Tecno continues to deliver budget-friendly smartphones with impressive features. The Camon 18i and 18 Premier are two compelling options, but cater to different needs. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone is the right fit for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Camon 18 Premier is the clear winner, offering a superior chipset, faster charging, and likely a better camera experience. However, the Camon 18i provides a more budget-friendly entry point for those prioritizing affordability over premium features.
| 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 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 01 | 2021, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 01 | Available. Released 2021, October 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 163.8 x 75.9 x 8.2 mm (6.45 x 2.99 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 200.6 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~271 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 | Android 11, HIOS 8.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 32 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/3.5, 135mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, 5x optical zoom
12 MP, (ultrawide), gimbal OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 32 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Yes |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, 64% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 4750 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep Sea, Frost Silver, Tranquil Green | Polar night, Vast sky |
| Models | CG6 | CH9, CH9n |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 390 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 112h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.2 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 293517 (v8), 346389 (v9)
GeekBench: 1758 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 18i
- More affordable
- Decent battery life
- Reliable for everyday tasks
- Less powerful chipset
- Slower charging
- Likely inferior camera
Tecno Camon 18 Premier
- Faster performance
- Faster charging (33W)
- Likely better camera
- Potentially better display
- More expensive
- Battery life is comparable despite faster charging
Display Comparison
The Camon 18 Premier boasts a likely superior display with a higher resolution and potentially better color accuracy, alongside an 'infinite' contrast ratio (though this is a nominal claim). The 18i's display is adequate but likely lacks the vibrancy and sharpness of the Premier. The 422 nits brightness of the Premier is a decent starting point, but real-world performance will depend on ambient lighting.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Camon 18 Premier is expected to have a more advanced camera system. The G96 chipset often pairs with better image processing capabilities. Details on specific sensor sizes and features are needed for a definitive comparison, but the Premier likely holds an advantage.
Performance
The Helio G96 in the Camon 18 Premier offers a significant performance boost over the Helio G85 in the 18i. The Cortex-A76 cores in the G96 provide better CPU performance for demanding tasks and gaming. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the Premier.
Battery Life
Both phones share an impressive endurance rating of 112 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. The Camon 18 Premier's 33W charging is considerably faster than the 18i's 18W, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Camon 18i is ideal for users on a tight budget who need a reliable smartphone for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and basic photography. The Tecno Camon 18 Premier is for users who want a smoother performance, faster charging, and a more capable camera system, and are willing to spend a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Tecno Camon 18 Premier worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize performance, faster charging, and a potentially better camera, then yes. The Premier offers a noticeable upgrade over the 18i.
❓ What is the difference between the Helio G85 and Helio G96 chipsets?
The Helio G96 features more powerful Cortex-A76 cores, resulting in better CPU performance compared to the Helio G85's Cortex-A75 cores. This translates to smoother multitasking and faster app loading times.
