It’s no secret that the Tecno Camon series has become a household name across Africa, thanks to its combination of eye-catching design, impressive camera specs, and wallet-friendly pricing. With the launch of the Tecno Camon 30 in early 2025, the brand promises to once again redefine what’s possible in the midrange smartphone market. But does the Camon 30 live up to its buzz? Here’s our deep-dive, hands-on review after two weeks of daily use.
Design & Build Quality: Premium Looks, Practical Feel
At first glance, the Camon 30 stands apart from its predecessors. Tecno has opted for a sleek, almost flagship-level design, with a glass-like finish on the rear, subtly curved edges, and a slim profile (just 8.1mm thick). The phone feels sturdy, with a reassuring heft that’s neither too light nor too heavy.
Highlights:
- Color Options: Available in Dusk Black, Sky Blue, and a unique Emerald Green.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted, fast and reliable.
- Durability: No official IP rating, but it shrugged off minor splashes and dust in our field tests.
- Extra: The camera bump is prominent, but the included protective case helps level it out.
Display: Vivid, Bright, and Smooth
The Camon 30 sports a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. For a sub-$250 phone, this is one of the best screens you’ll find.
Our Experience:
- Brightness: Easily visible under harsh sunlight—great for outdoor use.
- Colors: Vibrant and punchy, making social media, videos, and photos pop.
- Touch Response: Fluid, with no noticeable lag—perfect for gaming and fast typing.
- Always-On Display: A neat touch for checking notifications at a glance.
Performance: Everyday Powerhouse
Under the hood, the Camon 30 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultra (5G), paired with 8GB/12GB RAM and 256GB storage. While not a flagship chip, it handles multitasking, gaming, and daily tasks with ease.
Benchmarking and Real-Life Use:
- Gaming: PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 10 ran at high settings with minimal frame drops.
- Apps: Switching between multiple apps was seamless, thanks to RAM expansion tech.
- Heat Management: The phone stayed cool, even during extended gaming sessions.
- Storage: Ample space for photos, apps, and videos—plus microSD expansion.
Cameras: The Star of the Show
Tecno’s Camon series has always put cameras at the forefront, and the Camon 30 is no exception. It packs a 108MP main sensor, supported by an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro camera. The front houses a 50MP selfie shooter—impressive on paper, but how does it fare in real life?
Daylight Photography
- Main Camera: Fantastic color reproduction, sharp details, and excellent dynamic range. Landscapes and portraits both look crisp, with natural skin tones.
- Ultra-Wide: Great for group shots or cityscapes; slight softness at the edges but still usable.
- Macro: Fun for close-ups, though not as detailed as the main lens.
Low Light & Night Mode
- Night Shots: Night mode kicks in automatically, brightening images without too much noise. Not flagship-level, but genuinely good for the price.
- Selfies: The 50MP front camera produces social-media-ready shots, even in dim indoor lighting.
Video
- Resolution: Shoots up to 4K at 30fps on the main camera.
- Stabilization: Electronic stabilization works well for casual video, though fast movement can cause some wobble.
- Vlogging: The “Dual View” mode lets you record with both front and rear cameras at once—a hit with content creators.
Software & Features: HiOS 14 Matures
The Camon 30 ships with HiOS 14 (on top of Android 14), which is a significant refinement over previous versions.
Key Features:
- Minimal Bloatware: Still some pre-installed apps, but most can be removed.
- Customization: Themes, icon packs, and Always-On Display tweaks.
- AI Tools: Built-in photo editor, smart gallery search, and document scanner.
- Updates: Tecno promises at least two years of software updates—better than before, but still not quite matching Samsung or Xiaomi.
Battery Life: All-Day Confidence
A 5,000mAh battery keeps the Camon 30 running strong. In our tests:
- Screen-On Time: Averaged 7–8 hours, even with heavy use.
- Charging: 45W fast charging tops up the battery from 0 to 70% in just 30 minutes.
- Power-Saving Modes: Effective for squeezing extra hours when needed.
Connectivity & Extras
- 5G Support: Reliable and future-proof, especially in urban areas with growing 5G networks.
- Dual SIM + microSD: Perfect flexibility for African consumers.
- Stereo Speakers: Loud and clear, though bass is a bit lacking.
- Headphone Jack: Yes—music lovers rejoice!
- Face Unlock: Fast, though not as secure as the fingerprint sensor.
What’s in the Box?
- USB-C cable and 45W charger included
- Protective case
- Pre-applied screen protector
- SIM eject tool and basic earphones
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Gorgeous AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh
- Excellent main and selfie cameras
- Strong battery life and fast charging
- 5G, dual SIM, expandable storage
- Premium design at an affordable price
Cons:
- No official water resistance rating
- HiOS still not as smooth as some rivals
- Occasional bloatware
- Camera bump is prominent
- Low-light photos could be better with future updates
Is the Tecno Camon 30 Worth the Hype?
Absolutely—especially if you love photography, want a gorgeous display, and need a phone that can keep up with your busy, connected life. Tecno has delivered a device that punches well above its weight in almost every category. While it has a few shortcomings (mostly on the software side and with low-light camera performance), the overall package is hard to beat at this price.
If you’re shopping for a midrange phone in Africa in 2025, the Camon 30 deserves to be at the very top of your list.