TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G Review: A Unique Blend of Innovation, Sustainability, and Style

Daven Klarsen July 26, 2024

Standing out in the Smartphone ocean requires more than just good specifications; it demands a unique identity and innovation. The TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G, first announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, has managed to capture attention not just with its tech specs but also with its unique Design Edition, developed in collaboration with the renowned German electronics brand Loewe.

This edition is not merely a visual delight but also an environmentally conscious choice, featuring materials derived from coffee grounds. This review delves into the comprehensive aspects of the TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G, highlighting its design, features, performance, and overall user experience.

Unboxing Experience

The unboxing of the TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G Design Edition sets the tone for a premium and unique experience. The packaging itself is thoughtfully designed, featuring a color scheme that matches the phone’s distinctive design. As you unbox, the first thing that strikes you is the phone’s unique aesthetic, which is a result of its five-color green gradient and the use of faux leather made partly from waste coffee grounds. This innovative material choice not only provides a soft and comfortable grip but also signifies TECNO’s commitment to sustainability, a rare feature in the smartphone industry.

Inside the box, TECNO includes a host of accessories: a special color-matched case, a 70W USB wall plug for rapid charging, a SIM injector tool, a USB cable, and an extra tempered glass screen protector (with one already pre-installed). This comprehensive package ensures that users have everything they need to protect and maintain their device right from the start, adding significant value to the overall purchase.

Design and Build Quality

The TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G’s design is its most distinguishing feature. The rear panel, designed in collaboration with Loewe, is inspired by the life cycle of leaves and is constructed from eco-friendly materials, including nearly a gram of coffee ground waste. This not only gives the phone a unique look and feel but also aligns with modern trends towards sustainability in consumer electronics. The material, resembling faux leather, provides a soft, tactile experience and a firm grip, reducing the chances of accidental drops.

The phone’s frame is constructed from high-quality aluminum with a matte finish, giving it a sturdy and premium feel. It also boasts an IP54 rating, making it splash-resistant and adding a layer of durability against everyday mishaps. The overall build quality is impressive, comparable to many flagship devices, and it feels substantial in hand, thanks to its solid construction.

Display Quality and User Interface

The TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G features a large 6.77-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a resolution of 1264 x 2780 pixels. This results in a pixel density that provides crisp and vibrant visuals, making it ideal for media consumption, gaming, and browsing. The display supports a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, which can automatically adjust based on the content being displayed, optimizing battery life without compromising on smoothness. This feature, often reserved for high-end devices, ensures fluid navigation and an enhanced viewing experience, whether you’re scrolling through apps or watching high-definition videos.

The screen’s peak brightness of 1400 nits ensures visibility even under bright sunlight, a crucial feature for outdoor use. The color accuracy and contrast ratio are excellent, with deep blacks and vibrant colors that enhance the visual appeal of games and videos. The display is protected by a pre-installed tempered glass screen protector, adding an extra layer of durability against scratches and minor impacts.

The user interface is powered by TECNO’s HiOS 14, built on top of Android 14. HiOS 14 offers a unique blend of features and customizations, including a variety of themes, icons, and wallpapers. The interface is user-friendly, with intuitive navigation and a suite of pre-installed apps that add to the overall functionality without overwhelming the user. TECNO has also committed to providing up to Android 16 updates and 36 months of security patches, ensuring that the device remains secure and up-to-date for an extended period.

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Camera System and Photography

The TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G is equipped with an impressive camera setup that caters to both casual photographers and enthusiasts. The rear camera array includes:

50MP Main Sensor: Featuring an f/1.9 aperture, this sensor excels in low-light conditions, capturing detailed and bright images even in challenging lighting. The main sensor also benefits from advanced image processing algorithms that enhance color reproduction and detail.
70mm Periscope Telephoto Lens: This lens offers 3x optical zoom and up to 60x digital zoom, allowing users to capture distant subjects with clarity. The optical image stabilization ensures that zoomed images remain sharp, reducing the blur that often accompanies high levels of digital zoom.
114° Ultra-Wide Lens: Perfect for capturing expansive landscapes or group shots, this lens adds versatility to the camera system. The wide field of view allows users to capture more of the scene in a single frame, ideal for architectural photography and scenic landscapes.
50MP Front Camera: The front-facing camera offers high-resolution selfies and supports a variety of portrait modes, including beauty mode and portrait lighting, providing professional-level photo quality. The high resolution also ensures detailed video calls and live streaming.

