The Tecno Camon 18 Premier and Samsung Galaxy A73 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving it. The Camon 18 Premier emphasizes camera capabilities and battery endurance, while the Galaxy A73 5G leans on Samsung’s established brand recognition and a more refined chipset.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a smoother software experience, the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset offers a noticeable advantage in processing power and efficiency, despite the Camon 18 Premier’s longer battery endurance rating.
| 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, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 04 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 11 | Available. Released 2022, April 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back | - |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.9 x 8.2 mm (6.45 x 2.99 x 0.32 in) | 163.7 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200.6 g (7.09 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 8.0 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| 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 | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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 | 25W wired |
| Type | 4750 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Polar night, Vast sky | Gray, Mint, White |
| Models | CH9, CH9n | SM-A736B, SM-A736B/DS |
| Price | About 390 EUR | About 600 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.14 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.28 W/kg (head) 1.42 W/kg (body) |
| 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
- Longer battery endurance rating (112h)
- Faster charging speed (33W, 64% in 30min)
- Potentially lower price point
- Less efficient chipset (Helio G96, 12nm)
- Limited performance data available
- Uncertain camera performance
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G
- More powerful and efficient chipset (Snapdragon 778G 5G, 6nm)
- Superior CPU architecture
- Samsung’s established brand and software support
- Slower charging speed (25W)
- Potentially higher price
- Missing display specifications
Display Comparison
The Tecno Camon 18 Premier’s display achieves a measured peak brightness of 422 nits, which is adequate for indoor use but may struggle in direct sunlight. The Galaxy A73 5G’s display specifications are not provided, but Samsung typically employs Super AMOLED panels known for vibrant colors and excellent contrast. The Camon 18 Premier’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio is a nominal specification, lacking the real-world impact of Samsung’s AMOLED technology. Without knowing the A73’s peak brightness, the Camon 18 Premier’s brightness is a potential weakness.
Camera Comparison
While the Tecno Camon 18 Premier is marketed for its camera, the provided data only indicates ‘Photo / Video’ capabilities. The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G’s camera specifications are also missing, but Samsung’s image processing algorithms are generally well-regarded. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Snapdragon 778G’s image signal processor (ISP) is known for its advanced features and efficient processing, potentially giving the A73 an edge in image quality and video stabilization. The absence of detail on the Camon 18 Premier’s camera makes a direct comparison challenging.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G utilizes the Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm), a significantly more efficient and powerful processor than the Tecno Camon 18 Premier’s MediaTek MT6781 Helio G96 (12nm). The Snapdragon 778G’s 6nm process allows for higher transistor density and lower power consumption, translating to better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. The A73’s CPU configuration – a 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core alongside 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – is architecturally superior to the Camon 18 Premier’s 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup, offering a clear advantage in multi-threaded tasks and gaming.
Battery Life
The Tecno Camon 18 Premier boasts an endurance rating of 112 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. It supports 33W wired charging, achieving 64% charge in 30 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G offers 25W wired charging, which is slower. However, the Snapdragon 778G’s superior power efficiency may partially offset the slower charging speed, potentially resulting in comparable real-world usage times despite the Camon 18 Premier’s higher endurance rating. The Camon 18 Premier’s faster charging is a clear advantage for users who need quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 18 Premier if you need exceptional battery life and are heavily focused on photography, particularly if you value a potentially higher megapixel count. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G if you prefer a more polished user experience, better overall performance for demanding apps and games, and the peace of mind that comes with Samsung’s software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the MediaTek Helio G96 in the Camon 18 Premier struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Helio G96 is a capable chipset for everyday tasks, but it may exhibit frame drops or require reduced graphics settings in graphically intensive games like PUBG or Genshin Impact. The Snapdragon 778G in the Galaxy A73 5G offers significantly better sustained performance for gaming, allowing for higher frame rates and more consistent gameplay.
❓ How does the charging speed of the Tecno Camon 18 Premier compare to real-world usage? Will 33W charging significantly reduce downtime?
The Camon 18 Premier’s 33W charging can deliver a 64% charge in 30 minutes, which is a substantial boost. However, the actual charging time will vary depending on battery temperature and usage. While faster than the A73’s 25W charging, the Snapdragon 778G’s efficiency may mean you don’t need to charge as frequently.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications for the Tecno Camon 18 Premier a cause for concern?
Yes, the absence of sensor size, aperture, and OIS information raises concerns about the Camon 18 Premier’s camera performance. While a high megapixel count is often touted, it’s not the sole determinant of image quality. Without further details, it’s difficult to assess its capabilities compared to the Galaxy A73 5G.
