Quick Verdict
The Tecno Camon 11 Pro is a fine phone that lacks any crippling flaws, but elements such as a low-res display and plastic body that easily scratches make it hard to champion over other lower-mid-range alternatives.
Pros
- Awesome diamond fire design
- Good Cameras
- Increased RAM
- Strong Battery with fast charging
Cons
- No OIS on cameras
- Plastic profile scratches
- Fingerprint magnet back
Tecno has bossed the budget camera-centric smartphone market ever since the first Camon device, the Camon C5. The Camon series has gone on to become one big (sn)appy family with all the updates that followed. No one makes desirable, premium looking smartphones for a < $250 budget quite like the Transsion-owned brand.
Related: The Phantom, Camon, F and Spark series: A Guide to Tecno Smartphones
The Camon 11 Pro is a few steps above the former flagship contender, the Camon X Pro. It comes with a better spec sheet that the Camon X Pro but with a very different approach to both hardware and software, but a lower launch price. (UGX 899,000 compared to UGX 940,000).
It’s priced just above the Infinix Note 5 but lower than worthy competitors from Nokia, Xiaomi and Samsung. These days, you can expect to get quite a lot of phone for this sort of money. We’ve come to expect a certain flagship flavor when it comes to design and feel, alongside a couple of stand-out features. The Camon 11 Pro delivers on this.
Related: Top Chinese smartphone brands you should try out in Africa
The Camon 11 Pro is an all-round package and perhaps the best Tecno design to date, but it only really stands out for one reason, the notch. Thankfully, it’s quite an appealing one.
Key Specs
- OS Version: Android 8.1 (Oreo) + HiOS 4.1 OS
- Display: 6.2-inch Super FULL VIEW HD+ (720 x 1500 pixel) Display
- CPU: 2.0 GHz octa-core MT6762 Helio P22 CPU
- Internal Storage: 64 GB expandable to 256GB via microSD card
- RAM: 6 GB RAM
- Back Camera: 16 + 5 MP dual Rear Camera with quad-LED flash
- Front Camera: 24-megapixel AI Clear Selfie Camera with LED flash
- Other Features: Fingerprint scanner, Face ID, Bluetooth 5.0, Dual SIM and 4G LTE Networks
- Battery: 3750mAh with Mediatek Pump Express
- Price: UGX 899,000
Camon 11 Pro Design
The Camon 11 Pro design has undeniably been heavily influenced by the recent sea of notched smartphones, specifically the Huawei P 20 Lite, both front and back. It has close to edge-to-edge notched display. However, it possesses a bottom chin that makes it look a little askew. The phone also has a plastic back with the looks of glass (don’t be fooled) and a vertically aligned dual-camera module.
The main design highlight of the Camon 11 Pro is the new diamond fire design. Tecno pulled one of its best designs of 2018 and perhaps of all time with this device. The rear panel gradients from black to Nebula blue for an elegant look.
Tecno Camon 11 Pro diamond fire design
The awesome paint job, glass looks, and the slim profile of the Camon 11 Pro make an awesome smartphone package. We can forgive Tecno for not using actual glass at the back panel given how affordable this device is.
The left side of the Camon 11 Pro houses the dual-nano SIM card and micro SD card tray while the right is home for the volume rocker and power buttons. The top of the device is kept free whereas the bottom is crowded with the 3.5mm audio jack, microphone, micro USB port and a single loud-speaker.
The rim of the phone got a glossy finish this time round to look more premium. Flipping the device to the back side, you see the dual-rear vertically aligned camera module that makes a little bump from the rest of the back. Juist below it is a quad LED flash light that is squeezed in a circular shape. Camon and Tecno branding are written shooting to the heavens in the same line as the camera leaving the top center area for the fingerprint reader. This is the natural home for fingerprint reader.
The Camon 11 Pro is a pleasant phone to hold. It gives a ‘just right’ feeling in the hands. However, it feels delicate and almost slippery in the hands. There were a couple of times when I felt like I was about to drop it.
- Glossy back side
- The notched 6.2″ display is elegant to look at
Despite throwing jabs to a much more expensive phone ( the iPhone X ), the Camon 11 Pro doesn’t feel that much more premium than it is. The rear plastic panel attracts fingerprints like it was meant for that. However, this isn’t a problem unique to the Camon 11 Pro. But it does get filthy awfully quickly. The provided cover can fix this although you must tuck away all the pretty looks.
