Tecno Camon 30 5G: I stumbled across the Tecno Camon 30 5G at a local store last week, and honestly, I did a double-take at the price tag. Starting at just ₹17,999 for the 8GB/128GB variant, it’s significantly cheaper than competing phones with similar specs. My buddy who works at the shop claims they’re barely making any profit on these units – Tecno’s apparently going for market share rather than immediate profits. The 12GB/256GB variant at ₹19,999 feels like an absolute steal considering phones from “premium” brands would charge at least ₹5,000 more for identical specs. The catch? Well, there’s always the question of long-term software support, but more on that later. For now, it’s worth noting that some retailers are already offering additional ₹1,000 discounts with certain bank cards, making this deal even sweeter for budget-conscious buyers.
That Display – Surprisingly Good for This Price Bracket
The 6.78-inch AMOLED panel shocked me with its quality. At 120Hz, scrolling feels buttery smooth, and colors pop without looking radioactively oversaturated like some Samsung mid-rangers. Brightness peaks at 1000 nits, which means I could actually read messages while standing in direct sunlight – something my previous phone struggled with desperately. The in-display fingerprint scanner works surprisingly well, even with slightly damp fingers after washing hands. My only real complaint is that auto-brightness algorithm, which seems to have been programmed by someone who lives in a cave – it’s constantly too dim indoors and requires manual adjustment. Netflix plays in Full HD thanks to Widevine L1 certification, though some HDR content looks a bit washed out compared to pricier displays. For social media, messaging, and casual YouTube binges, it’s genuinely excellent.
Camera Performance – Daylight Hero, Nighttime Zero
Let’s talk about that 50MP main camera with Sony’s IMX890 sensor. In good lighting, photos look surprisingly detailed and vibrant – I’ve genuinely fooled friends into thinking some shots came from my brother’s much pricier Samsung. Colors lean slightly warm, which flatters skin tones nicely without going overboard. Portrait mode edge detection is decent with simple subjects but struggles with curly hair and complex backgrounds. The ultrawide lens is… functional, I guess? Quality drops noticeably, with softer details and muted colors compared to the main sensor. Night photography is where things fall apart faster than a sandcastle at high tide. Even with night mode enabled, photos look grainy and soft unless your hands are surgeon-steady. The 32MP selfie camera is actually quite good in decent lighting, capturing natural skin tones without excessive smoothing. For social media posts viewed on phones, daylight shots are perfectly adequate, but serious photography enthusiasts will find the limitations frustrating after the honeymoon period.
Battery Life – Endurance Champion With a Charging Quirk
The 5000mAh battery consistently delivers excellent endurance. I’m regularly ending days with 30-35% remaining after a mix of social media, occasional gaming, and YouTube binges. Screen-on time typically hits 7-8 hours, impressive for this price segment. The included 33W charger isn’t breaking any speed records in 2025, but it gets the job done, taking the phone from dead to about 60% in 30 minutes. One weird quirk I’ve noticed – charging slows down dramatically after 85%, taking almost as long to go from 85% to 100% as it does from 0% to 85%. My tech-savvy cousin claims this is actually good for battery longevity, but it’s annoying when you’re in a hurry. The battery anxiety I experienced with previous phones has completely vanished, which might be the highest praise I can give any smartphone feature.
Performance – MediaTek Dimensity 7020 Surprises
The MediaTek Dimensity 7020 processor isn’t going to top any benchmark charts, but in real-world usage, it’s surprisingly capable. Social media, messaging, and web browsing feel consistently smooth. Even PUBG Mobile runs acceptably at medium graphics settings, though frame drops become noticeable during intense firefights. The 12GB RAM variant (with additional 12GB virtual RAM) keeps apps in memory longer than expected – I could switch between Instagram, Chrome with multiple tabs, and YouTube without any reloading. App launch times are competitive with phones costing ₹5,000 more. The chipset does warm up during extended gaming sessions or when using the camera for long periods, but never reaches concerning temperatures. For the target audience of this phone, the performance is perfectly adequate – power users might want something beefier, but average consumers won’t notice any significant limitations.
Software Situation – The Achilles’ Heel?
HiOS 14 (based on Android 14) feels noticeably improved from previous versions, with cleaner animations and fewer annoying notifications. But let’s be real – there’s still more bloatware than anyone wants. I counted 11 pre-installed apps that nobody asked for, though thankfully most can be uninstalled rather than just disabled. Tecno promises two major Android updates and three years of security patches, which isn’t terrible but falls short of what Samsung and Google offer. The May 2025 security patch arrived slightly late, suggesting update timeliness might be hit-or-miss. Some AI features like smart album organization and scene detection actually work well, while others like the “AI writer” produce hilariously bad results. The theme engine is surprisingly robust, allowing extensive customization without requiring third-party launchers. For most users, the software is perfectly usable despite its quirks, but those seeking a clean, bloat-free experience should look elsewhere.
Tecno Camon 30 5G Build Quality – Surprisingly Solid Despite the Materials
The plastic frame and glass back (Corning Gorilla Glass 5) create a device that feels reasonably premium despite its budget positioning. Button placement is sensible, with good tactile feedback – nothing feels cheap or flimsy. The stereo speakers get surprisingly loud, though they lack bass and sound tinny at maximum volume. There’s an IP53 rating for dust and splash resistance, which isn’t comprehensive waterproofing but provides some peace of mind against light rain and everyday accidents. My clumsy cousin already dropped his unit from about waist height onto tile flooring with just a minor scuff on the frame – impressive durability for this price point. The included case is actually decent quality, unlike the paper-thin jellies that usually come bundled with budget phones. One minor annoyance – the camera bump is substantial enough that the phone rocks noticeably when placed on flat surfaces without a case.