Tecno is known for creating low-cost smartphones for emerging markets, and its latest offering, the Tecno Spark 50 5G, borrows design cues from recent flagships while remaining easy on your wallet. I've been testing it for a couple of weeks now, and while I didn't expect much from a smartphone priced under $300, the Tecno Spark 50 5G managed to surprise me in a few ways.

That said, a larger battery and some useful AI features are compelling in a smartphone at this price point, but they unfortunately can't make up for its many other shortcomings. And while budget phones like this are known to make a number of compromises, the Tecno Spark 50 5G doesn't really make a strong case for itself.

A better-looking budget phone

One of the first things I noticed about the Tecno Spark 50 5G is that it's a very good-looking phone. The design is very similar to recent Pixel phones, such as the Pixel 10 series, thanks to the long, metal camera bar. It actually does a good job of hiding the fact that there's only one rear camera, which is a pretty good fakeout if you ask me.

The matte finish all around is a nice touch as well, helping it avoid picking up a ton of fingerprints.

The only sore spot of the design for me is the display, which is a very reflective 6.78-inch LCD panel. The bezels are very large, particularly the chin under the display, which is indicative of its budget pricing, while the panel itself is only 720p. At such a large size, the minimal resolution is very obvious, even with the help of the 120Hz panel.

It's also not a particularly bright display, so outdoor visibility isn't great, and its high reflectivity doesn't help.

On the plus side, the phone is surprisingly light, weighing just more than a Pixel 10, which is quite a bit smaller by comparison. It's also thinner than the Pixel 10 at just 8.2mm. That isn't exactly paper thin, but considering it's powered by a 6,500mAh battery, it's still impressive.

There are also some really nice color options, including the vibrant Fantasy Purple and Mint Green. The Champagne Gold color of my review unit is rather subtle and looks more like silver.

Mostly a struggle, with a few highlights

The Tecno Spark 50 5G may have the looks of a flagship phone, but it definitely doesn't perform like one. The MediaTek Dimensity 6400 seems to struggle with even the simplest of tasks, even when paired with 8GB of RAM. My daily use is fraught with constant stuttering and delays, and doing literally anything takes longer than it should to register with the device.

You might see a performance boost with additional virtual RAM, but don't expect a miracle. That goes for gaming, which somehow isn't as bad as everything else, but you won't be playing games like Honkai: Star Rail on the highest settings. You can probably get away with medium settings at 60 fps, but even then it feels like the phone is reaching its limits, though it only gets noticeably warm around the camera bar.

Speaking of the camera, performance issues extend to the single rear camera, which lags quite a bit when the viewfinder turns on. And don't expect the Tecno Spark 50 5G to capture particularly impressive images; you can get decent shots in good daylight, but photos generally lack detail and are often very noisy or overexposed. It doesn't get any better with low-light photos either.

The bright side is that the camera comes with a neat Vlog feature that lets you create stylized videos via a series of clips. The camera will guide you on which type of clip you should capture for each scene and then stitch them together into a nice video ready for social media.

Fortunately, battery life on the Tecno Spark 50 5G is one area where the phone performs well. I easily manage well over a day with a single charge, and the phone also supports 45W charging and comes with a charger in the box. With it, you can go from 0-100% in roughly an hour, which isn't too bad given the battery's size.

AI for less

Since the Dimensity 6400 isn't a particularly powerful chip, you won't find much in the way of AI on the Tecno Spark 50 5G. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and Tecno manages to squeeze some useful and interesting features into the phone. For instance, the Gallery app still features the AI studio, which houses several AI-based editing features, including a shadow remover, reflection remover, AI eraser, and AI extender.

You shouldn't rely on on-device AI for any of these, so the quality of the features will depend on your network connection. AI eraser is decent, although reflection remover can never seem to find clearly defined reflections in images. Overall, they're pretty hit or miss, but you can always fall back on Google Photos AI editing features if need be.

The camera also has an AIGC Portrait feature that turns photos of people into AI creations, although the results are hardly ever flattering or particularly good.

Aside from the Gallery app, the Ella assistant is the main AI presence on the phone. You can access Ella pretty much the same way you'd trigger Gemini, and you can swap between the assistants if you prefer. In fact, Tecno makes it easy to switch AI models directly in the Ella overlay, including ChatGPT, Copilot, and Meta AI.

It's a useful feature at a time when consumers are using multiple AI models for different reasons, and switching between models even reveals how they respond differently to the same question. Even so, I still prefer Gemini and mainly use that as my default assistant app.

Ella also includes other useful features, like MindHub, which can save screenshots in a special folder alongside an AI summary of the content features in the image, allowing you to recall it later. It's similar to what we've seen in other devices, like recent Nothing Phone models, although the lack of a dedicated AI button means you have to tell Ella to remember the contents of your screen, which feels admittedly awkward.

You can also tell Ella to control aspects of the device. You can say something like "boost the performance" or "raise the brightness of the screen," and it will execute them almost instantly. It even responded with "Brightness goes up!" after increasing the screen brightness, which I found kind of amusing.

And of course, Circle to Search is built-in, so no matter which AI assistant you choose, you can access Gemini with a quick long-press of the home button/bar.

Verdict

Tecno hasn't specified pricing or which markets the Tecno Spark 50 5G is available in, so I recommend checking your local retailers and Tecno's website for more details. In India, for example, the phone is available for roughly under $300, depending on the configuration.

That said, the Tecno Spark 50 5G is a phone for everyone, even if it isn't the phone for everyone. Performance and camera quality leave a lot to be desired, but battery life, capable AI features, and a strong design almost make up for it, so long as you can navigate through some bloatware. However, if you can splurge for something much better, you might wanna consider the Tecno Camon 50 Ultra instead.

What you need to know

• Tecno has announced EllaClaw, a new mobile AI agent based on OpenClaw.
• EllaClaw will include natural-language automation, cross-app data integration, and the ability to surface relevant information when needed.
• Tecno will release more details about EllaClaw and user recruitment for the beta, which is set to release in the coming months.

As Tecno continues to evolve its "Practical AI" approach, the company is introducing its latest evolution with OpenClaw. The new EllaClaw AI agent is powered by OpenClaw, bringing the open-source AI agent platform to smartphones for the first time and aiming to bring more advanced AI functions to emerging markets.

OpenClaw is one of the latest AI platforms to garner significant interest from companies such as Nvidia. Unlike many typical AI chatbots, OpenClaw is focused on automation; completing tasks on behalf of the user and with minimal user input. It's also open-source, so companies can take it and build upon it, which is what Tecno is doing for its smartphones.

EllaClaw takes the Tecno's Ella AI assistant and injects OpenClaw's framework into it. This allows the new EllaClaw to integrate with Tecno phones at the system level, with capabilities tuned to the smartphone and its user. As a result, EllaClaw will be able to handle a few different use cases we've already seen on other smartphones. For example, EllaClaw will be able to handle multi-step actions from just a single sentence, using natural language.

But even more than that, EllaClaw will be able to handle multi-app integration, so a task can be carried over from one app to another while the AI agent performs it. This means managing data across your texts, calendar, notes, or weather apps, where you could, for example, have EllaClaw create an easily digestible schedule by aggregating all the available information.

One popular use of AI is summarizing and prioritizing notifications from messaging apps, something we've seen with the latest Galaxy S26 series. EllaClaw can also accomplish this while taking it a step further by highlighting important messages and those you can probably delete.

Finally, Similar to features like Magic Cue and Now Nudge on the Pixel 10 and Galaxy S26, respectively, Tecno is turning Ella into a much more proactive assistant with OpenClaw. EllaClaw will learn about a user's habits over time and surface relevant information when needed, reducing friction for consumers.

Regarding user data, Tecno ensures that EllaClaw has built-in privacy safeguards, with user data isolated and inaccessible to third parties or unauthorized users, which should put Tecno owners at ease.

Tecno tells us that users will be able to beta test EllaClaw "in the coming months," and more details about the beta and registration will come soon.