Tecno Camon 11 Pro Display
Well, the Camon 11 Pro sports a display notch, of course. Those who hate the notch and would prefer devices like the ZTE Nubia may just let out a wistful sigh when they see the Camon 11 Pro. However, Tecno added a feature in settings to hide the notch (hello notch haters). However, we didn’t like Tecno’s implementation of hiding the notch since it doesn’t provide the same sexy curves of the bottom part of the display. But, take a breather since this can be fixed with a software update.
- App drawer on the Tecno Camon 11 Pro
- Home Screen of the Tecno Camon 11 Pro
The Camon 11 Pro is far from the only phone to follow the iPhone X blueprint, of course. The Infinix S3X , the Huawei P 20 Lite, the and even the Google Pixel 3 XL have all jumped on that bandwagon in recent times. Whereas Apple’s design compromise is justifiable for housing Face ID hardware, Tecno is simply pushing for more screen real estate (or perhaps, having a design like the iPhone).
Good display can be better
While that 6.2” 19:9 Super FULL VIEW display dominates the front of the Camon 11 Pro, it doesn’t chiefly impress. It gets bright enough for bright day light usability with a default auto-brightness setting that gets the job done in most situations. The color balance is flawlessly fine, too, with an eye-pleasingly natural tone.
However, the Camon 11 Pro lacks pop to the picture that it outputs, which seems to come largely from a sheer lack of pixel density. At 720 x 1520, you’re looking at a 720p resolution. Stretched out over 6 inches, this results in a far from superlative 268 pixels per inch.
This won’t be a worry when flicking through the colourful app draw or home screen of HiOS 4.0 or navigating through the phone’s menus. However, interacting with visual heavy media like games and movies with bring to notice the lack of sharpness.
Camon 11 Pro Camera
The Camon 11 Pro packs a dual-camera set-up, but that’s pretty much not news anymore now. On paper, the 11 Pro’s dual camera setup sounds like one of its top features. In some regards that’s factual. However, it’s at times inconsistent to the point that competitors like the pricier Pocophone seem steps ahead.
The selfie camera is a 24-megapixel AI Clear shooter with LED flash. It does an absolutely good job in clear lighting and has many shooting modes. The AI induced portrait mode is a hit and miss sometimes. Night selfies are brought to life with the included front facing LED light, but they don’t survive the wrath of noise and mostly look awful.
The Camon 11 Pro packs one main 16 MP camera and one 2 MP assistant. The latter provides the former with added depth information. Consequently, this opens the door for a couple of neat photographic tricks like bokeh.
Related: What’s Bokeh in smartphone photography
Tecno is using AI (artificial intelligence) auto scene recognition buzzword in its marketing efforts for the Camon 11 Pro. However, it doesn’t live up to its potential: the AI photography is too subtle to make much of a difference, except for additional colour pop (at least it’s not overzealous like Infinix’s system in the S3X though).
Mark this: The Tecno Camon 11 Pro is the best Camon device to date. However, the images aren’t as clean-looking as they could be. They still suffer the same fate as previous editions of Camon devices – over processing (especially with beauty mode).
Day shots? the Camon 11 Pro is…. Well, mostly alright. Choose a good scene with plenty of light, use steady hands and you’ll get some satisfying results.
Camera Samples
However, in poorly lit environments, the noise begins to impinge.
- Night Photo in Pro Mode
- Night photo
- Portrait photo is a hit and miss
All of this might sound rather damning. But Tecno hasn’t produced a poor camera, it just depends on your expectations. At this price point, in a field of ok-but-not-amazing camera phones in the <$250 price range, there are enough positive points. The camera is easy to use, and the images are more than good enough for social sharing. There’s also Portrait mode for background blurring and other features, including a Pro mode for manual adjustment as you deem fit.
All in all, the Camon 11 Pro’s camera represents Camon series imaging legacy. It got many of the component parts right. However, it doesn’t all gel together in the very best possible way to make for a camera that’ll knock its competition.
Camon 11 Pro Battery
With Helio P22 CPU power management, a 720p display and a power efficient HiOS 4.0, you’d expect the Camon 11 Pro’s 3750mAh battery to last you comfortably through a full day. We’re glad to report that this is indeed the case.
With moderate usage, you’ll plausibly be able to get through two full days before a trip to the charger. Using the Camon 11 Pro as a second phone, we got from 8 am to 10 pm with around 75% left in the tank.
However, on more eventful days where we took it as the daily driver, the battery emptied much faster. While you would expect this from a phone of this price, it labels the Camon 11 Pro as a charge-every-nighter. Which is fine.
Related: Top 8 questions about smartphone charging answered
Battery stamina of the Camon 11 pro varies depending on usage. However, charging this device is pretty fast with Mediatek Pump Express. You can easily get over 7 hours of power in just 20 minutes of charging.
