The Tecno Camon 18 and Realme 8 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches. The Camon 18 focuses on a balance of features, while the Realme 8 Pro prioritizes camera capabilities and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 8 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Camon 18’s Helio G88. Coupled with its significantly faster 50W charging, the Realme 8 Pro offers a more refined and convenient user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 04 | 2021, March 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 23 | Available. Released 2021, March 25 |
| 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) | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 550 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 8.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| 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 | 50W wired, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 47 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dusk Gray, Ceramic White, Iris purple | Infinite Blue, Infinite Black, Punk Black, Illuminating Yellow |
| Models | CH6, CH6n | RMX3081 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 116h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 286666 (v8)
GeekBench: 1678 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 18
- Balanced feature set
- Potentially lower price point
- Decent battery endurance
- Inferior chipset performance
- Slow 18W charging
- Likely less refined camera processing
Realme 8 Pro
- Stronger Snapdragon 720G performance
- Ultra-fast 50W charging
- Superior image processing capabilities
- May be slightly more expensive
- No OIS
- Similar battery endurance to Camon 18
Display Comparison
Both devices share an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, a marketing term indicating a typical high contrast for LCD/OLED panels. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness, color gamut coverage, and panel type (IPS vs. AMOLED) are missing. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCDs. The Realme 8 Pro’s display benefits from the Snapdragon 720G’s image signal processor (ISP) for potentially better color calibration. Without further data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Realme’s chipset offers a potential edge in display quality.
Camera Comparison
While both phones feature photo and video capabilities, the Realme 8 Pro’s camera system is likely more sophisticated. Although sensor details are absent, the Snapdragon 720G’s ISP provides superior image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests a reliance on software stabilization. The Realme 8 Pro’s stronger processing power will be crucial for effective software-based stabilization. The Tecno Camon 18’s camera performance will likely be adequate for casual photography, but the Realme 8 Pro is expected to deliver more consistent and detailed results.
Performance
The Realme 8 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) significantly outperforms the Tecno Camon 18’s MediaTek Helio G88 (12nm). The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 720G translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 720G’s CPU, with 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold cores, offers a clear clock speed advantage over the Camon 18’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding applications like gaming and video editing. While both utilize a 6x1.8 GHz core cluster, the architectural differences between Kryo 465 Silver and Cortex-A55 cores further favor the Realme 8 Pro.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an endurance rating of 116 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life. However, the Realme 8 Pro’s 50W wired charging is a game-changer. It can reach 50% charge in just 17 minutes and 100% in 47 minutes, significantly reducing downtime. The Tecno Camon 18’s 18W charging is considerably slower, requiring substantially longer to fully recharge. This difference in charging speed is a major convenience factor, especially for users who frequently find themselves needing a quick power boost.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 18 if you prioritize a balanced feature set and are less concerned with raw performance or extremely fast charging. It’s a good choice for everyday users who primarily browse, use social media, and occasionally play less demanding games. Buy the Realme 8 Pro if you value performance for gaming and multitasking, and if quick charging is a must-have feature. It’s ideal for users who want a phone that can keep up with a fast-paced lifestyle and capture high-quality photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G88 in the Tecno Camon 18 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G88 is a budget-focused chipset. While it can run PUBG Mobile, you’ll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. Expect occasional stuttering and frame drops during intense firefights. The Realme 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G offers a significantly better gaming experience with higher and more stable frame rates.
❓ How much faster is the 50W charging on the Realme 8 Pro compared to the 18W charging on the Tecno Camon 18 in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Realme 8 Pro can go from 0-50% in just 17 minutes, while the Tecno Camon 18 will take considerably longer – likely over an hour to reach 50%. This means you can get a significant amount of usage from the Realme 8 Pro with just a short charging session, making it ideal for users on the go.
❓ Is the image processing on the Realme 8 Pro noticeably better than the Tecno Camon 18, even in good lighting conditions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 720G’s ISP excels in image processing. Even in well-lit scenarios, you’ll likely see improvements in dynamic range, color accuracy, and detail with the Realme 8 Pro. The difference will be even more pronounced in low-light conditions, where the Realme 8 Pro’s processing will help reduce noise and preserve detail.
