TECNO CAMON 50 Ultra 5G Review 2026 – DXOMARK #1 Under $600, Specs & Full Guide

By Omar Shahid, Mobiles Writer — March, 2026

The CAMON 50 Ultra 5G achieved an impressive DXOMARK overall camera score of 146 — the highest for smartphones under $600 — along with a stellar portrait score of 142, ranking among the top in its price segment. 

A DXOMARK score of 146 is not just good for the price. It is genuinely competitive with phones costing three times more. TECNO launched the CAMON 50 Ultra 5G at MWC 2026 Barcelona, and in doing so made the strongest camera quality argument in its price segment anywhere in the world.

TECNO has stepped it up in both design and AI when compared to the CAMON 40 Premier. The suite of features looks quite impressive, and the upgraded Ella sounds like a possible win. The phone itself looks quite good, with a very Galaxy S26 Ultra-like design that should appeal to plenty of consumers. 

At a Glance

Design and Build

The CAMON 50 Ultra 5G features a 6.78-inch Gorilla Glass-protected Curved AMOLED with 1.5K 2800x1260 resolution at 460ppi, 120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate, and 2160Hz PWM dimming. The phone is 7.75mm thick and weighs 181 grams. It is made of both metal and glass and is available in Misty Purple, Luminous Orange, Cypress Green, Moonshadow Black, or Nebula Titanium. 

The build uses Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass 7i), with plastic frame. It carries IP69K resistance — meaning it can withstand high-pressure water jets up to 80°C, the highest water resistance rating available on any mainstream smartphone. 

IP69K is genuinely more capable than IP68 — it handles not just submersion but direct high-pressure spray. Combined with MIL-STD-810H military certification, the CAMON 50 Ultra is among the most durable non-rugged smartphones on the market.

Display

Display: A 6.78-inch curved AMOLED screen with 1.5K resolution. Refresh Rate: Supports up to 144Hz for fluid scrolling and visual transitions. Eye Care: Integrates ProXDR eye-care technology to reduce strain during extended screen time.

The 2160Hz PWM dimming is a premium display technology that reduces eye strain during extended use — particularly important for users who spend hours on their phones. Most mid-range phones offer 360Hz or 1440Hz PWM — the CAMON 50 Ultra's 2160Hz is class-leading.

Camera System: The DXOMARK Story

All three TECNO CAMON 50 devices feature the same 50MP Sony LYT-700C main camera. This camera comes with an extra-large 1/1.56-inch sensor and large f/1.8 aperture. It also features a closed-loop motor for steady captures with OIS. The Ultra comes with an additional 50MP telephoto and 50MP AF selfie camera.

Consistent telephoto performance that matches the main camera in both photo and video. Good detail and low noise in video recording. Great Portrait mode with reliable subject separation. Strong level of detail for its segment, with low noise in most conditions. 

Low-light shots work wonders. The ultra-wide performs well too at night even though it is just the standard 8MP camera with a 112-degree FoV. Portraits aren't perfect — but should work day and night.

The 50MP selfie camera with autofocus is the standout for creators — competing phones at this price point typically offer 32MP fixed-focus selfie cameras. AF on the front camera means group selfies and moving subjects are consistently sharp.

Performance: Dimensity 7400 Ultimate

Setting the bar high, this 4nm Dimensity chip is a better performer than the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4-equipped competitors. With Zenless Zone Zero, it was able to run the game in more moderate settings than its Snapdragon rival, which runs in the lowest resolution by default. The CAMON 50 Ultra performed smoother with less game hiccups. Racing Master running on Ultra-High graphics along a 60fps frame rate — while the Snapdragon rival suffered heavily during ranked races with severe throttling, the CAMON 50 Ultra breezed through with ease. 

The Dimensity 7400 Ultimate is a strong performer for the price. It is not a flagship chip, but its gaming benchmark results consistently outperform the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 found in competing phones — a surprising reversal of the historical MediaTek vs Qualcomm narrative.

Battery and Charging

The device is supported by a high-capacity 6500mAh battery, paired with 45W fast charging capabilities, designed to provide comprehensive all-day usage.

It comes with the 45W wall charger, USB Type-A to Type-C cable, a glass-like screen protector, and a leather-like protective case included in the box. 

Including a charger in the box in 2026 — when Samsung, Apple, and many others have removed it — is a meaningful value add. The CAMON 50 Ultra ships with everything you need to use it on day one.

HiOS 16: What's New

HiOS 16 was introduced at MWC 2026. The update features a redesigned interface centered on what the company describes as a "superfluidity" design language. Key changes include a restructured "Minus One" screen designed to centralize access to productivity tools, smart services, and AI-generated content features. 

Key updates include Live Updates — a Dynamic Island-style notification showing real-time progress for ride-shares or deliveries directly on the lock screen. Notification Cooldown automatically lowers volume and groups alerts when a specific app sends too many. Identity Check requires a fingerprint or face scan to access sensitive settings even if the phone is already unlocked. 

Ella has evolved into a more context-aware and proactive AI companion with enhanced contextual understanding and a dynamic island experience. 

Full Specifications

Display

Performance

Camera

Battery

Build

Pros and Cons

Verdict

Ditching the signature "Premier" branding, 2026 ushers in a new era with the all-new CAMON 50 Ultra. After having to experience the last two premium midrangers by TECNO, I was surprised by how they have shaken things up. 

Rating: 8.4/10 — The camera quality at under $600 is genuinely exceptional — DXOMARK doesn't lie. The IP69K rating, 50MP autofocus selfie, and included charger add real value. The 3-year update policy and TECNO brand recognition are the real limitations.