Tecno has consistently delivered impressive smartphones at competitive prices. The Camon 18 Premier and the newer Camon 20 Premier are prime examples. But which one offers the best experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tecno Camon 20 Premier is the clear winner, boasting a significantly brighter display, a more powerful Dimensity 8050 chipset, and faster charging. While the 18 Premier still offers excellent battery life, the 20 Premier's upgrades make it the superior choice for most users.
| 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 | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 04 | 2023, May 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 11 | Available. Released 2023, May 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back | Glass front, leather back |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.9 x 8.2 mm (6.45 x 2.99 x 0.32 in) | 161.9 x 74.3 x 8.2 mm (6.37 x 2.93 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200.6 g (7.09 oz) | 202.5 g (7.16 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 120Hz |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8050 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 8.0 | Android 13, HIOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 512GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, Ring-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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 | 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, sensor-shift OIS
108 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 115˚ (ultrawide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 64% in 30 min | 45W wired |
| Type | 4750 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Polar night, Vast sky | Dark Welkin, Serenity Blue |
| Models | CH9, CH9n | CK9n |
| Price | About 390 EUR | About 410 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 life
- Competitive price
- Decent camera performance
- Good display quality (though not as bright)
- Older chipset
- Slower charging
- Lower display brightness
- Less powerful than the 20 Premier
Tecno Camon 20 Premier
- Significantly brighter display
- Powerful Dimensity 8050 chipset
- Faster 45W charging
- Improved performance
- Slightly lower endurance rating (though minimal difference)
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Camon 20 Premier's display is a noticeable upgrade. It hits a peak brightness of 684 nits, compared to the 18 Premier's 422 nits. This makes the 20 Premier much easier to see in direct sunlight. Both feature similar display technology (likely AMOLED) and resolution, but the brightness difference is key. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio of the 18 Premier is a nominal value and doesn't translate to a significant visual difference.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but the 20 Premier likely benefits from software optimizations and potentially a slightly improved sensor. While specific camera specs aren't detailed, the 20 Premier's newer chipset allows for better image processing. Expect improved low-light performance and more accurate colors on the 20 Premier. Both likely offer similar features like portrait mode and video stabilization.
Performance
The chipset is where the 20 Premier truly shines. The Mediatek Dimensity 8050 is a significant leap over the Helio G96 in the 18 Premier. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The 20 Premier's CPU architecture (with Cortex-A78 cores) is also more efficient, contributing to better overall performance.
Battery Life
The Camon 18 Premier holds a slight edge in endurance rating (112h vs 107h), but this is a theoretical maximum. In real-world usage, the difference is likely minimal. The 20 Premier's 45W charging is a significant improvement over the 18 Premier's 33W, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Tecno Camon 18 Premier? Those on a tighter budget who prioritize exceptional battery life and don't need the absolute latest performance. Who should buy the Tecno Camon 20 Premier? Users seeking a smoother experience, a brighter screen for outdoor visibility, and faster charging speeds – a worthwhile upgrade for most.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Tecno Camon 20 Premier worth the upgrade from the Camon 18 Premier?
Yes, the 20 Premier offers significant improvements in display brightness, performance, and charging speed, making it a worthwhile upgrade for most users.
❓ What is the camera resolution on both phones?
Specific camera resolutions are not provided in the data. However, both phones are expected to have capable main sensors and multiple lenses for versatility.
