The Tecno Camon 18i and Oppo A74 represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Camon 18i leans on MediaTek’s Helio G85, while the A74 utilizes Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 662. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and a slightly more refined software experience, the Oppo A74 emerges as the better choice. Its 33W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 662 offers a consistent, if not groundbreaking, performance profile. However, the Camon 18i remains a viable option for those seeking a balance of features at an even lower price.
| 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 01 | 2021, April 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 01 | Available. Released 2021, May 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 160.3 x 73.8 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~271 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 800 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, 54% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep Sea, Frost Silver, Tranquil Green | Prism Black, Midnight Blue |
| Models | CG6 | CHP2219 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 300 EUR |
Tecno Camon 18i
- More affordable price point
- Helio G85 offers decent gaming performance for casual titles
- Potentially larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
- Slower 18W charging
- Helio G85 may throttle under sustained load
- Less refined software experience
Oppo A74
- Faster 33W charging
- Snapdragon 662 offers stable and efficient performance
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Generally more expensive than the Camon 18i
- Gaming performance is not as focused as the Camon 18i
- May have a smaller battery capacity (unconfirmed)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood: the Oppo A74’s Snapdragon 662 is fabricated on an 11nm process, while the Tecno Camon 18i uses a 12nm Helio G85. While not directly display-related, this process node difference impacts overall power efficiency, potentially influencing screen-on time. We expect both to offer adequate brightness for indoor use, but neither will excel in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera as their main selling point. The image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 662 is generally considered more capable, offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. While the Camon 18i’s Helio G85 ISP is adequate, it may struggle in low-light conditions compared to the A74. The presence of multiple cameras on both devices is expected, but the quality of secondary sensors (ultrawide, macro) is likely to be minimal on both.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Camon 18i’s MediaTek Helio G85 utilizes a dual-cluster configuration with 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Oppo A74’s Snapdragon 662 employs 4x 2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold cores and 4x 1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 662’s architecture generally provides more consistent performance in sustained workloads due to Qualcomm’s optimizations. The 11nm process also contributes to better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Helio G85 is geared towards gaming, but the A74’s overall system stability is a benefit for everyday tasks.
Battery Life
The Oppo A74’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Tecno Camon 18i’s 18W charging. Oppo claims a 54% charge in 30 minutes, which translates to a substantial reduction in downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed effectively mitigates any potential difference in mAh. The Snapdragon 662’s 11nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially extending battery life compared to the 12nm Helio G85, even with similar capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 18i if you need a highly affordable device with a decent gaming chipset for casual titles and prioritize maximizing value. Buy the Oppo A74 if you prefer faster charging speeds, a more polished user experience, and a chipset known for its stability and efficiency, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Camon 18i overheat during prolonged gaming sessions like PUBG?
The Helio G85 is capable of handling gaming, but its 12nm process and potentially less efficient thermal design could lead to throttling during extended PUBG sessions. Expect playable frame rates, but potentially with some stuttering or reduced performance over time.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Oppo A74 from 0%?
Oppo claims 54% in 30 minutes with the 33W charger. Based on this, a full 0-100% charge should take approximately 60-75 minutes, making it significantly faster than the Tecno Camon 18i.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Helio G85 and Snapdragon 662 noticeable in everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference will be minimal. However, the Snapdragon 662’s more efficient architecture and optimized software will result in a smoother and more responsive experience, especially when multitasking.
