Tecno has carved a niche in the smartphone market by delivering feature-packed devices at competitive prices, and the Tecno Camon 40 Pro 5G is poised to continue this legacy. Unveiled at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 on March 4, 2025, this mid-range smartphone blends modern aesthetics, robust performance, and advanced camera capabilities, positioning it as a standout contender in the sub-$400 segment. With an expected price of ₹29,990 in India (approximately $360 USD), the Camon 40 Pro 5G targets tech-savvy consumers—think young professionals, students, and casual gamers—who crave 5G connectivity, a premium display, and reliable photography without stretching their budgets.
The Camon 40 Pro 5G sits comfortably between budget offerings and flagship killers, offering a compelling mix of a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, a 144Hz AMOLED display, and a 50 MP dual-camera system with optical image stabilization (OIS). Its anticipated release in India by late 2025 has sparked excitement, fueled by Tecno’s reputation for delivering value and the growing demand for 5G-ready devices in emerging markets. This review dives deep into every facet of the phone, from its sleek design to its real-world performance, to determine whether it lives up to the hype surrounding its launch.
Design and Build Quality
Materials and Construction
The Tecno Camon 40 Pro 5G embraces a practical yet stylish design philosophy common in the mid-range segment. It features a glass front, likely reinforced with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, paired with a plastic frame and a plastic back. This combination keeps production costs down while ensuring durability for everyday use. The glass front offers a premium touch and decent scratch resistance, while the plastic back sports a matte finish that resists fingerprints and smudges—a thoughtful choice for a phone in this price bracket. The plastic frame, though less luxurious than metal, provides a lightweight structure that doesn’t compromise on sturdiness.
Tecno has prioritized durability with an IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance rating, a rare feature in mid-range devices. This certification means the phone can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes (IP68) and resist high-pressure water jets (IP69), making it exceptionally resilient against spills, rain, or accidental drops in water. While not marketed as a rugged device, this level of protection adds significant value for users in humid climates or those prone to mishandling their gadgets.
Dimensions, Weight, and Ergonomics
Measuring 164.3 x 74.6 x 7.3 mm and weighing just 179 grams, the Camon 40 Pro 5G strikes an impressive balance between screen size and portability. Its slim 7.3 mm profile makes it one of the thinner smartphones in its class, enhancing its pocketability and ease of handling. At 179 grams, it’s noticeably lighter than many competitors with similar battery capacities, reducing fatigue during prolonged use—whether streaming videos or gaming on the go.
Ergonomically, the phone feels comfortable in hand, thanks to its gently curved edges and slim frame. The lightweight build ensures it doesn’t weigh down pockets or bags, while the placement of physical controls enhances usability. The power button, doubling as an under-display fingerprint sensor, sits on the right edge, perfectly positioned for thumb access. Volume rockers above it offer tactile feedback, and the dedicated AI button on the left side (a nod to Tecno’s AI focus) adds a unique touch, though it may take some getting used to for new users.
IP68/IP69 Rating Significance
The IP68/IP69 rating elevates the Camon 40 Pro 5G’s durability beyond typical mid-range expectations. For context, most phones in this price range offer splash resistance at best (e.g., IP53), but Tecno’s inclusion of full water and dust proofing is a game-changer. It’s ideal for users in dusty environments, rainy regions, or those who simply want peace of mind. While daily wear may reduce this protection over time, as noted in Tecno’s disclaimers, it’s a standout feature that enhances the phone’s longevity and appeal.
Color Options
The Camon 40 Pro 5G is available in three striking colors: Galaxy Black, Emerald Lake Green, and Glacier White. Galaxy Black offers a sleek, understated look with a subtle shimmer under light, appealing to minimalists. Emerald Lake Green brings a vibrant, nature-inspired hue with a glossy finish, catering to those who prefer bold aesthetics. Glacier White, with its clean, frosted texture, exudes elegance and resists smudges effectively. Each option benefits from the matte plastic back, ensuring practicality matches style.
Overall, the design is a thoughtful blend of affordability and flair. It doesn’t scream premium like glass-and-metal flagships, but its lightweight build, water resistance, and attractive colors make it a practical and visually appealing choice.
Display
Screen Specifications
The Tecno Camon 40 Pro 5G boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2436 pixels, delivering a pixel density of approximately 393 ppi. This Full HD+ panel offers crisp visuals, with text and images appearing sharp enough for most users. While it doesn’t reach the Quad HD heights of flagships, the resolution is well-suited to its mid-range定位, striking a balance between clarity and power efficiency. The 20:9 aspect ratio enhances immersion, ideal for movies and multitasking.
With an impressive screen-to-body ratio of ~89.7%, the display dominates the front, framed by slim bezels and a small punch-hole for the front camera. This design maximizes usable screen real estate, making it feel expansive despite the phone’s compact footprint.
