Tecno Camon 30S Pro vs Google Pixel 7a: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Camon 30S Pro and Google Pixel 7a represent compelling options. The Pixel 7a, leveraging Google’s Tensor G2 chip, promises a refined software experience and strong camera capabilities. Meanwhile, the Tecno Camon 30S Pro aims to undercut the competition with a focus on fast charging and a potentially aggressive price point, powered by the Mediatek Helio G100.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a seamless software experience and consistently excellent camera performance, the Google Pixel 7a is the better choice. However, the Tecno Camon 30S Pro offers significantly faster charging and could appeal to those who prioritize speed and value over software polish.

PHONES
Phone Names Tecno Camon 30S Pro Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8
Launch
Announced2024, July 302023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, AugustAvailable. Released 2023, May 10
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.6 x 74.6 x 7.8 mm (6.48 x 2.94 x 0.31 in)152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight-193.5 g (6.84 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 109.9 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (HBM)OLED, HDR, 90Hz
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G100 (6 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, HIOS 14Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS Auxiliary lenses-
VideoYes4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual-LED flashHDR, panorama
Single50 MP, AF13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
VideoYes4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
BluetoothYes5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANYesWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging45W wired, 0-100% in 45 min 20W wireless18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsInterstellar Grey, Pearl Gold, Shim Silver GreenCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
ModelsCLA6GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
Price-€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980

Tecno Camon 30S Pro

  • 45W Wired & 20W Wireless Charging
  • Potentially Lower Price
  • Fast Charging Convenience

  • Less Refined Software Experience
  • Likely Inferior Camera Image Processing

Google Pixel 7a

  • Superior Software Experience (Clean Android)
  • Excellent Camera Image Processing
  • Strong CPU Performance (Tensor G2)

  • Slow 18W Wired Charging
  • No Wireless Charging

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a boasts a measured peak brightness of 1070 nits, suggesting a vibrant and easily viewable display in outdoor conditions. While the Tecno Camon 30S Pro’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be a standard AMOLED panel. The Pixel 7a’s brightness advantage is significant, especially for users who frequently consume content outdoors. The absence of LTPO technology in either phone suggests neither offers adaptive refresh rates for power saving, a feature increasingly common in this price bracket.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7a is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s image processing algorithms. While specific sensor details aren’t provided, the Pixel’s strength lies in its software optimization. The Tecno Camon 30S Pro’s camera specifications are not detailed enough to make a direct comparison, but the brand often focuses on high megapixel counts. However, megapixel count isn’t everything; the Pixel 7a’s image processing and dynamic range capabilities are likely to surpass the Tecno’s, especially in challenging lighting conditions. We can assume the Pixel 7a will deliver more consistent and refined images.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2, fabricated on a 5nm process, features a tri-cluster configuration with 2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 cores for peak performance, 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 cores for sustained tasks, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. This contrasts with the Tecno Camon 30S Pro’s Mediatek Helio G100 (6nm), utilizing a dual-cluster setup with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Tensor G2’s more advanced architecture and smaller fabrication node should translate to superior CPU and GPU performance, particularly in demanding applications and games. The Pixel 7a will likely exhibit better sustained performance due to superior thermal management capabilities inherent in the 5nm process.

Battery Life

The Pixel 7a has an endurance rating of 76 hours, indicating solid battery life. However, its 18W wired charging is comparatively slow. The Tecno Camon 30S Pro significantly outpaces the Pixel 7a with 45W wired charging, promising a 0-100% charge in just 45 minutes. It also offers 20W wireless charging, a feature absent on the Pixel 7a. While the Pixel 7a’s battery endurance is respectable, the Tecno’s charging speed provides a substantial convenience advantage for users who frequently need to top up their devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the Tecno Camon 30S Pro if you need blazing-fast 45W wired and 20W wireless charging, and are comfortable with a less refined software experience. You'll benefit from quicker top-ups and potentially a lower upfront cost. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prefer a clean, optimized Android experience, exceptional camera image processing, and guaranteed software updates, even if it means slower charging and a potentially higher price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Helio G100 in the Tecno Camon 30S Pro struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
While the Helio G100 is a capable chip, the Google Tensor G2 in the Pixel 7a offers significantly more GPU power. Expect to need lower graphics settings and potentially experience more frame drops in demanding titles on the Tecno Camon 30S Pro compared to the Pixel 7a.
❓ How does the 18W charging on the Pixel 7a compare to the charging speeds of other phones in this price range?
18W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. Many competitors, including the Tecno Camon 30S Pro with its 45W charging, offer significantly faster charging speeds. Expect a full charge to take considerably longer on the Pixel 7a.
❓ Is the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens on either phone a significant drawback?
Both phones rely on digital zoom, which degrades image quality. While the Pixel 7a’s software processing can mitigate this to some extent, a dedicated telephoto lens would provide superior zoomed images. This is a trade-off for keeping the phones at their respective price points.
❓ How long will the Pixel 7a receive software and security updates?
Google typically provides at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates for its Pixel devices. This is a significant advantage over many other Android phones, ensuring your device remains secure and up-to-date for a longer period.