TECNO CAMON 30 5G Review, Sample Camera Photos, Benchmark Score

The TECNO CAMON 30 Series marks the latest addition to TECNO’s flagship lineup, known for delivering exceptional camera capabilities, standout specs for its price category, and a fashionable design that resonates with stylish, modern individuals.

The base model, TECNO CAMON 30 5G, serves as a versatile companion tailored to meet the diverse needs of modern users. For budding content creators, it presents diverse creative possibilities with its advanced camera system. Armed with high-resolution sensors and intelligent imaging technology, the CAMON 30 5G empowers users to capture breathtaking photos and videos with remarkable clarity and detail. Whether documenting everyday moments or crafting professional-grade content for social media platforms, the device ensures that every shot is imbued with a sense of artistry and finesse, allowing creators to unleash their imagination and bring their vision to life.

Mobile gamers, too, will find much to appreciate in the CAMON 30 5G's base model. Engineered for optimal performance, the device boasts powerful hardware and cutting-edge features designed to deliver a smooth and immersive gaming experience. With its responsive controls, fluid graphics, and enhanced connectivity capabilities, the CAMON 30 5G ensures that gamers can dive into their favorite titles with confidence, whether engaging in fast-paced action or exploring expansive virtual worlds. By combining performance and versatility, the device emerges as a reliable gaming companion that caters to the needs of casual players and competitive enthusiasts alike, making every gaming session a truly enjoyable and exhilarating affair.

Let’s dive into the details and see what makes this phone a fantastic choice for budget-conscious consumers, including students and young professionals, who want to get the most bang for the buck when purchasing a new smartphone.

Launch Details in the Philippines

The TECNO CAMON 30 Series made its grand debut at The Eye, Green Sun Hotel, Makati City, on May 10, 2024. This launch event was a celebration of innovation and style, showcasing TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-quality devices at accessible prices. 

The 2024 line includes four models: CAMON 30 Premier 5G, CAMON 30 Pro 5G, CAMON 30 5G, and CAMON 30, each designed to cater to different user needs. Among them, the CAMON 30 5G stands out with its advanced imaging capabilities and sleek design, making it a top choice for young, tech-savvy consumers whose budget maxes out at around PHP 14,000.

Price and Availability in the Philippines

The TECNO CAMON 30 5G is available in two configurations to cater to different storage needs:

8GB RAM + 256GB ROM for PHP 11,999

8GB RAM + 512GB ROM for PHP 13,999

The device’s official launch took place on May 10, 2024, and it is now readily available through TECNO’s official retail partners and online platforms. The pricing strategy positions the CAMON 30 5G competitively within the mid-range segment, offering premium features that appeal to budget-conscious consumers looking for value without compromising on performance and style.

Quick Unboxing and Package Contents

Unboxing the TECNO CAMON 30 5G is an experience that promises to impress right from the start. The device arrives in a stylish white and blue box, with the model name printed prominently on the cover.

What I personally like about this packaging is the attention to detail, with complete technical specifications and product highlights meticulously listed at the bottom of the box, offering consumers a comprehensive overview before they even lift the lid.

Inside the box, you'll find the TECNO CAMON 30 5G handset, a warranty card, a 70W travel charger, a USB Type-C charging cable, a tempered glass screen protector, and a black hard case with a textured finish.

This comprehensive package ensures that users are well-equipped with essential accessories, providing protection and convenience from the get-go. The inclusion of a high-speed charger, protective case, and screen protector demonstrates TECNO's commitment to delivering a complete user experience right out of the box, making the CAMON 30 5G a great choice for those who value both functionality and style.

Design

The CAMON 30 5G stands as a testament to the meticulous fusion of aesthetics and functionality. Its sleek dimensions of 165.37 x 75.93 x 7.83 mm (for the glass version) and 165.37 x 75.93 x 7.98 mm (for the vegan leather version) strike a harmonious balance between compactness and usability.

Whether you opt for the glass back of the Iceland Basaltic Dark variant or the silicone polymer back of the Uyuni Salt White variant, each choice exudes a sense of sophistication and durability. Weighing a modest 199 grams, the device feels substantial yet effortlessly ergonomic in hand, ensuring prolonged comfort during extended usage.

At the heart of its design lies the iconic Classic Side-axis Camera Design, a hallmark feature that not only elevates the device's visual allure but also underscores its distinctive identity in a sea of smartphones. This innovative camera layout not only captures attention but also enhances usability, offering a seamless blending of form and function. From its premium build materials to its attention to detail, the CAMON 30 5G embodies a design philosophy that transcends mere aesthetics, delivering a device that is as visually captivating as it is practical in everyday use.

