Tecno Phantom X MORE PICTURES

Tecno Phantom X

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AB, 08 Jul 2023I have seen your comments for realme redmi phones as well. ... moreI have quite a few phones, I consider myself a tech savvy guy who love to try new phones on spare time. For the last two weeks, I have been using the Tecno Phantom X, and considering the megre price I had to pay ₹13.3K($160) for this phone, below is my personal review:

1) Built Quality and Exterior Design: To me Phantom X is a meticulously crafted, well polished and well designed phone. The traits of a true flagship. The phone has a level of overall attention to build quality and aesthetics which are traits very hard to come by for its price bracket. The CNC machined, sand blasted, anodized aluminium metal middle frame feels very premium to hold. The phone is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection on both sides and provides lot of assurance regarding its durability. I can see a lot of thought had also gone into the exterior design of the phone. Like trying to maintain symmetric design language as much as possible. The back glass panel has a fine texture to it: it’s matte, which I love, but at the same time, there are microscopic grooves running vertically from top to bottom, giving it a three-dimensional effect that you can both see and feel and has a silk smooth feel when holding in hand. Very unique. The phone comes with unique colors options like my Icelandic Blue color Phantom X. As such the built quality, shape, color & attention to overall design are just exemplary on this device. No doubt it had won the international iF Design Award in 2022.

2) Display: The curved AMOLED, 6.7-inch, FullHD+ display with tall 19.5:9 is a sight to behold and looks very premium. The display comes with very narrow bezels on all sides and moderate 90Hz refresh rate, which sadly is the maximum the underlying SoC (Helio G95) can handle. While using the display everything feels smooth to use with no lags whatsoever. The accidental touch prevention algorithm on the curved side of the display are well implemented in the software level which makes the display of Phantom X a joy to use. However, this is a budget curved display and have some prominent downsides over true flagship displays from Samsung. It is not very bright to start with, you can hardly see anything on direct bright sunlight. Indoors it is plenty bright though. The other glaring issue is no support for Widevine L1 certification on software level, so no HD contents from OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video can be enjoyed here.

3) Performance: Transsion Holdings the owner of Tecno, Infinix & Itel brands has a very successful and unique partnership with Mediatek. For this exclusive nature, they do not seem to use Qualcomm SoCs and in-turn get access to Mediatek firsts. Coming back to my Phantom X, after rigorous use I have no complaints with its Mediatek Helio G95 SoC and its daily performance. G95 was the best offering from Mediatek when they started designing this phone so they used it without I believe ever thinking to source more superior Qualcomm upper midrange SoCs of that time. Everything just glides butter smooth on the Phantom X's display at 90Hz refresh rate. This is mainly possible because Techno had used the highest quality components like RAM, ROM, PCBs possible on this phone to bring out the maximum potential performance possible on G95. For example, G95 supports max 10GB @ 2133MHz LPDDR4x RAM, so Tecno ships this phone with 8GB @ 2133MHz LPDDR4x RAM. No RAM manufacturer makes 10GB RAM chips, the next size being 12GB. The fastest storage type supported by G95 is UFS 2.1, so the phone comes with 256GB UFS 2.1 storage.

4) Thermal Management: There is no hiding of the fact that Mediatek Helio G95 while being the most powerful 4G SoC ever created by Mediatek for gaming, runs hot when being pushed. Built on an old TSMC 12nm fabrication process by today's standards, G95 provides very good upper midrange performance but this comes at a price - heat. So for heat dissipation, Tecno on their first flagship seems to have gone to great lengths, providing large 1007.5mm liquid cooling system inside the phone. Hence heat transfer from G95 SoC is excellent on this phone, the aluminium middle frame also playing a big role here. Let me explain. Playing 15 mins of any GPU intensive heavy game will make the phone uncomfortably hot to hold in bare hands. This is because the inbuilt liquid cooling system is efficiently transferring the heat out of the hot headed G95 and transferring the same to the middle frame. The frame on the other hand being made of aluminium is an excellent heat conductor, and conducting the same heat with minimal thermal loss to our hands. The funda of Phantom X during intensive gaming sessions is to dissipate as much heat as possible so it can comfortably maintain stable frame rates with minimum CPU throttling and in providing maximum performance while making us uncomfortable holding it. Saying all this I only feel this heat during intensive heavy gaming only. Else the phone always remain cool. But I do not try to hide my disappointment, Tecno should have gone for a more expensive SoC from Qualcomm with 5G connectivity for their first flagship.

