The Tecno Camon 18 and OnePlus Nord CE 5G occupy a similar price bracket, targeting budget-conscious consumers seeking 5G connectivity. However, they diverge significantly in their core hardware choices, leading to distinct performance and user experiences. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G emerges as the superior choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G chipset, built on an 8nm process, delivers noticeably better performance and efficiency compared to the Tecno Camon 18’s MediaTek Helio G88. The Nord CE 5G also boasts significantly faster 30W charging, offsetting its identical battery endurance rating.
| 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, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 04 | 2021, June 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 23 | Available. Released 2021, June 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168.9 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 550 nits (typ) | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 8.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dusk Gray, Ceramic White, Iris purple | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Models | CH6, CH6n | EB2101, EB2103 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.9 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9)
GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 18
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Similar battery endurance to the Nord CE 5G
- Less powerful chipset (Helio G88)
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Less efficient 12nm process
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- More powerful and efficient chipset (Snapdragon 750G)
- Faster charging (30W, 70% in 30 min)
- Brighter display (607 nits)
- May be slightly more expensive
- No high refresh rate display
- Similar battery endurance to the Camon 18
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G’s display achieves a measured peak brightness of 607 nits, providing a more visible experience outdoors compared to the Tecno Camon 18, whose brightness is not specified. While both lack high refresh rate panels, the Nord CE 5G’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a superior VA panel, offering deeper blacks. Bezels are likely comparable given the market segment, but the Nord CE 5G’s brighter panel is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information for the Camon 18 is missing. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), offering improved image processing. Without specific details on the Camon 18’s main sensor size and aperture, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison. It’s reasonable to assume the Nord CE 5G’s camera system will deliver more consistent results, particularly in low-light conditions, due to the superior chipset and ISP.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G’s Snapdragon 750G (8nm) utilizes Kryo 570 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, offering a performance edge over the Tecno Camon 18’s Helio G88 (12nm) with its 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 750G translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. While both CPUs feature a 2+6 core configuration, the Snapdragon’s architecture is more modern and efficient. The G88 is adequate for daily tasks, but the 750G provides a smoother experience for demanding apps and games.
Battery Life
Both the Tecno Camon 18 and OnePlus Nord CE 5G achieve an endurance rating of 117 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the charging speeds differ dramatically. The Nord CE 5G supports 30W wired charging, achieving 70% charge in just 30 minutes, while the Camon 18 is limited to 18W. This faster charging capability significantly improves the user experience, minimizing downtime and providing greater convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 18 if your priority is maximizing value for money and you primarily engage in light tasks like social media and casual browsing. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you prioritize smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, faster charging speeds, and a more future-proof 5G experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 750G in the Nord CE 5G handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 750G is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it's not a flagship-level gaming chip, its performance is significantly better than the Helio G88, offering a more enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Tecno Camon 18 in real-world use?
The Nord CE 5G can reach 70% charge in approximately 30 minutes, while the Camon 18 will take considerably longer to achieve the same level. Expect a full charge on the Camon 18 to take well over 2 hours, whereas the Nord CE 5G will be fully charged in around 75-90 minutes.
❓ Is the camera on the OnePlus Nord CE 5G noticeably better than what's expected on the Tecno Camon 18, even without detailed sensor specs for the Camon 18?
Yes, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G's camera is likely superior. The Snapdragon 750G's integrated ISP provides better image processing, resulting in improved dynamic range, color accuracy, and low-light performance. While sensor size matters, the processing power of the chipset plays a crucial role in overall image quality.
