For the past 2 weeks, we have been accompanied by the Camon 11 pro smartphone we received from TECNO. With our first Impressions giving us a clue of what this device holds, we didn’t expect to see such a clear AI camera come to life at such an impressive price. But first, let’s once again have a quick look at the Camon 11 pro specifications.

• Display: 6.2-inch HD display
• Operating System: HiOS4.1, Based on Android8.1
• Processor: MT6762 Octa-Core 2.0GHz
• Memory: 64GB ROM +6GB with expandable Micro SD slot, up to 128GB
• Back Camera: 16MPAF F/1.8 + 5MPFF F/2.4,with Quad-Flash
• Front camera: 24MP, with Flash, F/2.0
• Battery: 3750mAh Li-Polymer

Design, Build and a 360-degree view

If you love an elegant device with a killer design to pull off some stunt in the presence of your iPhone holding peers, then you’ll love the Camon 11 pro! For the entire 2 weeks, we’ve been in company of this elegant smartphone, high-end wonders have only had to ask which smartphone it is, with no clue that it’s the latest Camon release.

The Camon 11 pro packs a shiny beautiful back cover that brings out the beauty and power of its dual rear camera. Additionally, you can’t fail to honor the left side micro sim card/TF card panel that requires a sharp pin to open. The fingerprint sensor, on the other hand, is well situated to the back in the usual convenient position like any other smartphone except that its shallow depth makes it easy to access and read your registered prints to unlock the phone.

With the well-curved borders on this Camon 11 pro, the close to bezzeless display brings out the elegant top-notch design. Given the fact that, the 24MP AI camera and front soft flash are situated on the two notch edges, getting the best picture angle would only require you to fetch a few tricks to beautify your photos.

Camera

In case you have always doubted the power of selfie cameras on mid-range smartphones, the 11 pro AI camera will kill the elasted doubt in a flip of a shutter capture. The core bits we love about this camera is that you are able to achieve pro-grade camera like Bokeh by simply shifting your mode to Bokeh, As much as the AI camera does wonders through its HDR and beauty options producing more detail in one single photo as the rumor was teased during the device launch.

In a field trip to test the power of both the 24MP AI selfie camera and the dual rear camera, we loved every single photo we could take in the AI mode. However, the professional mode is hidden from the top menu, which means the phone camera is always in full automatic mode whenever you capture a photo. Though, this helps you get the best pictures per capture, here are some of the pictures we managed to capture with the Camon 11 pro.

To capture the best pictures using the Camon 11 pro camera, you won’t need any photography skills to achieve the best quality possible, just like our sample photos above. So, we really appreciated the full detail by Tecno’s last 2018 release and it’s by no doubt that the Camon 11 is one the most elegant smartphones with the best picture quality in 2019 before we see any superior models launch in the same space.

User Interface, Performance, and Security

Packed with Android 8.1.0 which doubles as the most stable latest version before pie 9.0, feeling the power of all supported apps gives you the true feel of what owning a high-end smartphone feels like. Well, multitasking is one key feature we we’re excited to see coming back to the Camon series, We managed to send Whatsapp messages while checking some great Facebook upstream content on one single 720*1500 dimensions display of the Camon 11 pro.

The User interface is extremely powerful given the fact that the latest HiOs saw light on this brilliant release, more so, the on-screen navigation buttons save you from the stress of losing control of your smartphone in cases of accidental falls affecting the bottom touchpad.

Security wise, Face ID is a go-ahead security mechanism that has been adopted by all major global smartphone manufacturers. To make things great, the Camon 11 pro packs an excellent Face ID security recognition system that can barely be fooled by photos, but by collectively calculating a user’s face whether it matches with the database record. Additionally, the Fingerprint sensor adds another security layer to protect your smartphone in case the Face ID attempts elapse, meaning no one can penetrate the phone beyond the lock screen without your permission.

Given the fact that the Camon 11 pro is packed with 8 CPUs governing its 6 GB ram and 64GB internal memory, the smartphone is as fast as a bullet streak even with the heaviest apps loaded, Imagine we tried playing PUGB mobile and the results were extremely beyond our expectations. The Camon 11 pro is a very fast and light smartphone that borrows the power of its Camon X predecessor to bring an exciting experience to life with enough battery life to take you on a 3-day streak without a power bank.

