Intro
The sub-$250 smartphone market is competitive, with established brands like Samsung and Redmi and new entrants like OnePlus fighting for share. In this crowded market, a unique proposition is critical. Tecno has made a splash with some interesting products like the Pova 3 which is very suitable for gamers despite some minor flaws. Now we'll take a look at the Camon 19 Pro
Specifications
- Release date: 2022, June 15
- Colors: Polar Blue, Eco Black
- Dimensions: 166.8 x 74.6 x 8.6 mm.
- Weight: 204 g.
- Screen: 6.8" inc, 1080 x 2460, IPS LCD
- Camera : Triple, 64MP
- Chipset: Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
- Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
- Battery: 5000, Li-Po, non-removable
- Network: GSM / HSPA / LTE
- Operating system: Android 12, HIOS 8.6
- Sensors: Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity
If you are curious to find out all the details before reading the full review, visit the page for Tecno Camon 19 Pro Specs, where you will find even the smallest detail about the phone.
Price and availability
The Tecno Camon 19 Pro comes in one configuration and can be purchased from Amazon India for $220. This smartphone has 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage.
Design and build quality
Tecno puts a lot of emphasis on the Camon 19 Pro's design, especially its color scheme. The back panel of the smartphone is divided into squares that change color when exposed to sunlight. This feature, similar to the one seen on the Vivo V25 Pro, is executed more effectively on the Camon 19 Pro.
The all-white panel transforms into a pattern of purple and white blocks. When taken out into the sun, the original color returns within a minute and with a more even distribution compared to the Vivo V25 Pro.
If you're considering the Camon 19 Pro for this unique feature, you won't be disappointed. Also, the back panel has a matte finish and does not show fingerprint smudges.
The smartphone features a sleek design with flat edges that gives it a premium feel in the hand. At 200 grams, the weight distribution is well balanced and makes the phone lighter.
The volume buttons and power button are located on the right side and are easily accessible with a satisfying tactile response. The power button doubles as a fingerprint scanner and quickly unlocks the device with even a light touch.
The Camon 19 Pro features a 3.5mm headphone jack, a rarity in today's market, allowing the option of using wired headphones. Next to the headphone jack is a USB Type-C charging port and a speaker grille. The smartphone has a dual SIM slot and supports 4G connectivity, but lacks 5G, which is a major drawback.
Display
The Tecno Camon 19 Pro boasts a 6.8-inch FHD+ LTPS display with a resolution of 1080X2460 pixels, which is in line with devices in its price range.
What sets this display apart is its 120Hz refresh rate, previously seen in devices like the Galaxy F23 and OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G.
The Tecno Camon 19 Pro features automatic refresh rate switching that allows the display to adjust between 60 and 120Hz depending on the content being viewed. However, this feature is somewhat choppy, resulting in a noticeable lag when switching between web pages and the home screen. Overall, the display viewing experience is satisfactory, with the ability to change the color tones in the settings if needed.
Software
Tecno Camon 19 Pro runs on the latest Android 12 operating system with HiOS Skin. The software experience of this device is more stable compared to other devices with HiOS Skin. This is due to the more powerful SoC. However, HiOS Skin comes with some pre-installed apps that can be removed except Hi Translate and Carlcare apps.
Hi Translate is Tecno's version of Google Translate, but it can be complicated to use. Carlcare is an app designed to help users find service centers, but it has an outdated user interface and confusing design.
The animations are different from other competitors, and the slide-up app drawer organizes apps alphabetically. Google features like Assistant and Chromecast work well on the device, making efficient use of the Android 12 operating system.
Performance and memory
The Tecno Camon 19 Pro is equipped with a MediaTek Helio G96 SoC, a processor found in sub-$200 phones such as the Realme Narzo 50 and Poco M4 Pro. However, given the current availability of 5G technology in multiple cities in India, it's surprising that Tecno didn't opt for a more advanced chipset that supports 5G. This is a major drawback of the Camon 19 Pro, which makes it not good to recommend, despite its potential and performance.
Despite being powered by a 4G SoC, the Tecno Camon 19 Pro delivers good gaming performance. When tested with the COD Mobile game, the phone managed to handle HD graphics with minimal lag.
However, it takes some time for the phone to charge. But once you do, the experience is smooth. However, after 30 minutes of gaming, the phone can get quite hot and may need to cool down for a few minutes before playing again. This is only seen in COD Mobile, but not in less demanding games like Temple Run.
The phone's 8GB RAM can handle lighter apps without any problems, but with demanding apps like Instagram or COD Mobile, it tends to lag.
Common tasks like sending emails, surfing the web and making calls run smoothly on the Tecno Camon 19 Pro.
The device comes with 128GB of storage which may be enough for some users but may not be enough for those who want to store heavy games or media files.
The option to expand the memory up to 512GB using an SD card is available, but a standard 256GB memory at this price would be preferable.
Battery
The phone has a large 5000mAh battery that can last over 24 hours on lighter usage. Under normal conditions, it will need to be charged every day. The device supports 33W fast charging, which takes about 1.5 hours to fully charge.
Camera
The Tecno Camon 19 Pro has a triple camera setup that performs well in daylight. The main camera is equipped with a 64MP sensor and features such as phase detection autofocus, optical image stabilization and laser autofocus that can create great photos. Images have accurate color tones and are clear with plenty of detail. The shutter speed is fast even when taking pictures on the move.
The 2MP depth sensor takes care of portrait shots, especially in low light, but images can be enhanced with various apps.
The camera app also has dedicated portrait filters, which, while not as extensive as on premium phones, allow for a bit of creative expression.
The 50-megapixel telephoto sensor can capture distant subjects effectively, but some detail and color accuracy is lost in the process.
The camera can record 1080P videos at 30 FPS, which is acceptable for sharing on Instagram, but may not be ideal for content creation.
The 32MP selfie camera takes decent images when the AI is turned off. Advanced AI filters allow for substantial facial modifications. The selfie camera can also record 1080P videos at 30 FPS, which is good enough for sharing with friends, but may not be the best quality for social media use.
Conclusion
The Tecno Camon 19 Pro smartphone is equipped with all the essential features, has an attractive appearance and performs well. However, the lack of 5G compatibility makes it hard to recommend, especially for young and tech-savvy users. Ideal buyers for this device are those who prioritize durability and functionality over cutting-edge technology, or those looking for a stylish phone that can do without 5G connectivity.
Tecno Camon 19 Pro video review
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on our team's personal experience with the Tecno Camon 19 Pro and third-party sources. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and reliable information, readers should keep in mind that this is a subjective assessment. The writing of this article was not paid for or sponsored by Tecno.
