We compared the CHERRY Aqua GR 5G and TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G to know which one is the “sulit” choice for 12K.
CHERRY Philippines has made a comeback this year with the midranger CHERRY Aqua GR 5G. This device features a premium-like build and specs but for a convincing price of under 12K.
That said, is CHERRY Aqua GR 5G a better choice than TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G? This TECNO handset is also under 12K. Both smartphones, as of writing, are currently priced at ₱11,999 via authorized online sellers. So, let’s figure out which of these two will fit you better.
Disclaimer: This article only included five aspects that we think weigh a lot in differentiating between these two midrangers. However, it’s still up to the user to determine which aspect (included here or not) they believe weighs more. Camera is NOT included in this comparison.
Display Panel
Both CHERRY Aqua GR 5G and TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G are equipped with an AMOLED display panel for incredible quality and perfect blacks. But besides that, they also have the following display features:
| Display Features | CHERRY Aqua GR 5G | TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G |
| Size | 6.8 inches | 6.67 inches |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels | 1080 x 2400 pixels |
| Pixel per inch | 387 | 395 |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Touch sampling rate | 240Hz | 360Hz |
At a glance, there are no significant differences between these two Android handsets. They will only surface based on the use case, though.
CHERRY Aqua GR 5G stands out because of its large, curved display that will surely attract those who are into style. Even if this phone only has a black model, they can always wrap it with beautiful and colorful phone cases.
TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G takes the subtle approach because its display supports a higher touch sampling rate. This is particularly required for mobile gaming, which will go into detail later.
Audio Experience
None of these phones have out-of-this-world sound quality. But we did notice two big differences if these two clash in the sound arena.
TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G will likely give a better audio experience, thanks to its dual stereo speakers and 3.5mm headphone jack. You can use the best headphones on this smartphone.
CHERRY Aqua GR 5G lacked both audio features, likely in exchange for that stunning curved display. Since we’re in the midrange segment, this trade-off shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.
In this aspect, TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G has an edge as it offers a flexible audio port for everyone.
Storage Expansion
The two midrangers come with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, enough for most people. However, some want more and cloud storage isn’t a preferred choice. So, their go-to answer is storage expansion.
Sadly, only TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G has a microSD card expansion. CHERRY Aqua GR 5G could have been given a hybrid card slot and let the user decide.
This one goes to the TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G.
Performance and Gaming
Both CHERRY Aqua GR 5G and TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G are powered by MediaTek processors. The former has the Dimensity 7050 while the latter has the Dimensity 8050. It’s obvious which one sports a higher raw processing power.
The Dimensity 7050 is a good midrange processor with an AnTuTu score of 563,520 points. But the Dimensity 8050 is a better midrange CPU model with an AnTuTu of 749,618 points.
Don’t get the wrong idea because CHERRY Aqua GR 5G isn’t a slow device. It just happens that TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G can do more and with 360Hz of touch sampling rate, you can get that smooth performance and touch responsiveness on competitive games.
Although we’re not featuring gaming performance here, there’s one special mention for the TECNO phone. It has bypass charging – important if you’re a gamer.
Bypass charging lets you game nonstop, thanks to direct power draw from the charger. Just keep in mind that the processor may generate more heat as it goes into performance mode since there’s unlimited power.
Battery and Charging
CHERRY Aqua GR 5G features a 4700mAh battery pack while TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G has 5000mAh. That’s 300mAh difference but the real deal is the charging speed.
This CHERRY phone got you covered for speedy refills with 66W fast charging. Although 33W is fast, the TECNO phone will take a bit more time.
Do remember that fast charging automatically turns off when the battery level reaches 80% or higher, depending on the phone’s software, to protect the battery.
Software and UI
Android 13 is the out-of-the-box OS version on CHERRY Aqua GR 5G and TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G. But we’ll go for CHERRY Aqua GR 5G here.
CHERRY Aqua GR 5G has a near-vanilla UI without those nasty bloatware that spawn ads every time you open. TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G comes with HiOS which has a lot of unwanted apps and not all of them can be uninstalled.
If you want to customize your phone’s UI, the CHERRY handset will give a better experience.
Final Thoughts
CHERRY Aqua GR 5G is a “sulit” choice for all users. It’s powered by a good midrange 5G processor and has that dashing premium black visuals and curved screen. It’s a great balance of design, performance, battery, and immersive viewing experience for an affordable price.
TECNO CAMON 20 Pro 5G is a “sulit” choice for gamers. Its smaller screen and bypass charging are excellent for long periods of gaming. This is a great pick for users who prioritizes excellent performance over other factors.
So, are you a chic, gamer, or both?
