The Tecno Camon 15 and Oppo A12s represent the fiercely competitive entry-level smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they achieve this with different hardware choices. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing performance and everyday usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Oppo A12s emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Helio P35 chipset, with its faster core clock speeds, provides a noticeable performance boost over the Tecno Camon 15’s Helio P22, making it more responsive for multitasking and app loading. While both offer similar battery life, the A12s’ 10W charging is a welcome addition.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 21. Released 2020, February 25 | 2020, July 14. Released 2020, July 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 155.9 x 75.5 x 8.3 mm (6.14 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, HIOS 6.0 | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, PDAF
2 MP
2 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP | 5 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 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, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 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 |
|---|
| Games | - | No |
| Messaging | - | SMS |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4230 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Shoal Gold, Fascinating Purple, Jade | Deep Blue, Flowing Silver |
| Models | CD7 | - |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | 0.80 W/kg (head) 0.82 W/kg (body) | 1.28 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.49 W/kg (head) |
Tecno Camon 15
- Faster processor (Helio P35)
- 10W wired charging
- Potentially smoother multitasking
- Display quality likely similar to Camon 15
- Camera performance likely comparable
Oppo A12s
- Potentially lower price point
- Similar battery capacity to A12s
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- Slower processor (Helio P22)
- Likely lacks fast charging
- May exhibit lag with multiple apps
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) are unavailable, but we can infer similar quality. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but rather on basic readability. Bezels are expected to be relatively thick on both models, maximizing screen real estate within a budget.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones relying on budget sensors. Detailed sensor information is missing, but both will likely feature a primary camera alongside auxiliary lenses of limited utility (e.g., depth sensors). Image processing will be crucial, and both brands tend to prioritize boosting saturation and contrast. Expect acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but significant noise and softness in low-light scenarios. The absence of OIS on either device means shaky hands will result in blurry photos.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A12s features the Mediatek Helio P35, an octa-core processor with a heterogeneous core configuration: four cores clocked at 2.35 GHz and four at 1.8 GHz. This contrasts with the Tecno Camon 15’s Helio P22, which utilizes eight Cortex-A53 cores all clocked at 2.0 GHz. The P35’s faster cores provide a tangible advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. While both are 12nm chips, the P35’s architecture translates to quicker app launches and smoother multitasking. The A12s will likely exhibit less lag when handling multiple apps simultaneously.
Battery Life
Both devices likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, common for this segment. Actual battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but both should comfortably last a full day with moderate use. The Oppo A12s includes 10W wired charging, a significant advantage over the Tecno Camon 15, which likely lacks fast charging support. This translates to quicker top-ups when needed, reducing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 15 if you prioritize a potentially lower price and are primarily focused on basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Oppo A12s if you prefer a smoother, more responsive user experience, especially when switching between apps or running slightly more demanding applications, and value the convenience of wired charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Oppo A12s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio P35 can run PUBG Mobile, expect to play at lower graphics settings and frame rates to maintain a stable experience. The phone isn't designed for intensive gaming, and prolonged sessions may lead to noticeable throttling.
❓ Is the difference in processor speed between the Helio P22 and P35 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The P35’s faster cores in the Oppo A12s result in quicker app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall user experience, especially when multitasking. The Tecno Camon 15 may exhibit slight lag when switching between apps.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Oppo A12s with the 10W charger?
With the 10W charger, expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on usage during charging. While not the fastest charging available, it's a significant improvement over devices lacking fast charging support.
❓ Are software updates guaranteed for either the Tecno Camon 15 or Oppo A12s?
Software update support for both devices is limited. Both Tecno and Oppo have a history of providing infrequent updates for their entry-level models. Expect security patches to be sporadic, and major Android version updates are unlikely.