Android Central's take

After testing Tecno's latest Camon 50 Ultra, which is packed with AI features, it's fascinating to see how quickly the company is moving as it tries to bring more advanced features to more markets, at arguably lower prices than the competition. EllaClaw sounds a lot like what we're getting from two of the largest players in the smartphone business, Google and Samsung, with similar features to boot. However, it'll be interesting to see how the UI evolves throughout the OS.

On the one hand, using OpenClaw is smart, as it allows Tecno to easily create and tailor AI automation for its smartphones with an open-source tool. That said, OpenClaw has received as much scrutiny as it has praise, and even though Tecno ensures user data protection, we will watch this development closely.

Tecno remains a relatively small player in the broader Android ecosystem, but the company continues to push the boundaries of technology in emerging markets while keeping prices well below those of its competitors. It's this expertise that has made the company embrace "practical AI" that can be truly useful for its consumers, and much of this can be seen in the rather excellent Tecno Camon 50 Ultra.

The latest entry in the Camon series has a heavy focus on AI, more than I remember seeing from previous Tecno devices, and while it may seem overwhelming to some, I think the phone does a great job pushing its chipset by providing as many AI features as it can in a package that looks great and performs well at an accessible price.

When you first hold the Camon 50 Ultra, it feels thinner than its gigantic 6,500mAh battery would suggest. Part of that is due to the slight curve of the display and the more prominent curve of the back panel. The effect is actually quite nice, and the phone looks and feels surprisingly premium. It's also light at just 178g, weighing not much more than the Galaxy S25 Edge, which is frankly impressive.

In fact, several people have mistaken the Camon 50 Ultra for the Galaxy S26 Ultra because its rear camera design is strikingly similar to Samsung's.

On the front, the 6.78-inch AMOLED display is gorgeous and bright, with a 1.5K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate that makes everything incredibly fluid. The bezels are fairly minimal as well and appear even smaller due to the slightly curved display. And while curved screens are often pretty troublesome for me, I find I haven't been bothered by any accidental touches.

When you first turn on the Camon 50 Ultra, you're introduced to Ella, Tecno's AI assistant, who guides you through setup, making a usually monotonous task somewhat enjoyable. It's also a precursor to just how AI-focused this phone is, which becomes fairly evident as you go further into the process.

After setting up the phone, I was immediately surprised by how fluid and responsive everything felt. The home screen icons almost float onto the screen, apps stack upwards when sliding up to open the app drawer, and the quick settings menu seems to inflate open.

The UI itself feels like a mix of Samsung's One UI and Apple's iOS. Many UI elements, such as the aforementioned quick settings menu, are visually similar to liquid glass with a very translucent effect. However, the effect isn't quite as in-your-face as Apple's divisive UI, which I quite like. Meanwhile, Tecno's HiOS 16 takes after Samsung's One UI in other ways, such as how notification bubbles stack over each other until tapped to reveal the entire stack.

Even the settings menu resembles Samsung's, with options grouped together, colorful icons, and a persistent search bar at the bottom.

Another way the Camon 50 Ultra reminds me of Samsung is in its approach to making its AI features accessible. When you're typing somewhere, you can easily access AI writing tools by selecting a section of text, which lets you rewrite, proofread, generate text, or summarize. If you press and hold two fingers on the display, you can activate Ella Smart Touch, which is similar to Circle to Search or Samsung's AI Select, and Ella can describe whatever you highlight or extract text from the screen.

The AI Gallery app is also packed with fun AI features. Similar to Samsung's Gallery app, these can be easily accessed by tapping the floating sparkle icon, which will intelligently suggest AI actions based on the image. For instance, if your subject is too far away, it might suggest AI Auto Zoom, or if it notices a glare in the photo, it will surface the AI Flare Remover to make the image clearer.

The full suite of AI editing options is also accessible in the Edit field, including AI Art Studio, a fun way to change the style of your photos to look like Picasso, Van Gogh, or even anime.

The Camon 50 Ultra also integrates many of its AI features into the camera app, and I feel like this is where Tecno takes things a step further than Samsung. Instead of waiting until after I capture an image to add any AI flair, I can enable Auto Zoom directly in the viewfinder or swipe to the AI Art Studio to preview how an image would look in a specific style before I capture it.

FlashSnap is one of the camera features I can see myself using quite often if I had a pet or kids, as it uses a high-speed shutter to capture 15 frames per second and uses AI to select the clearest image of the lot. It's insanely good at capturing fast-moving objects, much better than I've seen from other manufacturers.

But beyond the extra modes and features, the regular camera experience is surprisingly adequate. Photos taken during the day are quite good, and while some AI enhancements occur in the background, it does a good job of cleaning up the images and balancing the lighting. This is also the case at night, where the camera does a decent job reducing noise and retaining quite a bit of detail.

Tecno also highlights the capabilities of the 3x telephoto zoom lens, which supports up to 60x digital zoom. The results aren't too bad at various zoom levels up to 10x, although things can start to look a little muddy at 20x. Still, the AI does a good job of cleaning things up at this level and even makes 60x-zoom images legible, though AI upscaling appears to do quite a bit of heavy lifting, especially when text is involved.

Still, for a phone under $600, I'm quite pleased with the quality of images.

Now, Tecno has squeezed so much AI into this phone that it almost seems overwhelming, but thankfully, there's Zero Screen, a section to the left of the home screen, normally reserved for Google Discover. Here, you get an easily accessible hub of all the AI features you need, from image generation tools to translation and more general tools like problem-solving and document summarization.

This is also where you can talk to Ella, which has received a bit more of a Gemini-like remodel. You can type, talk, and even add files to the conversation. There's also a Gemini Live-like button that lets you start a more seamless conversation with the assistant or practice your English if you're trying to improve.

The Camon 50 Ultra actually takes an interesting approach with its AI, which you'll notice when you start using Ella. Tapping the top of the screen, you're actually able to change which AI model you want to chat with, including ChatGPT, Gemini, Meta AI, and Grok. You can easily switch between them and even compare how they handle queries, choosing whichever you prefer for any particular instance. It's similar to Motorola's approach of stuffing as many AI models into a phone as possible, and I appreciate the choice here.

This theme of choice extends to the One Tap button, which is essentially an AI button on the side that, when pressed, allows Ella to analyze your screen. You can easily view the results of these in MindHub, which stores select AI interactions and dialogue.

The One Tap button can also be customized, which is my favorite part. It defaults to the Ella Assistant, so you can press and hold it to speak to it, or you can change it to something like Gemini, though the integration isn't as seamless, and it will simply open the app rather than start a conversation.

Still, I love it when an OEM gives us an AI key that we can actually change to our liking (looking at you, Motorola).

Powering all of this is a mid-range MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultimate, which doesn't sound all that powerful, but I've yet to really find much of a limit to this chip in day-to-day use beyond gaming. You can get away with playing some heavier games like Honkai: Star Rail or Where Winds Meet, but don't expect a smooth experience on the highest settings. Otherwise, the phone performs exceptionally well, including in terms of battery life.

Furthermore, the massive 6,500mAh battery easily lasts all day and then some. I often go to bed without charging the phone after a full day of use, and I've averaged about 6-8 hours of screen-on time or more.

The only downside of such a big battery is that the 45W charging speed can't quite keep up; it takes about an hour and a half to go from empty to 100% (or just 33 minutes to reach 50%).

Fortunately, I couldn't find many downsides to the Camon 50 Ultra. It's a sleek phone with incredible battery life, great performance, and a solid trio of cameras. It's a phone that's all about choice and making AI accessible to the masses. Instead of spending $1,300 on a Galaxy S26 Ultra, for example, you can spend less than half that on this mid-range doppleganger, and you wouldn't miss a beat.

What you need to know

• Tecno unveiled the new Camon 50 series at MWC 2026.
• The Tecno Camon 50 Ultra has the highest-ranked camera of its price class.
• Tecno also unveiled new AI features and upgrades to the AI assistant, Ella.

There was plenty of news coming out of MWC 2026, and while Tecno was busy showing off its very interesting Modular Phone concept, the company also launched its new Camon 50 series, which includes the Camon 50, Camon 50 Pro, and Camon 50 Ultra.

