The Tecno Camon 18 and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in chipset choice. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset provides a substantial performance advantage over the Tecno Camon 18’s Helio G88, translating to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. While the Camon 18 offers a competitive price, the A52s 5G’s overall refinement and power justify the price premium.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 04 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 23 | Available. Released 2021, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168.9 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 550 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 8.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dusk Gray, Ceramic White, Iris purple | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint |
| Models | CH6, CH6n | SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N |
| Price | About 170 EUR | £ 112.98 / € 249.47 |
| SAR | - | 0.72 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.88 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 429675 (v8), 506432(v9)
GeekBench: 11060 (v4.4), 2801 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 18
- Highly affordable price point
- Decent battery life (113h endurance)
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Significantly weaker chipset compared to the A52s 5G
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Display likely lacks brightness and color accuracy
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
- Powerful Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset
- Faster 25W wired charging
- Brighter and more vibrant display (800 nits)
- Higher price compared to the Tecno Camon 18
- Battery life is comparable, not superior, despite faster charging
- May be slightly heavier than the Camon 18
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 800 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Camon 18. This difference is crucial for outdoor visibility. While both displays feature an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the A52s 5G’s superior brightness provides a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. The lack of detailed display specs for the Camon 18 suggests a more basic panel, likely impacting color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the specifics are limited. Without detailed sensor information for the Camon 18, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the A52s 5G’s likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing pipeline and potentially a larger main sensor. The A52s 5G’s image stabilization (OIS) is also a key advantage for sharper photos and smoother videos, especially in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Camon 18 is unlikely to provide significant photographic value, serving primarily as a marketing feature.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) is a significant leap ahead of the Tecno Camon 18’s MediaTek Helio G88 (12nm). The Snapdragon 778G utilizes a more modern architecture – a 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 core alongside 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – versus the Camon 18’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon also translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. This means the A52s 5G will maintain higher performance for longer periods, particularly in gaming.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G’s 25W wired charging is significantly faster than the Tecno Camon 18’s 18W charging. This translates to quicker top-ups, reducing downtime and providing more flexibility. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed of the A52s 5G offers a practical advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 18 if you prioritize affordability above all else and your usage primarily revolves around basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you demand a more responsive and capable device for gaming, content creation, and demanding applications, and are willing to invest a bit more for a smoother, more future-proof experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G88 in the Tecno Camon 18 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio G88 is a budget-oriented chipset. While it can run PUBG and Call of Duty, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a playable frame rate. Expect occasional stuttering and frame drops, especially during intense firefights. The Snapdragon 778G in the A52s 5G offers a much smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 25W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Tecno Camon 18?
The 25W charging on the A52s 5G will significantly reduce charging times. While exact figures depend on battery level and usage, you can expect a full charge in approximately 60-75 minutes, compared to potentially 90-120 minutes for the Camon 18. This difference is particularly noticeable for quick top-ups when you're short on time.
❓ Is the camera on the Tecno Camon 18 suitable for taking detailed photos in low-light conditions?
Without specific sensor details, it's difficult to say definitively. However, given the phone's price point and the Helio G88 chipset, low-light performance is likely to be limited. Expect noise and a lack of detail in dimly lit environments. The Samsung A52s 5G, with its potentially larger sensor and image stabilization, will generally produce better low-light photos.