Display

The TECNO CAMON 30 5G sports a breathtaking 6.78-inch AMOLED display, boasting a sharp resolution of 1080 x 2436 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 393 ppi. This means every image and video pops with vivid colors and crisp details, creating a visual feast that's perfect for binge-watching your favorite shows, scrolling through social media, or playing graphically intense games. With an impressive screen-to-body ratio of 87.5%, the display dominates the front of the phone, offering an almost edge-to-edge viewing experience that pulls you into whatever you're watching or playing.

This flagship handset's display also supports a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring that every swipe, scroll, and animation feels incredibly fluid. Whether you're gaming or simply navigating through apps, the higher refresh rate makes a noticeable difference in responsiveness and overall feel. Plus, the always-on display feature adds a layer of convenience, allowing you to glance at notifications, time, and other essential information without having to fully wake the phone. This combination of immersive display technology and thoughtful features makes the CAMON 30 5G's screen not just a pleasure to look at, but a joy to use.

Cameras

Imaging performance is a major highlight of the TECNO CAMON 30 5G. The rear camera setup includes a 50MP main camera with an f/1.9 aperture, a large 1/1.57" sensor, PDAF (Phase Detection AutoFocus), and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization).

This advanced configuration ensures that you capture sharp, detailed images even in challenging lighting conditions. The large sensor size allows for better light intake, resulting in vibrant and clear photos, while OIS helps to eliminate blur caused by hand movements. Complementing the main camera is a 2MP depth sensor, which enhances portrait shots by providing a professional bokeh effect, blurring the background to make your subject stand out.

Here are some sample photos that I took using the main camera of TECNO CAMON 30 5G. Kindly tap for larger view:

The front camera is equally impressive, featuring a 50MP sensor with autofocus and eye-tracking capabilities. This makes it perfect for selfies and groufies, as it can keep your face in sharp focus even if you move. The dual-LED and dual-tone flash on the front camera ensure well-lit selfies in low-light environments, maintaining natural skin tones and reducing harsh shadows. 

Here are a couple of selfies that I took using the front-cam of TECNO CAMON 30 5G. Kindly tap for larger view:

TECNO has clearly optimized the camera system for budding mobile photographers and content creators, making the CAMON 30 5G an ideal choice for those who love capturing and sharing their moments with high-quality visuals.

Video Recording

For video enthusiasts, the TECNO CAMON 30 5G delivers robust recording capabilities that cater to both casual users and budding content creators. The rear camera setup supports video recording in both 2K and 1080p at 30 frames per second (fps), ensuring that your footage is not only crisp and detailed but also smooth and professional-looking. This high resolution allows for stunning clarity, making your videos stand out whether you're capturing breathtaking landscapes or lively urban scenes.

One of the standout features for videographers is the inclusion of optical image stabilization (OIS). OIS significantly enhances video quality by minimizing motion blur and compensating for handshakes or slight movements, which is crucial during dynamic shooting scenarios. Whether you're walking while filming, recording from a moving vehicle, or vlogging on the go, OIS helps maintain steady and clear shots, giving your videos a polished and cinematic feel.

The CAMON 30 5G doesn’t just excel at rear camera video capabilities; it also shines when it comes to selfies-style videos. The front camera, featuring an impressive 50MP sensor with autofocus and eye-tracking, also supports 2K video recording. This means your video calls will be of exceptionally high quality, with every detail sharply captured, making it ideal for virtual meetings or keeping in touch with friends and family. Additionally, for vloggers, TikTokers, and Youtubers, the front camera ensures your videos look just as good as those taken with the rear camera, providing consistency and high quality across all your content.

Here's a medley of vlog-style videos that I recorded using all the cameras of TECNO CAMON 30 5G. No edits were made to the clips, except for putting them together:

Internal Hardware

Under the hood, the TECNO CAMON 30 5G boasts a powerhouse of performance features that cater to both everyday users and tech enthusiasts. At its core is the 6nm Mediatek Dimensity 7020 chipset, a highly efficient and powerful processor designed to handle a wide range of tasks with ease. The octa-core CPU architecture includes two high-performance Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, ensuring swift processing for demanding applications and multitasking. Complementing these are six Cortex-A55 cores running at 2.0 GHz, optimized for power efficiency and smooth handling of everyday tasks.