The highlight is, of course, the Camon 50 Ultra, which sports a mid-range MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Utimate chipset. The phone features a slightly curved 1.5K 144Hz AMOLED display. On the back is a triple camera system headlined by the 50MP Sony LYTIA 700C for better low-light capture, while also featuring a 50MP 3x telephoto lens and up to 60x "SuperZoom."

To further enhance the camera experience, Tecno added some AI tricks like AI Auto Zoom, which can automatically frame and enhance a shot for the best composition. Images are also captures using Tecno's AI RAW 2.0 engine to improve clarity and better handle various lighting situations.

In fact, DXOMARK has declared the Camon 50 Ultra as the top camera for phones under $600.

Tecno is also packing a ton of AI features into this phone, including an AI Art Gallery that aims to recreate and reimagine your photos. For example, and Image-to-Video Generator lets you create short video clips from a still photo to give it more life, and 3D Photo space PhotoSpace gives photos more depth so they really pop on the screen.

The camera itself also comes with some useful AI enhancements, such as the ability to automatically remove flares, glares, and shadows to ensure your images are crisp.

But beyond imaging, Tecno has a whole hub of AI features available at your fingertips, and with the press of a button, you can access the upgraded Ella assistant, which can help with homework, scanning documents, and even learning English. Tecno also includes an AI Health Assistant, which could be an invaluable feature for consumers in areas where medical assistance is not readily available.

Keeping the lights on is a pretty massive 6,500mAh battery, which supports 45W charging. The phone is also built to last, thanks to an IP68/IP69/IP69K water and dust resistance rating.

Tecno has yet to disclose exact pricing and availability, but you can likely expect it to be available in regions across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.

Android Central's take

As far as the Camon 50 Ultra is concerned, it looks like Tecno has stepped it up both in term of design and its AI when compared to the Camon 40 Premier, which I reviewed last year. The suite of features looks quite impressive, and and upgraded Ella sounds like a possible win. The phone itself also looks quite good, with a very Galaxy S26 Ultra-like design that should appeal to plenty of consumers in countries where it will be available.

My only concern is the chipset; going from a Dimensity 8000-series chip to a 7000-series chip feels like a downgrade, but the latter is much newer, so the performance may not be as much of a downgrade.

MWC 2026 is in full force right now, and Tecno is showcasing new phones and devices. However, perhaps the most interesting device at Tecno's booth is one that feels like a bit of a throwback.

The Tecno Modular Phone harkens back to a time when modular phones were all the rage. Companies like Motorola and LG tried it, but it never took off. Google was also playing around with the idea of a modular phone, but it never came to fruition.

Now, Tecno is showing what's what possible in a world filled with MagSafe, though not relying on it to make it work.

The Tecno Modular Phone concept itself is incredibly thin; so thin, in fact, that it would make the iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge reach for the Ozempic. It's 4.9mm thick , which is so thin that it doesn't even have have a USB port. Instead, the phone features eight different "zones" where accessories attach magnetically to the back of the phone via pogo pins. Tecno showcased a whole suite of accessories that can be added to the phone for different purposes.

A telephoto extender, for example, extends the phone's zoom range beyond the sensor's, providing a zoom range from 3.5x to 10x. And if you want to take things much further, you can use the Tecno Telephoto Lens, a camera like camera-like grip that adds 10-20x zoom, using a sensor that itself has optical image stabilization.

Interestingly, you have to connect wirelessly to the Telephoto Lens as it uses the phone's display as a viewfinder. In my use, the viewfinder felt very laggy, but it could have been due to the environment (my Bluetooth earbuds were acting up).

According to Tecno, the phone uses a combination of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mmWave to connect to the modules, which should ensure a low-latency/high-bandwidth connection. That said, it's important to keep in mind that it is a concept, but it was cool to see the camera software adjust to the newly added hardware.

Other modules included things like a mic, a speaker, something that looked like a selfie mirror and light, and even a slick-looking antenna attachment that was said to boost your phone's connection, even when you can't seem to find one (which sounds too good to be true).

My favorite was probably the power bank, a 3,000mAh battery pack that measures just 4.5mm. And the best part is that Tecno's Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology allows multiple modules to be connected so, meaning you can have multiple slim battery packs for a boost in battery life, or you can turn the phone into the ultimate media device.

Tecno also showcased the devices and modules in two distinctive styles and colors, and you'd almost think they were two completely different phones.

What I was surprised to see was that this concept phone actually functioned. The screen turned on, I could scroll through apps, I could test the camera modules, and more. I don't know what chipset is being used to power the Modular Phone Concept, but given the "concept" part of the name, it doesn't matter anyway since there's little chance we'll actually see this hit the market.

It just feels highly impractical to expect consumers to carry around a suite of modules. The telephoto lens module, for example, is quite heavy, and nearly fell completely off and onto a hard surface when I tried to hand the phone to someone.

Modular phones also just haven't done well in the past, with Google canceling Project Ara, LG giving up on its "friends" experiment with the modular G5, and Motorola's admittedly excellent Moto Mods quickly falling into irrelevancy as the company did. The cost seem to outweigh the usefulness, with companies having to continuously invest in maintaining the modular accessories, but also on the consumer side, with buyers needing to justify spending money on a new smartphone and add-ons.

Ultimately, modular phones just aren't what consumers want, despite how cool they look.

Still, it's great to see Tecno trying "new" things, even if the Modular modular phone concept is a bit "been there, done that." I just just which some of Tecno's other concepts would make the light of day, such as the excellent Phantom Ultimate G trifold phone.

Whether we like it or not, 2026 is set to be a big year for AI, with companies like Google, Samsung, Meta, and more aiming to bring as many features to consumers as possible. As showcased with recent launches like the Galaxy S26 series, flashy new AI features are leading the conversation around new phones, and consumers are paying the price for such capabilities.

However, one company is taking a more practical approach to AI, one that it hopes can reach the consumers who really need it. Tecno may not be a company you’ve heard much about, but this relatively small OEM has big plans for its AI, which has helped to shape its product strategy, a beneficial partnership with Google Cloud, and new hardware that it plans to show off at MWC 2026.

Ahead of the big event, I spoke with a technical lead from Tecno's AI team, who shared insights into the growth of Tecno AI and what we can expect from the company this year.

The evolution of practical AI

When Tecno launched its AI vision in 2024, it adopted a very focused approach, aiming to bring useful AI features to the masses, not just those who could afford the most expensive flagship phones. The goal is to ensure that AI has a purpose for consumers in emerging markets, with features and capabilities that offer real value to those who may have only a smartphone as their main source of technology and communication.

This includes Ella, Tecno's AI assistant. "Ella has transformed significantly over the past year — from a voice command tool into a context-aware, proactive AI companion," I was told. It was explained that Ella has become more contextually aware, delivering "smarter suggestions" that are more based on what it knows about you and what's happening around you. For example, Ella could remind you to leave sooner for a flight if it notices upcoming inclement weather that may hinder your travel.

"The phone no longer waits passively for commands. It thinks, it predicts, it cares."

The AI lead explains how the interface has evolved to give users access to the most useful AI features. This includes productivity tools, smart living services, translation features, and more, all in one unified space.

But of course, it's about what the AI can do for the user and how it can make a more meaningful impact on their lives.

One example is the AI Image Eraser, which many people in places like London might use to remove strangers from the background of a photo. However, it could have a more important role elsewhere, such as for business owners in Nigeria.

"For them, AI Image Eraser is not a beautification tool — it is a 'livelihood assistant.' They use it to quickly remove messy backgrounds and distracting elements from product photos. No studio, no professional photography. With one tap, they generate clean, professional-looking product images — attracting more customers and directly driving sales."

"This is what we mean when we say Ella has evolved: she doesn’t just understand words. She understands context, culture, and what truly matters to our users."

Leveraging Google Cloud

Tecno knows that in order to make this happen, it needs a powerful LLM. This is why it partnered with Google Cloud, effectively combining Google's expertise with Tecno's local knowledge to bring truly "personal intelligence" for consumers in emerging markets.

"Powerful models and context-aware local AI are complementary," I was told. "In fact, we believe the future belongs to those who can combine both."

Tecno's collaboration with Google to leverage Gemini helps it optimize AI for the languages used in its largest market, including Hausa, Swahili, Arabic dialects, and more. However, it's also co-developing a new AI agent framework to enable a more actionable AI assistant, one that can execute cross-app tasks to help streamline processes.

