Let’s get this out of the way — the Tecno Camon 40 isn’t aiming to be a flagship killer. It’s not a beast on paper, and it’s not pretending to be. But what it does aim for, it nails. With a strong mix of AI enhancements, a solid AMOLED display, dependable cameras, and a surprisingly polished user experience, the Camon 40 holds its own in the competitive mid-range market.

First Impressions

It comes in four standout colors: Galaxy Black, Glacier White, Emerald Lake Green, and Emerald Glow Green. Design-wise, it’s slimmer than the Camon 30 and has ditched the oversized ring camera bump from last year’s model.

The back is plastic but has a smooth matte finish that doesn’t hold fingerprints, and Tecno claims the curve design was inspired by a swan’s neck. It’s a bit quirky, but the design works — elegant and understated.

Display And Build Quality

The front boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1300 nits. It’s protected by Corning Gorilla Glass and has slim bezels that enhance the immersive feel of the display. Daylight visibility is excellent, colors are vibrant, and the scrolling experience is fluid. For its price point, this display punches above its weight.

At just 177.2 grams and 7.3mm thickness, it’s comfortable to hold, and the Dolby Atmos stereo speakers on this phone are LOUD. There’s also an infrared port, NFC support, and even an under-display fingerprint sensor — premium touches for a phone in this category.

Performance And Software Experience

Running on Android 15 with HiOS 15 layered on top, the Camon 40 comes with the MediaTek Helio G100 Ultimate chipset (6nm), paired with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of storage. Performance-wise, it’s decent for everyday use. You won’t be pushing limits with this chipset — it’s only a slight bump from the previous G99 — but it gets the job done.

Gaming is okay. Mobile Legends and Asphalt 9 run well, but expect medium graphics for games like Call of Duty Mobile. Tecno claims an 11-layer heat dissipation system, and the phone stays cool enough during moderate gaming sessions.

One of the phone’s biggest pushes is AI. There’s Ella — Tecno’s voice assistant — and a new customizable one-tap side button. By default, it triggers “FlashSnap,” a smart burst mode that uses AI to select the best action shot, but you can reassign it to launch other functions. You also get Ella Smart Touch for screen content recognition and text extraction.

Camera Performance

On the rear, the Camon 40 carries a dual-camera setup: a 50MP main sensor with f/1.9 aperture and Optical Image Stabilization, and an 8MP ultra-wide. The front-facing punch-hole camera houses a 32MP sensor.

Image quality is surprisingly good. Dynamic range and color accuracy stand out, and the AI processing gives photos a balanced, natural look. The front camera is a downgrade from last year’s 50MP on the Camon 30, but results are still impressive, especially in good lighting. Low-light performance is decent — sharp enough, but noise does creep in.

Video maxes out at 2K 30fps, with stabilization working best at 1080p. Auto-focus can be a little sluggish, but the video results are more than usable.

Battery And Charging

A 5200mAh battery powers the Camon 40, and it supports 45W fast charging. You can expect a full charge in under 45 minutes, which is excellent for the price range. Battery life is great — easily a full day and then some, even with heavy usage.

Durability is another win. The device is rated IP66 for water and dust resistance, SGS 5-star drop certified, and has TUV SUD certification for sustained performance over five years. Not that certifications guarantee longevity, especially with software updates still being a big question mark — but it’s a nice touch nonetheless.

Final Thoughts

The Camon 40’s biggest upgrades over its predecessor lie in the AI features, camera stabilization, and slightly faster charging. While the Helio G100 isn’t a game-changer, it does the job for a phone in this segment.

For those coming from older Tecno phones or other budget devices, the Camon 40 offers a lot of value. If you already own a Camon 30, you might want to wait for a bigger leap — but if you’re upgrading from something older or just want a reliable phone with premium features under the hood, this one deserves a look.