The Tecno Camon 12 and Huawei P smart 2020 represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they diverge significantly in their core hardware. This comparison dissects these differences, focusing on performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and a smoother experience, the Huawei P smart 2020 is the better choice. Its Kirin 710 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Tecno Camon 12’s Helio P22, making it more suitable for multitasking and demanding applications. However, the Camon 12 remains a viable option for basic usage.
| 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 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, August | 2020, April 29. Released 2020, May 8 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166 x 75.8 x 8.2 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) | 155.2 x 73.4 x 8 mm (6.11 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170.7 g (6.03 oz) | 160 g (5.64 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.21 inches, 94.7 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Kirin 710 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), HIOS 5.5 | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1, Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Triple | 16 MP, PDAF
8 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h (multimedia) | - |
| Type | 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3400 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn Blue, Dark Jade, Sky Cyan | Midnight Black, Aurora Blue, Green |
| Models | CC7S | - |
| Price | About 460 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.83 W/kg (head) |
Tecno Camon 12
- More affordable price point
- Potentially larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Likely less refined camera image processing
- May struggle with multitasking
Huawei P smart 2020
- Superior processor performance with Kirin 710
- More efficient chipset for better battery life during demanding tasks
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Slightly higher price
- 10W charging is relatively slow
- May not offer significant camera improvements over competitors
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting similar power constraints impacting display capabilities. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are unavailable for the Camon 12, the P smart 2020’s focus is on practicality rather than premium visuals. Expect both to offer adequate viewing experiences for everyday tasks, but neither will impress users accustomed to high-end displays.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the Tecno Camon 12, a direct comparison is limited. However, Huawei typically emphasizes camera performance even in its budget offerings. The P smart 2020 likely benefits from Huawei’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more refined images. The prevalence of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices suggests limited utility; these are often included for marketing purposes rather than substantial image quality improvements. The Kirin 710’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) likely offers more advanced features than the Helio P22’s, contributing to better image processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei P smart 2020’s Kirin 710, built on a 12nm process, features an octa-core configuration with a distinct split: four high-performance Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and four efficiency-focused Cortex-A53 cores at 1.7 GHz. This contrasts with the Tecno Camon 12’s MediaTek Helio P22, which utilizes eight Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. The A73 cores in the Kirin 710 provide a significant architectural advantage, resulting in faster application loading times and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm, the Kirin 710’s core design delivers superior performance.
Battery Life
The Huawei P smart 2020 includes 10W wired charging, a standard offering in this price segment. While battery capacity isn’t specified for the Camon 12, both devices likely feature batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range. The Kirin 710’s efficiency gains, despite its higher clock speeds, could translate to comparable or even slightly better battery life on the P smart 2020, especially during demanding tasks. The 10W charging on the P smart 2020 will take a considerable amount of time to fully charge the device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 12 if you need a phone primarily for calls, texts, and light social media use, and prioritize affordability above all else. Its Helio P22 chipset is sufficient for these tasks. Buy the Huawei P smart 2020 if you prefer a more responsive device capable of handling moderate multitasking, occasional gaming, and benefit from a more powerful processor for future software updates and longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Huawei P smart 2020 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Kirin 710 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect some frame drops during intense action sequences. The Tecno Camon 12’s Helio P22 will struggle with PUBG Mobile, offering a significantly less enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Huawei P smart 2020 a significant drawback?
10W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours. While not ideal, it's typical for phones in this price range. The slower charging speed is a trade-off for the more powerful processor.
❓ How will the difference in processors affect everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
The Kirin 710 will provide a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience for everyday tasks. Apps will launch faster, scrolling will be more fluid, and multitasking will be less prone to lag compared to the Tecno Camon 12’s Helio P22.