Performance
Tecno has equipped the Camon 11 Pro with a 2.0 GHz octa-core MT6762 Helio P22 chipset. It is a reasonably capable CPU given the healthy 6GB of RAM that back it up.
Consequently, you are assured of generally fluid performance for the most part. Navigating through the home screens and flicking between apps is plenty fast enough, as you might expect. It is not the fastest phone around, but nor is it irritatingly sluggish.
Gaming is not all bad either. The phone can handle highly demanding games. However, the graphics don’t look as nice as they should be given the less resolution of the display. We should also point out that you can get excellent performance with a 1080p display and at a potentially lower price, with Android One perks, in the no notch form of the Infinix Note 5.
Audio
You don’t get stereo sound of the Infinix Hot 6, but its single bottom-mounted speaker is plenty loud and clear enough. However, you might get muffled sound when your finger covers the speaker during landscape-oriented gaming if you’re not careful.
Storage
Our review device had an ample 64GB of storage and a bonus micro SD card slot. This is normal to any 2018 Android mid-range device, but it still feels like a generous provision.
Security
The Camon 11 Pro has all Android security features. You can unlock the device using the fast fingerprint sensor or the improved Face ID that uses the front facing camera to unlock the device. However, there is no dedicated face ID software. Therefore, the Face ID on the Camon 11 Pro can sometime be an issue since it must rely on light. The bright LED can be eye-bothering when you use Face ID in dark environments.
Related: Face ID is not yet entirely secure. Why your brother/sister can probably unlock your phone
However, its fast enough and can save you a whole lot of times especially when you have sweaty fingers. A double tap to wake and Face ID is quicker than drying the finger and then aiming it to the fingerprint scanner.
Connectivity and other features
The Camon 11 Pro supports GSM / HSPA /4G LTE networks. It has Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, WiFi Direct, hotspot with Bluetooth 5.0. It has a GPS Yes, FM radio and a micro USB 2.0.
Related: How to upgrade from WiFi 5(802.11ac) to WiFi 6(802.11ax)
You can find other features of the Camon 11 Pro in this more detailed article about the Camon 11 and Camon 11 Pro new exciting features.
Verdict
The spec sheet of the Camon 11 Pro is war ready on paper for its price. However, in the real-world it’s also one that shows a little inexperience in a market filled with masters of the art like Apple, Samsung and low-priced and highly speced Xiaomis.
On the design front, the Camon 11 Pro’s Huawei P20 Lite-like exterior is generally a success, yet small quirks such as the fingerprint grabbing plastic and scratch prone back hold it back from achieving greater things. The price is also higher than similar-price competitors that, for many people, will be the more familiar go-to brands.
However, the Camon 11 Pro is a solid backbone mid-range smartphone from which Tecno can evolve and progress. It gets enough right to make it worthy of consideration. However MI, Infinix, cheaper Itels and Nokia are all knocking on Tecno’s door (often for less money).
John Ivan is a tech writer based in Kampala with a rich background in digital marketing, Web 2.0, influencer strategy, and content creation. With years of experience in consumer tech blogging, he blends industry insight with storytelling to make technology accessible and relevant. At Dignited.com, John covers the latest in digital trends, gadgets, and how tech is shaping lives across Africa.
Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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The smartphone world has greeted us with many innovations. Some of these innovations later turn out to become trends. We’ve seen trends such as the dual rear cameras, dual selfie cameras, bezel-less designs, in-display fingerprint sensor and notch displays. An innovation in the form of dual screens and dual fingerprint sensors is what the ZTE Nubia X presents.
If this is an innovation that’ll become a trend, only time will tell. But it isn’t the first time a smartphone will come with two screens or two fingerprint sensors. For you to know, the Samsung W2019 flip phone recently surfaced with two displays. However, it is the first time a smartphone is coming with both features at the same time.
The dual screens
At the front of the smartphone, you have the 6.26 inches LTPS IPS screen with Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2280 pixels. It tags along with a 19:9 aspect ratio to deliver an intense viewing gusto.
Around the back, the OEM placed an OLED screen on the back panel to serve as the second display. This 5.21-inch panel makes good use of a resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels & 19:9 aspect ratio just like the front display.
Well, here’s an illustration of how the second screen works:
The Nubia X’s back color and screen color blend together, which is a laudable technology, and its visual effect is amazing. pic.twitter.com/1I08xvBDUW Advertisement - Continue reading below — ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) November 25, 2018
Additionally, both screens enjoy the protection of Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
No selfie camera
Like most smartphones of 2018, ZTE Nubia X is a bezel-less beauty. And we know that most OEMs try to push their bezel-less designs to the extreme to accommodate more screen. ZTE’s approach in the Nubia X is the elimination of the selfie camera. This enabled the phone’s primary display to attain a 93.6% screen-to-body ratio.
