The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Camon 17P and OnePlus Nord CE 5G represent compelling options for users seeking 5G connectivity without breaking the bank. While both aim for affordability, they take different approaches to achieving it, particularly in chipset choice and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and faster charging, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, built on an 8nm process, offers a noticeable efficiency advantage over the Tecno’s Helio G85, and the 30W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Camon 17P remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 08 | 2021, June 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 28 | Available. Released 2021, June 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168.7 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.64 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits (HBM) | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Single | 16 MP | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frost Sliver, Magnet Black, Spruce Green | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Models | CG7, CG7n | EB2101, EB2103 |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.9 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9)
GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 17P
- Potentially lower price point
- 5G connectivity
- Functional for basic tasks
- Less efficient chipset (Helio G85)
- Slower charging (18W)
- Limited performance headroom
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- More efficient chipset (Snapdragon 750G)
- Faster charging (30W, 70% in 30min)
- Brighter display (607 nits)
- Potentially better camera processing
- Generally higher price
- May not offer significantly better battery life despite faster charging
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 607 nits, suggesting a more visible display in outdoor conditions compared to the Tecno Camon 17P, for which display brightness data is unavailable. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels (given the price point), the Nord CE 5G’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) indicates a standard level of black reproduction for this panel type. The absence of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for this segment, but the Nord CE 5G’s brighter panel provides a better viewing experience overall.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the Tecno Camon 17P. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G’s camera performance will depend heavily on its image processing algorithms and sensor size (not specified). Without knowing the sensor sizes or apertures, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 750G’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more capable than the Helio G85’s, potentially leading to better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. It's reasonable to assume the Nord CE 5G will offer more refined image processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Tecno Camon 17P utilizes the Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm), while the OnePlus Nord CE 5G features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm). The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 750G inherently offers better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and potentially reduced throttling during sustained workloads. While both CPUs feature a similar core configuration (2x high-performance + 6x efficiency cores), the Snapdragon’s Kryo 570 cores at 2.2 GHz provide a slight clock speed advantage over the Helio G85’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. This, combined with the more efficient process node, gives the Nord CE 5G a clear performance edge.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 117 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the Tecno Camon 17P’s unspecified battery capacity. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage, capable of reaching 70% charge in just 30 minutes. The Tecno Camon 17P’s 18W charging is considerably slower, requiring more time to fully replenish the battery. This faster charging capability makes the Nord CE 5G more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 17P if you need a functional 5G smartphone with basic performance for everyday tasks and are highly price-sensitive. It’s a good choice for users who primarily browse, use social media, and make calls. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience, faster charging, and a chipset capable of handling more demanding applications and occasional gaming. It’s ideal for users who value efficiency and longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 750G in the OnePlus Nord CE 5G handle graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 750G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Helio G85 in the Tecno Camon 17P, especially during prolonged gaming sessions due to its superior thermal efficiency.
❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Tecno Camon 17P in real-world usage?
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G can reach 70% charge in approximately 30 minutes, while the Tecno Camon 17P’s 18W charging will likely take over an hour to achieve the same level. This difference is substantial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
❓ Is the camera on the OnePlus Nord CE 5G noticeably better than the Tecno Camon 17P, even without knowing the exact sensor specs?
While specific sensor details are missing, the Snapdragon 750G’s more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP) generally results in better image processing, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Expect improved dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image clarity on the Nord CE 5G.
