2021 Tecno Phantom X Review: Benchmarking the Capabilities of a New Brand
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| Photo of Tecno Phantom X Android 11 smartphone. Released: July 2021 Key specs: · 6.7″ display · 8GB RAM · 256GB ROM · MT6785V processor · 4700mAh battery · 50MP triple camera . |
We already know that Tecno is not a random cellphone manufacturer and we cannot call it a new brand. For fans of the English Premier League football, this brand has even been seen often at the Etihad stadium, the home of the Manchester City team. Their marketing strategy that started concentrating sales in Africa, Europe and West Asia makes the brand a little foreign to our ears, although not entirely true. Hmmm, how come? Check out the following interesting product review from Tecno Phantom X!
Before continuing, we must admit that until now, Tecno Indonesia has not informed whether this product will officially enter the country. We don’t know in the future, but this product is very interesting, because during the 1 year that Tecno has been in the Indonesian market, Tecno has concentrated more on low-priced products of 1 to 2 million, with qualified specifications.
For those who like to browse about news about telecommunications technology, you may already know that Tecno is related to another brand that has been here for quite a long time. At least with that, the after-sales support of this product will feel safe because it does not start from zero again.
Tecno Phantom X on the other hand, is their flagship product with luxurious packaging, futuristic design and features that guarantee the threshold of comfort when using a cellphone. In our opinion, Tecno should have dared to launch this product as an “introductory product” to establish their identity, before playing around in the low price range.
But, of course it is understandable considering that the emergence of their policy has certainly gone through a lot of mature and strategic thinking. So, that’s enough for the introduction to Tecno, we will start discussing the Tecno Phantom X product which when we received it was reported to be priced at 400 USD.
Tecno Phantom X Price
Price: around 350-400 USD or IDR 5 million
Color Options: starry night blue and monet summer
Sales Package: Tecno Phantom X cellphone, hard case, charger adapter, USB Type C data cable, manual book
Tecno Phantom X Full Specifications
| Tecno Phantom X (AC8) Specs | |
|---|---|
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| Dimmension & Weight | 163.5 x 73.8 x 8.7 mm/ 201 gram |
| Network & Connectivity | Nano SIM, 4G LTE/HSPA+/3G/2G |
| Operating System (OS) | HiOS 7.6 based on Android 11 |
| Supported External Storage | Ya, MicroSD |
| Display | 6.7 inci, ~91.3% screen-to-body ratio, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density), Super AMOLED, 90Hz, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Processor / CPU | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm); Octa-core (2×2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), GPU: Mali-G76 MC4 |
| RAM & Internal Storage | 8 GB RAM/ 256 GB ROM |
| Camera | Rear triple: 50 MP f/1.9 13 MP f/2.4 telephoto 8 MP f/2.3 Ultrawide Video: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps Front Dual: 48 MP f/2.2 8 MP f/2.2 Video: 1080p@30fps |
| Battery | 4700 mAh Li-po (non-removable), charging 33W |
Tecno Phantom X Features
| Removable battery | No | Fingerprint | Yes |
| Multitouch | Yes | Dual Front Camera | Yes |
| Dual SIM | Yes | External Memory | Yes |
| 3G HSDPA | Yes | Gyroscope | Yes |
| 4G LTE | Yes | Quad Kamera Belakang | No |
| 5G Ready | No | 4K video recording | Yes |
| NFC | ya | Video player | Yes |
| USB On-the-go | Yes | Music player | Yes |
| GPS | Yes | Radio FM | No |
Advantages & Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| AMOLED screen with curved edges Adds a 3D effect to the show, especially on the edges Attractive design like a flagship Rear camera has a large resolution 90Hz screen Chipset is capable of playing games Fast battery charging up to 33 Watts |
Not or not yet officially sold in Indonesia Many built-in applications are not generally known. Forcing us to learn it longer, but sometimes we have to race with the phone’s loan schedule Chipset should be better |
Tecno Phantom X Reviews
Premium Design with Edge Screen
The first thing that will attract attention is of course the design of this product. Both from the front and back, the Tecno Phantom X shows a premium aura. Starting from the screen that overflows to the edges, to the choice of back cover material coated with protective glass, complete with an additional orange peel textured casing that can protect the phone even better.
Nice to look at and comfortable to hold are the right sentences to describe our first experience using the Tecno Phantom X product. Oh yeah, because it is coated with protective glass, the back cover of the phone feels a little slippery for sweaty hands, well this is where the additional leather textured casing functions. You can reduce the possibility of dirtying the back casing and also protect it from impacts when dropped (God forbid) even when placing it on a table. Why?
So, on the back of this phone there is a formation that is quite prominent on the surface. That’s right, this part is where the camera lens is placed. It is rectangular and is located in the center line of the phone. Not on the far left side like other phones.
Because of the mother’s mentality that really cares if something happens to this phone, the existence of the additional casing that is there is at least able to provide protection so that the camera protrusion is not too different from the other surface parts. Because this part has two steps. The first is as the location of the flash and laser sensor and the second highest step as a place for the 3 camera lenses.