Lab tests, Battery life, display, audio quality

First of all, the Camon 11 pro battery is unremovable meaning you have to use the smartphone without tampering any single node of the device. As a matter of fact, to insert your sim cards and memory card, you have to get a sharp pin that can eject the slots on the left-hand side. So, the 11 pro is more of an affordable iPhone X at a relatively mind-blowing price and a much bigger battery of 3,750 mAh that can take you for 3 days or more without a charge if optimized well.

The Tecno Camon 11 pro packs a close to bezzeless full display 18:9 aspect ratio that allows you to view each node of detail on the 750*1500 screen, In addition to supporting all demanding apps that may require a full display such as full resource games like Asphalt or the multiplayer Zuma game.

During our initial first impressions strip, we realized that the Camon 11 pro smartphone speakers, headphone jack and charging port all lie on the same bottom plate. On testing the audio quality using the inbuilt BoomPlay music selector, the BPM rates were extremely great and you can closely mistake the Camon 11 pro to that on a Beats powered HTC smartphone.

As a matter of fact, the inbuilt speakers alone produce the best sounds even when you can still plug in an HD audio jack for additional enhancement of the sound levels produced by a Selfie centric smartphone, More so, you can charge the phone conveniently with a 2x micro USB saving you from the USB C hologram.

Our Verdict

If you love a smartphone that can give you peace of mind and works like a charm, then the Camon 11 pro could be a perfect choice for you. But If you prefer a smartphone below $100 offering the same exciting capabilities, then you can consider other same range versions here.

The TECNO Camon 11 pro is an excellent smartphone we must say depending on the above tests we run on it and we’re excited that the Camon X successor actually packs Artifical intelligence features to beautify each and every photo taken using the mighty 24MP selfie camera. Henceforth, If you love the iPhone X series, then you’ll love the Camon 11 pro a notch higher given its price instincts and great AI capabilities evident on the UGX 899,000 ( approx $230) priced smartphone (pro version) and UGX 579,000 (approx $155) for a brand new Camon 11. Nonetheless, Share with us what you think about the Camon 11 pro in the Visitors rating field below.

Well, we received a copy of the Camon 11 pro a couple of days back and guess what? this could be the TECNO smartphone we’ve all wanted to see. But first, let’s take a look at the sweet specifications packed to the Camon 11 pro as unveiled earlier this month

Camon 11 pro specifications

• Display: 6.2-inch HD display
• Operating System: HiOS4.1, Based on Android8.1
• Processor: MT6762 Octa-Core 2.0GHz
• Memory: 64GB ROM +6GB with expandable Micro SD slot, up to 128GB
• Back Camera: 16MPAF F/1.8 + 5MPFF F/2.4,with Quad-Flash
• Front camera: 24MP, with Flash, F/2.0
• Battery: 3750mAh Li-Polymer

With a clear top-notch display, one might think you are holding an iPhone X by first sight. Additionally, the magnificent shining back cover tempts you to double check the true capabilities now that it comes in Midnight black and Bordeaux red, not forgetting our Aqua blue review unit.

After an initial unboxing of this device, we didn’t opt to power it on not until we discovered its flexible boot button adjacent to the volume keys. Adding to the beautiful noticeable vertically aligned dual lenses situated in a 190 angle away from the fingerprint sensor, a flexible all in one sim card slot lies to the left hand side of the device. So, forget the removable battery for sim process, the Camon 11 is designed to hold both the TF and Simcards on its left side forgiving you from the lone ordinary hustle of tampering with the back cover.

Welcome the notification blick back to life, only a few smartphones still have notification indicators designed on the device, Well Tecno’s Camon 11 has a revamp of this awesome revolutionary pop that doubles as a front flash. However, the 24MP selfie camera lies proportional to this front flash which gives you more freedom to capture fantastic pictures in low light.

The elegant design and amusing front and rear cameras of the Camon 11 pro glitter the rhythm of picture quality you can achieve with a pro version of this smartphone. More so, we shall test the picture quality produced by both the dual rear camera lenses and front 24MP selfie camera in our feature by function review of the device soon.

