This comparison is between the Tecno Camon CM, which is also known as the Tecno Camon I in India, and the Xiaomi Redmi 5 smartphone. Tecno Camon CM/Camon I and the Xiaomi Redmi 5 are the first smartphone from both Tecno and Xiaomi to pack the all new 18:9 aspect ratio, Full Vision display. Both device features similar design aesthetics, run Android 7.0 (Nougat) and retails around almost similar price tag.
But internally and CPU wise, the duo are completely different such that one would wonder if the competitor is worth buying due to it CPU differences. But in this comparison, we’ll be looking at the strength and weakness of both smartphone, and tell you why you should buy one device over the other and vice versa.
Tecno Camon CM/Camon I Vs Xiomi Redmi 5: Specs Comparison
| Tecno Camon CM/Camon I | Xiaomi Redmi 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 152.2 x 71.7 x 7.75mm Weight: 134g | 151.8 x 72.8 x 7.7 mm; Weight: 157g |
| DISPLAY | 5.7-inch (1440 x 720 pixels) HD+ 2.5D curved glass display with 18:9 aspect ratio | 5.7-inch (1440 x 720 pixels) HD+ 2.5D curved glass display with 18:9 aspect ratio |
| PROCESSOR | MT6737H Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and Mali T760 GPU | Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 ( 4 x 1.4 GHz Cortex A53 + 4 x 1.8 GHz Cortex A53) Mobile Platform with Adreno 505 GPU |
| MEMORY | 2GB/3GB RAM 16/32 Storage, up to 128GB memory card support with 3/4GB RAM | 2GB/3GB/4GB RAM, 16/32GB with expandable 128GB SDcard |
| SOFTWARE | Android 7.0 (Nougat) Based on HiOS 3.2.0 | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat) Based on MIUI V9 |
| CAMERA | 13MP Rear Camera with Ring LED Flash and 13MP Front Camera with dual LED Flash | 12MP rear camera with LED Flash; and 5MP Front Camera with Soft LED Flash |
| CONNECTIVITY | 2G/3G/4G VoLTE support,Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 GPS, | 2G/3G/4G VoLTE support,Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 GPS, |
| BATTERY | 3000 mAh Li-ion Battery | 3300 mAh Li-ion Battery |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Dual-Nano SIM, Fingerprint Sensor (Rear) | Dual Nano-SIM, Fingerprint Sensor (Rear), |
| NETWORK | 2G/3G/4G Bands | 2G/3G/4G Bands |
| PRICE | $129 | $123 |
Tecno Camon CM/Camon I Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5: Design and Built Quality
Both the Xiaomi Redmi 5 and Tecno Camon CM/Camon I, are built around a brushed aluminium body, with 5.7-inch HD+ display, covered with Corning Gorilla Glass. Both device features similar hardware arrangement at the front.
Overhead the display, you get the front facing cameras, an LED flash, Speaker Grill and Ambient light sensors. But while the Redmi 5 have just 5-megapixel sensor, the Tecno Camon I/Camon CM have a whooping 13-megapixel sensor.
Both smartphone have their power buttons and volume rockers to the right hand side of the phone, but Xiaomi added a secondary mic and an IR blaster to the 3.5mm audio jack at the top of the Redmi 5, while Camon CM/Camon I, retains only a 3.5mm audio jack.
On the left hand side, Xiaomi made use of a hybrid SIM slot, which can carry dual nano-SIM or a single nano-SIM and 128GB SD card. Tecno on the other opt-in for a 3-in-1 card slot, hosting 2 nano-SIM and a 128GB SD card. Both smartphones retains similar stuffs at the basement, which includes primary mic, a USB 2.0 port and the loud speaker opening.
At the back, Tecno pushed it 13-megapixel main camera and the impressive quad-LED flash to the top left corner, while Xiaomi maintained a more centralized placement for it 12-megapixel sensor and the single LED flash on the Redmi 5. But the rear fingerprint scanner are kept at the center of both smartphone.
So while both smartphone have an impressive built quality for a mid-range phone, I tend to be a bit more comfortable with the design and built quality on the Tecno CM/ Camon I, than that of the Xiaomi Redmi. This does not in anyway mean that Redmi 5 have poor built quality, but at just 134 grams, I find the light weighted built quality on the Camon CM/ Tecno Camon I to be irresistible.
Tecno Camon CM/Camon I Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5: Display
Both device packs a 5.7-inch HD+ display with 1440 x 720 pixels resolutions, which translate to around 282 Pixels Per Inch (PPI). Both smartphone uses IPS LCD panel. And while both device produce enough display brightness sufficient enough for both indoor and outdoor use, it seems the Camon CM does a better color reproduction than the Xiaomi Redmi 5.
Despite the presence of 3 color preset on the Xiaomi Redmi 5, it was not still a match for the Tecno Camon CM, thanks to the presence of MiraVision, which tends to enhance and optimize display and picture qualities on the Camon I/CM
Take a look at the images below, you’ll discover that the photo looks a bit more sharper on the CM than the Redmi 5.
