The Tecno Camon 18 Premier and Motorola Edge 20 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both boast similar battery endurance ratings, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in chipset choice. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience for various user needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and a brighter display, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset offers a substantial performance advantage over the Tecno Camon 18 Premier’s Helio G96, making it better suited for demanding tasks and sustained gaming. However, the Camon 18 Premier may appeal to those seeking a more budget-friendly option.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 04 | 2021, July 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 11 | Available. Released 2021, August 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) or eco leather back |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.9 x 8.2 mm (6.45 x 2.99 x 0.32 in) | 163 x 76 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200.6 g (7.09 oz) | 185/190 g (depending on color) (6.53 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ) | OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 8.0 | Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/3.5, 135mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, 5x optical zoom
12 MP, (ultrawide), gimbal OIS | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/3.4, 126mm (periscope telephoto), 1.0µm, 5x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240/960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 64% in 30 min | 30W wired |
| Type | 4750 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Polar night, Vast sky | Midnight Blue, Blue Vegan Leather, Iridescent Cloud |
| Models | CH9, CH9n | XT2153-1 |
| Price | About 390 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 112h
|
Endurance rating 112h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.2 LUFS (Good)
|
-29.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 293517 (v8), 346389 (v9)
GeekBench: 1758 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 711090 (v9)
GeekBench: 3140 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 49fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 18 Premier
- Faster charging speed (64% in 30 minutes)
- More affordable price point (likely)
- Functional camera system for everyday use
- Significantly weaker processor (Helio G96)
- Dimmer display (422 nits)
Motorola Edge 20 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 870 processor
- Brighter display (673 nits)
- More efficient chipset for sustained performance
- Slower charging speed (30W)
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Motorola Edge 20 Pro boasts a considerably brighter display, peaking at 673 nits, compared to the Tecno Camon 18 Premier’s 422 nits. This difference is immediately noticeable in outdoor scenarios, where the Edge 20 Pro remains easily readable under direct sunlight. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting standard AMOLED performance. The brighter panel on the Motorola Edge 20 Pro is a significant advantage for users who frequently consume content outdoors or in brightly lit environments.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having photo and video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro’s Snapdragon 870 ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more advanced than the Helio G96’s, potentially leading to better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. The absence of details suggests neither phone is targeting the high-end camera market, focusing instead on providing a functional camera experience for everyday use.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Edge 20 Pro utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm), a flagship-adjacent processor known for its excellent balance of performance and efficiency. Its octa-core configuration (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585, 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) provides a substantial performance uplift over the Tecno Camon 18 Premier’s MediaTek Helio G96 (12nm). The Snapdragon 870’s 7nm process node is more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. While both phones likely utilize LPDDR4X RAM (not specified in the data), the superior processing power of the Snapdragon 870 will translate to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the Tecno Camon 18 Premier and Motorola Edge 20 Pro share an endurance rating of 112 hours. However, this doesn't tell the whole story. The Motorola Edge 20 Pro’s 30W charging is slightly slower than the Tecno Camon 18 Premier’s 33W charging, achieving 64% charge in 30 minutes for the Tecno. The more efficient Snapdragon 870 in the Motorola Edge 20 Pro may offset the slower charging speed with better overall battery life during typical usage, despite the identical endurance rating.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 18 Premier if you prioritize affordability and a functional camera system for everyday photography, and aren't heavily reliant on demanding applications. Buy the Motorola Edge 20 Pro if you value smooth performance in gaming and multitasking, a significantly brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a more powerful processor for future-proofing your smartphone experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G96 in the Tecno Camon 18 Premier struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio G96 is a mid-range chipset and will likely struggle to deliver a consistently smooth experience in demanding games like Genshin Impact, especially at higher settings. Expect frame drops and potential overheating during extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 870 in the Motorola Edge 20 Pro is significantly better equipped to handle such titles.
❓ Does the Motorola Edge 20 Pro support 5G connectivity, and is it compatible with all 5G bands?
Yes, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro features a Snapdragon 870 5G chipset, indicating full 5G support. However, band compatibility varies by region. It's crucial to check with your carrier to ensure the Edge 20 Pro supports the 5G bands deployed in your area for optimal performance.
❓ How does the thermal management differ between the two phones during prolonged use?
The Motorola Edge 20 Pro, with its Snapdragon 870 built on a 7nm process, generally exhibits better thermal management than the Tecno Camon 18 Premier’s Helio G96 (12nm). The smaller process node of the Snapdragon 870 results in less heat generation, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming or demanding tasks.
