The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Tecno Camon 17, with its focus on affordability, goes head-to-head with the OnePlus Nord N20 5G, a device aiming to deliver a more refined experience with 5G connectivity. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and future-proofing, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, and 33W fast charging provide a noticeable advantage over the Tecno Camon 17’s Helio G85 and 18W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat15 800/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 08 | 2022, April 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 22 | Available. Released 2022, April 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Schott Xensation Up), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76.5 x 9 mm (6.48 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Schott Xensation Up |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (HBM) | AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 | Android 11, OxygenOS 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | Yes | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frost Sliver, Deep Sea, Tranquil Green | Blue |
| Models | CG6, CG6j | GN2200, CPH2459 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 129h
|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 316974 (v8), 380672 (v9)
GeekBench: 1945 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 17
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Less powerful chipset
- Slower charging speed
- Likely inferior camera performance
OnePlus Nord N20 5G
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 695
- Faster 33W charging
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Higher price compared to Tecno Camon 17
- May not offer significantly longer battery life despite efficiency gains
- Software support may be limited compared to other OnePlus devices
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N20 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 647 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Tecno Camon 17. While both phones offer an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED/AMOLED panels), the higher peak brightness of the Nord N20 5G translates to better visibility outdoors. The lack of refresh rate information for the Camon 17 suggests a standard 60Hz panel, while the Nord N20 5G likely offers a smoother experience, though this isn't explicitly stated in the provided data.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Tecno Camon 17, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market positioning suggests the Nord N20 5G likely has a more sophisticated image processing pipeline. The Snapdragon 695’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more capable than the one found in the Helio G85. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the quality of the sensors and lenses will be crucial. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and apertures makes a definitive judgment impossible, but the OnePlus is likely to offer more consistent image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N20 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) is a clear upgrade over the Tecno Camon 17’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 695 delivers superior power efficiency, resulting in less heat generation and potentially sustained performance during demanding tasks. While both CPUs feature an octa-core configuration, the Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores clock slightly higher at 2.2 GHz versus the Helio G85’s 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores, contributing to faster application loading and smoother multitasking. The Nord N20 5G benefits from the 5G modem integrated into the Snapdragon 695, offering faster data speeds where available.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 129 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the Tecno Camon 17’s unspecified battery capacity. However, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Tecno Camon 17’s 18W charging. This translates to considerably faster charging times – potentially reducing a full charge from over two hours on the Camon 17 to under an hour on the Nord N20 5G. The more efficient Snapdragon 695 also contributes to better battery life under load.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 17 if you need a functional smartphone primarily for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are extremely budget-constrained. Buy the OnePlus Nord N20 5G if you prefer a smoother user experience, faster charging, and the benefits of 5G connectivity, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Nord N20 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. While not a gaming powerhouse, it offers a noticeable improvement over the Helio G85 in sustained performance, reducing the likelihood of significant frame drops during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Nord N20 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Camon 17?
The 33W charging on the Nord N20 5G can potentially reduce a full charge time from over 2 hours with the Camon 17’s 18W charging to around 60-75 minutes. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Nord N20 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695 supports carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more reliable data speeds, provided your carrier supports it. This is a key advantage for users in areas with strong 5G coverage.
❓ Is the Tecno Camon 17 a good option for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and basic messaging?
Absolutely. The Tecno Camon 17 is a perfectly adequate device for basic communication tasks. Its Helio G85 chipset is sufficient for these functions, and its battery endurance is comparable to the Nord N20 5G. If your needs are minimal, the Camon 17 offers a functional and affordable solution.