Graphics performance is handled by the IMG BXM-8-256 GPU, which delivers impressive visuals and fluid animations. This is particularly beneficial for gaming and multimedia consumption, as it ensures that games run smoothly and videos play without a hitch. Whether you're diving into the latest mobile games or streaming high-definition content, the CAMON 30 5G is equipped to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Memory and storage options on the CAMON 30 5G are equally robust. The device comes with 8GB of RAM, which is ample for most users' needs, ensuring smooth performance and efficient multitasking. Additionally, TECNO has included a RAM expansion feature that allows you to virtually extend the RAM by an additional 8GB. This means you can effectively have up to 16GB of RAM, giving you a significant performance boost for running multiple applications or heavy-duty tasks without slowing down your device.

Storage options are generous, with the CAMON 30 5G available in two variants: 256GB and 512GB. This provides ample space for apps, photos, videos, and other files, catering to both casual users and those with more demanding storage needs. However, it is worth noting that the device does not support microSD card expansion. This could be a limitation for users who prefer having the flexibility to add extra storage as needed. Nonetheless, with up to 512GB of internal storage, most users will find more than enough space for their digital lives.

Software

The CAMON 30 5G operates on the latest Android 14, which is further refined by TECNO's custom HIOS 14 interface. This combination delivers a highly user-friendly experience packed with features and customization options. From the moment you start using the device, you'll notice the vibrant array of themes and wallpapers that allow you to personalize the look and feel of your phone. HIOS 14 isn’t just about aesthetics, though; it brings a suite of practical enhancements that significantly improve daily usability.

One of the key highlights of HIOS 14 is its intuitive navigation system. The interface is designed to be straightforward and easy to use, ensuring that both new and experienced users can navigate effortlessly through apps and settings. The improved system efficiency means that tasks are executed swiftly, with minimal lag or delay. Whether you're switching between multiple apps, browsing the internet, or adjusting your settings, the smooth and responsive nature of HIOS 14 makes the experience seamless and enjoyable.

In addition to its user-friendly navigation, HIOS 14 comes pre-loaded with a variety of apps that cater to different needs and preferences. These apps range from productivity tools, such as a file manager and note-taking apps, to entertainment options, including music and video players. There are also utilities designed to optimize the phone's performance and ensure robust security, such as system boosters and privacy managers. The software is meticulously optimized to leverage the hardware capabilities of the CAMON 30 5G, particularly the Mediatek Dimensity 7020 chipset, ensuring that every feature, from the high-refresh-rate display to the advanced camera systems, operates at peak performance. This thoughtful integration ensures that users enjoy a smooth and responsive experience across various scenarios, making the CAMON 30 5G a reliable and versatile device for everyday use.

Gaming Performance

Gaming on the CAMON 30 5G is a delight, thanks to its powerful hardware and optimized software. The IMG BXM-8-256 GPU, combined with the high-refresh-rate AMOLED display, ensures a smooth and immersive gaming experience. Mobile Legends Bang Bang, a popular game among young consumers, runs flawlessly on the device, with high graphics settings and minimal lag. The ample RAM and efficient cooling system contribute to sustained performance during extended gaming sessions, making the CAMON 30 5G a solid choice for mobile gamers.

My TECNO CAMON 30 5G 8GB RAM + 512GB ROM review unit got a mark of 487,394 when I ran AnTutu Benchmark Score Test on the device. This is fairly high mark for a 2024 smartphone in this price echelon.

Privacy and Security Features

Security is a top priority for TECNO, and the CAMON 30 5G offers multiple layers of protection. The under-display optical fingerprint scanner provides quick and secure access to the device, while facial recognition offers a convenient alternative. 

Additionally, traditional pattern and passcode unlock methods are available, ensuring that users can choose their preferred method of securing their data. These features collectively provide robust security, safeguarding personal information and ensuring peace of mind for users.

Battery and Charging Speed

With its hefty 5,000 mAh non-removable battery, the CAMON 30 5G is like having a trusty sidekick that ensures you stay powered up from morning till night, no matter what adventures or tasks you embark on. Whether you're constantly scrolling through social media, streaming your favorite shows, or juggling work emails and calls, this powerhouse battery has got your back, offering peace of mind and eliminating the need to constantly hunt for power outlets. It's the kind of reassurance that resonates with anyone who's ever felt the panic of watching their phone battery drain away right when they need it most. With the CAMON 30 5G, you can bid farewell to battery anxiety and focus on enjoying your day, knowing that your device can keep up with your busy lifestyle.