Tecno Camon CM/Camon I Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5: Processor
Without much story telling, the Redmi 5 is the straight winner here due to it 1.8Ghz Snapdragon 450 octa-core processor, as against the 1.3Ghz Quad-core CPU on the Camon CM/Camon I. Guys, don’t even be naive to think that Mediatek MT6737H can match up to the Performance of the SD450.
If you intend playing heavy graphics on your phone, the Xiaomi Redmi 5 still remains your best options. This is because Mali-T720 can’t still match what you’ll get out of the Adreno 506 GPU on the Redmi 5.
When I put both devices through Antutu test, Camon CM was able to produce an impressive score around 36,000 which is currently the best result I’ve seen on an MT6737 SoC. But then, Redmi 5 and it SD450 was able to make it to around 55,000, which is almost 9,000 ahead of Camon CM.
Hey, stop what you are thinking! We all know that real life performance is not always determined by Benchmark scores. But again, in real life test, the Camon is always left behind in all aspects, especially when playing heavy graphical games. So I’m sure you know what to do if you are power hungry and looking for a smartphone to satisfy your appetite.
Tecno Camon CM/Camon I Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5: Software
Both device shipped with a heavily customize OS on Adroid Nougat. HiOS 3.2.0 on the Camon CM/Camon I and MIUI v9.2.1 on the Redmi 5. Both OS are fast and stable, and both allows user customization to some extent.
But truth be told, when it comes to customization and OS craftsmanship, Tecno is still a learner compared to MIUI. Xiaomi MIUI have undergone series of development and modifications that it can even take down Apple iOS on iPhones. Plus with Xiaomi Redmi 5, you can be rest-assured that you’ll get official MIUI Android updates to Android 9.0 or even more.
Tecno Camon CM/Camon I Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5: Camera, Sound and Fingerprint Sensor
Camera is one of the major determinants for many smartphone shoppers. The Camon CM/Tecno Camon I shipped with a 13-megapixel main and secondary camera with a quad-LED flash at the back, and an LED flash up front. Redmi 5 on the other hand comes with a 12-megapixel rear shooter with a single LED flash and a 5-megapixel snapper up front, with a soft flash.
Both smartphone have an intuitive camera interface with many interesting features and capabilities, with Tecno’s camera interface being Android-ish, while the interface on the Redmi 5 looks a bit more iOS-ish (I’m sure you understand what that means).
As for camera performance, well, the Tecno Camon I/CM is King in low-lights and indoor shots, and even give better output with it selfie camera. This should be due to the presence of a more powerful quad-LED flash and the front-facing 13-megapixel sensor on the Camon CM/Camon I.
But if you don’t intend taking much selfies or spending much time taking low-light images, then you might want to consider the Redmi 5, as it 12-megapixel camera does more magic in full day light than it counterpart. One particular thing that has been my turn off on the Camon CM is the fact that it support only 720p video recording, instead of the Full-HD video recording support on the Redmi 5.
If you are an audio freak, then no need for further questioning, the Redmi 5 takes the lead. The speaker is far richer in sound quality, both via the single loud speaker or via a plugged in audio buds. You know those cheap earpiece that is normally bundled with Tecno/Infinix phones? Yeah, it normally sound horrible on most Tecno and Infinix phones. But when I tried it on the Xiaomi Redmi 5, the story was entirely different.
As for the fingerprint sensor, while the sensor on both devices are able to unlock the phones, the fingerprint sensor on the Redmi 5 is able to do it a bit more faster than it counterpart.
Tecno Camon CM/Camon I Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5: Battery
While the Camon CM is stocked with a 3000mAh battery, Xiaomi Redmi 5 is got a larger 3300mAh battery. This among other factors such as; the 14nm architecture of Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, OS tweaking and power optimization of MIUI v9, gave the Redmi 5 such an impressive battery performance better than what you’ll get with Camon CM.
Our battery review rating of the Tecno Camon CM was 8 hours as against the 10 hours we got from Xiaomi Redmi 5. This means, if you are a light user, you should be able to get up to 48 hours of use with the Redmi 5 and some hours above 24, with the Camon CM/Camon I.
Pricing and Final Verdicts
The starting price for the Camon CM/Camon I with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage is $125, while the Redmi 5 with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage can go as low as $119.
If you read through every sections above, you’ll discovered that the Tecno Camon CM is a worthy contender against the Xiaomi Redmi 5. But the smartphone was just let down in areas that is most important, which is CPU performance and price. Hardly will any geek or smartphone user choose Mediatek MT6737H quad-core SoC over the more fire-breathing Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 octa-core CPU.
So, if you are looking for a mid-range smartphone to handle all your gaming and graphical needs without compromising audio output, then the Xiaomi Redmi 5 is for you.
On the other hand, if you are crazy about selfies and low-light shots, and want a smartphone you can hold for a very long time without having pains on your wrist, then….(you can complete the rest story). And yeah, don’t forget to drop your opinions in the comment section below.