TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G Review: AI For All

The smartphone landscape has witnessed a significant transformation in recent years, with artificial intelligence becoming a central focus of marketing campaigns across all price segments. AI features, once exclusive to premium devices, have gradually trickled down to more affordable options, promising enhanced capabilities for everyday users. This democratization of technology is precisely what the TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G aims to achieve with its latest offering.

TECNO has positioned the CAMON 40 Pro 5G as an AI-powered smartphone that brings advanced features to a wider audience without the premium price tag. The device boasts an impressive array of AI capabilities that go beyond just photography and content creation, areas where most have been too focused on. But does this mid-range contender deliver on its promises, or has TECNO cut too many corners to achieve its price point? Let’s dive deep into what makes this device tick.

Designer: TECNO

Aesthetics

The TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G makes a bold statement with its distinctive design language that aims to stand out in an increasingly homogeneous smartphone market. The device features a clean, modern aesthetic highlighted by an “independent triple camera” setup reminiscent of higher-end devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 series. What sets it apart, however, is the elegantly raised area surrounding the camera modules that tapers gracefully toward the bottom of the phone’s rear panel, inspired by the graceful curves of swan necks.

The CAMON 40 Pro 5G embraces curved edges on both its front glass and plastic back panel, a design choice that some might consider slightly dated in today’s market where flat edges have made a comeback. However, these gentle curves contribute to the phone’s premium feel, creating an illusion of thinness while providing a more comfortable grip. The curvature also creates interesting light reflections that enhance the device’s visual appeal when placed on a surface.

While the back panel features a sophisticated matte finish with what TECNO calls a “Fantasy Art Texture,” the execution falls slightly short of expectations. The texture, intended to create visual interest, unfortunately, resembles fingerprint smudges under certain lighting conditions, detracting from the premium aesthetic the company aimed to achieve. This minor design misstep is noticeable primarily when examining the device closely, but it doesn’t significantly diminish the overall attractive appearance of the smartphone.

Ergonomics

The TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G utilizes a plastic frame construction that contributes to its surprisingly lightweight when held. This lightness might initially raise questions about durability, as many consumers associate heft with quality. However, the device maintains a solid, substantial feel despite its weight, striking a balance between comfort and perceived build quality that should satisfy most users in this price segment.

The curved front and back panels of the CAMON 40 Pro 5G contribute significantly to its ergonomic profile. These gentle curves allow the device to nestle comfortably in the palm, reducing strain during extended usage sessions. The smooth transitions between the frame and panels eliminate sharp edges that might dig into the hand, making the phone feel more natural to hold for longer periods compared to devices with more angular designs.

The button placement on the right side of the frame provides easy access to the power and volume controls without requiring uncomfortable hand adjustments. TECNO has also introduced a dedicated One-Tap FlashSnap button that can be customized for various functions, most notably quick camera access. This simple addition enhances the user experience by providing immediate access to frequently used features without navigating through menus or unlocking the device.

Performance

The TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, positioning it firmly in the mid-range segment of the smartphone market. Compared to its predecessor, the CAMON 30 Pro 5G, this represents a slight downgrade in raw processing power, which might disappoint those expecting year-over-year improvements. The device comes with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, providing adequate multitasking capabilities for most users, though not exceptional by current standards.

Daily performance on the CAMON 40 Pro 5G is generally smooth for routine tasks like social media browsing, messaging, and media consumption. The phone handles these activities without noticeable lag or stuttering. However, more demanding applications and games may cause occasional frame drops or longer loading times compared to higher-end devices. These are all definitely within the expectations of a mid-range device but should still satisfy the needs of most users.

The display is a standout feature, offering a 6.78-inch 144Hz AMOLED panel that delivers vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The high refresh rate provides a premium feel when navigating the interface, though the curved edges of the screen can sometimes cause slight content distortion at the periphery. This might be particularly noticeable when watching videos or playing games that utilize the full screen area, potentially detracting from the immersive experience the large display otherwise provides.

Despite sporting what appears to be a triple-camera setup, the CAMON 40 Pro 5G effectively offers just two functional cameras: a 50MP Sony LYT-700C Ultra Night main camera and an 8MP ultra-wide shooter. This represents a significant downgrade from the previous generation’s 50MP ultra-wide camera, and the absence of even a basic macro lens is somewhat disappointing, let alone not having a telephoto shooter. The front-facing camera maintains a respectable 50MP resolution and includes autofocus capability, a feature still relatively uncommon for selfie cameras, especially on this tier.

Camera performance from the main 50MP sensor is quite impressive for a mid-range device. Photos exhibit good clarity, detail, and sharpness across various lighting conditions. Color reproduction tends toward natural tones rather than the oversaturated look common in smartphones from this region, which photography enthusiasts might appreciate. The ultra-wide camera delivers acceptable results in good lighting but falls short of expectations for a 2025 release, even within the mid-range segment.