In fact, Tecno is among the first manufacturers planned to integrate into the Google Agent ecosystem, and it hopes to build its own ecosystem that's more tailored to emerging markets.

"For us, powerful models are not about benchmarks. They are about solving local problems at scale."

Privacy matters

The AI lead has assured me that while Tecno continues to advance its AI capabilities, privacy remains a core principle. Where possible, the company will prioritize on-device AI processing, which we're finally starting to see trickle down to mid-range chipsets ideal for emerging markets.

"From daily reminders to contextual suggestions, Ella’s predictive capabilities are designed to run locally by default," I was told. "Cloud resources are only used when necessary and always with appropriate safeguards and user transparency."

The AI lead also notes that Tecno's "Practical AI" also means giving users better control over where their data goes and how it's handled. The company operates in over 70 countries with varying laws on data protection, and Tecno ensures that adhering to them is "not just a compliance obligation."

What we will see at MWC 2026

According to Tecno, AI has been the foundation of Tecno's product strategy, and we'll see that in full force at MWC 2026.

The company has already teased new devices such as the Camon 50 Ultra 5G, which features an AI button (something I love to see) for quick access to AI features like Ella, as well as a dedicated AI processor for improved photography and zoom capabilities.

"On the CAMON 50 Ultra, personal intelligence is brought to life in new and meaningful ways," I was told, as Tecno teased that real-world use cases were to be shared at MWC.

"What I can say is this: it’s not just smarter imaging. It’s AI that genuinely helps, in moments that matter."

But beyond the phone, Tecno is also teasing other AI-first devices, including a tablet, a smartwatch, and open-ear earbuds. Its products will come together using the company's OneLeap ecosystem, which lets users work across multiple devices for a unified experience.

As for Ella, we can expect even more growth for the AI assistant, including deeper multilingual intelligence, offline capabilities, and the ability to remember you across devices. This means you can move from one Tecno product, like AI glasses, to another with ease, allowing your preferences and tasks to move with you.

"We are not chasing benchmarks. We are building AI that adapts to the user’s real environment, real language, and real constraints. That is how we make advanced intelligence accessible, relevant, and truly personal for emerging markets."

What is Mobile World Congress and when is it?

Mobile World Congress (MWC) is an annual gathering of the biggest companies in the mobile tech world. It's where companies show off their latest devices, software, and everything awesome in-between. Pretty much anything used to keep you connected to the world around you, you'll find here.

The event happens in late February or early March and is always hosted in Barcelona, Spain. This year, it is from March 2 to 5.

Will Android Central be there — and what do we expect to see at MWC 2026?

Yes, Android Central is going this year! Managing Editor Derrek Lee, Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda, and senior contributors Brady Snyder and Sanuj Bhatia will all be present at MWC.

We expect a lot of announcements including some phone launches happening this year.

Here are a few of the companies we expect to be present at the event.

• AMD
• Arm
• AWS
• Meta
• Aurzen
• Clicks
• Fairphone
• Google
• Honor
• Lenovo
• MediaTek
• Nokia
• NVIDIA
• Qualcomm
• Samsung
• Samsung Display
• TCL
• Tecno
• TikTok
• Xiaomi

Keep checking this page, and check out our home page for all the news coming out of MWC 2026.

The TECNO Camon 40 Premier is one of the latest phones from a company you may not have heard of. It's the result of the company's relentless pursuit to bring high-end experiences to lower price points and markets, and it seems to hit the mark.

The phone uses a newer MediaTek chip primed for AI performance, which is smart because the Camon 40 Premier comes with a host of AI features to take advantage of. Beyond the software, the phone has a very capable camera system that incorporates the company's latest imaging advancements, and the battery life and charging specs far surpass those of many flagship phones in North America.

The TECNO Camon 40 Premier 5G feels like a full package despite some shortcomings and questionable (yet understandable) decisions.

TECNO Camon 40 Premier: Price, availability, and specs

The TECNO Camon 40 Premier was announced alongside the rest of the Camon 40 series during MWC 2025 on March 4, 2025.

The phone features a single configuration with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It also comes in black and green colorways.

As for pricing and availability, TECNO hasn't revealed too much at the moment, but the phone is not sold in North America. However, it will be available in other regions, including Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

The Camon 30 Premier started at a price of around ₹29,499, which is just under $350, so it stands to reason the Camon 40 Premier could cost somewhere in the same ballpark and maybe a bit more.

TECNO Camon 40 Premier: What I like

For a phone that costs less than $600, the TECNO Camon 40 Premier has a lot going for it. It sits in a weird but compelling space of phones that come with flagship features and performance but sub-flagship prices. This is a space occupied by phones like the Pixel 9 and OnePlus 13R, and the Camon 40 Premier emulates this fairly well.

The hardware is a big part of what makes this a great phone. The display is a 6.67-inch AMOLED that looks great, although it doesn't blow me away. It's plenty bright, the color profile is nicely tuned so that it's not oversaturated, and the 144Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smooth as butter.

Part of this has to do with the MediaTek Dimensity 8530 chip powering the phone. While it's an upper-midrange chipset, I have no complaints about performance. Nearly everything you do on this phone is executed quickly and effortlessly, which should come as no surprise for a chip that falls just under the flagship 9000-series chips.

This extends to gaming as well. One of my favorite games to play Honkai: Star Rail, which can be pretty taxing on a phone when played at the higher settings. Usually a phone will default to the settings it thinks it can handle, and the Camon 40 Premier was already set to "High" when I started up the game.

I decided that wasn't enough, so I turned things up to the highest graphics settings and at 60fps instead of the default 30fps. Surprisingly (or not), the phone is able to keep up just fine, and I did not notice much in the way of stuttering or massive frame rate drops.

The software experience overall is pretty solid, even if HiOS isn't my favorite Android skin. It runs Android 15 out of the box, and you'll get some of the more common Android flourishes that we see in phones these days, such as the separated notification shade and quick panel.

The smart panel is great for multitasking, while the Dynamic Port gives you a Dynamic Island-like (albeit fairly limited) experience.

However, I can't really talk about a new phone in 2025 without mentioning AI, especially as it's a big focus for this phone. TECNO recently announced its grand plans for TECNO AI, its suite of features that it's bringing to its smartphone portfolio to help bridge the gap between the $1000 phones of the world and the more affordable and accessible phones. What's great is that TECNO makes its AI very present for people who want to use it.

When you first turn on the Camon 40 Premier, you're taken through the setup process via TECNO's AI assistant, Ella. It's an early introduction to the phone's relationship with AI and gets you prepared for what's to come.

Once set up, swiping to the left of the home screen will unveil an AI hub of sorts called Zero Screen, where you can access a suite of TECNO AI features. Up top is Ella Briefing. Not to be confused with Samsung's Now Brief (although at least part of the idea is similar), it's a helpful "brief" up top to summarize and remind you of calendar events, notifications, and more.

There's also quite an abundance of AI tools you have access to, and while you'll easily find a lot of them throughout the UI, like AI Studio in the Gallery app, the Zero Screen puts them all pretty much at your fingertips and makes it easy for you to find use cases for them.

This includes creating AI-generated art using texts or drawings, translating from images or while in a conversation, summarizing documents or creating them from photos, and more.

For the most part, these features are pretty well-baked, and TECNO's AI feels like a pretty mature offering. Accessing the settings for TECNO AI feels very comparable to Galaxy AI on a Samsung phone, and many features are quite similar.

Going back to the idea of easy access, TECNO has implemented an Action Button of sorts called the One-Tap Button. Interestingly, tapping it once doesn't actually do anything, but you can customize the double-tap to open any app or perform certain functions like muting the ringer.

A long press of the button will evoke the Ella assistant, which is a nice alternative to using the power button, something that other Android OEMs (looking at you, Samsung) have defaulted to. I love the added functionality of the button, and I hope to see something more like this on other Android phones.

