The Umidigi Power 5S 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 their core components, particularly in processing power and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and faster charging, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G95 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Umidigi Power 5S’s Unisoc Tiger T310, and the 25W/33W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Power 5S remains a viable option for those on an extremely tight budget.
| 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 | 2021. Released 2021 | 2021, May 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 76.9 x 9.9 mm (6.49 x 3.03 x 0.39 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 | 215 g (7.58 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.2% 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 | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T310 (12nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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 |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 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 | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 25W / 33W wired |
| Type | 6150 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Grey, Jade Green, Sapphire Blue | 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 Power 5S
- Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset (though endurance rating is the same)
- Lower price point (likely)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly slower performance
- Extremely slow 10W charging
- Likely inferior camera quality
Tecno Camon 17 Pro
- Faster and more responsive performance with the Helio G95
- Much faster 25W/33W charging
- Likely better camera system with potential OIS
- Potentially slightly shorter battery life under heavy load
- Higher price compared to the Umidigi Power 5S
- May experience more thermal throttling during prolonged gaming
Display Comparison
Both phones 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 Power 5S, for which brightness data is unavailable. Without knowing the panel technology used in the Power 5S, it's difficult to assess color accuracy or viewing angles, but the Camon 17 Pro’s higher brightness gives it a clear advantage in real-world usability.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are advertised with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specifics are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro, being a 'Pro' model, likely features a more sophisticated camera system. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) – a common feature in Tecno’s Pro line – would be a significant advantage for low-light photography and video recording. The Umidigi Power 5S likely relies on software processing to compensate for image stabilization, which is less effective. We can assume the Camon 17 Pro will deliver more detailed and higher-quality images.
Performance
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G95 is the dominant force here. Its octa-core configuration, featuring two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz, significantly outperforms the Umidigi Power 5S’s quad-core Unisoc Tiger T310 (2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55). The G95’s more modern architecture and higher core count will result in noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The 12nm process node is shared between both chipsets, so thermal management differences will likely stem from the G95’s superior efficiency under load. The Power 5S will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 140 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the Tecno Camon 17 Pro’s 25W/33W charging capability is a game-changer. While the Umidigi Power 5S is limited to a slow 10W charge, the Camon 17 Pro can replenish its battery much faster, minimizing downtime. A full charge on the Power 5S will take considerably longer, making it less convenient for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi Power 5S if you need a phone primarily for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and battery longevity is paramount. You're willing to sacrifice performance for extended uptime. Buy the Tecno Camon 17 Pro if you prefer a smoother user experience, enjoy occasional gaming, and value faster charging speeds to minimize time tethered to a wall outlet. You're willing to spend a bit more for a noticeable performance boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G95 in the Tecno Camon 17 Pro get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G95 is known to generate some heat under sustained load. While the 12nm process helps, prolonged gaming at high settings may lead to thermal throttling, reducing performance slightly. However, the cooling system in the Camon 17 Pro should mitigate this to a reasonable extent, and it will still outperform the Umidigi Power 5S significantly.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Umidigi Power 5S realistically usable in 2024?
10W charging is exceptionally slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take several hours, potentially exceeding 5-6 hours from a completely depleted battery. This makes it inconvenient for users who need a quick top-up and relies heavily on overnight charging.
❓ How much of a performance difference will I see between the Unisoc Tiger T310 and the MediaTek Helio G95 in everyday tasks?
You'll notice a significant difference. The Helio G95's more powerful cores and higher clock speeds will result in faster app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall experience. The Unisoc Tiger T310 will feel sluggish in comparison, especially when multitasking or running demanding apps.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can I expect from the Tecno Camon 17 Pro?
The Helio G95 can handle most popular mobile games at medium to high settings. You'll likely be able to play titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at 60fps with reasonable graphics settings. However, demanding games at maximum settings may require some compromises to maintain a stable frame rate.
