Specification

Tecno Camon 40 Premier Review: A Mid-Range Marvel or Just Another Camera-Focused Budget Flagship?

The mid-range phone segment is hotter than ever. Buyers are no longer satisfied with just decent specs — they want camera innovation, stylish design, long-lasting battery, and some “flagship feel” at half the price. The Tecno Camon 40 Premier enters this scene promising to be a photography-first smartphone — with bold hardware, smart imaging software, and surprising features for the price.

But how well does it actually perform in real life — in terms of design, camera, gaming, battery, display, and AI features? Let’s dive into the full review.

1. Design & Build: Premium polish, affordable price

Tecno has stepped up its game with the Camon 40 Premier’s design. It looks far more expensive than its price suggests.

Highlights:

• Flat metal frame with a curved glass back — very premium feel in hand
• Vegan leather option (on some color variants) for added grip and elegance
• Circular camera module inspired by high-end phones (like the Honor Magic series)
• IP54 splash resistance — decent protection at this price

Weight: 190g — lightweight and manageable
Feel: Premium in-hand feel with good ergonomics

It’s one of the best-looking phones in its segment — stylish without being overdone.

2. Display: Surprisingly premium

The Camon 40 Premier sports a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display that’s better than expected.

Specifications:

• FHD+ (2436×1080) resolution
• 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rate
• Peak brightness: ~1300 nits
• HDR10+ support
• In-display fingerprint scanner

Experience:

• Great outdoor visibility
• Colors are punchy but not oversaturated
• Smooth scrolling and animation thanks to LTPO
• Slight curve on edges, gives it a flagship vibe

While not in the same league as Galaxy or Pixel displays, it’s far ahead of what you’d expect at this price point.

3. Performance: Dimensity 8200 Ultimate – fast and efficient

At the heart of the Camon 40 Premier is the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate, a chip that’s known for its balance between performance and efficiency.

Specifications:

• 12GB LPDDR5 RAM (Expandable up to 24GB with virtual RAM)
• 512GB UFS 3.1 Storage
• AnTuTu: ~870,000
• Geekbench Multi-Core: ~3100

Real-World Usage:

• Super smooth for daily use: multitasking, social media, browsing
• No lag even with 25+ Chrome tabs or during photo editing
• App opening and switching is fast

Thermals:

• Remains cool in regular use
• Gaming heats it up mildly, but under control

You’re not getting flagship-level power like Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but for most users — this is more than enough.

4. Camera: The ‘Premier’ advantage

Camera Setup:

• 50MP Sony IMX890 main sensor with OIS
• 50MP periscope telephoto (3x optical zoom)
• 50MP ultra-wide + macro sensor
• 32MP front selfie camera with dual flash

Daylight Shots:

• Sharp, detailed, and well-exposed
• Colors lean slightly vibrant but stay realistic
• AI scene detection is smart and subtle
• Dynamic range is solid — even in challenging shots

Low Light:

• Night mode works well with the main sensor
• Telephoto is surprisingly usable in low light
• Some noise in ultra-wide at night

Zoom:

• 3x periscope lens works great for portraits and distant subjects
• Digital zoom up to 60x — usable till 10x

Video:

• 4K@30fps supported (rear), 2K selfie video
• Stabilization is decent, but not flagship level
• Good sound capture and HDR balance

Extras:

• Sky Shop AI editor: change sky and background in photos
• AI Eraser & Beauty filters
• Dual flashlight for selfies — ideal for night selfies or vlogs

Verdict: This is one of the best camera setups in the sub-৳60,000 category — rivaling much more expensive phones in daylight performance and versatility.

5. Gaming & Graphics Performance: Mid-range done right

GPU: Mali-G610 MC6

Tested Games:

• COD Mobile: High graphics + Max FPS — smooth gameplay
• PUBG/BGMI: HDR + Ultra — consistent 40-60fps
• Asphalt 9: No lags, rich visuals
• Genshin Impact: Medium settings — playable but minor frame dips

Battery Drain:

• 30 mins COD: ~9%
• 30 mins Genshin: ~12%

Heating: Minor warmth after 40 minutes — nothing uncomfortable
Touch Response: Good, 240Hz sampling rate helps in fast reflexes
Game Mode: In-game dashboard with FPS counter, block calls, screen recorder

Limitations:

• Not for ultra-heavy gaming marathons
• Occasional frame dips in graphically intensive scenes

6. Battery Life: Big, efficient, reliable

Specifications:

• 5000mAh battery
• 70W Fast Charging
• 50W Wireless Charging — a rare feature in this segment

In Our Tests:

• Screen-On-Time (SOT): ~7.5–8.5 hours
• Full charge time (wired): ~45 mins
• 0–50% in under 25 mins
• Wireless charge: 0–100% in ~70 mins

Real Use: Easily lasts a full day even with camera, gaming, and browsing

7. Software Experience: HiOS 14 – getting better

OS: Android 14 with HiOS 14
Promises: 2 years OS + 3 years security updates

Pros:

• Clean UI compared to previous HiOS versions
• Fewer ads and bloatware now
• Smart features: Smart Panel, Auto AOD Themes, AI Gallery
• AI voice assistant and call summarization

Cons:

• Still lacks the polish and minimalism of Pixel or OnePlus UI
• Notifications sometimes inconsistent
• Needs more fluid animations in system UI

But for the price, the improvements are commendable.

8. Audio, Connectivity & Extras

• Stereo Speakers: Loud and decently balanced
• 3.5mm Headphone Jack: No
• IR Blaster: Yes
• NFC: Yes
• Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, Dual 5G SIM
• In-display Fingerprint Sensor: Fast and accurate
• Face Unlock: Works well in good lighting

9. Who should buy it?

Buy the Camon 40 Premier if you:

• Love mobile photography with zoom, ultra-wide and cinematic shots
• Want wireless charging & premium design under ৳60K
• Prefer AMOLED with LTPO and curved screen look
• Want an all-rounder mid-range flagship

But skip it if you:

• Are a hardcore gamer (better options with Snapdragon exist)
• Hate pre-installed apps and want ultra-clean UI
• Want 3+ years of major software updates

Final Verdict

Tecno Camon 40 Premier is no longer “just a camera phone” — it’s a complete package. From display to performance to battery and camera versatility, it punches well above its price. While the software could still use refinement, Tecno has proven it can build a phone that feels premium, intelligent, and truly competitive.