The TECNO CAMON line-up cameras are outstanding and the CAMON 17 series is here with a refreshing camera system and the all-new "Pro Grade Video Camera" stuff TECNO introduced this year.
Unlike the last series, there’s no a “Premier” model this year. Instead, we have a new naming system similar to the TECNO SPARK series launched earlier. The TECNO CAMON 17P stays in-between the regular CAMON 17 and the CAMON 17 Pro.
TECNO made some cuts here to make the device even more affordable. But how does it translate to its user experience? What are the features of the TECNO CAMON 17P? This review tells you all you need to know before you buy one!
TECNO CAMON 17P Specs
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Specs |
TECNO CAMON 17P |
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Display |
· 6.8” FHD+ · 1080*2460 pixels · 500 nits |
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Processor |
· MediaTek Helio G85 |
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Storage |
· 128GB · Dedicated SD card slot |
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Ram |
· 6GB |
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Rear Cameras |
· 64MP Primary Camera · 2MP Macro Camera · 2MP Depth Sensor · AI Lens
· Quad-LED Flash · Video: 2K@30fps |
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Selfie camera
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· 16MP · Dual-LED flash
· Video: 2K@30fps |
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Battery |
· 5,000mAh · 18W Flash Charge |
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Software |
· Android 11 · HiOS 7.6 |
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Connectivity |
· 4G LTE · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth 5.0 |
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Security |
· Side-mounted Fingerprint · Face Unlock |
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Sensors |
· G-Sensor · Light Sensor · Accelerometer · Proximity Sensor |
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Colours |
Frost Silver, Spruce Green, Magnet Black |
Design & Display
- Matte finish
- 8" FHD+ IPS display
- 500 nits of brightness
The entire CAMON 17 series is an accurate definition of what a plastic build should be – not trying to look glassy. The CAMON 17P, in particular, comes in three refreshing colours: Frost Silver, Spruce Green, and Magnet Black.
Its shiny camera bump and the massive "CAMON" branding stands out at the left side of the cover. The camera bump reminds us of the vanila CAMON 15 and other TECNO devices launched in early 2020, while the enormous “CAMON” branding is synonymous to the SPARK 7P.
TECNO also did a commendable job here with the matte finish on the back, which makes the resistant to fingerprints. Now, you don’t have to wipe the device every minute just to keep it clean.
You get the button placement and port configuration at a similar place to its predecessor. And on the plus side, the fingerprint sensor is right on the power button, which, in our opinion, is perfect and faster for unlocking your device.
Flipping to the other side of the device – where you'll focus your attention most times – reveals a more pleasurable experience. The CAMON 17P wears a fresh look with its centred punch hole cut-out for the selfie camera. The screen itself is a 6.8" Full HD+ display with an 82% screen-to-body ratio.
The CAMON 17P display is quite sharp at 395ppi, thanks to its higher 1080*2460 resolution. Playing games, watching HD contents, and scrolling through the screen generally shouldn't be a problem here.
And thanks to the more powerful chipset, animations are smoother on the CAMON 17P. You'll notice the difference while jumping between screens, opening apps on the launcher, and gaming.
TECNO drops the 90Hz refresh rate to reduce the production cost, but you get 500nits of brightness here to keep the screen readable outdoors, even under direct sunlight.
Performance & Battery
- MediaTek Helio G85.
- 128GB of in-built storage
- 6GB of RAM
- Dedicated SD card slot
- 5,000mAH
- 18W Flash Charge
Thanks to the Helio G85 processor, the TECNO CAMON 17P is a device you can rely on when it comes to running your day-to-day tasks without delay. It delivers what you can expect at its price range, and you shouldn't run into issues in terms of performance.
And with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, the TECNO CAMON 16P gives you better multitasking at its best. Launching and switching between opened apps feel responsive. Even with 128GB of storage, the device still supports expandable storage without the expense of sacrificing one SIM card.
TECNO's Hyper Engine game optimization also surface for gaming, giving you the best performance, network optimization, and battery efficiency to enjoy uninterrupted gaming. TECNO's in-house Game Mode is still here with revamped features as well.
The battery life of the CAMON 17P is also top-notch. With its enormous 5000mAH battery, accompanied by the power-efficient MediaTek Helio G85 processor, using the CAMON 17P for long hours shouldn't pose problems.
A single full charge should last for about one-and-half day, if not two, on moderate usage. However, that may change if you game for several hours, but you're guaranteed full-day battery life. Meanwhile, that shouldn't be a problem since it comes with an 18W flash charger in the box.
Camera
- 64MP Quad Camera
- 16MP AI Selfie Camera
- 2K Video
- 2K Time-lapse
Now and then, TECNO has something to say about the cameras in the CAMON series. And this time around, it's "Clearest Selfie Camera" for the CAMON 17 series. With the aid of TAIVOS Imaging Lab 2.0, the TECNO CAMON 17P comes with some decent camera upgrades from its predecessor.
On the back is an array of quad-camera setup, which features a 64MP primary shooter, a 2MP macro camera, a 2MP depth sensor for better portrait shots, and an 8W AI lens with flashes. There’s a single 16MP selfie shooter on the front.
The CAMON 17P boast various additional shooting modes, including 2K video recording, 2K time-lapse, super night, portrait, documents correction, slow motion, AR shots, and many more.
Asides from shooting videos in 2K high-resolution, the CAMON 17P comes with a dedicated “Film” mode with lots of customizable video templates to enhance your content creation.
Software & Features
- Android 11
- HiOS 7.6
The CAMON 17P boots with HiOS 7.6 based on Android 11 out of the box. TECNO users are already used to getting bombarded with advantageous features on HiOS, and the latest version 7.6 comes with plenty of them.
This time around, HiOS 7.6 is more determined to secure the privacy of its users, and two of the additional features speaks just about that. The first one, which is "Peek Proof", acts as a regular privacy protection film to obscure your screen from the eyes snoopers. While the second feature, "Theft Alert", acts as your security guard when someone tries to rip off your phone from your bag or the charging dock.
There's also App Cloner for duplicating your social media apps, in case you want to separate your work from personal accounts. It works like other app cloners out there, but with a bit touch of HiOS. App cloner allows you to hide the cloned app from the home screen and also launch it with your fingerprint when you need to.
There are a whole lot of features here. But besides that, the HiOS experience looks better and smoother now. Even in the absence of the 90Hz refresh rate, animaters looks smoother, gestures are OK, thanks to the powerful Helio G85 chipset.
Verdict
The entire CAMON series has always been about the cameras, and the CAMON 17P brings a lot to the table. With sacrificial cuts from the CAMON 17 Pro, the device comes at a more affordable price while still offering a decent camera experience.
There’s so much to love about the device: you get an immersive 6.8” Full HD+ display, 64MP camera, a powerful Helio G80 chipset, and more at an affordable price point.
The CAMON 17 Pro, coming at a higher price, has more to offer, but not for everyone. If you're looking for a better mid-range smartphone right now without breaking the bank, the CAMON 17P is one of the best you can
