The Tecno Camon 40 and Realme C51s represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they diverge significantly in their core hardware. The Camon 40 leverages MediaTek’s Helio G100 Ultimate, while the C51s opts for Unisoc’s Tiger T612. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Tecno Camon 40 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Helio G100 Ultimate chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Realme C51s’ 12nm Tiger T612. Coupled with faster 45W charging, the Camon 40 offers a more responsive and convenient user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, March 03 | 2024, March 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, May | Available. Released 2024, March 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 74.6 x 7.3 mm (6.46 x 2.94 x 0.29 in) | 167.2 x 76.7 x 7.5 mm (6.58 x 3.02 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 177.2 g (6.24 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda King Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.9 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 560 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G100 Ultimate (6 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, HIOS 15 | Android 13, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 50% in 23 min, 100% in 43 min | 33W wired, 0-50% in 28 min |
| Type | 5200 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Emerald Lake Green, Galaxy Black, Glacier White, Emerald Glow Green | Shiny Green, Mighty Black |
| Models | CM5 | RMX3765 |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
Tecno Camon 40
- Faster 45W charging for quicker top-ups.
- More powerful Helio G100 Ultimate chipset for smoother performance.
- 6nm process offers better power efficiency.
- Potential for slightly higher price compared to the C51s.
- No specific details on display quality.
Realme C51s
- Potentially lower price point.
- Decent charging speed for basic users.
- Unisoc Tiger T612 is adequate for light tasks.
- 12nm process is less efficient, potentially impacting battery life.
- Slower performance compared to the Helio G100 Ultimate.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, the absence of detailed display specs necessitates a focus on processing power as the differentiating factor. The Realme C51s’ display is likely to be adequate for everyday use, but the Camon 40’s superior chipset could contribute to smoother scrolling and animations, indirectly enhancing the visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. The Helio G100’s ISP is likely more capable than the Tiger T612’s, potentially resulting in better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and lens apertures makes it impossible to definitively declare a winner, but the Camon 40’s stronger processing power gives it an edge.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Camon 40’s MediaTek Helio G100 Ultimate (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the Realme C51s’ Unisoc Tiger T612 (12nm). The 6nm fabrication process inherently offers better power efficiency and thermal performance, translating to sustained performance under load. While both CPUs feature a similar octa-core configuration (2x high-performance cores + 6x efficiency cores), the Cortex-A76 cores in the Helio G100 are architecturally superior to the Cortex-A75 cores in the Tiger T612, delivering a performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. This advantage will be most noticeable in gaming and demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Realme C51s offers 33W charging, achieving a 0-50% charge in 28 minutes. The Tecno Camon 40, with its 45W charging, is significantly faster, reaching 50% in just 23 minutes and a full charge in 43 minutes. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the more efficient 6nm Helio G100 in the Camon 40 should contribute to comparable, if not better, real-world battery life despite the faster charging. The faster charging speed is a tangible benefit for users who need to quickly top up their phone.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 40 if you prioritize performance for gaming or multitasking and value faster charging speeds. This phone is ideal for users who frequently switch between apps or enjoy mobile games. Buy the Realme C51s if your primary concern is maximizing battery life and you primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media browsing. It’s a solid option for those on a very tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Realme C51s struggle with graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T612 is likely to struggle with PUBG Mobile at higher settings. While playable at low settings, users should expect frame drops and a less-than-optimal gaming experience. The Tecno Camon 40’s Helio G100 Ultimate offers a significantly better gaming experience, allowing for higher settings and smoother gameplay.
❓ How much faster is the 45W charging on the Tecno Camon 40 compared to the 33W charging on the Realme C51s in real-world use?
The Tecno Camon 40’s 45W charging provides a noticeable time saving. Reaching 50% charge in 23 minutes versus 28 minutes on the C51s translates to roughly 5 minutes saved for a partial charge. More significantly, a full charge takes 43 minutes on the Camon 40 compared to an unspecified, but likely longer, time on the C51s. This is a substantial benefit for users who frequently need to quickly recharge their device.
❓ Is the difference in chipset architecture (Cortex-A76 vs Cortex-A75) noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
While the difference might not be immediately apparent in basic tasks like browsing and social media, the Cortex-A76 cores in the Helio G100 offer a more responsive experience when multitasking or switching between apps. The Camon 40 will feel snappier and more fluid overall, even during everyday use.