TECNO isn’t shy about its ambitions. Fresh off its MWC 2025 showcase, the company launched its entire CAMON 40 lineup in the Philippines, signaling a clear intent to dominate the fiercely competitive mid-range smartphone market.
Leading the charge for the 5G-enabled crowd is the CAMON 40 Pro 5G. It aims to carve out its niche not just with camera prowess, a traditional Camon strength, but with a potent cocktail of extensive AI features, class-leading durability, and a remarkably fluid display, all packaged at a price point designed to tempt Filipino consumers away from established players.
Does this blend of intelligence, resilience, and visual flair deliver a knockout blow, or does it pull its punches in crucial areas? Let’s dive in.
Display: Premium 144Hz curved AMOLED
The first thing you’ll notice is the large, vibrant 6.78-inch AMOLED display that curves gently at the edges. With a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2436 pixels, ~393 ppi), sharpness isn’t an issue. But the real star here is the 144Hz refresh rate. While the jump from the more common 120Hz might be subtle to some eyes, it provides exceptionally smooth scrolling and animation fluidity, a tangible benefit for gamers and anyone sensitive to motion clarity. It’s a specification that punches above its weight in this price bracket, matching its pricier Premier sibling.
As expected from AMOLED, colors pop, blacks are deep, and contrast is excellent, making for an engaging viewing experience whether you’re browsing social media or watching HDR content, which works great on YouTube, though it appears to be disabled on Netflix.
Bezels are minimal, contributing to an immersive feel with an approximate 89.7% screen-to-body ratio. Brightness appears ample, and color tuning is reportedly well-handled. The optical under-display fingerprint sensor is present for security, though its relatively low placement might require a slight thumb shuffle for some users.
Build quality and design: Durability meets elegance
TECNO sticks with its “classic side-axis” design language, featuring the distinct “swan-neck curve” – a smooth transition from the back panel to the camera module. It’s intended to be both visually unique and ergonomic, offering a comfortable grip. While familiar and perhaps reminiscent of previous designs or even other brands *cough* SAMSUNG *cough*, we feel it’s very well executed.
The phone primarily uses a plastic frame and likely a plastic back (despite some conflicting specs), possibly with a pleasant texture as seen on the Galaxy Black model. It feels surprisingly light (179g) and maintains a reasonably slim profile (7.3mm thick) – something that we absolutely love.
Available colors in the Philippines include Emerald Lake Green, Galaxy Black, and Glacier White.
Where the CAMON 40 Pro 5G truly stands out is its ruggedness. It boasts dual IP68 and IP69 ratings. IP68 is common, signifying resistance to dust and water submersion (up to 2m for 30 mins). The IP69 rating, however, adds protection against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets – a level of resilience rarely seen outside specialized rugged phones, let alone in the mid-range. This phone is built to survive more than just rain or accidental drops in the sink.
Protection extends to the screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, claimed to offer double the scratch resistance and survive 1-meter drops onto asphalt compared to previous generations. Add an SGS 5-Star durability certification and claimed 360-degree drop resistance, and it’s clear TECNO is making durability a core selling point, a potentially decisive factor for users prioritizing longevity.
Performance: Dimensity 7300 Ultimate with LPDDR5 memory
Under the hood, the CAMON 40 Pro 5G runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate chipset. Built on an efficient 4nm process, this octa-core SoC features four Cortex-A78 performance cores (up to 2.5GHz) and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores (up to 2.0GHz). The “Ultimate” tag likely signifies minor TECNO-specific optimizations. Graphics are handled by the ARM Mali-G615 MC2 GPU.
This chip strikes a balance between solid everyday performance, 5G connectivity, and power efficiency. Benchmark scores (around 700,000 in AnTuTu 10, ~1050 single / ~3000 multi in Geekbench 6) place it comfortably in the mid-range, generally competitive with chips like the Dimensity 7200 Pro but likely a step behind the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in some tasks, and significantly below the Dimensity 8000-series found in higher-tier phones.
In day-to-day use, expect smooth sailing. Navigating the UI, browsing, messaging, and multitasking should be handled effortlessly, especially with the available 8GB or 12GB of fast LPDDR5 RAM.
TECNO’s MemFusion allows for virtual RAM expansion (up to 24GB total claimed on the 12GB model) using storage, which might help keep more apps open in the background. An 11-layer cooling system with a sizable vapor chamber aims to keep thermals in check during demanding tasks.
Gaming: Capable mid-range gamer with bypass charging
TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G runs on the Dimensity 7300 Ultimate chipset with and Mali-G615 MC2 GPU, which delivers adequate gaming performance for most users. Popular titles like PUBG Mobile should run smoothly, likely at high frame rates thanks to the capable CPU and high-refresh-rate display.
