The Tecno Camon 12 and Samsung Galaxy A20s represent two popular choices in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, they diverge in their core hardware, particularly in their chipsets. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy A20s emerges as the better choice. While the Tecno Camon 12 boasts a slightly newer chipset architecture, the Snapdragon 450’s optimized power efficiency and 15W charging provide a smoother, more convenient experience.
| 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 - SM-A207F/DS |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - SM-A207F/DS |
| 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - SM-A207M/DS |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, August | 2019, September 24. Released 2019, October 05 |
| 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) | 163.3 x 77.5 x 8 mm (6.43 x 3.05 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170.7 g (6.03 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), HIOS 5.5 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI Core 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Triple | 16 MP, PDAF
8 MP
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h (multimedia) | - |
| Type | 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn Blue, Dark Jade, Sky Cyan | Black, Blue, Red, Green |
| Models | CC7S | SM-A207F, SM-A207M, SM-A2070 |
| Price | About 460 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.69 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Camon 12
- Potentially faster CPU clock speed for snappier app launches.
- May offer a more recent software version depending on Tecno's update schedule.
- Competitive pricing within the budget segment.
- Less power-efficient chipset due to the 12nm process.
- Slower charging speeds (likely 10W).
- Image processing may not be as refined as Samsung's.
Samsung Galaxy A20s
- More power-efficient Snapdragon 450 chipset.
- 15W fast charging for quicker top-ups.
- Generally better image processing and camera quality.
- Slightly lower CPU clock speed.
- May receive fewer software updates compared to Tecno.
- Potentially higher price point (depending on region).
Display Comparison
Neither device is known for display excellence. Both likely feature 720p+ LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, detailed display specs like brightness and color gamut are unavailable. The focus here is on the internal hardware, as display quality is likely similar and secondary to performance.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is difficult to assess without detailed sensor information. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside supporting lenses (depth, macro). However, the quality of these supporting lenses is often minimal. The focus should be on the main sensor, which is not specified in the provided data. Given Samsung’s generally superior image processing algorithms, the A20s is likely to produce more visually appealing photos, even with a similar sensor. The Tecno Camon 12 may rely more heavily on software enhancements, which can sometimes lead to over-processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Camon 12 utilizes the Mediatek Helio P22 (MT6762), a 12nm process chip with an octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. The Samsung Galaxy A20s features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 (SDM450), built on a 14nm process with an octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. While the Camon 12 has a higher clock speed, the 14nm process of the Snapdragon 450 generally translates to better power efficiency. This means the A20s is likely to exhibit less thermal throttling under sustained load, resulting in more consistent performance during tasks like gaming or prolonged video playback. The smaller node size allows for more transistors in the same area, improving efficiency.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Samsung Galaxy A20s has a significant advantage with its 15W wired charging support. The Tecno Camon 12 likely supports standard 10W charging, resulting in considerably longer charging times. This difference in charging speed dramatically impacts the user experience, making the A20s more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 12 if you prioritize a potentially more responsive interface due to the higher CPU clock speed and are comfortable with slower charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A20s if you value a more refined user experience, better battery management, and the convenience of 15W fast charging, even if it means a slightly lower CPU clock speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Camon 12 struggle with multitasking compared to the Galaxy A20s?
While the Camon 12 has a higher CPU clock speed, the Snapdragon 450's more efficient architecture and potentially better RAM management (though RAM specs are unavailable) likely result in smoother multitasking. The A20s is less prone to slowdowns when switching between apps.
❓ How much faster is the 15W charging on the Galaxy A20s compared to the Camon 12?
The difference is substantial. 15W charging on the A20s will likely take around 2-2.5 hours for a full charge, while the Camon 12 with its likely 10W charging could take 3.5-4 hours or more. This is a significant convenience factor for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 450 capable of running popular games like PUBG Mobile on the Galaxy A20s?
Yes, the Snapdragon 450 can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to stick to lower graphics settings (balanced or low) to maintain a playable frame rate. Expect some occasional frame drops during intense action sequences. The Camon 12 may offer similar performance, but is more likely to experience thermal throttling.
