Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Silver), offering a more efficient and powerful processing experience than the Tecno Camon 12 Pro’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The Snapdragon 675’s smaller 11nm node allows for better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained tasks. The Helio P22’s Cortex-A53 cores, while adequate for basic tasks, will struggle with demanding applications and multitasking. This translates to a noticeably smoother experience on the V17 Pro, particularly when switching between apps or playing games.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the Tecno Camon 12 Pro and vivo V17 Pro share an endurance rating of 107 hours. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. The V17 Pro’s 18W wired charging offers a faster replenishment rate, reducing downtime. While the Camon 12 Pro’s charging speed is unknown, the Snapdragon 675’s efficiency could contribute to slightly better real-world battery life despite similar endurance ratings, as it consumes less power during typical usage.
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 vivo V17 Pro if you prefer a more responsive user experience, enjoy occasional gaming, and value a brighter display for outdoor visibility. The V17 Pro is the better all-rounder for those willing to spend a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Camon 12 Pro struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio P22 is not a gaming-focused chipset. While you might be able to run PUBG Mobile at the lowest settings, expect significant frame drops and a less-than-ideal gaming experience. The Snapdragon 675 in the V17 Pro offers a much smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the vivo V17 Pro compared to the Tecno Camon 12 Pro (assuming the Camon 12 Pro has standard 10W charging)?
The V17 Pro’s 18W charging is significantly faster than a typical 10W charger. While exact 0-100% times depend on battery health and usage, the V17 Pro will likely charge from 0% to 50% in around 30-45 minutes, while the Camon 12 Pro could take over 1.5-2 hours.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 675 in the vivo V17 Pro capable of handling multitasking efficiently?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 675’s Kryo CPU architecture and 8GB of RAM (common in V17 Pro configurations) allow for smooth multitasking. You can switch between multiple apps without significant slowdowns or app reloading, a common issue with the Helio P22 in the Camon 12 Pro.
