The smartphone market is inundated with a plethora of options, making it challenging for consumers to pick the perfect device that suits their needs and budget. Amidst the giants like Samsung, Apple, and Xiaomi, Tecno has steadily carved out a niche for itself, especially in emerging markets. The Tecno Camon 30S Pro is the latest offering from Tecno, aiming to blend advanced features with affordability. This review delves into every aspect of the Tecno Camon 30S Pro to help you decide if it’s the right smartphone for you.
Design and Build Quality
The Tecno Camon 30S Pro boasts a sleek and modern design, exuding a premium feel despite its mid-range pricing. The device features a glossy finish on the back, available in several striking colors including Dazzling Black, Ice Jadeite, and Dreamland Green. The rear panel houses a triple camera setup arranged in a vertical module, along with a fingerprint sensor for added security.
The front of the device is dominated by a large display with minimal bezels, providing an immersive viewing experience. The build quality is solid, with a sturdy frame that doesn’t flex under pressure, suggesting durability. The volume rocker and power button are conveniently placed on the right side of the device, while the left side hosts the SIM tray.
Display
The Camon 30S Pro comes equipped with a 6.8-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display, offering a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. This translates to sharp and vibrant visuals, making it a delight for multimedia consumption and gaming. The AMOLED technology ensures deep blacks and rich colors, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
One of the standout features of the display is its 90Hz refresh rate. This higher refresh rate makes animations smoother and interactions more responsive, which is particularly noticeable when scrolling through social media feeds or playing fast-paced games. Additionally, the display supports HDR10, ensuring that HDR content is rendered beautifully with enhanced contrast and brightness.
Performance
Under the hood, the Tecno Camon 30S Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 900 chipset, an octa-core processor built on a 6nm architecture. This chipset is paired with 8GB of RAM, providing ample power for multitasking and running demanding applications. The device also features 128GB of internal storage, which should be sufficient for most users, with the option to expand further via a microSD card.
In everyday use, the Camon 30S Pro performs admirably. Apps launch quickly, and switching between them is smooth, thanks to the efficient RAM management. The device handles gaming well, with popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile running at high settings without significant lag or frame drops. The Mali-G68 MC4 GPU ensures that graphics-intensive tasks are managed with ease.
Camera
The camera setup on the Tecno Camon 30S Pro is one of its key selling points. The rear module features a 64MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. This versatile setup allows users to capture a wide range of scenes, from expansive landscapes to detailed close-ups.
Primary Camera: The 64MP sensor captures detailed and vibrant images in good lighting conditions. Colors are rendered accurately, and the dynamic range is impressive, with highlights and shadows well-balanced. In low light, the camera performs decently, thanks to the dedicated Night Mode, which enhances details and reduces noise.
Ultra-Wide Camera: The 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens allows for a 120-degree field of view, making it ideal for group shots and wide landscapes. While there is a noticeable drop in detail compared to the primary sensor, the lens still produces good quality images with minimal distortion.
Depth Sensor: The 2MP depth sensor assists in creating bokeh effects in portrait shots. The edge detection is fairly accurate, and the background blur looks natural, giving portraits a professional touch.
On the front, the Camon 30S Pro sports a 32MP selfie camera housed in a punch-hole cutout. Selfies are sharp and detailed, with good color reproduction. The AI beauty mode can be toggled for enhanced facial features, although it can sometimes be overly aggressive.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial aspect of any smartphone, and the Tecno Camon 30S Pro doesn’t disappoint in this regard. The device is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy usage. This includes tasks like web browsing, streaming videos, and gaming.
The phone supports 33W fast charging, allowing you to quickly top up the battery when needed. In our tests, the battery charged from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes, which is impressive at this price point. There is, however, no wireless charging support, which might be a drawback for some users.
Software
The Tecno Camon 30S Pro runs on HiOS 8.0, which is based on Android 12. HiOS is Tecno’s custom skin, offering a plethora of features and customization options. While it adds useful functionalities, it can feel a bit bloated at times due to pre-installed apps that not all users might find useful.
The user interface is visually appealing and intuitive, with a range of themes, wallpapers, and icon packs available for personalization. The Smart Panel feature provides quick access to frequently used apps and tools, enhancing productivity. Additionally, HiOS includes features like App Twin, which allows you to run two instances of the same app, and Game Mode, which optimizes performance for gaming sessions.
Connectivity and Extras
The Tecno Camon 30S Pro covers all the essential connectivity options, including 5G support, ensuring future-proofing as networks continue to evolve. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, and a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer.
The device also retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, which is increasingly becoming a rarity in modern smartphones. This is a welcome feature for those who prefer wired headphones. The fingerprint sensor on the back is fast and reliable, providing quick access to the device. Additionally, there is support for face unlock, which works efficiently in well-lit conditions but struggles in low light.
Audio
Audio quality on the Tecno Camon 30S Pro is decent for a mid-range smartphone. The single bottom-firing speaker produces clear and loud sound, though it lacks the depth and richness found in stereo setups. For an enhanced audio experience, it’s recommended to use headphones or external speakers.
The device also supports DTS audio technology, which can be customized through the settings to suit different audio preferences. Whether you’re listening to music, watching movies, or playing games, the audio settings can be adjusted to provide a more immersive experience.
Value for Money
One of the strongest selling points of the Tecno Camon 30S Pro is its value for money. Priced competitively, the device offers a host of premium features typically found in higher-end smartphones. From its AMOLED display with a high refresh rate to its versatile camera setup and robust performance, the Camon 30S Pro delivers on multiple fronts without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
The Tecno Camon 30S Pro is a well-rounded smartphone that excels in several key areas. Its design and build quality give it a premium feel, while the AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate ensures an excellent visual experience. The device performs reliably in everyday tasks and gaming, and the camera setup offers versatility for photography enthusiasts.
Battery life is impressive, and the inclusion of 33W fast charging is a significant plus. While the software experience could be streamlined to reduce bloatware, HiOS offers a range of useful features and customization options. The comprehensive connectivity options, including 5G support, further add to the device’s appeal.
Overall, the Tecno Camon 30S Pro is a compelling choice for anyone looking for a feature-packed smartphone at an affordable price. It stands out in the crowded mid-range market, providing excellent value for money and proving that Tecno is a brand to watch in the smartphone industry.