AI also makes its way into the camera, and the 50MP triple camera system is surprisingly good. TECNO has tuned the camera so that it can take better images in low-light conditions and also better reproduce more skin tones. In my experience, I've been able to take plenty of respectable photos. It's not the best, but it's quite good for this price range, and I doubt anyone would be disappointed in the camera.

I love that the Camon 40 Premier has a telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, something I feel is still pretty uncommon at this price point. It does well during the day, with photos taken at 6x coming out pretty crisp, although the sensor struggles a bit at night.

You can also take images at a moment's notice with FlashSnap, which can capture photos with a very high shutter speed while keeping the image crisp with reduced noise. So not only can it keep you from missing a moment, but it can also capture moments automatically based on the scene, which is pretty useful.

Finally, you'll be happy to know that battery life is superb. The 5,100mAh battery keeps the phone going all day, and I've been able to average about 7 hours or more of screen-on time. The 70W charging can also top up the phone in no time at all, with the phone going from 1-100% in just over 30 minutes. Take that, Samsung!

TECNO Camon 40 Premier: What I don't like

The TECNO Camon 40 Premier is a pretty solid phone, thanks to its IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance ratings. Unfortunately, it doesn't feel as solid as it is. The back panel, which has a fairly uninspired design despite the brightly colored green, feels pretty cheap in hand. I often just stick to the included case, which is much grippier and still features the same color.

I also found myself a bit put off by the amount of bloatware on the phone after setting it up. You'll likely spend quite a bit of time uninstalling various apps you may or may not have heard of or just don't want on your phone.

And speaking of things you may not want on your phone, TECNO's AI is mostly pretty well-rounded, but Ella feels like a lesser version of Gemini. Don't get me wrong, I think it's commendable that Ella even exists, as one of the biggest benefits of using Ella over other assistants is that it uses more local languages for better accessibility among developing and developed regions.

That said, despite Ella being integrated with Gemini, it just feels slower and doesn't display information in the same coherent way I would get with Gemini. For example, I asked Ella and Gemini about measles symptoms and if I should be concerned about contracting it due to the recent outbreak. Ella slowly spat out the information at me while Gemini relayed the information in a very clean manner, even creating clear lists within the app.

Also, TECNO has decided to integrate DeepSeek R1 into Ella, which is a curious decision. As a Chinese-based company, it makes sense to use the newest AI model, especially after it recently went pretty viral. However, given the privacy concerns, anyone outside of China may want to refrain from using it.

Fortunately, TECNO lets you choose when to use DeepSeek R1. When opening Ella, there's a very prominent DeepSeek R1 button that you can press to toggle the model on or off. It's nice that the option is there, even if I don't plan to use it.

Even better, you still have the option to use Gemini instead of Ella if you prefer. Unfortunately, that doesn't apply to the Ella One-Tap Button shortcut, but you can still set Gemini as the double-tap option to open the app (although it doesn't automatically enable voice input).

A more minor issue I have with the TECNO Camon 40 Premier is the lack of wireless charging. It's not a particularly big deal, as wireless charging is still not commonly found on midrange phones. Plus, the 70W charging more than makes up for its absence, but it is always nice to have the option.

Lastly, the in-display fingerprint sensor works quickly, but like the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 and Honor 200 Pro it's just way too low on the display, making it a bit awkward to use unless you're holding the phone in a specific way. Not a deal breaker, but definitely an annoyance.

TECNO Camon 40 Premier: Competition

For a phone at this price point, there are a number of similarly-priced cheap Android phones. The Pixel 9a is still very much new and only $499 despite its flagship-level Tensor G4 chipset. It is capable of many of the same AI features as the flagship Pixel 9 series, just at a fraction of the cost. That said, its hardware specs aren't nearly as robust, with slower charging, less RAM, and a lower refresh rate display. Plus, as of writing, the phone isn't on store shelves yet after it was delayed.

The Moto G Power 2025 is another contender in a similar price bracket as the Camon 40 Premier. It offers great value for the price and is a beautifully designed phone that features a vegan leather finish, great battery life, wireless charging, and an IP68/69 rating for protection. However, it has a less impressive MediaTek chip and is lacking int he AI department, making this a much less exciting phone than the Camon.

TECNO Camon 40 Premier: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if...

• You're looking for an affordable phone.
• You want a phone with fast charging.
• You want a good camera that can quickly capture moments.

You shouldn't buy this if...

• You live in North America.
• You need wireless charging.
• You don't want to deal with bloatware.

The Camon 40 Premier 5G is feels like it's TECNO's version of a Pixel. It's a fantastic midrange phone that has all the makings of a good flagship. The MediaTek chip is more than enough for what the phone is trying to accomplish, and the AI suite feels very comprehensive, even if some of its implementation could be improved.

Despite the lack of wireless charging and questionable choices with fingerprint sensor placement and selection of AI models, battery life and great camera quality make up for any shortcomings the phone may have, of which there are few. And while it's not sold in North America, the TECNO Camon 40 Premier 5G is a phone you should consider buying if it's in your market.

TECNO, a veteran in the Android world for more than a decade now, has made a name for itself in the budget smartphone market, especially in emerging regions. The Chinese company has been dipping its toes in the budget phone segment for the last several years, and now it has refreshed its Camon line with a new model.

The TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G might not be the first device you think of when shopping for an affordable Android phone, but it's stepping into the ring regardless. Does it have the chops to challenge the leading budget Android phones? We're about to find out.

TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G: Price and availability

The TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G retails for roughly $350, although price varies by market. The company says it is available to purchase across more than 70 countries, except the Western markets such as the United States. TECNO's markets include Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G: What I like

The TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G's most compelling attribute arguably lies within its camera system. This really shows TECNO's determination to earn the title of "flagship killer."

The phone is packed with a powerful quad-camera system, led by a 50MP Sony IMX890 main sensor. Supporting it are three additional 50MP cameras: a wide-angle lens for stunning landscapes, a macro lens for detailed close-ups, and a portrait lens. For selfies, there's a 50MP front camera with autofocus and eye-tracking capabilities.

TECNO's innovative PolarAce technology powers this impressive setup, featuring the Sony CXD5622G imaging chip. This chip is the first to offer "end-side FP16 floating-point computing with the power of 4.6TFLOPS@FP16."

The technical specs might sound complex, so let's break down what they mean for you. This phone promises sharper videos even in low light, thanks to AI noise reduction and HDR for balanced lighting. However, it's not all roses (more on that later). Regardless, the 4K portrait video feature allowed me to take high-resolution close-ups with a blurred background.

TECNO might be throwing around a lot of technical terms for its camera system, but the key takeaway is this: it uses a powerful dual-chip setup, featuring a Sony imaging chip, to deliver noticeably improved photos.

The Camon 30 Premier 5G's camera tries to balance natural colors with vibrant ones. Most photos, especially landscapes, look great, but I noticed that the AI sometimes oversaturates scenes with lots of blue sky and green grass, making them look a bit unrealistic.

still, the handset's camera versatility shines here. Even without portrait mode, the main sensor achieves a beautiful depth of field. Furthermore, the 3x optical zoom delivers detailed close-ups, and HDR technology ensures balanced exposure in various lighting conditions. This phone's camera is a clear contender in its class.

One area where the Camon 30 Premier 5G punches above its weight is the telephoto lens. Unlike many budget phones, it boasts a dedicated 50MP sensor with 3x optical zoom, capturing crisp close-up shots without sacrificing detail. The ultra-wide camera, while not the absolute widest available, delivers impressive detail and good color fidelity that complements the main sensor.

The front-facing camera doesn't disappoint either. Autofocus, a feature typically found in premium phones, ensures sharp and detailed selfies. Additionally, the camera captures natural-looking skin tones.

TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G sample photos

While the Camon 30 Premier 5G's camera system delivers good results overall, there's room for improvement. A slightly lighter touch with image processing, particularly regarding AI saturation in certain scenarios, could elevate photo quality to even greater heights.

The phone's display is a also feast for the eyes. Sharp resolution and a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate combine to create an immersive viewing experience that is perfect for devouring your favorite content.

The display boasts a fairly impressive 1400 nits of peak brightness, ideal for conquering glare in bright outdoor environments. However, enabling auto-brightness is necessary to access this level, and its reliability wasn't always perfect in my testing.