Although there’s no front-facing camera, it doesn’t strike out the capturing of selfies. Here’s where the second screen comes into play. The main 16MP + 24MP shooters on top of the back display are what discharge this role.
So, you can check out how good you look in a ‘selfie’ from the second screen. In other words, the primary camera is also the “selfie camera”; it’s all about perception. A dual-tone dual-LED flash is also there to illuminate the images.
CHECK THIS OUT : The Phantom, Camon, F and Spark series: A Guide to Tecno Smartphones
Competent powerhouse
Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 SoC sits at the phone’s core to handle efficient functionalities. The chip employs the 10nm process technology to run its actions. It also comprises four Kryo 385 Gold and four Kryo 385 Silver CPUs that reach a maximum speed of 2.65GHz.
Its operations are incomplete without the backing up of its 6GB LPDDR4X RAM. Another smartphone variant of 8GB RAM is also available for better performance. Either way, the two options are superb for heavy duties.
Speaking about heavy duties, the phone can deliver such activities for almost a day due to its 3,800mAh battery. The phone also charges rapidly because of the Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ on board. Nubia UI 6.0 and the Android 8.1 Oreo OS work hand in hand at the software arena.
Heightened security
Two heads are better than one, an adage says. In the case of ZTE Nubia X, two fingerprint sensors are better than one. These fingerprint sensors are placed on the left and right sides of the smartphone for touch ID security. That said, the phone can also be unlocked with facial recognition.
Pricing & Availability
The ZTE Nubia X is available in the following colours: Blue gold, Sea blue, Black gold, Deep grey. It was launched in November 2018 with a starting price of $500.
ZTE Nubia X Key Specifications
- Display — Main : 6.26-inch LTPS IPS LCD FHD+ (1080 x 2280 pixels); 403PPI; 19:9 aspect ratio, Corning Gorilla Glass 3;
- Secondary display (on the back) : OLED, 5.1 inches, 720 x 1520 pixels, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- Processor — 2.65GHz Octa-core Snapdragon 845 SoC
- GPU — Adreno 630
- Rear camera — 16MP + 24MP camera, dual tone LED flash
- Fingerprint sensor — Yes, dual (left & right side-mounted)
- RAM — 6GB / 8GB
- OS — Android 8.1 Oreo OS (Nubia UI 6.0)
- Storage — 64GB / 128GB / 256GB
- Battery — 3,800mAh (Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+)
This account is managed by the in-house team at Dignited, a collective of passionate tech writers, editors, and enthusiasts dedicated to bringing you the latest insights, reviews, and news on consumer technology. For inquiries or feedback, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] .
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Biometric security authentication has made quite the splash in the smartphone arena the last couple of years. Fingerprint and Face ID/Unlock are two such Biometric features taking centre stage. Face ID is the newer of the two and as such commands a premium over its Fingerprint counterpart. Devices sporting Face ID are comparatively more expensive than those with just a Fingerprint sensor.
There is perhaps no other company that has fronted Face ID as much as Apple has. As such, we will refer a lot to Apple when talking about this biometric security authentication technology.
Apple made news when they completely overhauled their security authentication system and in the process got rid of Touch ID (Fingerprint) for Face ID for unlocking your iPhone and making payments. In true Apple fashion, consumers aren’t given the option to choose whether they like a feature or not before it’s given the boot.
Without a doubt, Face ID and Fingerprint ID are very convenient ways to maintain a level of security on your device. Instead of punching in a number or password every time, or an unlock passcode, you simply either touch the fingerprint sensor or look at your screen. But the questions still linger; is Face ID secure? What of Fingerprint?
How Safe is Face ID Versus Fingerprint/ Touch ID
According to Apple, the probability that a random person off the street could look at your iPhone X and unlock it using Face ID is approximately 1 in 1,000,000 (versus 1 in 50,000 for Touch ID). As an additional security protection, Face ID for iPhone allows only five unsuccessful match attempts before a passcode is required.
Things get muddy when it gets to twins and siblings though. The statistical probability is different for people that look alike and among children under the age of 13, because their distinct facial features may not have fully developed. My brother whose facial features are vaguely similar to mine managed to unlock 5 separate devices with my Face ID. We are yet to unlock each other’s Fingerprint ID.