5) Network Reception & Connectivity: The phone comes with triple card slot, with support for dual 4G VoLTE, VoWiFi. The third slot is for memory card with support up to 512GB. I use a 256GB card, which makes the total combined memory of 512GB on this phone, enough for my needs. I have tested with Jio, Vi connectivity in India, both runs flawlessly with very good reception quality over 4G VoLTE. Call quality is much better over other midrange phones, voice remains crystal clear over calls. However the phone has no support for 4G carrier aggregation, which Tecno should have enabled with a software update as G95 supports it. You get the usual Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 which works as intended. I like Tecno included FM Radio here, this feature is becoming rare now.

6) Audio quality: Being a flagship, Phantom X has support for the GOD sent 3.5mm audio jack. This is a ultra rare feature these days among flagships. Analog audio quality through audio jack is good while not being exceptional. I prefer this over crappy TWS any day. Phone comes with a single bottom firing speaker. While speaker output is decent, you desperately feel the need of dual stereo speakers.

7) Cameras: The camera setup of Phantom X is truly impressive. This is my first encounter with any Techno phone and initially I thought they just provided a bunch of specs with no quality, but I was wrong. The first few shots taken from the main rear 50MP, Samsung ISOCELL GN1, large Quad-Bayer sensor dropped my jaw with awe. This expensive flagship grade sensor is coupled with 7 individual lenses(7P) and takes 12MP resolution photos by default. In daylight the photos are sharp, have vibrant colors with very good details. In night it captured photos with clarity comparable to Samsung flagships four times its price. In short I am unable to find a phone under $200 which can click such good quality photos. This is the outcome of high quality sensor having high quality lens and a very well optimized camera software which makes full use of G95's ISP and camera hardware. The other 13MP (telephoto) and 8MP (ultrawide) on the back are no 2MP gimmicks either, they can do their job gracefully. The phone can shoot videos upto 4K 30fps, they are of good quality but shaky due to no EIS support. The Ultra Steady video mode is capped at 1080p, but the good news is that it works great in videos. You can even use it with the ultrawide and telephoto cameras. Coming to the front we have a 48MP (Quad-Bayer sensor, 12MP default) and a 8MP (ultrawide). Selfies are also great on this phone. Frankly in my eyes it is one of the best camera phones for its price, and you will never feel disappointed with the price to camera performance it delivers. Great job Tecno for proving me wrong on this.

8) Battery: Phone comes with a 4,700mAh battery and support for 33 watts charging. I will say decent enough for one day heavy usage or one and a half days of casual usage. I am not a big fan of fast charging and instead use a 10 watts charger for battery longevity.

    • A
    • AB
    • CbG
    • 08 Jul 2023

    RishiGuru, 29 Jun 2023After owning the Phantom X for a week, I am pleasantly surp... moreI have seen your comments for realme redmi phones as well. How many phones you do use??

      Anonymous, 23 Jun 2022Tecno called this their flagship but it cant even compete w... moreI can feel the disappointment here regarding use of Mediatek Helio G95 (an upper midrange SoC) in Tecno Phantom X. But we need to understand having something like Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (5G ready) SoC under the hood would make no sense and instead make this phone prohibitively expensive.

      This was Tecno's first attempt towards an uncharted flagship territory. Understandably they did not want to take any risk with the pricing. Instead they went one step at a time with price hike. Phantom X in India arrived at $320 and now we have Phantom X2 with a price tag of $520. So X2 is their 2nd step and now we have a monster Mediatek Dimensity 9000 (5G ready) SoC lurking inside the new phone.

