The Tecno Camon series has always positioned itself as the camera-focused line in Tecno’s smartphone family. With the release of the Camon 40 in March 2025, Tecno is making bold claims about photography, performance, and premium features at a mid-range price.
I’ve been using the Tecno Camon 40 as my main phone for two weeks. Not just testing it casually, but actually relying on it for everything. Photos at family gatherings, video calls for work, heavy social media use, mobile banking, the full Nigerian smartphone experience.
Here’s my honest take on whether this phone delivers on its promises and whether it’s worth your money.
The Price Puts It In Competitive Territory
The Tecno Camon 40 costs around 270,000 to 300,000 naira in Nigeria. This puts it firmly in mid-range territory where competition is fierce.
At this price point, you’re competing with phones from Samsung, Xiaomi, Infinix, and even some older flagship models. Tecno needs to deliver real value to justify this pricing, not just flashy marketing.
For perspective, you could get a Samsung Galaxy A35 or Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro around similar pricing. These are established phones with proven track records. So the Camon 40 needs to be genuinely good, not just good for a Tecno.
The Display Is Genuinely Impressive
The phone has a 6.78 inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 1080 x 2436 pixel resolution. This is one area where the Camon 40 really delivers.
The AMOLED panel produces vibrant colors and deep blacks. Watching videos on YouTube or Netflix is a pleasure. The contrast is excellent, which makes content pop off the screen in ways LCD displays just can’t match.
The screen reaches 1300 nits peak brightness, which means outdoor visibility is genuinely good. Even under direct Lagos sun, I could see the screen clearly without struggling. This is important for a phone you’ll use daily in Nigeria’s bright conditions.
The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything feel smooth. Scrolling through Instagram, Twitter, or just navigating your phone feels fluid and responsive. Once you experience 120Hz, going back to 60Hz feels choppy and outdated.
The resolution is Full HD+, which means text is sharp and images are detailed. At 393 pixels per inch, everything looks crisp. No complaints about screen quality here.
My only minor criticism is the bezels. They’re not massive, but they’re noticeable compared to more premium phones. The chin at the bottom is slightly thicker than I’d like. But honestly, you stop noticing this after a few days of use.
Performance Is Solid For The Price
The Camon 40 runs on a MediaTek Helio G100 Ultimate processor with 8GB RAM. There’s also extended RAM technology that can expand this to 16GB using storage space.
For everyday tasks like WhatsApp, browsing, social media, email, and calls, this phone handles everything smoothly. Apps open quickly. Switching between apps doesn’t cause noticeable lag. The phone feels responsive in normal use.
Gaming performance is where things get more interesting. Light games like Candy Crush, Subway Surfers, and casual titles run perfectly. Medium intensity games like Mobile Legends and PUBG Mobile run acceptably on medium settings. You can play, but don’t expect the highest graphics settings with perfect frame rates.
Heavy games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile on high settings will struggle. The phone can run them, but you’ll need to lower graphics settings to get playable frame rates. This is a mid-range phone, not a gaming flagship, so this performance is expected.
One thing I noticed is the phone stays relatively cool during normal use. Even during extended camera sessions or moderate gaming, it doesn’t get uncomfortably hot. The thermal management is decent.
The 256GB storage option is what most people should get. 128GB fills up quickly with apps, photos, and videos. The storage is expandable via microSD card if needed, which is good to have as a backup option.
The Camera Is The Main Selling Point
This is what the Camon series is supposed to be about. The phone has a 50MP Sony LYT-700C main camera with OIS and an 8MP ultrawide camera. The front camera is 32MP.
In good daylight, the main camera takes genuinely impressive photos. Colors are vibrant, sometimes overly so, but most people prefer this punchy look for social media. Detail is good when you zoom in. The images have that premium look that makes them stand out.
The OIS, optical image stabilization, makes a real difference. Your photos come out sharper because the camera compensates for hand shake. This is especially noticeable in slightly lower light conditions where slower shutter speeds would normally cause blur.
The ultrawide camera is useful for group shots or capturing more of a scene. The quality drops compared to the main camera, which is normal, but it’s still usable. Colors and detail aren’t as good, but it serves its purpose.
Low light photography is where things get complicated. The camera does better than budget phones, thanks to the large sensor and OIS. But it’s not matching flagship performance. Indoor party shots come out acceptable but not amazing. You’ll see some noise and softness when you look closely.
The night mode helps significantly in very dark conditions. It takes a few seconds to capture, but the results are noticeably better than standard mode. You can get usable photos in surprisingly dark environments.
Portrait mode works well. The edge detection is generally accurate, and the background blur looks natural most of the time. Occasionally it messes up complex edges like hair, but overall it’s one of the better portrait modes I’ve used on a mid-range phone.
The 32MP front camera is excellent for selfies. Photos come out clear and detailed. The camera handles different skin tones well, which matters for Nigerian users. Video calls on WhatsApp and Zoom look sharp.
Video recording goes up to 1440p at 30fps on the main camera. Video quality is good with decent stabilization from the OIS. It’s not professional level, but it’s perfectly acceptable for social media content or personal videos.
Battery Life Delivers Consistently
The phone has a 5200mAh battery with 45W fast charging. This combination works well in real world use.
With moderate use, calls, social media, some photography, web browsing, I consistently got through a full day with 25 to 35 percent battery remaining. The large battery and relatively efficient processor work together well.
Heavy users who are constantly on their phones might need to charge by evening, but most people will comfortably make it through the day. The 120Hz display does consume more power, but the large battery compensates.
The 45W fast charging is genuinely fast. From completely empty to full charge takes about 55 minutes to an hour. From 0 to 50 percent takes roughly 25 to 30 minutes. This means quick top-ups are effective when you’re in a rush.