From these observations, if somebody snatched your phone, the odds against them unlocking it are high. That ratio of 1 in 50,000 for Fingerprint/Touch ID is hard enough to beat. When it comes to Face ID, the ratio of 1 in a million becomes statistically impossible unless you have a database of the population stowed away somewhere. And even then, there are some caveats.
Clearly, Apple and a few other high-end smartphone manufacturers have their R&D departments burning that midnight oil for cutting-edge technology that won’t be easily beat. The same doesn’t apply to budget handsets that ship with Face ID and Touch ID. At times these have to cut some corners, thereby releasing these features as curiosities without any serious secure technology behind them. Consequently, we wouldn’t place much faith in these biometric security authentication features in lower-end smartphones just yet.
When using Face Recognition to unlock your device, your phone could be unlocked by someone or something that looks like your image. As Face recognition is less secure than Pattern, Pin, or Password, we recommend using the Iris recognition, Fingerprint recognition, Pattern, Pin, or Password to lock the device. Additionally, if you use your face as a screen lock method, your face cannot be used to unlock the screen when turning on the device. Official Samsung S8/S8+ Disclaimer The statistical probability is different for twins and siblings that look like you and among children under the age of 13, because their distinct facial features may not have fully developed. If you’re concerned about this, we recommend using a passcode to authenticate. Apple , About Face ID advanced technology
Face ID Privacy Concerns
The likes of Huawei, ZTE and OnePlus have at some point in the past been caught secretly transmitting data from their smartphones back to Chinese servers. These backdoors while not always ominous are a clear signal that security breaches are a clear and present danger.
Apple, which has a rather impressive track record where privacy is concerned has some checks and assurances in place. The iPhone’s TrueDepth camera captures a user’s facial data by projecting 30,000 invisible dots to creates a depth map of the face.
This Face ID data is encrypted and protected by the Secure Enclave, which is something akin to a super-secure vault in your device. Any data in the Secure Enclave, which can also include eSIM data and mathematical representation of your face never leaves your device and is not backed up anywhere. Theoretically, that is.
Conversely, security in budget smartphones is meh! They intentionally never really say how they implement the security features behind Face ID. Where is it stored and What’s to say that the data we so trustingly offer isn’t being transmitted back to their servers?
A Secure Enclave is a gold standard when it comes to device security. It’s basically a small portion on your device that is inaccessible mere mortals like you and I. But that’s the sore point. Many OEMs don’t bother adding a Secure Enclave in their SoCs (System on Chips). By design, this security flaw compromises data stored on a device leaving it open to attack.
Face ID/ Fingerprint ID Security Safeguards
To use Face ID as is the case with Touch ID, you must set up a passcode. In a perfect world (and with iPhone), a passcode will be required of you when:
- The device has just been turned on or restarted.
- The device hasn’t been unlocked for more than 48 hours.
- The passcode hasn’t been used to unlock the device in the last six and a half days and Face ID hasn’t unlocked the device in the last 4 hours.
- The device has received a remote lock command.
- After five unsuccessful attempts to match a face.
- After initiating power off/Emergency SOS by pressing and holding either volume button and the side button simultaneously for 2 seconds.
- If your device is lost or stolen, you can prevent Face ID from being used to unlock your device with Find My iPhone Lost Mode (iPhone)
That’s all well and good and we laud Apple’s implementation of biometric authentication. The same standards, it appears don’t apply to cheap smartphones that are capitalising on the popularity of Face ID. We made a few observations with a $200 smartphone along with 3 more slightly before that price tag. These are our observations in the real world about Face ID.
- You can have as many tries as you like
- You don’t have to make eye contact with the phone camera.
- Subsequently, it can be unlocked when you’re asleep/or closing your eyes
- The phone can be switched off without authentication but can’t work without passcode after Restart
- There is no information about the actual technology running Face ID.
- Limited uses for Face ID other than unlocking the phone.
Last word
Biometric authentic technology is not made to replace a password or PIN on a smartphone. It rather complements those security features already in place. For this reason, you are often not able to unlock your device with either Face ID or Fingerprint/Touch ID when the device starts.
Unlike Apple which touts Face ID as the future, Samsung is more pragmatic in their claims. Where’s the joy in having a secure device your family members can unlock with a smile? Defeats the whole purpose of security where Face ID is concerned. Our advice is to take this technology with a grain of salt. The future is here, but not quite.
Sydney Mugerwa is a seasoned consumer tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with a passion for reviewing the latest gadgets and smart devices. From smartphones and wearables to smart home products and cameras, Sydney breaks down the complexities of consumer tech, making it easy to understand through detailed reviews and how-to guides. His mission is to simplify tech jargon and help readers make informed decisions in the ever-evolving world of technology.
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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