      Secondly, Transsion Holdings the owner of Tecno, Infinix & Itel brands for some reason only use Mediatek SoCs. I made a mistake in my last post stating Dimensity 1050 was their first 5G ready SoC, but it was actually Dimensity 1000 released on Jan, 2020 which take the honours.

      With a rough development cycle of around 2 years for Tecno's first flagship, back in first quarter of 2019 they had no option for a 5G ready SoC from Mediatek. So I guess they went with Helio G90T, which was the best offering from Mediatek for the Phantom X prototypes.

      When this project was already 9 months old, Dimensity 1000 arrived into the scene and it was too late. Also using Dimensity 1000 on Phantom X will be like throwing all the work they have done so far into water as there is nothing common between G90T and D1000. And then the cost of D1000 was very high.

      As the Phantom X project got matured, in the last quarter on 2020, Tecno may have got access to the newer Mediatek Helio G95. The most powerful, hot headed, 4G SoC for gaming by Mediatek. Both G90T & G95 are identical architecture wise, and also pin compatible. I guess Tecno just swapped G90T with G95 with no headache. Subsequently, Phantom X got launched on July, 2021.

      Having used Phantom X rigorously for the past week, I have no complaints with Helio G95's daily performance, everything just glides butter smooth on display at 90Hz refresh rate. This is mainly possible because Techno have used the highest quality components like RAM, ROM, PCBs possible on this phone to suck the maximum potential performance for G95. I am not a hard core gamer though, I just play some casual games and they run fine. Considering I had to pay ₹13.3K($160) for this phone during Tecno's clearance sale, I have no regrets and rather enjoying the user experience the Phantom X provides to me.

        Anonymous, 22 Dec 2022I just wish they put a dimensity 900 chip instead of the g95Generally speaking smartphone manufacturers start working on their flagship phones at least 2 years prior to launch. As global launch for Techno's first flagship, the Phantom X happened on 6th July, 2021, it is understandable they started working on it from early 2019.

        As previously said, Transsion Holdings the owner of Tecno, Infinix & Itel smartphone brands are solely dependent on Mediatek for SoCs. And back then on 30th July, 2019 Mediatek announced their top-of-the-line Helio G90T SoC. Considerably when Tecno started working on this phone, their prototypes of Phantom X during development were all based on G90T.

        As the Phantom X project neared completion by the end of 2020, Mediatek then launched their Helio G95. It was the successor of G90T having a slightly pumped up specs. So Tecno just swapped the G90T with newer G95 as both were pin compatible and are based on 99% same architecture. Ideally Tecno used Medaitek's top-of-the-line SoC back then, the G95 on this phone.

        Mediatek's first 5G chipset was launched much later as on 23rd May, 2022 with their introduction of Dimensity 1050 SoC. Hence 5G was not an option on Phantom X. We may say the timing of this phone was unfortunate, as it was the transition time between 4G to 5G.

        Owning the Phantom X for a week now, I am pleasantly surprised by this phone's performance. Tecno was able to extract the maximum from G95 and able to deliver the maximum performance to the user. The only gripe I had is Tecno did not provide 4G carrier aggregation(CA) which G95 supports.

        Adding insult to injury is the fact that this phone only carries Widevine L3 certification, meaning we won’t be able to play DRM-licensed content from Netflix & Amazon Prime in full HD. This is one of those things that may be indicative of this phone’s lower price point, despite its impressive specs. However for the price I paid ($160) for this phone ... I have no complaints.

          BMHater12, 09 Jun 2022That'll be a true flagship if it has those chipsetsI have noticed a philosophy that Transsion Holdings, the Chinese manufacturer who owns Tecno, Infinix & Itel smartphone brands follow when designing their phones. They always try to wring the maximum possible performance out of any midrange SoC they implement on their phone. And they almost always stick to Mediatek offerings in almost 98% of their phones.

