The Tecno Camon 17 and Realme 8 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they take different approaches to achieving it. The Camon 17 focuses on affordability with a MediaTek Helio G85 chipset, while the Realme 8 Pro leverages the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G and a significantly faster charging solution. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and fast charging, the Realme 8 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset, built on an 8nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Camon 17’s Helio G85, and the 50W charging is a game-changer for convenience. However, the Camon 17 remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 08 | 2021, March 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 22 | Available. Released 2021, March 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76.5 x 9 mm (6.48 x 3.01 x 0.35 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 | - | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 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 |
| Single | 16 MP | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP | 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 | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 47 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frost Sliver, Deep Sea, Tranquil Green | Infinite Blue, Infinite Black, Punk Black, Illuminating Yellow |
| Models | CG6, CG6j | RMX3081 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 116h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 286666 (v8)
GeekBench: 1678 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 17
- More affordable price point
- Decent battery endurance
- Functional for basic tasks
- Less powerful processor
- Slower charging speed
- Potentially inferior camera performance
Realme 8 Pro
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Ultra-fast 50W charging
- Superior image processing capabilities
- Higher price tag
- Similar battery endurance to the Camon 17
- May require more frequent charging due to higher performance usage
Display Comparison
Both the Tecno Camon 17 and Realme 8 Pro feature displays with an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting good black levels. However, detailed display specifications like peak brightness, color gamut coverage, and refresh rate are missing for the Camon 17. The Realme 8 Pro’s display benefits from the Snapdragon 720G’s image signal processor (ISP) for potentially better color calibration. Without further data on the Camon 17’s panel, the Realme 8 Pro likely offers a more refined visual experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer photo and video capabilities, the Realme 8 Pro’s camera system is likely more sophisticated. Although specific sensor details are absent for both, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 720G ISP provides advanced image processing algorithms. The Realme 8 Pro’s potential for better low-light performance and dynamic range is higher due to the superior ISP. The Camon 17’s camera will likely be adequate for casual photography, but won’t match the Realme 8 Pro’s capabilities.
Performance
The Realme 8 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) holds a clear advantage over the Tecno Camon 17’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 720G translates to better power efficiency and thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 720G’s CPU, with 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold cores, also outperforms the Camon 17’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This difference will be most noticeable in gaming and demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 116 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Realme 8 Pro’s 50W wired charging is a significant advantage, achieving 50% charge in just 17 minutes and a full charge in 47 minutes. The Tecno Camon 17’s 18W charging is considerably slower, requiring significantly more time to reach a full charge. This difference in charging speed dramatically impacts user convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 17 if you need a functional smartphone for everyday tasks and prioritize a lower price point above all else. It’s ideal for users who aren’t heavy gamers or demanding multitaskers. Buy the Realme 8 Pro if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience, especially when gaming or using demanding apps, and value the convenience of incredibly fast charging. It’s the better choice for users who want a phone that can keep up with their active lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G85 in the Tecno Camon 17 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
The MediaTek Helio G85 is a capable processor for casual gaming, but it will likely struggle with demanding titles like PUBG Mobile at higher settings. Expect to lower graphics settings and potentially experience frame drops during intense gameplay. The Realme 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G offers a smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 50W charging on the Realme 8 Pro compared to the 18W charging on the Tecno Camon 17 in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Realme 8 Pro can reach 50% charge in just 17 minutes and 100% in 47 minutes. The Tecno Camon 17’s 18W charging will likely take over two hours to fully charge the battery, making the Realme 8 Pro significantly more convenient for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Is the camera on the Realme 8 Pro noticeably better for low-light photography?
Yes, the Realme 8 Pro’s camera is expected to perform better in low-light conditions. The Snapdragon 720G’s ISP includes advanced image processing algorithms designed to reduce noise and improve detail in challenging lighting scenarios. While specific sensor details are missing, the ISP advantage is significant.