Thankfully, everyday tasks like social media scrolling, app launching, and web browsing felt smooth, with only occasional hiccups. Even demanding games like Genshin Impact ran decently at medium graphics with 60fps, though I experienced minor stutters in rare instances.

Endurance isn't a concern with the Camon 30 Premier 5G. Packing a generous 5,000mAh battery, it delivered more than eight hours of screen-on time during light use. This translates to ample power for all-day tasks.

The device ups the ante with a speedy 70W charger included in the box. In my tests, it fueled the phone from empty to more than 50% in just 15 minutes, with a full charge taking around 40 minutes. That's impressive for a phone in this price range.

The Camon 30 Premier 5G's design hints at a company pushing boundaries. Unboxing it reveals a phone that aspires to a more premium aesthetic. While its flat-edged metallic frame follows current trends, the phone really shines with its unique "Tech-Art Leather" back. This material, featuring a snowy motif, integrates with the matte plastic texture and silver frame, creating a captivating interplay of textures and visual intrigue.

Its camera module also reminds me of classic cameras. It features a fixed zoom ring around the lenses, adding a nostalgic touch and helping with heat dissipation, according to TECNO. That said, it does not have any practical function at all.

Enhancing the premium feel, the Camon 30 Premier 5G boasts TECNO's strongest aluminum frame yet, housed in a remarkably high-quality case included in the box.

Despite weighing 210g, the Camon 30 Premier 5G feels surprisingly comfortable in hand. This is likely due to its well-thought-out design that ensures balanced weight distribution.

TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G: What I don't like

While the TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G boasts impressive specs for photo capture, video recording is an area for improvement. Despite offering 4K resolution at 30fps or 60fps, stabilization falls short, particularly in low-light conditions. Footage can appear shaky, and even daytime recordings lack the smoothness I expected, even with a gimbal.

However, the biggest downside of the phone is its software. TECNO's HiOS 14 skin, based on Android 14, and the overall software strategy have several shortcomings that I can't overlook.

Although it's smooth and functional, the software is somewhat unattractive and cluttered with unnecessary apps, many of which can't be uninstalled. It's not just the number of apps but also the fact that most users won't recognize names like AHA Games, Ella, and Hi Theme.

Simply put, the old problem of bloatware is still present. You'll find the usual duplicate web browser, a custom voice assistant awkwardly running alongside Google's, and a separate app store.

TECNO's HiOS 14 introduces a mandatory TECNO account sign-up process, which some users might find inconvenient. Additionally, swiping left no longer brings up the familiar Google Discover feed; instead, it displays TECNO's own selection of widgets. These widgets, which include recently used apps and phone usage stats, might not appeal to everyone.

The company's update policy for the Camon 30 Premier 5G is also a concern. The phone is only promised two major OS upgrades, lagging behind competitors like Xiaomi, which offers three, and OnePlus, which offers four. Additionally, TECNO hasn't specified how often these updates will be released.

While the software experience has room for improvement, TECNO does introduce some interesting features. For instance, the built-in dialer app integrates a WhatsApp icon, allowing you to initiate direct messages without saving contacts beforehand.

TECNO pre-installs its Ella GPT AI assistant, too, offering an alternative to Google Assistant. While Ella GPT can handle basic tasks, it may not be suitable for complex instructions or extended conversations. Users seeking a more robust AI experience might prefer established options like Gemini or ChatGPT.

Another feature that caught my eye was the AI-powered wallpaper generator, similar to the one in the Infinix Note 40 Pro Plus 5G (this makes sense, given that both brands are owned by the same parent company). While many smartphone manufacturers are adding generative AI features, TECNO's approach is pretty unique, and I hope it becomes more popular.

TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G: The competition

The TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G is a solid choice in its price range. It packs features and performance that can go head-to-head with established models like the Samsung Galaxy A55 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus, making it a great value for those watching their budget.

While boasting a slightly higher price point than the TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G, the Samsung Galaxy A55 positions itself as a reliable option. It excels in battery life and display quality, effortlessly handling everyday tasks. However, its camera system might not be the absolute strongest in this price range, and the absence of wireless charging may be a drawback for some users. In the end, the Galaxy A55 focuses on practicality rather than flashy features, appealing to those who want a dependable, no-frills phone.

Xiaomi steps up its mid-range game with the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus. The phone exudes a more premium aesthetic with its improved design and exceptional display.  This iteration welcomes back the crowd-pleasing features of rapid charging and a powerful main camera but retains the brand's well-documented software shortcomings. Despite this, the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus cements Xiaomi's position in the sub-$400 market, offering a solid option for budget-conscious consumers looking for a well-rounded device.

TECNO Camon 30 Premier: Should you buy it?

You should buy it if...

• You're looking for a complete triple-camera system with a dedicated 50MP 3x telephoto.
• You want sharp visuals from your phone and a top-notch camera system.
• You're after a phone with a binge-worthy battery.
• You want a reliable mobile chipset without breaking the $400 mark.

You should not buy it if...

• You can't stand a cluttered, non-stock user interface.
• You dislike overly vivid screen colors that need toning down.
• You can't stand all the bloatware that comes with your phone.

The traditional flagship smartphone market has been synonymous with exorbitant price tags. The TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G disrupts this norm by delivering a remarkably capable device brimming with innovative features, all at an exceptionally accessible price point. This phone changes the game, allowing budget-conscious consumers to enjoy flagship-level technology without the hefty cost.

However, the Camon 30 Premier 5G has a few drawbacks, like aggressive color processing from the AI and some limitations in low-light photography. However, it's still an impressive option in the sub-$350 price range. The phone strikes a great balance between affordability and performance, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers.

For consumers seeking a well-rounded smartphone without breaking the bank, the TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G is a standout choice. It offers strong performance, a versatile camera system, and a unique design, all at a very competitive price. While TECNO isn't yet a global household name, the Camon 30 Premier 5G shows promise for the brand's expansion and its potential to shake up the mid-range smartphone market in new regions.

What you need to know

• TECNO is emphasizing its camera-focused lineup with the launch of the Camon 30 Premier 5G.
• The phone introduces TECNO's proprietary imaging system, promising groundbreaking features like 4K 30fps AI-noise reduction HDR video.
• Beyond photography, the Camon 30 Premier excels in performance, with a large AMOLED display, MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate 5G chip, and ample RAM and storage options.

TECNO has finally launched the Camon 30 Premier 5G after showing it off during MWC 2024 in February, marking a big step for the company's camera-focused phone lineup.

For the first time ever, the Camon 30 Premier 5G flaunts TECNO's very own imaging system. It's packing something TECNO claims is a game-changer, thanks to its 4K 30fps full-scene AI-noise reduction HDR video capability.

This means super crisp, detailed videos with true-to-life colors even if you're in dimmer settings, as per TECNO. This imaging setup, dubbed PolarAce, rocks Sony's CXD5622GG imaging chip to make all this happen. TECNO says you can even capture the breathtaking beauty of the auroras up north or the mesmerizing dusk scenes out in the desert.

On top of that, you've got four 50MP lenses onboard, featuring a Sony IMX890 50MP OIS main camera. Additionally, there's a periscope-style telephoto lens thrown into the mix, giving you 3x optical zoom and 60x digital zoom. Plus, there's a macro lens in there too, promising to keep your subjects sharp even when you're just 2.5cm away.

Up front, the phone packs a punch with a 50MP selfie camera. It even tracks your eyes and focuses in a blink, so you'll always look your best in photos.

But a phone is more than just its camera, and the Camon 30 Premier seems to have all bases covered for reliable performance. It rocks a 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate 5G chip, with a whopping 24GB of RAM (including 12GB of extended memory) and a generous 512GB of flash storage.

While it's not a flagship chipset, it promises to keep things running smooth, even when you're using tons of apps or games. Plus, it's got this 10-layer "gaming-grade" cooling system and a massive 5,000mAh battery.

The battery supports 70W charging, juicing the phone up from 0 to 50% in a mere 16 minutes. TECNO claims this battery can handle a whopping 1,600 charge cycles and will keep at least 80% of its health for a solid four years.

