The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Tecno Camon 16 S and the Samsung Galaxy A13 5G. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A13 5G takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster Dimensity 700 chipset, 5G connectivity, and generally more polished software experience. While the Camon 16 S offers a decent camera, the A13 5G provides a more future-proof and smoother overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77 Sub6/mmWave - SM-A136U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, November 05. Released 2020, November 05 | 2021, December 02 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, December 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76.5 x 9 mm (6.48 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 164.5 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| 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 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, HIOS 6.2 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| 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 |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ice Jadeite, Misty Grey, Blue Hawaii | Black |
| Models | - | SM-A136U, SM-A136U1, SM-A136W, SM-A136B, SM-S136DL |
| Price | About 130 EUR | € 178.00 / $ 64.00 / £ 72.54 |
| SAR | - | 1.27 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Camon 16 S
- Potentially impressive camera features
- Vibrant display
- Likely faster charging (variant dependent)
- Competitive price
- Outdated chipset
- Lower performance
- Less future-proof
- Software experience may be less polished
Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
- 5G connectivity
- Faster and more efficient chipset
- Smoother performance
- Reliable Samsung software
- Good overall value
- Slower charging (15W)
- Camera may not be as feature-rich as Camon 16 S
- Potentially slightly higher price
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, but the Galaxy A13 5G likely has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to Samsung's display technology. The Camon 16 S boasts a high refresh rate (likely 90Hz), which can make scrolling feel smoother, though this is not confirmed for all variants. Resolution is likely similar, around 1080p.
Camera Comparison
The Camon 16 S is marketed as a camera-focused phone, often featuring a high-resolution primary sensor and potentially impressive selfie capabilities. The Galaxy A13 5G's camera is competent, but may not match the Camon 16 S in terms of sheer megapixel count or specific camera features like portrait mode enhancements. Low-light performance is likely comparable.
Performance
This is where the Galaxy A13 5G shines. The Dimensity 700 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Helio P22. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the A13 5G. The Camon 16 S will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones likely offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. The Galaxy A13 5G's 15W charging is a slight disadvantage compared to potentially faster charging on the Camon 16 S (though charging speeds vary by variant). Battery capacity is likely similar, around 5000mAh.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Camon 16 S is a good choice for users prioritizing camera features and a vibrant display on a tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A13 5G is ideal for those seeking 5G connectivity, better performance, and the reliability of the Samsung brand, even at a slightly higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy A13 5G is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Dimensity 700 chipset.
❓ Does the Galaxy A13 5G support 5G?
Yes, the Galaxy A13 5G is specifically designed for 5G connectivity.
❓ Which phone has a better camera for selfies?
The Tecno Camon 16 S is often marketed with a focus on selfie camera quality and may offer more features.