          Take for example the Tecno Phantom X here, when they started designing this phone the Helio G95 was the highest performance SoC available from Mediatek parts bin. And what they did with G95 SoC on Phantom X is truly impressive from an engineering perspective.

          They ringed every ounce of performance possible from G95 by providing the SoC with highest quality RAM, ROM, display & camera sensor possible with max configuration supported by the SoC. From what I have seen from the teardown videos, Tecno have used one of the highest quality main PCB boards on Phantom X. PCB/mainboard is where all the components are attached, so the product quality of this motherboard is truly impressive. Coupled with highly optimized Android 11 from this phone, even today everything is butter smooth and glides on this device. I am not a gamer though.

          To have an idea, how Tecno is maximizing Mediatek Helio G95 performance on this phone:

          1) G95 supports max 10GB @ 2133MHz LPDDR4x RAM, and the phone is shipped with 8GB @ 2133MHz LPDDR4x RAM. No RAM manufacturer makes 10GB RAM chips, the next size being 12GB.

          2) The fastest storage type supported by G95 is UFS 2.1, so the phone comes with 256GB UFS 2.1 storage.

          3) G95 supports 1080p displays with max refresh rate of 90Hz, so the phone comes with a curved 1080p @ 90Hz AMOLED display.

          4) Phantom X comes with Dual 4G with VoLTE support, the max supported by G95's modem.

          5) G95 supports Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 & FM Radio, Phantom X have all of it.

          7) G95 supports max 64MP camera resolution and the phone comes with a 50MP Samsung GN1 sensor, one of the biggest sensors available at 1/1.3 inch coupled with unheard 7P lens. The GN1 is an expensive quad-Bayer sensor after all, so the effective pixel size shoots up to 2.4µm which is super impressive for a smartphone sensor.

          8) G95 supports a max of 4K@30fps video recording, which is what Phantom X delivers.

          Considering I had to pay ₹13.3K($160) for this phone during their clearance sale, as of now I cannot think of any other phone which can provide this level of premium look and feel, quality components, built quality along with super optimized user experience that Tecno Phantom X delivers.

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            • IgorS
            • LpD
            • 29 Jun 2023

            RishiGuru, 29 Jun 2023After owning the Phantom X for a week, I am pleasantly surp... moreI feel the same with my Infinix Zero X Pro and I would buy two more if I could, because the whole experience is great for my needs.

            I can imagine that Tecno Phantom X offers the same experience but with the extra features like Corning Gorilla Glass, curved AMOLED screen and also a different camera experience.

            Unfortunately, Tecno don't have a place that sells Phantom X and ships to Brazil.

              IgorS, 07 Aug 2022Even not being a true flagship like Tecno sells it, it'... moreAfter owning the Phantom X for a week, I am pleasantly surprised with the user experience it is able to provide to me. Just awesome!. And that too from not so well recognized brand like Tecno in India. As wise tech pundits say, we should not always judge a phone by its chipset/SoC and I am happy to say this phone punches well above what you can expect from phone with a 3 year old MediaTek Helio G95 SoC inside.

              This phone was launched In India a year later after the global launch, on 2nd May, 2022 to be precise. Tecno knew with the actual global launch price they will not be able to move a single unit in a ultra competitive market like India. Thus they launched the phone at a price of ₹26K($320) for the 8/256 GB variant. Frankly for a phone brand which basically operates here between $100 to $150 range, this was never very well received.

              However, Tecno was clearing their Phantom X stocks on their so called Flagship Days on Amazon between 15th to 21st Jun, 2023 and the price went down to a very lucrative price of ₹22K[$270]. I had a 9 year old Moto G (2014) lying around which works on 3G, and with flat ₹4K($50) additional discount on exchange I got an exchange value of ₹7.45K($80). After adding in card discounts it all came down to ₹13.3K($160) which is frankly too hard to refuse.

