The Tecno Camon 16 and Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches. The Camon 16 focuses on providing a functional, everyday experience, while the Poco X3 NFC prioritizes gaming performance and faster charging, making this a crucial comparison for value-conscious buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 732G chipset offers a significant performance advantage over the Tecno Camon 16’s Helio G70, translating to smoother multitasking and a better gaming experience. The 33W fast charging is also a major benefit, offsetting the similar battery endurance ratings.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 10. Released 2020, October 16 | 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 170.9 x 77.2 x 9.2 mm (6.73 x 3.04 x 0.36 in) | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 207 g (7.30 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7150-AC Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, HIOS 6.0 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1
|
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Penta-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide), AF | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired, 62% in 30 min, 100% in 65 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cloud White, Purist Blue, Misty Grey | Cobalt Blue, Shadow Gray |
| Models | CE7, CE7j, CE9h, MZ-TECNO CE7j | M2007J20CG, M2007J20CT |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.95 W/kg (head) 0.82 W/kg (body) | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.61 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.56 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | - | € 259.00 |
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | Rp 2,800,000 |
| 64GB 6GB RAM | - | € 229.00 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 119.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 125h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1299:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 283750 (v8)
GeekBench: 1777 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 16
- Potentially lower price point
- Decent battery endurance
- Functional for basic tasks
- Inferior chipset performance
- Slower charging speeds (likely)
- Limited gaming capabilities
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC
- Superior Snapdragon 732G performance
- 33W fast charging
- Better gaming experience
- Higher price compared to Tecno Camon 16
- Similar battery endurance to Camon 16
- May be slightly larger/heavier
Display Comparison
Both devices share a nominal contrast ratio of 1299:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like brightness (nits) and panel type are missing for the Tecno Camon 16. Given the Poco X3 NFC’s focus on multimedia, it’s likely to have a brighter panel, enhancing outdoor visibility. The absence of information on the Camon 16’s display technology makes it difficult to assess its color accuracy or viewing angles compared to the Poco.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the Poco X3 NFC likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), potentially offering better dynamic range and low-light performance. The Tecno Camon 16 may focus on software-based enhancements, but is unlikely to match the raw processing power of the Snapdragon 732G’s ISP. We can assume both phones will have a standard set of lenses, but the Poco is more likely to offer better overall image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 NFC’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8nm) is built on a smaller fabrication process than the Tecno Camon 16’s MediaTek Helio G70 (12nm). This 8nm process generally leads to improved power efficiency and thermal performance, allowing the Snapdragon 732G to sustain higher clock speeds for longer periods. The CPU architecture also favors the Poco: 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold cores versus 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores in the Camon 16. This translates to a noticeable performance boost in demanding applications and games. The Poco’s GPU will also significantly outperform the Helio G70’s.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 125 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Poco X3 NFC boasts 33W wired charging, capable of reaching 62% in 30 minutes and 100% in 65 minutes. The Tecno Camon 16’s charging speed is not specified, suggesting it will be significantly slower. This faster charging capability gives the Poco X3 NFC a practical advantage, minimizing downtime and offering greater convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 16 if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC if you enjoy mobile gaming, frequently stream videos, or value faster charging speeds and a more responsive user experience. The Poco X3 NFC is the better all-rounder for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco X3 NFC get noticeably hotter during extended gaming sessions compared to the Tecno Camon 16?
The Snapdragon 732G in the Poco X3 NFC, built on an 8nm process, is more thermally efficient than the Helio G70 (12nm) in the Camon 16. While both will heat up during prolonged gaming, the Poco X3 NFC is likely to manage temperatures better, resulting in less performance throttling and a more consistent gaming experience.
❓ Does the Poco X3 NFC’s NFC functionality support Google Pay or other mobile payment systems?
Yes, the Poco X3 NFC includes NFC (Near Field Communication) and is fully compatible with Google Pay and other NFC-based mobile payment systems. This allows for contactless payments and convenient transactions.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio G70 and Snapdragon 732G noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
While both chipsets can handle everyday tasks, the Snapdragon 732G in the Poco X3 NFC provides a smoother and more responsive experience. App loading times will be faster, multitasking will be more fluid, and animations will appear more seamless. The difference is subtle for basic use, but becomes apparent with heavier multitasking.
