The Tecno Camon 15 and Samsung Galaxy A21s represent two approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Camon 15, leveraging MediaTek’s Helio P22, aims for affordability, while the A21s, powered by Samsung’s Exynos 850, attempts to deliver a more refined experience with improved efficiency. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term performance and efficiency, the Samsung Galaxy A21s is the better choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable advantage over the Tecno Camon 15’s 12nm Helio P22, translating to smoother multitasking and better power management.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 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, May 15. Released 2020, June 02 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 163.7 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 10, HIOS 6.0 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4/6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, PDAF
2 MP
2 MP
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Shoal Gold, Fascinating Purple, Jade | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | CD7 | SM-A217F, SM-A217F/DS, SM-A217F/DSN, SM-A217M, SM-A217M/DS, SM-A217N |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | 0.80 W/kg (head) 0.82 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 119h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1287:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.0 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 107157 (v8)
GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 15
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Acceptable battery life for light users
- Older, less efficient chipset
- Likely slower performance
- Less refined user experience
Samsung Galaxy A21s
- More efficient Exynos 850 chipset
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Samsung’s software optimization
- May be slightly more expensive
- 15W charging is not particularly fast
- Still a budget device with limitations
Display Comparison
Both devices feature similar contrast ratios around 1287:1, suggesting comparable image quality in terms of black levels. However, the Samsung Galaxy A21s boasts a measured peak brightness of 490 nits, significantly brighter than what is expected from the Camon 15, making it more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While neither display is expected to feature high refresh rates, the A21s’ higher brightness is a clear advantage for visibility.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Given the market positioning, it’s likely both rely on relatively basic camera setups. The A21s benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, which generally deliver more consistent and pleasing results, even with similar hardware. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Samsung’s software optimization gives the A21s a likely advantage. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A21s’ Exynos 850, fabricated on an 8nm process, offers a substantial architectural advantage over the Tecno Camon 15’s 12nm MediaTek Helio P22. The Exynos 850 utilizes Cortex-A55 cores across all eight threads, offering improved efficiency and instruction set performance compared to the Camon 15’s Cortex-A53 cores. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the A21s, particularly noticeable when running multiple applications simultaneously. While both CPUs are clocked at 2.0 GHz, the newer architecture and smaller process node of the Exynos 850 provide a clear performance edge.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 119 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the Exynos 850’s superior power efficiency means the A21s will likely maintain that endurance for longer under heavier loads. The A21s also supports 15W wired charging, which, while not fast charging by modern standards, is a benefit over any potential slower charging solution on the Camon 15. The 8nm process of the Exynos chip contributes to less heat generation, further preserving battery health over the long term.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 15 if your primary need is a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and you are operating on an extremely tight budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A21s if you value a more responsive user experience, better battery life under sustained load, and the brand recognition and software support associated with Samsung.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A21s get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is relatively efficient and manages heat well. While it will warm up during prolonged gaming, it's unlikely to experience significant throttling like the Helio P22 in the Camon 15, which is more prone to overheating due to its larger 12nm node.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited benefit. Image quality is often soft and lacks detail. While they can be fun to experiment with, don't expect professional-level macro photography from either device.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A21s handle games like PUBG Mobile at reasonable frame rates?
The Galaxy A21s can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at medium graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Exynos 850 is capable, but it's not a gaming powerhouse. The Camon 15 will likely struggle with consistent performance even at lower settings.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates?
Samsung generally provides longer software support for its devices than Tecno. The Galaxy A21s is more likely to receive security patches and potentially even a major Android version update, extending its usable lifespan.
