The Tecno Camon 16 Premier and Realme 8 Pro represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they take different approaches to achieving it. The Camon 16 Premier prioritizes a robust feature set, while the Realme 8 Pro focuses on streamlined performance and rapid charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 8 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset, built on an 8nm process, offers superior efficiency and sustained performance compared to the Tecno’s Helio G90T. Coupled with its significantly faster 50W charging, the Realme 8 Pro provides a smoother, more convenient daily 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - India | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 04. Released 2020, September 04 | 2021, March 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 170.6 x 77.2 x 9.1 mm (6.72 x 3.04 x 0.36 in) | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.85 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, HDR10+, 480 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, HIOS 6.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Penta-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (dedicated video camera)
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm
8 MP, f/2.2, 105˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 70% in 30 min (International)
18W wired (India) | 50W wired, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 47 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacial Silver | Infinite Blue, Infinite Black, Punk Black, Illuminating Yellow |
| Models | CE9, CD6j | RMX3081 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| SAR | 1.25 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body) | 1.10 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 118h |
Endurance rating 116h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1896:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.1 LUFS (Average) |
-28.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 283847 (v8)
GeekBench: 6692 (v4.4), 1672 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 286666 (v8)
GeekBench: 1678 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 16 Premier
- Slightly longer battery endurance rating.
- Potentially deeper blacks due to higher contrast ratio.
- Feature-rich software experience (typical of Tecno).
- Less efficient chipset (Helio G90T).
- Slower charging speeds (especially in India).
- Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load.
Realme 8 Pro
- More efficient chipset (Snapdragon 720G).
- Significantly faster 50W charging.
- Likely superior image processing and camera quality.
- Better sustained performance during gaming.
- Slightly lower battery endurance rating.
- Contrast ratio specification is a marketing term ('Infinite').
- May lack some of the niche features found on the Tecno.
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with a focus on video consumption, but differ in their specifications. The Tecno Camon 16 Premier boasts a measured 400 nits of brightness and a 1896:1 contrast ratio, suggesting decent visibility but potentially lacking vibrancy in direct sunlight. The Realme 8 Pro, while listing an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (a common marketing term), doesn't provide specific brightness data. However, the Realme’s panel likely benefits from better color calibration and potentially higher peak brightness, contributing to a more engaging viewing experience. The contrast ratio difference suggests the Tecno may exhibit deeper blacks, but the Realme’s overall display quality is likely superior.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are marketed as camera-centric, but details are limited. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Realme 8 Pro’s focus on a 64MP main sensor (versus the Camon 16 Premier’s unspecified resolution) suggests a potential advantage in detail capture and low-light performance. The Realme’s image processing algorithms are also generally regarded as more refined, resulting in more natural-looking photos. The presence of OIS on the Realme 8 Pro (based on market trends for this model) would further enhance image stability and low-light capabilities, a feature likely absent on the Tecno.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 8 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) offers a more efficient architecture than the Tecno Camon 16 Premier’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm). This translates to better thermal management and sustained performance under load. While the Helio G90T’s Cortex-A76 cores clock slightly higher (2.05 GHz vs 2.3 GHz on the Kryo 465 Gold), the Snapdragon 720G’s superior process node and optimized architecture provide a noticeable advantage in real-world usage, particularly in demanding games. The Realme 8 Pro will likely exhibit less throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Both phones offer comparable battery endurance, with ratings of 116 and 118 hours respectively. However, the Realme 8 Pro’s 50W charging is a game-changer. It can reach 50% charge in just 17 minutes and 100% in 47 minutes, significantly faster than the Tecno’s 33W (International) or 18W (India) charging. This difference in charging speed dramatically impacts usability, allowing Realme 8 Pro users to quickly top up their battery and minimize downtime. While the Tecno has a slightly higher endurance rating, the Realme’s faster charging effectively mitigates any potential battery life concerns.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 16 Premier if you prioritize a potentially more feature-rich experience and don't mind trading some raw processing power for it. It's a good fit for users who heavily rely on camera features and appreciate a slightly larger battery endurance rating. Buy the Realme 8 Pro if you value consistent performance, especially during gaming or multitasking, and demand incredibly fast charging. This phone is ideal for users who are always on the go and need a device that can quickly top up its battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G90T in the Tecno Camon 16 Premier overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The MediaTek Helio G90T is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 720G. While Tecno likely implemented thermal management solutions, extended gaming sessions may lead to noticeable throttling, reducing performance to prevent overheating. The Realme 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G, built on a more efficient 8nm process, is less prone to this issue.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Realme 8 Pro compare to the 33W/18W charging on the Tecno Camon 16 Premier in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Realme 8 Pro can reach 50% charge in approximately 17 minutes and a full charge in under an hour. The Tecno Camon 16 Premier, even with 33W charging (available in some regions), takes considerably longer. The 18W version in India is even slower. This means significantly less downtime and more convenient top-ups with the Realme 8 Pro.
❓ Is the image processing on the Realme 8 Pro more natural than on the Tecno Camon 16 Premier?
Generally, Realme’s image processing tends to favor more realistic color reproduction and dynamic range, while Tecno often applies more aggressive sharpening and saturation. This isn’t a universal rule, but based on brand tendencies, the Realme 8 Pro is likely to produce photos that appear more natural and less over-processed.
