Tecno Camon 18 vs. Oppo Reno 5G: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The Tecno Camon 18 and Oppo Reno 5G represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Camon 18 focuses on affordability and accessibility, while the Reno 5G, though older, leverages a more powerful chipset from a previous generation. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best experience for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Oppo Reno 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 855, built on a 7nm process, delivers significantly more processing power than the Camon 18’s Helio G88. However, the Camon 18 remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize battery life and don't demand intensive gaming.

PHONES
Phone Names Tecno Camon 18 Oppo Reno 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global
5G bands-78 NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, October 042019, April. Released 2019, May
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, November 23Discontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions168.9 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)162 x 77.2 x 9.3 mm (6.38 x 3.04 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-215 g (7.58 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 550 nits (typ)AMOLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Adreno 640
OSAndroid 11, HIOS 8.0Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/3.0, 130mm (periscope telephoto), 5x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS; video rec. only with main camera
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual-LED flashLED flash, HDR
Single16 MP, (wide)Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
BluetoothYes5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANYesWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired20W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 4065 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsDusk Gray, Ceramic White, Iris purpleOcean Green, Jet Black
ModelsCH6, CH6nCPH1921
PriceAbout 170 EURAbout 880 EUR

Tecno Camon 18

  • More affordable price point
  • Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset
  • Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks

  • Significantly weaker performance compared to the Reno 5G
  • Less capable camera system
  • Slower charging speed

Oppo Reno 5G

  • Superior processing power with Snapdragon 855
  • Better gaming performance
  • Faster charging (20W)

  • Higher price compared to the Camon 18
  • Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
  • Older chipset, may not receive as many future updates

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Reno 5G's positioning as a mid-range device, it likely features a higher-quality AMOLED panel with better color accuracy and brightness compared to the Camon 18, which typically targets a more cost-sensitive market. The Reno 5G's potential for a higher refresh rate (though unconfirmed) would also contribute to a smoother visual experience.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the Reno 5G’s flagship heritage suggests a more sophisticated image processing pipeline and potentially larger sensor sizes. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the Reno 5G’s image quality will likely be superior in low-light conditions and offer more dynamic range. The Camon 18 will likely focus on providing acceptable image quality for social media sharing, but won't match the Reno 5G's capabilities.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Reno 5G’s Snapdragon 855 (7nm) is a flagship-level processor from 2019, boasting a Kryo 485 CPU configuration with a prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Tecno Camon 18’s MediaTek Helio G88 (12nm). The Snapdragon 855’s smaller fabrication process (7nm vs 12nm) translates to greater power efficiency and significantly higher sustained performance, especially in graphically intensive tasks. The Reno 5G will handle demanding games and multitasking with ease, while the Camon 18 will likely struggle with more complex applications. The Snapdragon 855 also benefits from a more powerful Adreno 640 GPU.

Battery Life

The Tecno Camon 18’s 18W charging is slower than the Oppo Reno 5G’s 20W charging. However, the Helio G88’s lower power consumption means the Camon 18 will likely achieve a longer battery life on a single charge. While the Reno 5G charges slightly faster, its more powerful processor will drain the battery more quickly during intensive use. The actual 0-100% charge times will depend on battery capacity (not provided), but the Camon 18 will likely offer more hours of usage between charges.

Buying Guide

Buy the Tecno Camon 18 if you need a reliable, affordable smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, social media, and light web browsing, and battery life is paramount. Buy the Oppo Reno 5G if you prefer a smoother experience with demanding apps, enjoy mobile gaming, and value the benefits of a more powerful processor, even if it means slightly shorter battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G88 in the Tecno Camon 18 struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G88 is a budget-oriented chipset. While it can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a playable frame rate. Expect occasional stuttering and reduced visual fidelity compared to the smoother experience offered by the Snapdragon 855 in the Oppo Reno 5G.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 855 in the Oppo Reno 5G still relevant in 2024, or is it showing its age?
While not the newest chipset, the Snapdragon 855 remains a capable performer for most tasks in 2024. It can handle demanding games and applications without issue. However, it's important to note that it's a few generations old and may not receive the same level of software support as newer processors.
❓ How much faster is the 20W charging on the Oppo Reno 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Tecno Camon 18?
The difference in charging speed will be noticeable, but not dramatic. Expect the Reno 5G to charge approximately 10-15% faster than the Camon 18, assuming both have similar battery capacities. The exact time difference will depend on the battery size and charging conditions.
❓ Does the Oppo Reno 5G support 5G connectivity, and will I be able to utilize it?
Yes, the Oppo Reno 5G is a 5G-enabled device. However, whether you can utilize 5G connectivity depends on your carrier and location. You'll need a 5G-compatible SIM card and be within a 5G coverage area to experience faster data speeds.