The CAMON 40 series places artificial intelligence at the forefront of its user experience, beginning with the initial setup process where AI-assisted interactions guide new users. TECNO has created a centralized hub for all AI features, making them easily discoverable and accessible, which addresses a common pain point where useful capabilities often remain hidden within complex menu structures on other devices.

Photography benefits significantly from the AI integration, with features like Smart Scene Detection automatically optimizing camera settings based on what you’re photographing. The system can identify various scenarios from landscapes to food photography, adjusting parameters like contrast, saturation, and sharpness to produce more appealing images without requiring manual adjustments. This democratizes photography skills, allowing less experienced users to capture better photos.

Beyond imaging capabilities, the CAMON 40 Pro 5G incorporates AI into everyday communication tools. The device offers AI-powered call summarization, which can generate text summaries of important conversations, saving users from having to take notes manually. Automatic call answering with AI assistance helps manage incoming calls when you’re unable to answer personally, while real-time translation features break down language barriers during international communications or when consuming foreign content.

TECNO’s Ella AI assistant represents one of the more comprehensive implementations of artificial intelligence on the device. This virtual assistant provides hands-free interaction for common tasks and introduces a one-tap screen query feature that can identify objects, text, or information displayed on the screen. For instance, users can take a photo with a phone number or a webpage in it and immediately initiate a call, or identify products for potential purchase without switching between multiple apps.

The AI writing assistant integrated into the system helps users craft messages, emails, and documents with suggested completions and style adjustments. This feature proves particularly useful for non-native English speakers or those who struggle with written communication, effectively raising the baseline quality of user-generated content. While not replacing dedicated writing applications, the convenience of having these capabilities built directly into the system enhances productivity.

Sustainability

TECNO’s approach to sustainability with the CAMON 40 Pro 5G reveals both challenges and opportunities in the mid-range smartphone segment. The device still relies heavily on plastic components and non-sustainable materials in its construction, reflecting industry-wide difficulties in balancing affordability with environmental responsibility. However, TECNO attempts to offset these material choices by focusing on durability and longevity, recognizing that extending a device’s usable lifespan represents a significant environmental benefit.

The CAMON 40 Pro 5G incorporates Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection for the display, a premium feature not commonly found in this price segment. This enhanced glass technology provides superior resistance to drops and scratches, potentially extending the usable life of the device by preventing common forms of damage that lead to premature replacement. The inclusion of this feature demonstrates TECNO’s understanding that sustainability isn’t solely about materials but also about creating products that remain functional for longer periods.

Perhaps most impressive is the device’s IP68/69 rating for dust and water resistance, a feature rarely seen in mid-range smartphones. This high level of environmental protection safeguards the internal components from common hazards like rain, spills, and dust ingress that often lead to device failure. By protecting against these everyday threats, TECNO increases the likelihood that users will keep their devices for longer periods before upgrading, reducing electronic waste.

Value

With its “Pro” designation and stylish design, it’s all too easy to forget that the TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G is really a mid-range phone at heart. In several aspects, including the ultra-wide camera and charging speeds, the CAMON 40 Pro 5G actually represents a downgrade from the previous generation. The larger 5,200 mAh battery is partially offset with a slower 45W charging speed, a curious step backward in an era where fast charging has become increasingly important to consumers. The larger battery does provide excellent endurance, easily lasting through a full day of moderate to heavy use before requiring a recharge.

Positioning the CAMON 40 Pro 5G within TECNO’s own 2025 lineup is even more difficult. The CAMON 40 Premiere 5G offers significantly better specifications while maintaining a relatively affordable price point, potentially making it a more attractive option for those willing to spend slightly more. Conversely, the standard CAMON 40 Pro without 5G connectivity provides many of the same features at a lower price point for users who don’t require next-generation network capabilities.

Despite these considerations, the CAMON 40 Pro 5G does deliver solid value in specific areas that matter to many consumers. The excellent main camera, high-quality display, comprehensive AI features, and impressive water resistance collectively create a compelling package for users prioritizing these aspects. The device successfully democratizes certain premium features, making them accessible at a more approachable price point than flagship alternatives from more established brands.

Verdict

The smartphone industry continues its rapid evolution, with artificial intelligence emerging as perhaps the most significant frontier for innovation and differentiation. As AI capabilities become increasingly sophisticated, access to these features has largely been restricted to premium devices with powerful hardware and correspondingly high price tags. This technological divide threatens to create a two-tier user experience where only those willing or able to pay premium prices can benefit from the latest advancements.

The TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G represents an important step toward bridging this divide by bringing meaningful AI functionality to a more accessible price point, bringing advanced capabilities to a broader audience. It may not compete directly with flagship devices in raw performance, but it excels in providing access to technologies that enhance daily smartphone use for consumers with more modest budgets. In this respect, it achieves something genuinely valuable: making the benefits of technological progress more equitably available across different market segments.

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