The Tecno Camon 18 Premier and Oppo Reno7 Pro 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience, they take distinctly different approaches. The Camon 18 Premier prioritizes endurance and a potentially lower price point, while the Reno7 Pro 5G focuses on raw processing power and faster charging speeds. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and rapid charging, the Oppo Reno7 Pro 5G is the stronger choice. Its Dimensity 1200 Max chipset offers a significant performance leap over the Camon 18 Premier’s Helio G96, and the 65W charging is substantially faster. However, the Camon 18 Premier’s longer endurance rating makes it a viable option for those who value battery life above all else.
| 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, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 41, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 04 | 2021, November 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 11 | Available. Released 2021, December 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Panda Glass) |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.9 x 8.2 mm (6.45 x 2.99 x 0.32 in) | 158.2 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.23 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200.6 g (7.09 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| | - | RGB notification lights around the camera island |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 920 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core 3.0 GHz |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 Max |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | ARM G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 8.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, ColorOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (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 | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | Panorama, HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| 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/6, 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, 64% in 30 min | 65W wired, 100% in 31 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | 4750 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Polar night, Vast sky | Starlight Black, Startrails Blue, Gold, League of Legends |
| Models | CH9, CH9n | PFDM00, CPH2293 |
| Price | About 390 EUR | About 400 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 112h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.2 LUFS (Good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 293517 (v8), 346389 (v9)
GeekBench: 1758 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Tecno Camon 18 Premier
- Exceptional battery endurance (112h rating)
- Potentially lower price point
- Adequate for everyday tasks
- Less powerful processor (Helio G96)
- Slower charging speed (33W)
- Display brightness may be limited
Oppo Reno7 Pro 5G
- Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 1200 Max)
- Ultra-fast 65W charging (100% in 31 min)
- Likely superior display quality
- Battery life may be shorter than Camon 18 Premier
- Potentially higher price
- Chipset may generate more heat under load
Display Comparison
The Tecno Camon 18 Premier features a display capable of 422 nits of peak brightness, which is adequate for indoor use but may struggle in direct sunlight. While the contrast ratio is listed as infinite (nominal), this is typical marketing language and doesn’t reveal specifics about the panel technology. The Oppo Reno7 Pro 5G’s display specifications are not provided, but Oppo typically employs AMOLED panels with higher peak brightness and more accurate color reproduction in this price segment. Without specific data on the Reno7 Pro’s display, it’s reasonable to assume it offers a superior viewing experience, particularly in outdoor conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent for the Tecno Camon 18 Premier. Given Tecno’s marketing focus, it’s likely to emphasize megapixel count over sensor size and image processing quality. The Oppo Reno7 Pro 5G’s camera specs are also missing, but Oppo generally prioritizes image quality and features like OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) in their Pro models. Without specific sensor sizes, lens apertures, or image processing details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but Oppo’s track record suggests a more refined camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Reno7 Pro 5G boasts the Mediatek Dimensity 1200 Max, an octa-core processor clocked at 3.0 GHz. This represents a substantial upgrade over the Tecno Camon 18 Premier’s Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm), which features a 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. The Dimensity 1200 Max, built on a more advanced process node (likely 6nm vs 12nm), delivers significantly improved CPU and GPU performance, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience. The Reno7 Pro is likely to exhibit less throttling under sustained load. The Camon 18 Premier will handle everyday tasks adequately, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Tecno Camon 18 Premier achieves an endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating excellent battery life. This suggests a large battery capacity optimized for efficiency. However, it’s paired with a relatively slow 33W charging solution, taking 30 minutes to reach 64% charge. The Oppo Reno7 Pro 5G, conversely, features 65W wired charging, capable of reaching 100% charge in just 31 minutes, and also supports reverse wired charging. While the Reno7 Pro’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed offers a significant convenience advantage, minimizing downtime. The Camon 18 Premier’s longer endurance rating is valuable, but the Reno7 Pro’s charging speed is a game-changer for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 18 Premier if you need exceptional battery life and are comfortable with a less powerful processor for everyday tasks. It’s ideal for users who prioritize longevity and may not engage in demanding gaming or video editing. Buy the Oppo Reno7 Pro 5G if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience, especially when multitasking or playing graphically intensive games. The faster charging is a significant convenience, and the more powerful chipset ensures future-proofing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 1200 Max in the Oppo Reno7 Pro 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 1200 Max is a powerful chip, it's known to generate some heat under sustained load. Oppo typically implements thermal management solutions, such as vapor chamber cooling, to mitigate this. However, extended gaming at maximum settings may still result in some throttling to prevent overheating. The Tecno Camon 18 Premier's Helio G96 will likely throttle sooner due to its less efficient architecture.
❓ How much faster is the 65W charging on the Oppo Reno7 Pro 5G compared to the 33W charging on the Tecno Camon 18 Premier in real-world use?
The 65W charging on the Reno7 Pro 5G is significantly faster. It can fully charge the device in approximately 31 minutes, while the Camon 18 Premier takes considerably longer to reach even 64% charge in 30 minutes. This means you can get a substantial charge in a much shorter time with the Reno7 Pro 5G, making it ideal for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the Helio G96 in the Tecno Camon 18 Premier sufficient for playing popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Helio G96 can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Dimensity 1200 Max in the Reno7 Pro 5G will provide a much more consistent and enjoyable gaming experience at higher settings.
