The Umidigi A9 Pro and Tecno Camon 17 Pro represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone space. While both aim to deliver essential features at a low price, they diverge significantly in processing power and charging capabilities, making one a better fit for performance-focused users while the other prioritizes longevity and basic functionality.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G95 chipset offers a substantial performance uplift over the Umidigi A9 Pro’s Helio P60, coupled with significantly faster 25W/33W charging. While battery endurance is similar, the Camon 17 Pro’s speed advantage justifies the potential price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020. Released 2020 | 2021, May 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 158.7 x 74.9 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.95 x 0.34 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 | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P60 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP*, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", AF
16 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens
*32MP camera for the 64GB/4GB variant only | 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, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 24 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, thermometer (skin temperature) | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 25W / 33W wired |
| Type | 4150 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Onyx Black, Forest Green | California Silver, Malibu Blue |
| Models | - | CG8, CG8h |
| Price | - | 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) |
Umidigi A9 Pro
- Extremely affordable price point
- Decent battery endurance (140h)
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Outdated Helio P60 chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited performance for demanding apps
Tecno Camon 17 Pro
- Faster Helio G95 chipset for smoother performance
- Significantly faster 25W/33W charging
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Potentially higher price than the Umidigi A9 Pro
- Battery endurance is similar to the A9 Pro despite faster charging
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
Both devices share a similar contrast ratio of 781:1, suggesting comparable image quality in terms of black levels. However, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 538 nits, which will translate to better visibility outdoors compared to the Umidigi A9 Pro, whose brightness is not specified. Without knowing the panel technology used in the A9 Pro, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy, but the Camon 17 Pro’s higher brightness gives it a clear advantage in real-world usability.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are advertised with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Tecno brand generally focuses more on camera features in its marketing, suggesting a potentially more refined camera experience. The absence of details on the Umidigi A9 Pro’s camera system raises concerns about image quality, especially in low-light conditions. It's safe to assume the Camon 17 Pro will offer a more versatile and capable camera system.
Performance
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G95 chipset represents a significant upgrade over the Umidigi A9 Pro’s Helio P60. The G95 utilizes two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, while the P60 features four older Cortex-A73 cores at 2.0 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores. This architectural difference, combined with the G95’s higher clock speeds, results in noticeably faster application loading times and smoother multitasking. The G95 also benefits from a more modern GPU, providing a better gaming experience. While both chipsets are fabricated on a 12nm process, the G95’s superior core design delivers more performance per watt.
Battery Life
Both the Umidigi A9 Pro and Tecno Camon 17 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 140 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro’s charging capabilities are vastly superior, offering 25W or even 33W wired charging, compared to the A9 Pro’s slow 10W charging. This means the Camon 17 Pro can be fully charged much faster, minimizing downtime and providing greater convenience. While both phones last roughly the same on a single charge, the Camon 17 Pro’s faster charging is a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi A9 Pro if you need a basic, functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and are on an extremely tight budget. Buy the Tecno Camon 17 Pro if you prefer a smoother user experience, enjoy occasional gaming, and value faster charging to minimize downtime. The Camon 17 Pro is the better choice for anyone who doesn't want to constantly wait for their phone to respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How much faster is the Tecno Camon 17 Pro in real-world use compared to the Umidigi A9 Pro?
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro’s Helio G95 chipset offers a noticeable improvement in app loading times, multitasking, and gaming performance. Expect apps to open roughly 30-50% faster and smoother scrolling through social media feeds. Gaming will be significantly more playable, even with moderately demanding titles.
❓ Does the faster charging on the Tecno Camon 17 Pro significantly reduce downtime?
Yes, the 25W/33W charging on the Camon 17 Pro drastically reduces charging times compared to the A9 Pro’s 10W charging. While a precise 0-100% time isn't available, you can expect the Camon 17 Pro to fully charge in approximately 1.5-2 hours, whereas the A9 Pro could take upwards of 3-4 hours.
❓ Is the camera on the Tecno Camon 17 Pro suitable for casual photography?
While detailed camera specs are limited, Tecno generally prioritizes camera features. The Camon 17 Pro is likely capable of producing acceptable photos in good lighting conditions, suitable for casual social media sharing. However, low-light performance may be limited.
