The Umidigi Note 100A and Tecno Camon 17 Pro represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone space. While both aim to deliver a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches. The Note 100A focuses on providing a functional device at an extremely low price point, while the Camon 17 Pro attempts to elevate the experience with a more powerful chipset and a focus on camera capabilities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and camera quality, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro is the better choice. Its Helio G95 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Umidigi Note 100A’s Unisoc T615, making it more suitable for gaming and demanding applications. However, the Note 100A remains a viable option for basic users on a tight budget.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, February 13 | 2021, May 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, February | Available. Released 2021, June 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 167.8 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm (6.61 x 3.05 x 0.30 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~258 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T615 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | 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, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W / 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rock Black, Interstellar Blue, Lake Green, Starry White | California Silver, Malibu Blue |
| Models | - | CG8, CG8h |
| Price | About 130 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) |
Umidigi Note 100A
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Decent battery endurance (140h)
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Camon 17 Pro
- Likely inferior camera quality
- Slower charging speeds
Tecno Camon 17 Pro
- More powerful Helio G95 chipset for smoother performance
- Faster charging speeds (25W/33W)
- Potentially better camera quality
- Higher price compared to the Umidigi Note 100A
- Similar battery endurance rating to the Note 100A
- Contrast ratio is only nominal
Display Comparison
Both devices offer 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 Note 100A, whose brightness is not specified. The lack of information regarding panel technology (IPS, AMOLED) for the Umidigi Note 100A makes it difficult to assess color accuracy and viewing angles, while the Camon 17 Pro likely utilizes an IPS panel given its contrast ratio.
Camera Comparison
Both phones advertise photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the Umidigi Note 100A. The Tecno Camon 17 Pro likely features a more sophisticated camera system, potentially including a higher-resolution main sensor and optical image stabilization (OIS), though this is not confirmed in the provided data. The absence of details on the Note 100A’s camera setup suggests it will likely struggle to compete with the Camon 17 Pro in image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Ignoring the likely inclusion of low-resolution macro/depth sensors on both devices, the G95’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) will also contribute to better image processing.
Performance
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm) significantly outperforms the Umidigi Note 100A’s Unisoc T615 (12nm). The G95 features a more powerful CPU configuration – 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores versus the Note 100A’s 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 cores – resulting in faster application loading times and smoother multitasking. The G95’s Mali-G76 MC4 GPU also provides a substantial boost in graphics performance, making the Camon 17 Pro the clear winner for gaming. While both chipsets are built on a 12nm process, the architectural improvements in the G95 deliver a more efficient and powerful experience.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 140 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro offers faster charging options – 25W/33W – compared to the Umidigi Note 100A’s 20W charging. This means the Camon 17 Pro can replenish its battery more quickly, reducing downtime. While the mAh capacity isn't specified for either device, the faster charging speeds of the Camon 17 Pro provide a practical advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi Note 100A if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Tecno Camon 17 Pro if you prioritize smoother performance for gaming, better camera quality for photos and videos, and faster charging speeds, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Helio G95 in the Tecno Camon 17 Pro capable of running demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio G95 is a capable gaming chipset. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The G95's Mali-G76 MC4 GPU provides sufficient graphics power for a smooth gaming experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Umidigi Note 100A with its 20W charger?
While a precise charging time isn't available, with a 20W charger, expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours. This is slower than the Tecno Camon 17 Pro's 25W/33W charging capabilities.
❓ Does the Unisoc T615 in the Umidigi Note 100A struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Unisoc T615 is a budget chipset and will exhibit noticeable slowdowns when multitasking with numerous apps open simultaneously. It's best suited for running one or two apps at a time to maintain a responsive user experience.
❓ What kind of camera performance can I expect from the Tecno Camon 17 Pro in low-light conditions?
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro, with its Helio G95 chipset and potentially larger sensor, should perform better in low-light conditions than the Umidigi Note 100A. Expect usable images with some noise, but don't anticipate flagship-level low-light performance. The ISP within the G95 will help with noise reduction and detail preservation.