The right and left bones of the phone are almost half used for the screen. For that they only put the volume and power buttons on this side, right next to each other on the same side. Namely on the right side of the phone.
The rest, a number of speaker holes, 3.5 mm audio ports and USB type C are placed on the bottom side, while the Sim card slot is placed on the top of the phone.
90Hz Super AMOLED Screen
One of the most promising things about this phone is the screen. Tecno Phantom X carries a Super AMOLED panel screen that has a curve on the right and left edges, almost filling the entire surface of the phone. With a punch hole design, two front camera lenses are presented, as a solution so that the screen can still be enjoyed in full.
Although when compared to a single punch hole, of course Tecno’s decision to display two front cameras will leave a larger hole area. Potentially disturbing when watching shows in full screen position. Something we have felt when reviewing other phones with similar designs.
The screen resolution carried is at 1080 x 2340 pixels or falls into the FHD + category. The display standard for mid-range to high-end phones that focus on image density and comfort in enjoying and creating multimedia content.
To watch streaming movies from Netflix, HBO Go, Disney+ and others, this phone’s screen is capable and looks cinematic, especially with an aspect ratio that is close to a cinema screen.
Not only does it offer a stunning AMOLED display, this phone’s screen also has a high refresh rate of up to 90Hz. Especially when we access the phone menu. Meanwhile, the display in each application will be adjusted by the capabilities of the application.
Because it already uses a Super AMOLED panel, it is not surprising that this phone also provides a fingerprint sensor under the screen, or in-display fingerprint sensor.
UI HIOS 7.6
For those of us who are new to using Tecno products, the default UI of this product may be a bit foreign. But as long as it’s still Android, it feels like the time it takes to get used to it won’t be too long.
Many applications are present specifically for Tecno’s main market. It can be seen from the music application which is dominated by artists from the African continent, also the party feature that allows us to share Bluetooth to different speakers.
Main Triple Camera and Selfie Dual Camera
Usually we will discuss performance in this position, but we will save it for the end because there will be many things that we will discuss on that side. Previously, we will discuss the camera first.
Tecno Phantom X carries 3 main cameras consisting of a premium camera lens with a resolution of 50MP, which is the Samsung S5KGN1 sensor which has also been present in a number of cellphone products with similar prices, even higher than the Phantom X. Accompanied by a 13MP camera lens for telephoto purposes equivalent to a 50mm lens and an 8MP camera for ultrawide needs.
Judging from the specifications, it seems that this cellphone camera already carries all the features needed. Even with a fairly large main lens aperture and Laser Autofocus, this camera seems promising.
It remains to be seen how the image processor carried by this cellphone chipset will present it to us. In general, for optimal lighting conditions, the photo results look satisfying. Not much distortion and additional features, only a camera that is capable of producing good photos, even in low light conditions. Although it may not satisfy all our desires.
A Chipset That Is Quite Mid-Rise?
Judging from the body design, screen to the camera carried, this cellphone actually has the potential to disrupt the market. But unfortunately when we enter the quite important side, in this case the chipset aka SoC, the Phantom X is said by the market and media friends to carry a chipset that is less capable. Is that true?
It must be emphasized that the chipset carried by the Phantom X is a chipset that is not bad at all! Please note. This chipset has been used by many cellphones in the country, maybe even the brain of your cellphone right now. If you look at the core specifications of the ARM CPU carried, the Tecno Phantom X chipset, namely the Mediatek Helio G95, is equivalent to the 7 series from the Qualcomm camp.
The closest is the Snapdragon 720G, with a CPU configuration of 2 big cores and 6 LITTLE cores. Both are a combination of 2 Cortex A76 cores and 6 Cortex A55 cores, although in Snapdragon it is called kryo 465 gold and silver.
But the similarity is only limited to the CPU specs, even though SoC is not just a CPU, but a combination of many features embedded in one integrated chip. Inside there is a GPU, NPU, ISP and a number of other features so that a cellphone can function optimally.
Now on this side, there are some doubts regarding the Helios G95 chipset, even though in terms of performance, this chipset can be compared. Complete with the Game booster feature to improve the gaming experience better, without any lagging in the middle of the fun of playing.
Equipped with 8GB RAM and 256GB ROM, then on paper the performance of this cellphone will be in the mid-high class.
So, if I may conclude, the chipset that is carried is actually capable. Even when compared to the price offered. But if perhaps the Phantom X puts forward the word flagship, then perhaps the chipset carried is still considered less premium. It seems that’s what makes some parties a bit disappointed with the chipset carried by this product.
Furthermore, related to the battery capacity reaching 4700 mAh with a 33W fast charging feature is a mandatory feature for cellphones for those who are active and is a positive thing that we can get on the Tecno Phantom X.
Conclusion
Phantom is a premium line of Tecno cellphones and the Phantom X shows it from the appearance to the guts. Although it can’t be called a flagship, the class of chipset carried is a high-end or at least Mid-End class, offering slick performance. Unfortunately this cellphone has not and probably will not be sold here officially.