The Tecno Camon 18 P and OnePlus Nord CE 5G occupy a similar price bracket, targeting users seeking affordable 5G connectivity. However, they diverge in their core approaches: the Camon 18 P prioritizes a potentially more powerful processor on paper, while the Nord CE 5G leans on OnePlus’s established software experience and a focus on balanced performance. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smooth, reliable experience and a well-optimized software ecosystem, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G emerges as the better choice. While the Tecno Camon 18 P’s Helio G96 chipset boasts higher clock speeds, the Snapdragon 750G’s superior efficiency and integration give the Nord CE 5G an edge in sustained performance and battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 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, October 04 | 2021, June 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 14 | Available. Released 2021, June 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168.9 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.02 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 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ) | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 8.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB 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 |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
13 MP, 45mm (telephoto), PDAF, 1.7x optical zoom
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dusk Gray, Ceramic White, Iris purple | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Models | CH7n, CH7 | EB2101, EB2103 |
| Price | About 200 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 18 P
- Potentially higher peak CPU performance due to Cortex-A76 cores.
- Faster charging wattage (33W vs 30W).
- May offer a more aggressive price point.
- Less efficient 12nm chipset leads to potential thermal throttling.
- Software support and updates are less guaranteed than OnePlus.
- Camera performance is unknown without detailed sensor specs.
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- More efficient 8nm Snapdragon 750G chipset for sustained performance.
- Well-optimized OxygenOS software with guaranteed updates.
- Excellent 5G connectivity and modem performance.
- Slightly lower peak CPU clock speeds compared to the Camon 18 P.
- Charging speed is slightly slower (70% in 30 mins).
- May be slightly more expensive than the Camon 18 P.
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 607 nits, providing excellent visibility in outdoor conditions. While the Camon 18 P’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be lower, potentially impacting outdoor usability. Both devices feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio, a marketing term indicating deep blacks on their respective panels. The Nord CE 5G’s display is likely to offer a more consistent and vibrant viewing experience due to its higher measured brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the Camon 18 P. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G’s camera performance is generally considered good for its price point, though it doesn’t excel in low-light conditions. Without specific details on the Camon 18 P’s main sensor size and aperture, it’s difficult to assess its image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely inconsequential, offering limited practical benefit due to its low resolution and fixed focus.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Camon 18 P utilizes the Mediatek Helio G96 (12nm), featuring an octa-core configuration with 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm). The Snapdragon 750G, built on a smaller 8nm process, offers superior power efficiency and thermal management compared to the 12nm Helio G96. While the G96’s Cortex-A76 cores have a slightly higher clock speed, the Snapdragon 750G’s Kryo 570 cores, combined with the more efficient process node, translate to more sustained performance during prolonged gaming or multitasking. The Snapdragon 750G also benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized 5G modem.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 117 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G’s 30W charging capability, capable of reaching 70% charge in 30 minutes, provides a significant convenience advantage over the Tecno Camon 18 P’s 33W charging. The Snapdragon 750G’s efficiency also contributes to better battery life under load, meaning the Nord CE 5G is likely to last longer during intensive tasks despite having a similar battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 18 P if you frequently engage in demanding tasks like mobile gaming and value raw processing power, even if it comes at the cost of potential thermal throttling. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you prioritize a consistently smooth user experience, efficient battery management, and a cleaner software experience with guaranteed updates, making it ideal for everyday use and media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G96 in the Tecno Camon 18 P overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Mediatek Helio G96, built on a 12nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling under sustained load compared to the Snapdragon 750G’s 8nm process. While it offers higher clock speeds, expect performance to decrease over time during demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact.
❓ How does OnePlus’s OxygenOS compare to Tecno’s HiOS in terms of software updates and bloatware?
OxygenOS is renowned for its clean, near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware and a commitment to timely software updates. Tecno’s HiOS, while improving, typically includes more pre-installed apps and a less consistent update schedule. This difference significantly impacts the long-term user experience.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 5G significantly faster than the 33W charging on the Tecno Camon 18 P?
While the Camon 18 P has slightly higher wattage, the Nord CE 5G's 30W charging is optimized for its battery and can reach 70% charge in 30 minutes. The overall charging experience is likely to be faster and more consistent on the Nord CE 5G due to Qualcomm's charging algorithms.