However, the twin-core GPU is the limiting factor for graphically intensive games. Titles like Zenless Zone Zero or Genshin Impact will likely require dialing back the graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. While the cooling system should prevent major throttling, users seeking top-tier gaming performance at the highest settings might find competitors with more powerful GPUs (like those paired with Dimensity 8000-series chips) more appealing.
Bypass charging, which powers the phone directly during gaming to reduce heat, is available on other TECNO models but needs confirmation for the 40 Pro 5G.
Camera: Leveling up with AI imaging, hardware buttons
TECNO’s Camon line lives and dies by its camera, and the 40 Pro 5G leans heavily on AI to deliver results. The hardware setup is led by a 50MP main sensor (1/1.56″, f/1.9) with OIS and PDAF – a solid foundation for good light gathering and stability. It’s paired with a modest 8MP ultrawide sensor. Notably absent is a dedicated telephoto lens; optical zoom hunters must look to the CAMON 40 Premier.
Up front, a high-resolution 50MP sensor with Autofocus (AF and PDAF) handles selfies – the inclusion of AF is a welcome premium touch.
The real story is the software. TECNO touts impressive AI capabilities, validated by a DXOMARK score of 138 (ranking it highly for photo performance under $600 at the time).
Key features include:
- One-Tap FlashSnap: Uses AI and a dedicated side button for quick capture of moving subjects, selecting the best shot from a burst.
- Universal Tone: Aims for accurate and inclusive skin tone rendering across diverse complexions.
- AI Portrait Mode: Delivers bokeh effects with subject separation.
- AI Editing: Tools like AI Eraser 2.0 (object removal) and AI Image Extender add post-capture versatility.
TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G delivers top quality imaging from the main 50MP camera in good light, benefiting from OIS and the large sensor. Low-light shots should also be respectable thanks to OIS and AI noise reduction. The 8MP ultrawide is a step down in detail and low-light performance, while the 50MP front camera with AF produces sharp, detailed selfies.
Video capabilities are robust, with the rear camera supporting up to 4K at 60fps (and HDR). The front camera offers at least 1080p, potentially 4K@30fps. Stabilization relies on OIS for the main sensor, likely augmented by EIS.
Battery Life and Charging: 70W fast charging
A large 5200mAh battery powers the CAMON 40 Pro 5G. Combined with the efficient 4nm chipset and AMOLED display, endurance should be a strong suit. Expect all-day battery life for most users, potentially stretching into a second day with lighter usage.
TECNO claims the battery maintains over 80% capacity after 1,800 charge cycles (roughly 5 years), suggesting excellent longevity.
Charging happens via a 45W wired connection, with the charger included. TECNO claims 0-50% in 23 minutes and a full charge in 43 minutes, though independent tests suggest a full charge might take closer to 1 hour 17 minutes. While 45W is decent, it’s a noticeable downgrade from the 70W charging on the previous CAMON 30 Pro and slower than some competitors offering 65W+.
This is likely a cost-saving measure and a way to differentiate from the 70W CAMON 40 Premier. Smart charging features (AI optimization, Low-Temp/Smart/Hyper modes) are included to potentially preserve battery health.
Value for money and verdict
The TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G presents a compelling, if specific, value proposition in the crowded mid-range arena. Its standout features are undoubtedly its class-leading IP68/IP69 durability and robust build, the ultra-smooth 144Hz AMOLED display, and its extensive suite of genuinely useful AI features that go beyond simple camera tricks (like the 360° AI Call Assistant and editing tools).
The promise of 3 major OS updates and 5 years of security patches, backed by a lag-free certification, adds significant long-term value. Battery life is another strong point.
However, compromises were made. The charging speed, while adequate, is slower than its predecessor and some rivals. While the main camera performs well, boosted by AI, the 8MP ultrawide is basic, and there’s no optical zoom.
Furthermore, while performance is perfectly fine for everyday use and most gaming, hardcore mobile gamers might find the Mali-G615 GPU underpowered compared to performance-focused alternatives in the same price bracket.
All things considered, the TECNO Camon 40 Pro 5G is an excellent choice for users who prioritize exceptional durability, a superb high-refresh-rate display, long battery life, and practical AI enhancements over bleeding-edge gaming performance or the absolute fastest charging speeds.
If you want a phone that looks good, feels smooth, is packed with smart features, and is built to withstand the rigors of daily life (and then some), the TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G makes a very strong case for itself in the Philippine market.