The standout feature, however, is the 70W ultra-fast charging, which can charge the battery from 0% to 100% in just 45 minutes. This rapid charging capability ensures minimal downtime, allowing users to stay connected and productive without the worry of running out of power.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Stunning Display: The 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate offers a vibrant and fluid visual experience, ideal for gaming and media consumption.

Impressive Camera System: Dual 50MP cameras provide excellent photo and video quality, making it a great choice for content creators and vloggers.

Fast Charging: 70W ultra-fast charging ensures the battery is quickly replenished, minimizing downtime.

Robust Performance: The Mediatek Dimensity 7020 chipset, combined with ample RAM and storage, handles multitasking and gaming with ease.

Sleek Design: The premium build quality and iconic Classic Side-axis Camera Design make the device both stylish and functional.

Cons:

No microSD Expansion: The lack of a microSD card slot might be a downside for users needing additional storage capacity.

No Ultra-Wide Angle and Macro Cameras: Additional cameras would have made TECNO Camon 30 5G an even more flexible handset for budget-conscious mobile photographers.

Recommendation

The TECNO CAMON 30 5G is a feature-rich smartphone that offers excellent value for money, especially for young consumers. Its standout camera capabilities, robust performance, and fast charging make it an ideal choice for content creators, gamers, and anyone in need of a reliable and stylish device.

Whether you’re capturing moments, playing the latest mobile games, or simply staying connected with friends and family, the CAMON 30 5G is designed to meet your needs. Its competitive pricing and comprehensive feature set make it a compelling option in the mid-range smartphone market, delivering a premium experience without breaking the bank.

TECNO CAMON 30 5G Specs

Dimensions:

Glass: 165.37 x 75.93 x 7.83 mm

Vegan Leather: 165.37 x 75.93 x 7.98 mm

Weight: 199 grams

Build: Glass Front, Glass Back (Dark) or Silicone Polymer Back (Eco Leather, White)

Colorways: Iceland Basaltic Dark, Uyuni Salt White

DISPLAY

Size: 6.78 inches (~87.5% Screen-To-Body Ratio)

Resolution: 1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi Density)

Type: AMOLED, 120Hz Refresh Rate Support

Always-On Display

PLATFORM

Operating System: Android 14, HIOS 14

Chipset: 6nm Mediatek Dimensity 7020

CPU: Octa-Core (2 x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A78, 6 x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)

GPU: IMG BXM-8-256

MEMORY

Internal: 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM, 8GB RAM + 512GB ROM

RAM Expansion: 8GB for Both Models

Card Slot: No

MAIN CAMERA

Dual: 50 MegaPixels, f/1.9, (Wide), 1/1.57" Sensor, PDAF, OIS

2 Megapixels, Depth Sensor

Features: Dual-LED flash, HDR, Panorama

Video: Yes, 2K, 1080p, 30fps

SELFIE CAMERA

Single: 50 MegaPixels, (Wide), AutoFocus, Eye-Tracking Selfie Camera

Features: Dual-LED, Dual-Tone

Video: Yes, 2K, 1080p, 30fps

SOUND

Loudspeaker: Yes, Stereo Dual Speakers

Dolby Atmos: Yes

3.5mm Jack: No

COMMUNICATIONS

5G: Yes

4G: Yes, LTE-A

Wlan: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-Band

Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LE

Positioning: GPS

NFC: Yes

Infrared Port: Yes

FM Radio: No

USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

PRIVACY AND SECURITY:

Fingerprint: Yes, Under Display, Optical

Facial Recognition: Yes 

Pattern and Passcode Unlock: Yes

SENSORS:

Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass

BATTERY

Type: 5,000 mAh, Non-Removable

Charging: 70W Ultra Charge, Wired, 0-100% in 45 Minutes

TECNO CAMON 30 5G Packaging Details

Box Design - White and Blue Box with Model Name Printed on the Cover, Complete Technical Specifications and Product Highlights are Meticulously Listed at The Bottom of the Box

Contents - Handset itself, Warranty Card, 70W Travel Charger, USB Type C Charging Cable, Tempered Glass, Black Hard Case with Textured Finish 

TECNO CAMON 30 5G Prices in the Philippines

8GB RAM + 256GB ROM = PHP 11,999

8GB RAM + 512GB ROM = PHP 13,999

Official Launch Date: May 10, 2024

Launch Event Venue: The Eye, Green Sun Hotel, Makati City