Similar to the Camon 30 series that made its debut earlier this month, the Premier model comes packed with AI-based tricks. One of these, called AI Erase, claims to zap away unwanted stuff from your photos. Also in the mix is a feature called Universal Tone, which supposedly uses AI to nail down accurate skin tones in your snaps, no matter your complexion.

The Camon 30 Premier 5G is hitting store shelves globally starting in May. Pricing will vary by region, and it's not yet confirmed if it will be available in the United States (past TECNO phones haven't been).

What you need to know

• TECNO has unveiled the Camon 30 series, which includes the Camon 30 Pro 5G, Camon 30 5G, and Camon 30, boasting impressive cameras and stylish design.
• The cameras are enhanced with AI features, including Social Turbo for video calling apps, AI Erase for removing unwanted objects from photos, and Universal Tone for multi-skin tone imaging.
• The Camon 30 Pro 5G introduces AIGC Portrait, allowing users to generate various portrait shots tailored to different occasions using AI.

Chinese phone maker TECNO has announced the Camon 30 series, including the Camon 30 Pro 5G, Camon 30 5G, and Camon 30. The latest mid-range models boast crazy good cameras and stunning design, promising to redefine what a phone in this range can do.

The new TECNO Camon 30 series decided to say goodbye to the angular rear panels seen in the older models. Instead, TECNO introduced a fresh look with "industry-first" marble-effect suede Tech-Art Leather finishes, available in various colors like Alps Snowy Silver, Emerald Lake Green, Iceland Basaltic Dark, Sahara Sand Brown, and Uyuni Salt White.

As you probably guessed, the standout feature here is the camera system, which has the leading Android camera phones in its sights. The Camon 30 series boasts a 50MP Sony IMX890 main camera.

With AI-powered enhancements, these cameras promise to provide a top-notch photography experience. On the Pro models, you'll find additional cameras on the back: a 50MP wide-angle lens and a 2MP macro lens, perfect for capturing subjects as close as 2.5cm.

Up front, there's a 50MP selfie snapper with eye-tracking autofocus, supporting 4K60fps video recording. Both the Camon 30 5G and the Camon 30 sport the same front-facing camera hardware, though they don't match the same selfie video performance.

AI capabilities

Of course, no true 2024 Android phone would be complete without some talk of generative AI features. TECNO promises that the Camon 30 lineup will support a range of AI-powered functionalities. One of these is called Social Turbo, designed to enhance third-party video calling apps. Users can expect to be able to change their voice and backgrounds and apply beauty filters for a more fun and personalized experience.

Another cool feature to look out for is the AI Erase, similar to Magic Erase in Google Pixels. This allows you to easily remove unwanted objects from your photos. Additionally, the Camon 30 series supports Universal Tone, which TECNO claims to be the most advanced AI-powered multi-skin tone imaging technology available.

The Camon 30 Pro 5G adds a unique AI feature called AIGC Portrait. This means you can create a wide range of portrait shots tailored to different occasions or social media purposes, all thanks to AI. These shots may not be real photos, but AI-generated content based on your selfies.

Run-of-the-mill specs

In terms of display, the Camon 30 Pro 5G is at the forefront, boasting a massive 6.78-inch 144Hz AMOLED screen and Dolby Atmos audio for an immersive experience. The series also includes Wet Hand Touch technology and holds an IP54 rating for added durability.

The Camon 30 runs on the Helio G99 chipset, while its 5G version upgrades to the Dimensity 7020 SoC. The 30 Pro takes it even further with the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate chipset. However, the 30 Pro stands out as the only variant equipped with a 50MP OIS Steady Night Portrait main rear camera.

On the Pro models, you can enjoy up to 24GB of RAM (including 12GB of extended memory), along with up to 512GB of flash storage. Plus, there's a 9-layer "gaming-grade" cooling system to keep things running smoothly during intense gaming sessions.

With a massive 5000mAh battery and support for 70W charging, you can go from 0 to 50% in just 16 minutes. Tecno claims the battery is capable of enduring 1,600 charge cycles and will retain over 80% battery health for at least four years.

Limited availability

While these phones will begin shipping to buyers in a few weeks, there's some disappointing news for those who want to get their hands on one of them. The Camon 30 series won't be widely accessible right away. Initially, the three models will be sold in Africa, with plans to expand to more markets later on.

Meanwhile, the Camon 30 Premier 5G is set to debut later this month. These phones will reach over 70 territories in the upcoming months, though the US unfortunately won't be among them.

Nevertheless, the Camon 30 phones bring some exciting additions to this year's array of new Android devices, even if they're not easily accessible to everyone.

No pricing details have been disclosed for any of the four handsets, as they will vary depending on the region. For reference, the Camon 20 Pro 5G was launched at a retail price of $199, so it's likely that its successor will fall within a similar price range.

The sub-$250 smartphone game is getting pretty intense. Big players like Samsung are throwing down with the Galaxy M14, and Redmi's Note series is in the mix too. In this crowded space, a phone needs to do something special to stand out.

Tecno is one of the many Chinese brands that throw some interesting stuff into the mix. I reviewed the Tecno Spark 9 Pro not too long ago, and despite a few hiccups, it's a solid pick for gamers. Now, the Camon 20 Pro and 20 Premier are stepping into the mainstream smartphone scene, facing higher benchmarks and expectations. Curious about what's good and what's not? Dive into my detailed review.

Tecno Camon 20 Pro and Camon 20 Premier: Price and availability

The Tecno Camon 20 Pro (4G) is available in India for ₹16,990, or approximately $200. For the price, you get 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It's also available in the Middle East for 779 AED.

Meanwhile, the Tecno Camon 20 Premier 5G is priced at ₹24,999 in India, where it packs 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

Tecno Camon 20 Pro and Camon 20 Premier: Build and design

Talking about the build quality, both these phones have a pretty similar feel. They both rock soft plastic backs, so neither screams luxury when you hold it. The Camon 20 Pro is the least premium, mainly because it's the lighter one of the duo and uses a less powerful chipset.

These models are jumping on the bandwagon of modern Android smartphones, flaunting a puzzle deconstructionist design (as per the brand's official lingo). Taking cues from postmodern architecture, they sport a textured leather back featuring a distinctive pattern and a camera module shaped like a pentagon.

The design doesn't just bring a bit of luxury to the table but also cleverly keeps fingerprints and smudges under wraps. The Camon 20 Premier carries a bit more heft. You'll definitely feel it, especially if you switch to the Pro after using the Premier for a while. The Premier just gives off a more robust and solid vibe in terms of build.

At a sleek 7.8mm, the Camon 20 Premier is impressively slim, boosting its overall charm. Plus, the smart placement of the volume and power buttons on the right side ensures effortless access and comfy handling.

When it comes to ergonomics, both models go for flat edges instead of curves, ensuring a comfortable grip. The main design distinction between these phones boils down to the camera setup. The Premier has sensors, while the Pro only comes with two lenses.

Additionally, the Camon 20 Pro rocks an irregular pentagon area around its camera package. On the other hand, the Premier sports the same pentagonal shape around its camera package, but there's a metal piece surrounding the lenses.

At the end of the day, these are solid mid-range phones, and you can feel it when you get your hands on them.

Tecno Camon 20 Pro and Camon 20 Premier: Display

The Tecno Camon 20 Pro and Camon 20 Premier sport a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, boasting a 1080 x 2400 resolution. These specs are right in line with what you'd expect in this price range. Both models flaunt stunning OLED displays that steal the show. I'm talking images that pop with deliciously vibrant colors. It's easily one of the best things about these phones.

With a high color gamut, these phones guarantee vibrant and lifelike visuals. What's more, the 120Hz refresh rate ensures silky-smooth operation and fluid animations. And here's the cool part — you can tweak the refresh rate on the fly or stick to fixed options like 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz. That kind of customization is a bit of a rarity in mid-range smartphones.

When I was flipping between web pages and the home screen on the smartphone, I couldn't ignore a bit of lag on the screen. To tackle this, I stuck with the 120Hz setting as my default. Sure, it took a toll on the battery, but nothing that would throw a wrench in your productivity.

The display here is a stunner, boasting slim bezels, killer viewing angles, and top-notch brightness levels. It's so good that even under direct sunlight, the text remains crystal clear and easy to read.

