The sub-$150 smartphone market in India is fiercely competitive. The Tecno Camon 15, a long-standing budget option, faces a strong challenger in the Realme 6i, which brings a significantly more powerful chipset and faster charging to the table. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Realme 6i (India) is the clear winner. Its Helio G90T chipset offers a substantial leap in processing power and gaming capabilities compared to the Tecno Camon 15’s Helio P22. While the Camon 15 remains a viable option for basic tasks, the 6i’s 30W charging is a game-changer.
| 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 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 21. Released 2020, February 25 | 2020, July 24. Released 2020, July 31 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 162.1 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| | - | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 10, HIOS 6.0 | Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, PDAF
2 MP
2 MP
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (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, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 30W wired, PD, 100% in 55 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Shoal Gold, Fascinating Purple, Jade | Eclipse Black, Lunar White |
| Models | CD7 | RMX2002 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | 0.80 W/kg (head) 0.82 W/kg (body) | - |
Tecno Camon 15
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks.
- Likely a larger community for support in some regions.
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Realme 6i.
- Slower charging speeds.
- Older chipset limits future software updates.
Realme 6i (India)
- Much faster performance with the Helio G90T.
- 30W fast charging with PD support.
- Better gaming capabilities.
- More efficient chipset for potentially better battery life.
- Higher price compared to the Tecno Camon 15.
- May not include a headphone jack (market dependent).
- Software experience may be less refined than some 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, panel type) are missing for the Camon 15, it’s likely a standard LCD panel. The Realme 6i, similarly, doesn’t specify advanced features like high refresh rates or HDR support. The focus here is clearly on internal performance, not visual fidelity. Bezels are likely comparable given the price points, and color accuracy will be adequate for everyday use on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is difficult to assess without detailed sensor information. However, the Realme 6i likely benefits from the more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G90T, allowing for better image processing and noise reduction. While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, the Camon 15’s image quality will likely be limited by its older chipset. The Realme 6i’s ISP can handle more complex computational photography techniques, potentially resulting in sharper, more vibrant photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. We can assume both phones will include standard features like HDR and portrait mode, but the 6i will execute them more effectively.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Realme 6i’s Mediatek Helio G90T is a substantial upgrade over the Tecno Camon 15’s Helio P22. The G90T features a dual-cluster CPU configuration – two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz – offering significantly improved single-core and multi-core performance. The Camon 15’s Helio P22 uses eight Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz, which is an older, less efficient architecture. This translates to noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a far more enjoyable gaming experience on the Realme 6i. The G90T’s GPU is also considerably more powerful, enabling higher frame rates and better graphics settings in games.
Battery Life
The Realme 6i’s 30W wired charging with PD support is a major advantage. A full charge in 55 minutes is significantly faster than what the Tecno Camon 15 can achieve. While the Camon 15’s battery capacity isn’t specified, it’s unlikely to be significantly larger than the 6i’s (typically around 5000mAh in this segment). The faster charging of the 6i mitigates any potential disadvantage in battery capacity, providing more uptime and less downtime plugged into the wall. The efficiency of the Helio G90T, despite its performance, is also a factor, potentially leading to comparable or even better battery life in real-world usage compared to the less powerful, but older, Helio P22.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 15 if you need a functional smartphone for essential tasks like calling, messaging, and light social media use, and prioritize a lower upfront cost. Buy the Realme 6i (India) if you prefer a smoother experience with demanding apps, enjoy mobile gaming, and value significantly faster charging speeds – even if it means a higher initial investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 6i's Helio G90T handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Helio G90T is specifically designed for gaming. It can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at high settings with stable frame rates. While exact FPS will vary based on in-game settings and device temperature, the 6i offers a significantly better gaming experience than the Camon 15.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Realme 6i compatible with all USB-C chargers?
The Realme 6i supports USB Power Delivery (PD) for its 30W charging. While it will charge with other USB-C chargers, you'll only achieve the full 30W speed with a PD-compatible charger. Using a standard USB-C charger will result in slower charging times.
❓ Does the Tecno Camon 15 receive regular software updates?
Tecno's software update track record is generally less consistent than Realme's. Given the Camon 15's older chipset, it's unlikely to receive major Android version updates in the future, and security patches may be infrequent.
❓ How does the Realme 6i handle multitasking compared to the Tecno Camon 15?
The Realme 6i’s Helio G90T, with its Cortex-A76 cores and larger cache, handles multitasking far more efficiently. You’ll experience less lag when switching between apps and running multiple applications simultaneously compared to the Tecno Camon 15’s Helio P22.