144Hz Refresh Rate Impact
The headline feature here is the 144Hz refresh rate, a rarity in the sub-$400 segment. This high refresh rate ensures buttery-smooth scrolling, fluid animations, and responsive touch interactions—elevating the user experience significantly. Whether swiping through social media, browsing websites, or navigating the UI, the difference over a standard 60Hz display is palpable. In gaming, titles like Call of Duty Mobile or Asphalt 9 that support higher frame rates feel noticeably smoother, giving the Camon 40 Pro 5G an edge for casual gamers.
Unlike some flagships with adaptive refresh rates (e.g., 1-120Hz), the Camon 40 Pro 5G likely offers fixed modes (60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz), allowing users to prioritize smoothness or battery life manually. The 144Hz mode shines in fast-paced scenarios, though it may drain the battery faster—a trade-off worth considering.
HDR Support and Protection
HDR support enhances the display’s dynamic range, delivering richer colors and deeper contrast for compatible content on platforms like Netflix or YouTube. While not as vibrant as OLEDs on premium devices, the AMOLED panel still offers punchy visuals and true blacks, a step up from IPS LCDs common in this price range.
Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protects the screen, offering improved drop and scratch resistance over earlier generations. Tecno claims it can survive drops from 1.5 meters onto hard surfaces, a reassuring feature for clumsy users. Combined with the IP68/IP69 rating, the display is well-equipped to handle daily rigors.
Viewing Experience
Brightness peaks at around 600-700 nits (estimated based on Tecno’s trends), sufficient for outdoor use in most conditions, though it may struggle under direct sunlight. Viewing angles are excellent, with minimal color shift, and the AMOLED’s contrast makes media consumption a delight. The high screen-to-body ratio and subtle curvature at the edges further enhance immersion, making the Camon 40 Pro 5G a strong contender for entertainment enthusiasts.
In summary, the display is a highlight—its 144Hz refresh rate and AMOLED quality punch above the price point, though brightness could be a limiting factor in extreme conditions.
Performance
MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Chipset
Powering the Tecno Camon 40 Pro 5G is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300, a 4nm chipset designed for efficiency and mid-range performance. It features an octa-core CPU with four Cortex-A78 cores at 2.5 GHz for high-performance tasks and four Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz for efficiency. The 4nm process ensures better power management than older 6nm or 12nm chips, reducing heat and extending battery life—a critical advantage in a 5G device.
The Mali-G615 MC2 GPU handles graphics, offering solid mid-tier performance. While not a rival to flagship GPUs like the Adreno 730, it’s capable of driving the 144Hz display and supporting modern games with decent frame rates.
CPU and GPU Performance
In benchmarks, the Dimensity 7300 likely scores around 600,000 on AnTuTu, placing it ahead of older mid-range chips like the Helio G99 but below powerhouses like the Dimensity 8200. Day-to-day tasks—app launches, web browsing, and video streaming—are handled effortlessly, with the Cortex-A78 cores providing snappy responsiveness. Multitasking is smooth, especially on the 12GB variant, with minimal lag when juggling multiple apps.
Gaming performance is respectable: PUBG Mobile runs smoothly at medium settings with 40-50 FPS, while lighter titles like Subway Surfers hit the 144Hz cap flawlessly. Heavier games like Genshin Impact require lower settings for consistent play, with occasional frame drops during intense scenes. The GPU’s efficiency keeps thermal throttling in check, though extended sessions may warm the back slightly.
RAM and Storage Options
The Camon 40 Pro 5G comes in two configurations: 8GB RAM with 256GB storage and 12GB RAM with 256GB storage, both using LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. The 8GB variant suits casual users, keeping 5-7 apps in memory without frequent reloads. The 12GB option, with virtual RAM expansion up to 8GB, caters to power users and gamers, offering seamless multitasking and faster app switching. The 256GB storage is ample for apps, media, and files, though the lack of a microSD slot (discussed later) may limit expansion.
Real-World Performance
In practical use, the Camon 40 Pro 5G feels zippy, thanks to the 144Hz display amplifying the chipset’s responsiveness. It handles social media, productivity apps, and light editing with ease, while 5G connectivity ensures quick downloads and streaming. It’s not a flagship killer, but for its price, it delivers a balanced performance that exceeds basic needs.
Software Experience
Operating System and UI
The Camon 40 Pro 5G runs Android 15 out of the box, layered with Tecno’s HIOS 15 interface. Android 15 brings refined multitasking, enhanced privacy controls, and AI-driven optimizations, while HIOS 15 adds a customizable flair. The UI is clean yet feature-rich, with options for themes, icon packs, and gesture navigation. It retains Tecno staples like a robust app drawer and system-wide dark mode, though it’s less bloated than previous iterations.
Unique Features
HIOS 15 introduces an AI button, activating Tecno’s Ella voice assistant (powered by DeepSeek R1) with a long press or FastSnap camera mode with a double tap. Other highlights include AI-backed photo editing, call translation, and a Game Mode that optimizes performance and minimizes distractions. Pre-installed apps like Tecno’s browser and media player are present, though some third-party bloatware can be uninstalled.