Tecno's got your eyes covered too – the Camon 20 Premier is TUV Rheinland certified for eye protection. That means you can enjoy a safe and comfy experience even during those marathon device-use sessions.

Regardless of which model you go for, you're in for an absolutely amazing viewing experience.

Tecno Camon 20 Pro and Camon 20 Premier: Software

Both these phones ship with the same version of HiOS, specifically version 13, based on Android 13. When it comes to software, there's not a single difference to be found.

Straight out of the box, these smartphones pack some bloatware, including AHA Games, BoomPlay, and Hi Browser. Now, while some apps are there to stay, like Hi Translate, which is Tecno's take on Google Translate, not everything is everyone's cup of tea. Hi Translate does its thing, translating speech to text in various languages, and it's a neat concept. If the speech is on the slower side, it's pretty accurate, but things get a bit tangled up if it's speed-talking.

Tecno has thrown in its own virtual assistant, Ella, to amp up interaction with the device. What caught my eye was the boatload of customization options. It's a playground for tweaking the home screen—you can mess with icon sizes, grid layouts, page animations, notification badges, and a bunch more.

However, unlike many of your favorite Android phones, Tecno is only promising one major software update. So, when Android 14 becomes available for these devices, you can bet your phone will be in line for the upgrade. And that's not all — Tecno's throwing in a two-year guarantee for monthly security patches.

The user experience on the Camon 20 series is a good time, with just a few hiccups. It's a solid choice if you're cool with getting used to a fresh UI. But, if you're all about that conventional look, you might want to give this one a pass.

Tecno Camon 20 Pro and Camon 20 Premier: Performance and battery

Ideally, the Camon 20 Premier looks like it should be the clear winner. It packs a beefier processor, the MediaTek Dimensity 8050, while the Pro is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99.

The Premier also comes with 8GB of RAM and a roomy 512GB internal storage. What makes it stand out is the slick integration of Android's latest memory fusion feature, giving it the power to boost available memory by an extra 8GB of RAM.

The Camon 20 Premier is also equipped with a generous 8GB of RAM and a spacious 512GB internal storage, while the Pro is limited to 256GB. Even though the Camon 20 Pro isn't rocking a flagship SoC, it pulls its weight quite nicely, especially considering the wallet-friendly price. I faced no hiccups or slowdowns when handling my go-to communication and navigation apps. Plus, it offers a decent browsing experience.

Talking day-to-day performance, both these phones keep up the pace without hitting the brakes. I put both of them through the wringer, and regardless of the processor, they delivered consistently smooth performance for light tasks. Whether it was video-watching, work tasks, social media scrolling, or snapping photos, these phones just refused to give in.

However, don't expect these phones to handle heavyweight games as gracefully as gaming-specific devices do. Still, they manage to serve up some enjoyable gameplay in popular titles like PUBG Mobile, even if you need to dial down the graphics settings a bit. One setback I noticed during marathon sessions was the phones heating up quite rapidly, which did have a slight impact on overall performance.

These phones ship with a similar battery size. Sporting a 5,000mAh battery each, they're both set to keep you company for about a day and a half on a single charge with moderate to light usage. If you're more of a heavy user, you can still count on getting through a solid day.

When it comes to juicing up the battery, the Premier steals the spotlight. With a 45W charger included in the box, the Camon 20 Premier pulls off the impressive feat of going from zero to fully charged in less than 50 minutes. Now, that's something to cheer for, especially when compared to other phones in the same price range that might take longer to recharge.

In my time with the phone, I noticed it could handle heavy usage like a champ, offering up to six hours of screen-on time. So, even if you're diving deep into power-hungry apps and features non-stop, this phone manages to keep its head above water for a solid stretch before calling it quits and needing a recharge.

Meanwhile, the Pro packs a 33W charger in the box. That translates to a recharge time of around 90 minutes.

Tecno Camon 20 Pro and Camon 20 Premier: Camera

The camera department is where these two phones really show their differences. The Camon 20 Premier steals the spotlight with its camera system. Sporting a primary 50MP lens armed with Tecno’s RGBW technology, it shakes things up. This technology swaps out the traditional RGGB color filter's "green" array for a "white" one, allowing the RGBW sensor to snatch up more light. The result? Brighter and more detailed photos that really stand out.

Combine all these features, and you've got a recipe for some fantastic pictures. The camera nails the color tones, staying true to the source, and the images come out sharp with loads of detail.

The 108MP ultrawide shooter pulls its weight, delivering landscapes with crisp detail. On the flip side, the 2MP depth sensor camera stumbles a bit when it comes to portrait shots. The edge detection falters, especially in low light conditions.

Tecno Camon 20 Premier sample shots

However, with a bit of effort, you can still manage to get good shots. The camera app also throws in some special filters for portrait shots. While not as extensive as those on premium smartphones, they do add a creative touch to your photos.

I found myself leaning towards snapping pictures without AI, as the results often looked artificial otherwise. The Camon 20 Pro echoes a similar sentiment. Camera performance hits the mark as long as the AI feature is switched off. Once you enable AI, it tends to go overboard with color saturation, leading to images that feel unnatural, with a noticeable loss of details and dynamic range.

Switching off AI brings a positive change, as the images come out more balanced with sharp details, realistic shades, and well-preserved highlights. When it comes to capturing night videos, the smartphone does face some challenges with noise and light detection, but all things considered, it holds its own, especially considering its price. In indoor or dimly lit settings, details might appear a bit soft, and colors may lean towards slightly pale.

The cameras on both models record videos at 30FPS, which works well for casual shooting and Instagram stories. But if you're a content creator looking for more options, you might want to explore other choices.

Tecno Camon 20 Pro 4G sample shots

The selfie game here is good. The 32MP sensors on both models can capture some decent images, especially when the AI is turned off (again). That said, the AI filter is quite advanced, allowing you to tweak your entire face, from cheeks to jawline.

When the sun's out, the front camera does its job, snapping up decent selfies with good detail and accurate skin tones.

Tecno Camon 20 Pro and Camon 20 Premier: The competition

If the Tecno Camon 20 series isn't your vibe, there are other options in the market. Take the Samsung Galaxy A54, for example. Priced a bit higher at $450, it boasts a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a robust Exynos 1380 processor, and a quad-camera setup on the back. This includes a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, a 5MP macro sensor, and a 5MP depth sensor. The 32MP front camera also holds its own, and with a 5,000mAh battery, you can breeze through a full day and then some.

On the flip side, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro, coming in at a starting price of $250, stands tall as another formidable competitor to the Camon 20 Premier and 20 Pro. It rocks a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 8100 processor, and a triple-camera setup on the back. This setup includes a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, and a 2MP macro sensor.

If a stellar display and a powerful processor are your priorities, the Samsung Galaxy A54 fits the bill. On the other hand, if you're after longer battery life and faster charging, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro might be the better pick.

Tecno Camon 20 Pro and Camon 20 Premier: Should you buy them?

You should buy them if...

• You wish to have a stunning smartphone display without going over budget
• Your priority is a phone screen that is sufficiently bright in the sun
• You adore having a phone that you can use regularly for an entire day

You should not buy them if...

• You hate middling ultrawide and macro cameras
• You're looking for a phone that's eligible to receive software updates over the long term
• You take a lot of selfie pictures

The Tecno Camon 20 Premier and Camon 20 Pro check all the boxes for what I seek in a smartphone in this price range. They've got the looks, decent performance, and a camera setup that's sure to please many buyers.

In a fiercely competitive market of budget Android phones, the Tecno Camon 20 Premier grabs attention as an impressive smartphone. Amidst a sea of excellent devices, it stands out with well-rounded features and capabilities. Whether it's the eye-catching aesthetics, dazzling display, reliable battery life, or smooth performance, this phone delivers a comprehensive and satisfying user experience.

However, there are a few drawbacks. The limited market availability makes it quite challenging to recommend. The same goes for the Pro model.

Moreover, the Pro model here misses out on 5G support (although you can opt for the 5G variant at a higher price). This poses a significant tradeoff, especially for the young and tech-savvy user base looking for a new device.