Price and Where to Buy

At only 579,000/= and 899,000 for the pro version, you get to taste the elegantly designed AI Camera powered Camon 11 smartphone. Given the fact that TECNO made the devices available all over the country, buying a Camon 11 pro would only require you to visit your nearest TECNO dealer shop for a brand new copy of the Camon series dominator

The Camon 11 features a close to bezel-less screen as an addition to the powerful AI camera. Having launched today by TECNO Mobile, the Camon series is the first notched smartphone to be introduced on the Ugandan market under the TECNO brand name. Well, here is a quick preview of the Camon 11 specifications

Camon 11 Quick Specifications

• Display: 6.2-inch HD display
• Operating System: HiOS4.1, Based on Android8.1
• Processor: MT6762 Octa-Core 2.0GHz
• Memory: 64GB ROM +6GB with expandable Micro SD slot, up to 128GB
• Back Camera: 16MPAF F/1.8 + 5MPFF F/2.4,with Quad-Flash
• Front camera: 24MP, with Flash, F/2.0
• Battery: 3750mAh Li-Polymer

Price &Availability

According to Tecno mobile Uganda, the Camon 11 pro is currently available in all smartphone outlets around town with a fast roll out to the TECNO VIP shops within Kampala at 579,000/= for the Camon 11 and 899,000/= for the 11 pro. However, this means the Camon 11 pro is slightly cheaper than its X pro predecessor which trails at approximately 950,000/= and we shall share our experience with the latest Camon series member in an in-depth review when we receive a copy of the device soon

Unlike the Camon X pro which doubles as a predecessor to the Camon 11 pro, Its selfie camera didn’t feature AI features as its successor. Neither did the Infinix S3X nor Itel’s 13MP selfie beast achieve the Camon rated target with multiple intelligent features shipped to the 11 pro. More so, these are the camera features expected to be featured on the yet to be unveiled Camon 11 pro

AI Selfie

With a Brighter and much clearer selfie camera, the Camon 11 produces brighter images with much more detail beyond its close range rivals depending on the quality from stock images from TECNO. More so, the camera trembles a step ahead with its AI capabilities to determine weather & light conditions to capture mind-blowing selfies without any pro-grade options touched. However, we shall testify to this when we receive a copy of the device and prove all capabilities shipped to the latest Camon member through its exciting beauty and hdr modes

AI Beauty

Smartphones have for the past few years chattered beauty selfies to their taglines. For instance, Itel’s S31 had a “capture the best out of you” slogan before its successors chattered the same. Well, with the Camon 11, its AI camera portrays long exposures right when you need them. So with the new AI beauty mode on the Camon 11, taking beautified shots is as easy as triggering the shutter button

AI HDR

High definition range (HDR) is a camera mode best known to pro grade photographers, Its a mode everyone would wish to utilize when capturing landscape pictures or a catchy sunset. However, TECNO mobile has redefined HDR with AI capabilities making it possible to add more color and beauty in a single shot on the Camon 11. Since HDR pictures are captured from a series of continuous static shots in a single time frame, the Camon AI HDR feature is one that could twist  your mobile photography a notch higher

AI ASD

Imagine if your smartphone could tell if it’s sunny or cloudy? Now the Camon 11 pro does the unexpected with its Intelligent scenes feature. As per the Tecno teasers, the Camon 11 AI scene detection feature is able to determine the current weather/scene whether you are capturing a photo from. For instance, If you cross over to the Mangeritah peak, the Camera automatically adjusts all settings to fit the cold weather bringing out a clean highlights condition in one shot.

The Camon 11 launch dates

In Kenya and Nigeria, the Camon 11 is already a thing, In Uganda, the Camon 11 will be unveiled on December 10th. However, the AI camera powered smartphone just came in handy with this year’s festive season, meaning you can choose to gift the awesome 11 pro to someone special ahead of 2019 with the price of this particular smartphone yet to be confirmed during the launch.

