This archive report was first published on 18 October 2019.
The Tecno Camon 12 has been around for a while now, and with it comes certain expectations. One of the three smartphones in the Camon lineup available in the Kenyan market, it was introduced almost a year after its predecessors, the Camon 11 series, in November 2018.
On first interaction with the device, I was pleasantly surprised by its compactness, despite being a 6.5-inch device. This is largely due to the device's design and not the included plastic case. The case, while not as premium as the one on the Phantom 9, adds some useful features such as flaps for covering the 3.5mm headphone jack and microUSB charging port.
However, the device's notification light can be a distraction, especially with the constant supply of notifications from social media and email apps. The dual LED flash on the front, while useful for photography, is not as welcome when it's constantly blinding.
My experience with the device's battery life has been good, with the device lasting long enough to last through a 2-hour commute. However, it lacks accelerated charging, which can be a drawback for some users.
The device's software, HiOS 5.5, still has some issues, including pre-installed bloatware apps that can be uninstalled or disabled. The lack of an under-display fingerprint sensor is also noticeable, with the device relying on a traditional fingerprint sensor at the back.
Overall, the Tecno Camon 12 has proven itself to be a dependable budget smartphone, with a good camera, long battery life, and a compact design. However, it lacks some features that are available on more premium devices.
The Tecno Camon 12 is available in the Kenyan market for a recommended retail price of Kshs 15,499.