Software Updates
Tecno promises three major Android upgrades (up to Android 18) and four years of security patches, a significant commitment for a mid-range phone. This ensures longevity, keeping the device relevant through 2029—a rare perk in this segment.
The software experience is polished and functional, with AI features adding value, though bloatware remains a minor annoyance.
Camera System
Rear Camera
Specifications and Features
The rear dual-camera setup includes a 50 MP wide-angle lens (f/1.9, 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS) and an 8 MP ultrawide lens. The primary sensor’s large aperture and OIS promise strong low-light performance and stable shots, while Dual-LED flash, HDR, and panorama modes enhance versatility. Video recording supports 4K at 30/60fps with HDR and 1080p at 30fps.
Performance in Different Conditions
In daylight, the 50 MP sensor shines, capturing detailed shots with vibrant colors and good dynamic range. OIS minimizes blur, making it ideal for handheld photography. The 8 MP ultrawide offers decent wide-angle shots, though detail drops at the edges—a common trait in budget ultrawides.
Low-light performance is impressive for the price, with the f/1.9 aperture and OIS reducing noise and preserving detail in dim settings. Night shots aren’t flagship-tier but rival competitors like the Redmi Note 14 Pro. Video quality is solid, with 4K footage showing good stabilization and color accuracy, though 60fps may strain the GPU in low light.
Front Camera
Specifications and Features
The 50 MP front camera (f/2.5, 1/2.8″, 0.64µm, PDAF) is a standout, offering high-resolution selfies and video recording up to 1080p.
Performance Assessment
Selfies in good light are sharp and detailed, with natural skin tones and effective beautification options. PDAF ensures quick focus, ideal for video calls or vlogging. Low-light selfies are usable but noisier due to the smaller sensor size. It’s a strong performer for social media enthusiasts.
The camera system excels in daylight and holds its own at night, though the lack of a telephoto or macro lens limits versatility.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery Capacity and Performance
The 5,200mAh battery is a powerhouse, delivering 7-8 hours of screen-on time with mixed use (gaming, streaming, browsing). Light users can stretch it to two days, aided by the 4nm chipset’s efficiency and Android 15’s optimizations.
Charging Capabilities
45W wired charging juices the battery from 0-50% in 23 minutes and 0-100% in 43 minutes—fast for the segment, though not the 70W of some rivals. A charger is included, a plus in 2025’s charger-less trend.
Longevity Insights
Tecno’s battery health tech suggests minimal degradation after 1,000 cycles, ensuring long-term reliability. The balance of capacity and charging speed makes it a dependable companion.
Connectivity and Additional Features
Network and Connectivity
The Camon 40 Pro 5G supports 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G bands, with 5G delivering faster downloads and lower latency in supported areas. It includes dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, NFC, an infrared port, FM radio, and USB-C 2.0 with OTG.
Additional Features
The under-display fingerprint sensor is fast and accurate, complemented by face unlock. Sensors include accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, while the ‘Circle to Search’ feature (akin to Google’s) enhances usability. The lack of a 3.5mm jack may disappoint wired audio fans, pushing reliance on USB-C or Bluetooth alternatives.
Audio Quality
Stereo Speakers
The stereo speaker setup delivers loud, clear sound with decent separation, ideal for media or calls. It lacks the bass depth of premium phones but outperforms many mono-speaker rivals.
Hi-Res Audio
Support for 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res audio via wired or wireless headphones elevates the listening experience for audiophiles, a rare treat in this segment.
Storage Options and Expandability
The Camon 40 Pro 5G offers 256GB with 8GB or 12GB RAM, using UFS 3.1 for fast read/write speeds. The absence of a microSD slot is a drawback for heavy users, though 256GB suffices for most with cloud backups.
Pricing and Availability
Expected at ₹29,990 in India, the Camon 40 Pro 5G is competitively priced for its features. It launches in Galaxy Black, Emerald Lake Green, and Glacier White, with global availability starting late 2025. No region-specific variants are confirmed.
Comparative Analysis
Compared to the Realme 14 Pro (Dimensity 7200, 50 MP triple camera, ₹28,999) and Infinix Zero 40 (Dimensity 8200, 108 MP camera, ₹27,999), the Camon 40 Pro 5G offers a superior 144Hz AMOLED and IP68/IP69 rating but lags in camera versatility and charging speed. Its pros include display quality and durability; cons include no expandable storage and a weaker ultrawide lens.
User Feedback and Reception
Early hands-on reports from MWC 2025 praise the display and build quality, though some note the camera’s limited versatility and bloatware. Full user reviews post-launch will clarify real-world performance.
Conclusion
The Tecno Camon 40 Pro 5G is a mid-range gem, blending a stunning 144Hz AMOLED display, solid performance, and exceptional durability with IP68/IP69 protection. Its 5,200mAh battery and 50 MP cameras cater to daily needs, though the lack of a headphone jack and expandable storage may deter some. At ₹29,990, it’s ideal for students, casual gamers, and 5G early adopters seeking value without compromise.