While Innovation in Uganda has taken greater heights proving the “I can do it too slogan” more witnessed in the ride hailing league. You don’t need to rob a bank in order to own a high-end smartphone since the Camon 11 is a clear one on one competitor with iPhone’s Xr smartphone or a level higher with its AI camera and sweet specifications spreading the Camon scent. Before Tecno mobile unveils the Camon 11 pro this month, here is a sneak peek of what to expect from the Camon X successor

Tecno Camon 11 pro leaked specifications

• Display: 6.2-inch HD display
• Operating System: HiOS4.1, Based on Android8.1
• Processor: MT6762 Octa-Core 2.0GHz
• Memory: 64GB ROM +6GB LPDDR4x expandable Micro SD, up to 128GB
• Back Camera: 16MPAF F/1.8 + 5MPFF F/2.4,with Quad-Flash
• Front camera: 24MP, with Flash, F/2.0
• Battery: 3750mAh Li-Polymer

  

Artificially Intelligent (AI) Camera

Artificial Intelligence is taking new heights in this digital powered generation and the Camon 11 pro is one of the latest smartphones featuring an AI-powered camera. With multiple camera functions shipped into the Camon 11, all you’ll ever want on a smartphone camera seems to be a simple go ahead as per the yet to be unveiled 11 pro modes.

We expect the Camon 11 pro to feature an AI selfie and beauty modes arranged up with Portrait, HDR and Auto scene detection modes all powered by AI bringing more detail and brightness in a single picture. Additionally, the smartphone packs a 24MP front-facing camera further accompanied by a dual rear camera with 16MP+5MP lenses. As per Tecno’s sample photos, the Camon 11 pro seems to be the best camera-centric smartphone we might have to crown 2018’s best smartphone

Welcome the Notch to Tecno’s Camon Series

The Internet had no tales of Tecno rolling out a notched smartphone by 2019, but the unspread rumor is as true as duo Camon releases in 2018. While Infinix welcomed the top notch on its S3X smartphone. Tecno’s Camon 11 features an even well-styled notch to its name

With all the hype that blew around Apple’s iPhone X as the first ever notched smartphone, the Camon 11 bullish trend might register even greater dimensions as one of the budget friendly devices on the market. Nonetheless, we have not registered any price tag so far estimated for this smartphone, but with its price in Kenya, the figure may slightly register more bulls to the market.

We expected an AI-powered smartphone to be released by Tecno in 2018, but we had no clue that it would turn out to be the Camon 11 granting a fatal manufacturers showdown in producing the high-end smartphones. From Today, smartphone buyers in East Africa will continue getting a sip of the most affordable smartphones after a vital war between manufacturers provoking a price vs feature showdown after the Camon 11

Earlier this year, Tecno mobile unveiled the Camon X and the Camon 11 carries the latest C flag with illusional differences you may fail to notice apart from the top notch. Nonetheless, here are the features piled up to Tecno’s first notched smartphone.

Camon 11 specifications

Artificially Intelligent (AI) Camera

For long, Tecno has focused on a beautiful selfies spree with its Camon Series smartphones and the drill has stayed true to the Selfie-centric streak. The Camon 11 ships in AI scenes off the 24MP front camera that produces maximum detail in a single picture in conjunction with a 16Mp+5Mp rear camera that further has the best facial recognition capabilities beating its predecessors with a bigger margin

Tecno inked of an AI backed beauty mode that recognizes age and gender in portraits. Additionally, the Camon 11 has an inbuilt document scanner, automatic scene detection and a variety of night mode features allowing you to capture more by sidelining with an improved HDR system

AR Emoji

Emojis are by no doubt popular as Memes on the Internet. Well, in case you’ve had a bad situation where you don’t have access to a particular Emoji style you prefer, Worry not the Camon 11 is built to create custom emojis with its AR capabilities. However, Tecno just pulled off a copy and paste of this feature primarily evidenced on Samsung’s proclaimed 3D emojis and Apple’s Animoji. But then, It’s simply awesome and we don’t mind if the feature crosses over to the next Spark or Phantom in 2019

Price and Availability

In Kenya, the Camon 11 is already available in all Tecno branded shops. However, the launch of this particular smartphone has not tasted the Pearl of Africa yet and we expect to see this particular smartphone cross lanes before the Christmas season.

A brand new Camon 11 smartphone has an asking price of Kshs 14,999 ($146, UGX 550,000) and its pro version going for Kshs 23,999 ($233, UGX 870,000). However, we expect these prices to change in Uganda due to taxes and importation policies by the time Tecno unveils the Camon 11 in the country. Nonetheless, the Camon 11 is a game changer that can closely rank with the Google Pixel 3 or the iPhone Xr in a picture quality showdown.