Tecno's Camon series consistently targets the budget-conscious user seeking strong camera capabilities. The Camon 18T and 17 Pro represent two compelling options, but diverge in their core strengths. The 18T focuses on a newer chipset, while the 17 Pro boasts faster charging and a slightly older, but more powerful, processor. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro emerges as the better choice. While the Camon 18T benefits from a newer chipset, the 17 Pro’s Helio G95 provides a noticeable performance edge, coupled with faster 25W/33W charging, offsetting the identical battery endurance rating. The camera experience is likely similar, making the 17 Pro the more well-rounded package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 30 | 2021, May 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 30 | Available. Released 2021, June 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 168.9 x 76.7 x 8.9 mm (6.65 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 168.9 x 77 x 9 mm (6.65 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| 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 MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 8.0 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 48 MP, (wide) | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 48 MP, (wide) | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W / 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Iris purple, Dusk Gray, Ceramic White | California Silver, Malibu Blue |
| Models | - | CG8, CG8h |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 280 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 140h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 781:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 309107 (v8)
GeekBench: 1668 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 18T
- Newer chipset (Helio G85)
- Potential for longer software support
- Competitive price point
- Slower charging (18W)
- Less powerful processor than the 17 Pro
- Limited performance gains over the 17 Pro
Tecno Camon 17 Pro
- More powerful processor (Helio G95)
- Faster charging (25W/33W)
- Slightly brighter display
- Older chipset
- Potentially shorter software support lifespan
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Both the Camon 18T and 17 Pro share a similar display profile, with a 781:1 contrast ratio. However, the 17 Pro’s measured peak brightness of 538 nits provides a slightly more vibrant viewing experience in direct sunlight. While neither device boasts high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO, the consistent contrast ratio suggests a comparable visual experience for everyday use. Bezels are likely similar, given the shared target market and form factor.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are marketed heavily on their camera capabilities, but specific sensor details are lacking. Given the shared branding, image processing is likely similar. The absence of information regarding sensor size and aperture makes a direct comparison difficult. However, focusing on the processor, the G95 in the 17 Pro will likely handle image processing tasks slightly faster, potentially leading to quicker shot-to-shot times and more efficient HDR processing. The inclusion of 'Photo/Video' as a feature on both suggests a similar feature set, but the G95’s ISP will likely provide a slight edge.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Camon 17 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G95 (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) offers a clear advantage over the Camon 18T’s Helio G85 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55). The G95 utilizes slightly faster Cortex-A76 cores, resulting in improved CPU performance and a more capable GPU for gaming. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements in the G95 translate to a smoother experience with demanding applications. The 18T’s newer chipset doesn’t necessarily equate to better real-world performance in this instance.
Battery Life
Both the Camon 18T and 17 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 140 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the 17 Pro’s charging capabilities are significantly faster, supporting 25W/33W wired charging compared to the 18T’s 18W. This translates to a substantially quicker 0-100% charge time, a crucial advantage for users who prioritize convenience. While the battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the 17 Pro effectively mitigates any potential difference in capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 18T if you prioritize a slightly newer chipset and anticipate needing future software updates for longer. Buy the Tecno Camon 17 Pro if you value faster charging speeds, a more powerful processor for gaming and multitasking, and are comfortable with a slightly older platform. Both phones excel in the camera department for their price point, but the 17 Pro offers a more complete experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G95 in the Camon 17 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Helio G95 is a capable gaming chipset. While not a flagship processor, it can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The G95’s GPU provides a noticeable performance boost over the G85 in the Camon 18T, resulting in a smoother gaming experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Camon 17 Pro with the 33W charger?
While Tecno doesn't provide exact figures, a 33W charger should fully charge the Camon 17 Pro from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is significantly faster than the Camon 18T’s 18W charging, which will likely take over 3 hours.
❓ Is the camera quality significantly different between the two phones, considering they both emphasize camera features?
Without detailed sensor specifications, it's difficult to quantify a significant difference. However, the Helio G95’s image signal processor (ISP) in the Camon 17 Pro is more powerful, potentially leading to faster image processing and slightly better image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Expect similar results in good lighting.
