Both the Tecno Camon 15 Premier and Huawei nova 7i target the budget-conscious smartphone user, but they approach the market with vastly different internal hardware. The Camon 15 Premier focuses on offering a feature-rich experience at an extremely competitive price, while the nova 7i prioritizes performance and fast charging, leveraging Huawei’s Kirin chipset. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Huawei nova 7i is the clear winner. Its Kirin 810 chipset offers a substantial performance advantage over the Tecno Camon 15 Premier’s Helio P35, coupled with significantly faster 40W charging. While the Camon 15 Premier offers a compelling price, the performance gap is too significant to ignore.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JNY-L22A, JNY-L02A, JNY-L22B |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 13. Released 2020, April 13 | 2020, January 30. Released 2020, February 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 77.7 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 3.06 x 0.36 in) | 159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765V/W Helio P35 (12 nm) | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MP6 |
| OS | Android 10, HIOS 6.0 | Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lenses | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 32 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 40W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ice Jadeite, Opal White | Midnight Black, Crush Green, Sakura Pink |
| Models | CD8j | JNY-L22B, JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B, JNY-L22A, JNY-L02A, JNY-LX2 |
| Price | - | About 240 EUR |
Tecno Camon 15 Premier
- Potentially lower price point
- May offer larger storage options
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly weaker performance
- Slower charging speeds
- Less future-proof
Huawei nova 7i
- Superior performance with Kirin 810
- 40W fast charging (70% in 30 min)
- More responsive user experience
- Better image processing capabilities
- Higher price compared to Camon 15 Premier
- May lack expandable storage (depending on variant)
- Huawei's software ecosystem concerns (potential for limited updates)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing for the Camon 15 Premier, its market positioning suggests an LCD panel. The nova 7i, similarly, doesn't advertise advanced display tech like LTPO. The key difference lies in the processing power driving the display; the Kirin 810’s superior GPU will likely result in smoother animations and transitions on the nova 7i, even if the raw panel specs are comparable. Bezels are likely similar on both, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Kirin 810’s integrated image signal processor (ISP) in the nova 7i is likely more advanced than the ISP paired with the Helio P35 in the Camon 15 Premier. This means better image processing, improved dynamic range, and potentially superior low-light performance on the nova 7i. The presence of a dedicated ISP on the Kirin 810 allows for more complex algorithms and faster processing, resulting in higher-quality photos and videos. We can assume both phones will include standard features like HDR, but the nova 7i will likely execute them more effectively.
Performance
The performance disparity is the most significant factor in this comparison. The Huawei nova 7i’s Kirin 810, fabricated on a 7nm process, represents a substantial leap over the Tecno Camon 15 Premier’s 12nm Mediatek Helio P35. The Kirin 810’s octa-core configuration, featuring two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores alongside six efficiency cores, provides a noticeable advantage in both single-core and multi-core tasks. The Helio P35’s four Cortex-A53 cores, while adequate for basic use, will struggle with demanding applications and multitasking. This translates to slower app loading times, lag during gaming, and a less fluid overall user experience on the Camon 15 Premier. The nova 7i’s GPU will also handle graphics-intensive tasks far more effectively.
Battery Life
While the battery capacities are unknown for both devices, the nova 7i’s 40W wired charging is a game-changer. Huawei claims a 70% charge in just 30 minutes, offering a significant convenience advantage. The Camon 15 Premier likely relies on slower charging speeds, potentially taking over two hours to fully charge. Even if the Camon 15 Premier has a slightly larger battery capacity, the nova 7i’s faster charging mitigates any potential endurance difference, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed. The 7nm process of the Kirin 810 also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting any capacity disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 15 Premier if you need a phone primarily for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. You’ll appreciate its affordability and potentially larger storage options. Buy the Huawei nova 7i if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for multitasking, gaming, and content creation, and you value the convenience of rapid 40W charging. The extra investment translates to a significantly more capable device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 810 in the Huawei nova 7i powerful enough for demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Kirin 810 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a significantly smoother gaming experience compared to the Helio P35 in the Camon 15 Premier. Expect playable frame rates at 60fps with optimized settings.
❓ Does the Huawei nova 7i support Google Mobile Services (GMS)?
This is a crucial consideration. Due to ongoing restrictions, the Huawei nova 7i does *not* natively support Google Mobile Services (GMS). It utilizes Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and the AppGallery as alternatives. While many popular apps are available through HMS and third-party sources, some Google apps may be missing or require workarounds.
❓ How does the Helio P35 in the Tecno Camon 15 Premier handle multitasking?
The Helio P35 struggles with heavy multitasking. Switching between multiple apps can result in noticeable lag and app reloading. It's best suited for running one or two apps at a time. Attempting to run demanding apps simultaneously will likely lead to a frustrating experience.
❓ What type of charging port does each phone use?
Both the Tecno Camon 15 Premier and Huawei nova 7i utilize USB-C ports. However, the nova 7i’s USB-C port supports 40W fast charging, while the Camon 15 Premier likely supports a much slower charging standard.
