The Tecno Camon 12 and Realme 5 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver value, they take distinctly different approaches. The Camon 12 focuses on affordability, while the Realme 5 Pro prioritizes performance with a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Realme 5 Pro is the superior choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 chipset provides a significantly smoother experience for gaming and multitasking, offsetting the similar battery endurance offered by both devices. While the Camon 12 is cheaper, the performance gap is substantial.
| 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, 40, 41 - India |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, August | 2019, August 20. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166 x 75.8 x 8.2 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) | 157 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.18 x 2.92 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170.7 g (6.03 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), HIOS 5.5 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB 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, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Triple | 16 MP, PDAF
8 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h (multimedia) | - |
| Type | 4000 mAh, non-removable | 4035 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn Blue, Dark Jade, Sky Cyan | Crystal Green, Crystal Blue, Chroma White |
| Models | CC7S | RMX1971, RMX1973 |
| Price | About 460 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1875:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 85dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 182765 (v7)
GeekBench: 6106 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 12
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Decent battery life for basic usage.
- Acceptable contrast ratio for media consumption.
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Realme 5 Pro.
- Helio P22 chipset struggles with demanding tasks.
- Likely slower charging speeds.
Realme 5 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 712 chipset for smooth performance.
- Fast 20W charging for reduced downtime.
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Slightly higher price compared to the Tecno Camon 12.
- Similar battery endurance to the Camon 12 despite faster charging.
- May not be significantly better in camera performance without detailed sensor specs.
Display Comparison
Both the Tecno Camon 12 and Realme 5 Pro feature displays with a 1875:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Realme 5 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 512 nits, which translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While neither device specifies panel technology, the Realme 5 Pro’s higher brightness provides a tangible advantage for outdoor use and content consumption. Bezels are comparable, typical of phones in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Realme 5 Pro’s chipset includes a more powerful image signal processor (ISP), enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features with limited practical benefit. Focusing on the main sensor’s capabilities would be more informative.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 5 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 (10nm) is a significant leap over the Tecno Camon 12’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The Snapdragon 712 utilizes a dual-cluster CPU configuration – 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver – offering superior performance in demanding tasks. The Helio P22’s octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 is adequate for basic use but will struggle with graphically intensive games or heavy multitasking. The 10nm process node of the Snapdragon 712 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during prolonged use.
Battery Life
Both the Tecno Camon 12 and Realme 5 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 100 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. The Realme 5 Pro, however, includes 20W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 30 minutes. This is a significant advantage over the Camon 12, which likely offers slower charging speeds, reducing downtime and improving convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 12 if you prioritize absolute affordability and basic smartphone functionality – calls, texts, and light social media use. It’s a suitable option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Realme 5 Pro if you value performance, enjoy mobile gaming, or frequently multitask. The Snapdragon 712 offers a noticeable upgrade in responsiveness and overall user experience, making it worth the extra investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Realme 5 Pro's Snapdragon 712 get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 712 is relatively efficient, and the Realme 5 Pro benefits from Qualcomm's thermal management features. While some heat is expected during prolonged gaming, it's unlikely to cause significant throttling or discomfort, unlike the Helio P22 in the Camon 12 which is more prone to overheating.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited detail and image quality. They are often included as a marketing feature rather than a genuinely useful addition. Expect soft images and limited dynamic range from these macro lenses on both the Tecno Camon 12 and Realme 5 Pro.
❓ Can the Realme 5 Pro handle popular games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme 5 Pro is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high settings with reasonably smooth frame rates. While it may not achieve the absolute highest frame rates possible on flagship devices, it provides a very playable and enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 20W charging on the Realme 5 Pro compared to the Tecno Camon 12?
The Realme 5 Pro's 20W charging is significantly faster. Reaching 50% charge in 30 minutes is a substantial time saving. The Tecno Camon 12 likely uses a slower charging standard, potentially taking over an hour to reach 50% from a depleted battery.