              For $160, there is nothing available in our country that can rival this phone as an overall package, except for maybe the lack of 5G support. I bought one at a heartbeat, the Iceland Blue color variant as this color is very unique.

              The first thing you notice when you hold the Phantom X for the first time, is it is built like a true flagship device, the built quality is truly extraordinary. The CNC machined sand blasted Icelandic blue colour metal middle frame with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection on both sides feels ultra premium to hold. And with curved display on the front and rear glass panel having Icelandic blue hues at different angles this phone becomes an instant looker. Tecno invested and put huge effort on the exterior design of the phone and this is instantly evident as design and built quality wise alone it can very well compete with $1000 dollar phones out there.

              I will update on my experience with this phone on my next posts.

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                • Holy Devil
                • mFd
                • 19 Jun 2023

                Only android version update needed compared to other brands

                  Anonymous, 07 Mar 2023Yeah true,this phone good but they stuck with android softw... moreDid Tecno Phantom X get Android 12?

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                    • Dickson
                    • Nvx
                    • 10 May 2023

                    Jean, 19 Jan 2023This company infinix and Tecno still having problems on sid... moreIs a good phone but don't judge the companies, I have infinix zero 5g and it came with Android 10, but now am having Android 12 and still waiting for 13...

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                      • Anonymous
                      • CGH
                      • 25 Mar 2023

                      Anonymous, 17 Jul 2022Samsung and apples are not just phones but they are machine... moreTruth told.Thanks

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                        • Anonymous
                        • YUU
                        • 07 Mar 2023

                        Jean, 19 Jan 2023This company infinix and Tecno still having problems on sid... moreYeah true,this phone good but they stuck with android software..i got phantom x & still stuck at android 11..just got a minor update..

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                          • Jean
                          • XGu
                          • 19 Jan 2023

                          Testing beta, 16 Dec 2022Claim flagship but dont have update for android 12..stuck o... moreThis company infinix and Tecno still having problems on side
                          Of android imgne they make phone which just stuck on android that were made with better Samsung or oppo and redmi which they give android update at least 2yrs or 3yrs if they can improve on update of android this can beat even Samsung on market

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                            • Anonymous
                            • X5u
                            • 31 Dec 2022

                            They seriously used G95 chip instead of dimensity 810 or 900😑

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                              • Anonymous
                              • X5u
                              • 22 Dec 2022

                              I just wish they put a dimensity 900 chip instead of the g95

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                                • Testing beta
                                • KZJ
                                • 16 Dec 2022

                                Claim flagship but dont have update for android 12..stuck on android 11..

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                                  • Anonymous
                                  • tZk
                                  • 15 Dec 2022

                                  Android 12 still not available for Phantom X?

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                                    • IgorS
                                    • LpB
                                    • 07 Aug 2022

                                    Even not being a true flagship like Tecno sells it, it's an amazing a premium mid-ranger phone. I wish it was available on global market, I would surely buy one instead of any POCO (got tired of MIUI bugs) or Samsung (I don't like how obsolete they become after 1.5 year of use).

                                    As long as the phone works well for my needs, I don't care if it is Mediatek or Snapdragon powered. On the other hand, I agree with comments that a different chipset here would make the difference and turn this phone into a very potential mid-range killer. Judging by the time of its announcement and the actual release, a Dimensity 800U would be an amazing choice.

                                    Anyway, I'm kinda hyped for Phantom X2 and X2 5G that might be confirmed later this year.

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                                      • Sk
                                      • Hkr
                                      • 04 Aug 2022

                                      In this range no one is giving curved display because curved display is above 10k only the phone is very good for daily use not for gamer so if you are not gamer so go for it nice phone in this range 26k

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                                        • Pope
                                        • Nue
                                        • 03 Aug 2022

                                        Anonymous, 27 Jul 2022they are doing their best, and the price are reasonable, a ... moreLol, POCO's phone are way affordable and they offer you way better specs than tecno. Tecno's flagship cant even compete with POCO's mid range phones

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