TECNO Camon 30 5G, Now Available in the Philippines
During our coverage of Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, we got a first look at TECNO’s impressive new CAMON 30 series of smartphones. The lineup includes four models – the CAMON 30, CAMON 30 5G, CAMON 30 Pro 5G, and the top-of-the-line CAMON 30 Premier 5G. While all four phones pack impressive photographic capabilities, it’s the CAMON 30 5G that really caught my eye as a device bringing flagship camera performance to a more affordable price point.
The CAMON 30 5G is available in two configurations – an 8GB+256GB model and a higher-specced 8GB+512GB variant. It’s this 512GB storage option paired with 8GB of RAM (that can extend up to 24GB: 8GB + 16GB virtual RAM) that positions the device as an extremely capable multimedia powerhouse.
Imaging Excellence to Challenge the Flagships
Like the rest of the CAMON 30 series, the 5G model is built around TECNO’s mission of delivering an exceptional imaging experience. The phone features an ultra high-resolution 50MP front camera with eye-tracking autofocus and dual color temperature flash. This allows for incredibly detailed and natural-looking selfies, perfect for social media sharing.
Around the back, the camera setup is headlined by a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL GN5 main sensor with a large 1/1.56″ sensor size and 1.0μm pixels. This massive sensor and pixel size allows for excellent low-light performance and image quality that can rival modern flagships. The main camera also features optical image stabilization (OIS) to reduce blur from handshake.
Complementing the main camera is a 2MP depth sensor that enables beautiful portrait mode shots with precise subject separation and background blur. The camera app also packs AI-powered features like AI Erase to seamlessly remove photobombers or other unwanted objects from your shots with a single tap.
For video, the CAMON 30 5G both front and back cameras can capture at up to 2K resolution at 60fps from the rear camera. TECNO has also included advanced video features like a Social Turbo mode that uses AI to optimize video calls with capabilities like background blur, voice changing effects, and more.
Performance to Match Its Imaging Capabilities
Of course, powerful cameras need equally powerful internals to drive them. The CAMON 30 5G delivers on this front with an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 7020 5G chipset fabricated on a 6nm process. This is paired with that beefy 12GB of RAM and 512GB of fast UFS 2.2 storage.
This combination allows the CAMON 30 5G to handle even the most demanding photography and video editing workloads with ease. The large 512GB of storage means you can capture hours of 4K footage or thousands of high-res photos without worrying about running out of space. And if you do fill it up, the CAMON 30 5G supports affordable expandable storage via microSD.
The performance extends to gaming as well, with the Dimensity 7020 and its IMG BXM-8-256 GPU providing a smooth experience even with visually-intensive 3D titles. A large 5,000mAh battery with 70W wired charging keeps the fun going for hours.
For an immersive media experience, the CAMON 30 5G features a large 6.78″ FHD+ AMOLED display with a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It gets plenty bright at 1,300 nits peak brightness, and covers 100% of the wide P3 color gamut for vibrant, accurate colors. Dolby Atmos stereo speakers provide an impressive audio experience as well.
Design Inspired by Classic Cameras
While performance and imaging are the key highlights, TECNO hasn’t skimped on design and build quality either. The CAMON 30 5G features a sleek aluminum frame sandwiched between glass or vegan leather back panels depending on color choice.
Speaking of colors, the CAMON 30 5G will be available in an Iceland Basaltic Dark and Uyuni Salt White. The latter two options feature that premium vegan leather back with a unique marble texture and TECNO’s Nature Flow technology that makes each device subtly unique.
But the real design standout is the circular camera module on the rear, which takes inspiration from classic camera designs with a protruding lens ring. This stylish flourish is complemented by a unique “breathing light” LED indicator that illuminates for various functions like video recording, charging status, and more.
I have been using this device for a few days now, and so far – the CAMON 30 5G looks and feels every bit as premium as its impressive hardware and imaging capabilities suggest. Of course, we’ll tell you more about it in our full written review.
Pricing and Availability
TECNO is officially bringing all the CAMON 30 variants to the Philippines.
The TECNO 30 5G has 2 variants: 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage and 8GB RAM + 512GB Storage. The former costs PhP11,999 and the latter is priced for PhP13,999.
For that price, you’re getting a device that can legitimately hang with the flagship camera phones from Samsung, Google, and Apple in terms of photo and video quality. When you factor in the large 512GB of storage, ample 8GB RAM (that you can further extend up to 24GB), bright 120Hz AMOLED display, and slick design, the value proposition gets even more compelling.
The CAMON 30 5G and the rest of the series is slated to launch first in the Philippines on May 10.
Of course, as mentioned earlier, the CAMON 30 5G isn’t the only phone in the new lineup worth getting excited about. The CAMON 30 Pro 12GB RAM + 512GB Storage will also be on sale on May 10 for PhP19,999, but will only be exclusive on TikTok. The CAMON 30 Premier 5G with 12GB RAM + 512GB Storage will also be available across all platforms for PhP23,999.
TECNO is also going to have special promos for both offline and online buyers.
When you buy a CAMON 30 Premier 5G offline, you will get one TECNO Thermos Bottle and TECNO TWS earbuds. Those who will purchase a Camon 30 5G will receive a TECNO Thermos Bottle and TECNO Bravo B1 Sports headphones.
Meanwhile, online buyers of the following will get the following perks:
- CAMON 30 5G 8GB + 256GB (Shopee) promo price from May 10 to May 12: PhP9,499 [link]
- CAMON 30 5G 8GB + 512GB (TikTok) promo price from May 10 to May 12: PhP10,999
- CAMON 30 5G (Shopee and TikTok): Free TECNO Bravo B1 Sports headphones
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
