Tecno has been making waves in the budget smartphone market, and the Camon series is a key player. The Camon 18 Premier and Camon 17 Pro are both compelling options, but which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Camon 17 Pro edges out the 18 Premier thanks to its significantly brighter display and longer battery life, despite a slightly slower charging speed. Both offer solid performance and cameras, making them great choices for budget-conscious users prioritizing longevity and screen visibility.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 04 | 2021, May 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 11 | Available. Released 2021, June 03 |
| 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) | 168.9 x 77 x 9 mm (6.65 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200.6 g (7.09 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 8.0 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 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@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, 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 | 25W / 33W wired |
| Type | 4750 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Polar night, Vast sky | California Silver, Malibu Blue |
| Models | CH9, CH9n | CG8, CG8h |
| Price | About 390 EUR | About 280 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 112h
|
Endurance rating 140h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 781:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.2 LUFS (Good)
|
-24.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 293517 (v8), 346389 (v9)
GeekBench: 1758 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 309107 (v8)
GeekBench: 1668 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 18 Premier
- Slightly newer chipset (Helio G96)
- Faster charging (33W)
- Potentially better video recording (based on G96 capabilities)
- Dimmer display (422 nits)
- Shorter battery life (112h)
- Infinite contrast ratio is nominal and less informative
Tecno Camon 17 Pro
- Brighter display (538 nits)
- Longer battery life (140h)
- Good value for money
- Slightly older chipset (Helio G95)
- Charging speed can be 25W
Display Comparison
The Camon 17 Pro boasts a significant advantage in display brightness, measuring 538 nits compared to the 18 Premier's 422 nits. This makes the 17 Pro noticeably easier to view in direct sunlight. While both offer decent contrast ratios (infinite for the 18 Premier, 781:1 for the 17 Pro), the brightness difference is the key factor here. The 17 Pro's display feels more premium.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is expected to be comparable between the two devices, given both are marketed as camera-focused phones. Both feature multiple lenses, including a primary sensor, ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens. Detailed camera testing would be needed to determine any significant differences in image quality, dynamic range, or low-light performance. Both likely offer good value for their price point.
Performance
Both phones utilize a Mediatek Helio chipset – the 18 Premier with the G96 and the 17 Pro with the G95. While the G96 is technically a newer chip, real-world performance differences are likely to be minimal. Both offer smooth everyday usage and handle most games well. The CPU configurations are identical, suggesting similar processing power.
Battery Life
The Camon 17 Pro takes a clear lead in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 140 hours compared to the 18 Premier's 112 hours. This translates to significantly longer usage between charges. While the 18 Premier offers 33W charging, the 17 Pro's charging speeds range from 25W to 33W, so the difference isn't substantial.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Camon 18 Premier is ideal for users who prioritize a slightly more modern chipset and faster charging, but don't mind a dimmer screen. The Camon 17 Pro is a better choice for those who value extended battery life and a brighter, more vibrant display, especially for outdoor use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
Both phones should offer decent gaming performance. The Helio G96 in the 18 Premier might offer a slight edge, but the difference is unlikely to be significant for most games.
❓ Is the Tecno Camon 18 Premier worth the extra cost?
It depends on your priorities. If you value a brighter display and longer battery life, the Camon 17 Pro is likely the better choice. If you want the slightly newer chipset and faster charging, the 18 Premier might be worth considering, but be prepared for a dimmer screen and shorter battery life.