The charger comes in the box, which is appreciated. You don’t need to spend extra money on accessories.
Standby time is excellent. If you’re not using your phone heavily, it can easily last into a second day. For people with irregular access to charging or who travel frequently, this battery reliability is valuable.
Build Quality Feels Premium For The Price
The phone measures 164.16 x 74.64 x 7.34mm and weighs 177 grams. It’s slim and relatively lightweight, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods.
The build uses a glass front with plastic frame and back. The plastic doesn’t feel cheap, it has a nice finish that looks good. It’s clearly not metal or glass, but it doesn’t feel like a budget device either.
The phone comes in four colors: Galaxy Black, Emerald Lake Green, Glacier White, and Emerald Glow Green. I tested the Galaxy Black, which has a subtle sparkle effect that looks attractive without being over the top.
The phone has IP66 rating, which means it’s dust-tight and can handle powerful water jets. This isn’t full waterproofing like IP68, but it means the phone can survive rain, splashes, and dusty conditions. For Nigerian environments, this durability is practical.
The in-display fingerprint sensor works quickly and reliably. It’s positioned well and unlocks the phone without frustration. Face unlock is also available and works well in good lighting.
The phone has dual stereo speakers, which is a nice bonus. The sound quality is decent for a phone. Not audiophile level, but good enough for videos, music, and speakerphone calls. Having stereo separation makes media consumption more enjoyable.
Software Has Improvements But Still Has Issues
The phone runs Android 15 with HiOS 15. Having the latest Android version is good to see on a mid-range phone.
HiOS has improved over the years, but it still comes with bloatware. Pre-installed apps you didn’t ask for, promotional notifications, and unnecessary features clutter the experience. You can uninstall or disable most of these, but it takes time and effort.
The interface is colorful and animated. Some people like this vibrant style, others find it busy. It’s very much a personal preference thing. You can customize quite a bit if you spend time in settings.
Performance-wise, the software runs smoothly on this hardware. I didn’t experience crashes or major bugs during my testing. The UI animations are fluid thanks to the 120Hz display.
Tecno claims to offer software updates, but their track record is inconsistent. Don’t expect years of major Android updates like Samsung or Google provides. You might get one major update and some security patches, but that’s about it.
Extra Features Worth Mentioning
The phone includes NFC, which is useful for contactless payments if your bank supports it. This is becoming more important in Nigerian cities as digital payment grows.
There’s an infrared blaster that lets you control TVs and other appliances. Not everyone will use this, but it’s a fun bonus feature when you need it.
Bluetooth 5.4 provides stable connections to headphones and other accessories. WiFi is dual-band and works reliably. GPS is accurate for navigation.
The phone supports dual SIM cards, which many Nigerians need for managing different networks. You can also use one slot for a microSD card if you need to expand storage.
Who Should Buy This Phone
The Tecno Camon 40 makes sense for specific people with specific priorities.
If camera quality matters to you and you want good photography without spending flagship money, this phone delivers. The 50MP main camera with OIS produces genuinely impressive results in good light.
If you consume a lot of media, the large AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate provides an excellent viewing experience. Videos, social media, and web browsing all look great.
If battery life is a priority, the 5200mAh battery with 45W charging gives you all-day reliability with fast top-ups when needed.
If you want a phone that feels premium without the premium price tag, the Camon 40’s build quality and display punch above its price point.
If you’re upgrading from a budget phone or an older mid-range device, the Camon 40 will feel like a significant step up in almost every way.
Who Should Consider Alternatives
If you’re a serious mobile gamer, look at gaming-focused phones. The Helio G100 handles casual gaming but struggles with demanding titles on high settings.
If you want guaranteed long-term software support with multiple years of Android updates, Samsung’s A-series offers better promises. Tecno’s update track record is weak.
If you need the absolute best camera performance in all lighting conditions, save more money for a flagship. The Camon 40’s camera is good but not exceptional in challenging light.
If you prefer a cleaner, less cluttered software experience, Xiaomi or Samsung offer interfaces with less bloatware, though they have their own issues.
If you can stretch your budget to 350,000 to 400,000 naira, you enter territory with noticeably better processors and camera systems.
How It Compares To Competition
The Samsung Galaxy A35 around similar price offers better software support and brand reputation but has a less impressive display.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro sometimes offers better value with superior specifications, but availability and after-sales support in Nigeria can be inconsistent.
The Infinix Note 40 Pro provides comparable features at slightly lower prices but doesn’t quite match the Camon 40’s camera quality.
Older flagship phones from a year or two ago might be available at this price, offering better processors but with aging software and potentially degraded batteries.
My Honest Opinion
The Tecno Camon 40 is a solid mid-range phone that delivers good value for money. It’s not perfect, but it gets the important things right.
The display is genuinely impressive with its AMOLED panel and 120Hz refresh rate. The camera, especially the 50MP main sensor with OIS, produces photos that punch above the phone’s price class. The battery life is reliable with fast charging. The build quality feels premium for what you’re paying.
The software has bloatware that requires cleanup. The processor handles everyday tasks well but isn’t for serious gaming. Software update promises are vague. These are real compromises.
At 270,000 to 300,000 naira, you’re getting a phone that competes well with alternatives in its price range. It’s not the obvious best choice, but it’s a legitimate contender worth considering.
If camera quality and display experience matter most to you, the Camon 40 delivers. If you prioritize other things like gaming performance or software support, look at alternatives.
For most people who want a capable mid-range phone with good cameras and a great screen, the Tecno Camon 40 won’t disappoint. Just go in with realistic expectations about what a mid-range phone can and cannot do.
It’s a good phone at a fair price. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
