Tecno Camon 18 Premier vs. Camon 20 Pro 5G: The Ultimate Showdown

Tecno continues to deliver impressive smartphones at competitive prices. The Camon 18 Premier and the newer Camon 20 Pro 5G both offer compelling features, but cater to slightly different needs. This review dives deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Camon 20 Pro 5G is the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster Dimensity 8050 chipset and 5G connectivity. While the 18 Premier boasts exceptional battery life, the 20 Pro's performance and future-proofing make it the better overall choice.

PHONES
Phone Names	Tecno Camon 18 Premier	Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G

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	-
Dimensions	163.8 x 75.9 x 8.2 mm (6.45 x 2.99 x 0.32 in)	162.7 x 75.9 x 7.8 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	200.6 g (7.09 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 (~87.0% 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)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	256GB 8GB RAM	256GB 8GB RAM
	UFS	-

Main Camera
Features	Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR	Ring-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	64 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 2 MP (macro) 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	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
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	33W wired
Type	4750 mAh	5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Polar night, Vast sky	Dark Welkin, Serenity Blue
Models	CH9, CH9n	CK8n
Price	About 390 EUR	About 270 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
Potentially slightly better camera in some conditions
Competitive price

Older chipset
Lower performance
No 5G connectivity

Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G

Faster processor (Dimensity 8050)
5G connectivity
Modern design
Likely better display

Slightly shorter battery life
Price may be higher

Display Comparison

Both phones feature vibrant displays, but the Camon 20 Pro 5G likely has a slightly improved panel with better color accuracy and potentially a higher refresh rate (likely 120Hz, though unconfirmed). The 18 Premier's 422 nits brightness is decent, but the 20 Pro should offer better outdoor visibility. The 18 Premier's 'infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term and doesn't provide concrete data.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems. The 18 Premier is rumored to have a 64MP main sensor, while the 20 Pro 5G likely features a similar or slightly improved sensor. Image quality will depend on software processing, but the 20 Pro's newer chipset should allow for better computational photography. Both likely offer decent video recording capabilities.

Performance

This is where the Camon 20 Pro 5G shines. The Dimensity 8050 is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G96. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the 20 Pro 5G. The 18 Premier's chipset is adequate for everyday tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Camon 18 Premier's endurance rating of 112h is incredibly impressive, suggesting exceptional battery life. The Camon 20 Pro 5G, while still offering good battery life, will likely not match this due to the more power-hungry chipset. However, the 33W charging is consistent across both devices.

Buying Guide

The Tecno Camon 18 Premier is ideal for users prioritizing extreme battery life and a potentially slightly better camera experience in certain lighting conditions. The Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G is perfect for those who want a faster processor, 5G connectivity, and a more modern overall experience, even if it means sacrificing a bit of battery endurance.