Seriously, we’ve entered a phase of life where your smartphone might just out-think you. And if there were a device on the verge of snatching your to-do list, finishing your emails, and summarising your meetings better than you, it would be the TECNO Camon 40.
When I first got my hands on the box, I expected the usual cardboard sardine can of mediocrity. But no, this was different. Clean lines, a matte feel with just enough sheen to trick your fingers into thinking they’re touching silk, and that subtle TECNO branding that doesn’t scream, but confidently whispers: “You’re in for something clever.”
Unboxing: A Grown-Up’s Toy Box
The box felt premium. Not over-the-top, just… intentional. Inside: the TECNO Camon 40 handset (I got the grey variant — sleek, polished, and unapologetically attention-seeking), a transparent case that hugs the curves like it was born to, a U450TKB 45W fast charger, USB-C cable, and yes, a SIM ejector tool.
The build? Slim enough to slip into your back pocket, glossy but not fingerprint-prone, meaning it doesn’t easily show fingerprints, with a subtle curve on the rear that fits into your palm like a handshake from someone who’s about to pitch you a startup.
Display & Design
This thing’s screen slaps. A 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate — buttery smooth whether you’re doom-scrolling or dodging bullets in PUBG. Colours? Rich. Blacks? Deep. Outdoor readability? Surprisingly good under Lagos sun.
There’s a tiny punch-hole front-facing camera, almost invisible. Bezels are minimal. You get this immersive, edge-to-edge feeling that makes smaller phones seem outdated. The back design is elegant, with a soft hue that reflects light in this dance of subtle gradients. Plastic body, yes — but well-done.
Performance: Punches Above Its Pay Grade
The MediaTek Helio G100 Ultimate. Not flagship-level, but don’t let the name fool you — it’s responsive, fast, and doesn’t throw tantrums during heavy tasks. With 8GB RAM and 8GB extended memory (yes, virtual RAM is here to stay), multitasking is seamless.
I ran a bunch of apps — Chrome with 12 tabs, Instagram, Telegram, Canva, and the camera app — all open, no lag. HiOS 15.0.1 on Android 15 feels snappy and clean, with just the right sprinkle of TECNO’s flavour. Floating windows, split-screen, Smart Panel — all worked without issues. And no, it didn’t overheat even when I tried to make it sweat.
Let’s Talk AI: This Phone Might Be Smarter Than You
Now to the juicy bit — the TECNO AI suite. This isn’t gimmick AI that just adds filters. This stuff works:
- AI Call Denoise: Had a call in a noisy transit? The person on the other end of the phone heard me like I was in a padded studio. Black magic.
- AI Call Summary: After a 10-minute convo, the phone summarised it in a neat, bullet-point format. Goodbye note-taking.
- Ella Voice & Smart Touch: Long-press on any screen content, and bam, it recognises and pulls text or images for you. Perfect for those lazy days.
- AI Writing Assistant: Grammar fixer, content summariser, and idea stretcher. Almost wrote this review for me.
- Flash Snap: One-tap AI photo solving. Just point at a problem — the phone reads and suggests a solution. Absolutely wow.
It also has Circle to Search (think of it as your digital magnifying glass), Smart Hub, Translation Assistant, and more — each one making the phone feel less like a device and more like an overqualified intern.
Camera: Meet the LYT-700C Giant
This is a Camon, after all — and the camera shows up. The 50MP Sony LYT-700C Ultra Night sensor is a low-light legend. Night shots retain colour, detail, and drama. Daylight shots pop without being cartoonish. The 8MP ultra-wide does a decent job, with minimal distortion at the edges.
The front 32MP camera? Crisp, with minimal AI beauty interference — unless you want to look like a porcelain doll, in which case the toggle is right there.
Video tops out at 2K. Stabilisation is digital but decent. And that AI bokeh mode is miles ahead of the classic one — sharper subject detection and better background blur.
Battery & Charging: Fast and Furious
The TECNO CAMON 40 is built with a 5200mAh battery, which, on paper, should last all day—and in reality, it does. I pushed it through light to heavy use: streaming, calls, games, AI experiments, and the usual social media doom-scrolling. It comfortably held its own.
But what really surprised me was the charging speed. I plugged it in at 7:45 PM with the battery sitting at 64%, and by 8:06 PM, it was fully charged. That’s 36% in just 21 minutes.
Doing the maths, that means a full charge from 0% to 100% would take about 58 minutes—not even up to an hour. Commendable for a 5200mAh battery. The 45W charger is clearly doing the heavy lifting, and there was no noticeable heating while it charged.
Connectivity & Extras
- 4G LTE (no 5G, sadly)
- Face unlock and fingerprint scanner — fast and reliable
- Dual SIM + microSD slot
- Loud stereo speakers with surprisingly rich sound
- Handy gestures and shortcuts: three-finger swipe for screenshots, hand gestures to answer calls, etc.
Price and Value
At ₦275,200, the CAMON 40 (128GB + 8GB RAM) sits in a curious price bracket. It’s not exactly budget, but it doesn’t scream luxury either. For that amount, you’re getting a phone that’s clearly punching above its weight in the AI department, comes with a night photography game strong enough to make pricier devices nervous, and a performance profile that handles everyday tasks and gaming without breaking a sweat.
For students, creators, or professionals who don’t want to mortgage a kidney for a smart, stylish, AI-laced companion, the CAMON 40 is a solid buy.
Finally, TECNO Camon 40 is Smarter Than the Average Phone
What I Loved:
- Intelligent AI features that actually do something
- Fantastic night photography
- AMOLED 120Hz display
- Fast charging + big battery
- Smart software with real-world use
What Could Be Better:
- No 5G
- Plastic build (though well made)
Should You Buy It?
Absolutely — if you’re after a smart, stylish, affordable phone that won’t choke on daily tasks and will even help you be more productive. The Camon 40 is a low-key personal assistant. One that doesn’t eat, sleep, or judge your typos.