The camera app is loaded with features and shooting modes, such as Super Night Mode, Ultra Steady Image Stabilization, and a unique Dual-Lens Video Recording mode. The AI-powered image generator is an interesting addition, allowing users to take a portrait and then choose from a range of backgrounds and artistic styles, enhancing the creative possibilities.

Performance and Hardware

At the heart of the TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G is the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate chipset. This octa-core processor, combined with 12GB of RAM, ensures smooth performance across a variety of tasks, from everyday use to more demanding applications. The 512GB of onboard storage provides ample space for apps, photos, videos, and more, although there is no support for expandable storage via microSD card.

The device performs admirably in multitasking scenarios, handling multiple apps and processes without lag. This is complemented by a robust GPU that ensures smooth graphics performance, making it suitable for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks. While the Dimensity 8200 Ultimate may not be the absolute top-tier processor in the market, it offers a great balance of performance and efficiency, positioning the TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G firmly in the upper mid-range segment.

The phone runs on HiOS 14, which is based on Android 14. This custom skin offers a variety of features, including enhanced privacy controls, digital wellbeing tools, and a range of customization options. The software experience is smooth and intuitive, with regular updates promised by TECNO, including security patches and future Android versions up to Android 16.

Battery Life and Charging

The TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, a capacity that should comfortably see most users through a full day of use. The battery life is further optimized by the adaptive refresh rate of the display and the efficient power management of the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate chipset.

One of the standout features of this device is its fast charging capability. The included 70W charger can bring the battery from 0% to 100% in just 45 minutes, a feature that is incredibly convenient for users who are constantly on the move. Unfortunately, the device does not support wireless charging, which could be a downside for some users. However, the fast wired charging compensates for this, ensuring minimal downtime even during heavy usage days.

Audio Quality and Multimedia Experience

The audio experience on the TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G is enhanced by its dual Dolby Atmos-certified speakers. These speakers are strategically placed at the top and bottom of the device, providing a stereo sound experience that is both immersive and clear. While the speakers may not deliver the deepest bass, they offer a balanced sound profile with good clarity and volume, making them suitable for media consumption and gaming.

The inclusion of an IR blaster adds an extra layer of functionality, allowing the phone to be used as a remote control for various electronic devices, including TVs and air conditioners. This feature, though often overlooked, can be incredibly convenient in day-to-day use.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G supports a wide range of connectivity options, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC. These features ensure fast and reliable connections for everything from browsing and streaming to contactless payments and file transfers. The dual SIM slots provide flexibility for users who need to manage multiple phone numbers or carriers, although the lack of expandable storage might be a limitation for those who require additional space.

The device also includes an in-display fingerprint sensor and facial recognition for biometric security. Both methods are fast and reliable, offering quick and convenient access to the device. The in-display fingerprint sensor works seamlessly even with the pre-installed screen protector, while the facial recognition system is accurate and quick, thanks to advanced algorithms and the high-resolution front camera.

Conclusion

The TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G Design Edition is a standout device that combines unique design elements with solid performance and a focus on sustainability. The collaboration with Loewe has resulted in a smartphone that not only looks and feels premium but also aligns with modern environmental values. The use of coffee grounds in the construction of the device is a novel approach that sets it apart from other smartphones on the market.

The phone’s display, camera system, and performance are all impressive, making it a strong contender in the upper mid-range segment. The inclusion of features like fast charging, a high-quality display, and a versatile camera setup ensures that the TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G offers excellent value for money.

While it may not have the brand recognition of some of its competitors, the TECNO Camon 30 Premier 5G is a compelling choice for anyone looking for a unique, stylish, and capable smartphone. Whether you’re drawn to its innovative design, impressive camera capabilities, or robust performance, this device offers something for everyone.

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Daven Klarsen

Daven Klarsen is a technology writer and researcher. He's also an avid sports fan, especially when it comes to the LAL. When not working, you can usually find him tweaking his Android devices or watching soccer news.

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