Tecno has once again raised the bar for what consumers should expect from a mid-range premium smartphone with its new Camon 15 series devices. With prices starting at just UGX 688,000, you can expect a really powerful 4G device with a fast and fluid display.
Today we’re reviewing the standard Camon 15, whose highlight feature is an impressive-looking 48-megapixel camera that’s capable of 8x optical zoom. This style of camera sensors have so far been used in more expensive Android phones, but with the Camon 15, Tecno is bringing this tech to the mid-range customer base that wishes for perfection at an appealing price tag.
Simply looking at the specifications and price, the Tecno Camon 15 would definitely pass for a great all-rounder. Is it a better option than other similarly priced smartphones on the market? Let’s find out.
Tecno Camon 15 cameras: Great any day, any time
The one thing you can always count on a Camon smartphone is its camera. The Camon 15 features a four-sensor array at the back; highlighted by the 48-megapixel sensor, which allows it to achieve an 8x optical zoom. The other three cameras are not really specified in terms of their abilities but we believe they are two 2MP sensors and one QVGA to support the primary.
Without discrediting the maximum of 8x magnification, the true optical zoom level seems to be about 2.5x. This is where you can take perfect distant photography without fainting the image. Of course you get to enjoy some of the impressive settings such as Exposure compensation and ISO control, but might need to perfect them for satisfying results.
The Camon 15 camera, surprisingly, didn’t manage very good quality low-light images without the Super Night mode that Tecno added to the camera app. The Super Night mode works for those that love capturing videography in dark environments, and it helps capture better details. I wasn’t able to capture any night photos as such due to inconveniences, but I believe it does work, with proper setup.
The camera really shines when shooting during the day. It manages to keep up and capture all the details and colours. If you are a fan of close-up shots, this one got you firmly! Take a look at one of those we captured quite well.
Tecno Camon 15 Camera samples
The Tecno Camon 15 captures selfies at the full 16-megapixel resolution that it is meant to. You can be perfect-sure to get the results on a day-time shot.
Overall, the camera upgrade in the Camon 15 is very good, provided you shoot mainly in daylight and at up to reasonable magnification levels. We believe the expanded Super Night mode too does wonders, and can be of help if you rely on this phone for your photography needs.
Tecno Camon 15 performance
Tecno has always ensured that the performance of its smartphones is impressive. We’re happy to report that the Camon 15 feels speedy in use. This particular device in review is the 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage.
Tecno chose to go with an LCD display instead of an AMOLED one, probably because the former has proven to be efficient when it comes to device speed. The close-to 6.6-inch full-HD+ LCD panel is quite good, with strong colours. However, if you are one that is not into speed, a slower AMOLED display would be a better offering for more vibrant colours and better contrast at lower brightness levels.
The brightness levels of this particular Camon need to be high to enjoy your view to the maximum. When using this phone indoors at medium to low brightness, the screen feels a little dull.
The Camon 15 has a fingerprint sensor on the back side, which works well with just a light tap. There’s also a face unlock feature which is equally quick. The phone comes with a nice and loud speaker that ensures your audio needs are taken care of.
HiOS version 6, based Android 10, runs very well on the Camon 15. I noticed the same shortcuts that we’ve seen in other past Tecno phones. Gaming performance is excellent. The phone can easily handle demanding games from the Google Play store. Of course, after prolonged gameplay, the device gets warmer but never did we experience any unbearable heat.
You can use two Nano-SIM cards in the Camon 15 at the same time, plus there’s a microSD card slot for expanding the internal storage. You also get the usual Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, sensors and navigation systems. Battery life was solid, and even with heavy usage, I was able to comfortably use the Camon 15 for an entire day before needing to charge it. The 5000mAh battery is impressive, considering the fast chip in the phone and fluid display.
Tecno Camon 15 design
I’ve kept this section for the very end because there’s not a lot that’s new here. The overall design of the Camon 15 is what the Spark 5 gave us, just that this is a bigger and somehow much better device. We can’t deny the fact that it is indeed a unique and quality finish done on the back of the phone. The back feels great to the touch, coming with a smooth matte finish.
Verdict: Should you buy the Camon 15?
If you’ve made it this far, you probably know by now that the Camon 15 is indeed a good all-rounder. The standard variant is priced at UGX 688,000 for 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, while the Premier variant costs UGX 1,025,000 for 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Both variants of the phone offer value considering all the features they pack in.
Some of this phone’s strong points include the fluid display, excellent battery life, strong performance, and the impressive camera. The screen lighting is still a bit weak, and we do think the design should have been much more original than what we get but never the less, it’s a wonderful device.
The Camon 15 overlaps with the Camon 12 a bit, but rather than replace it, I think there’s enough reason for both to coexist. Ultimately, it all depends on what you want from your smartphone. As long as your interest is in having a camera smartphone, the Camon 15 is the best choice to have on the market today!
Tecno Camon 15 Specifications
Screen: 6.6 inches
Camera: 48MP+2MP+2MP+QVGA on the rear, 16MP on the front
Memory: 64GB+4GB in terms of ROM + RAM respectively
OS: Android 10, alongside HiOS v.6.0.1
Battery: 5000mAh
Chip: Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22
Tecno Camon 15 Price and availability
The Camon 15 costs UGX 688,000 and it is available countrywide in TECNO branded shops and MTN Service Centres near you. All customers that purchase Camon 15 get Free 3GB internet data every month for three months and 100% data bonus on every data bundle purchased.
