This is the Tecno Camon C9

In the Tecno Canon Camon range of camera focused smartphones, there was Tecno Camon C5, and Tecno Camon C8 (which we really loved) launched sometime late last year. Today, there is a new addition to that family. Tecno is launching the Tecno Camon C9.

We are going to take a no holds barred peep into this device they tell us is badass. Come let us rub minds together, look into the box and see if it looks the talk.

Specification Highlights

• HiOS (Based on Android V6.0 Marshmallow)
• 5.5 ” HD IPS Touchscreen
• LTE connectivity
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB internal expandable memory
• Dual Micro SIM capability
• 13MP Auto-Focus back camera with Flash
• 13MP Front camera with Flash
• 3,000mAh non-removable battery

What’s in the box?

Box itself is a nylon-wrapped affair….

…reminiscent of the days we unboxed Cabin biscuit.

After all the unwrapping is done, we have a well designed blend of blue, black and white

Or is that silver sef? I am not sure.

Not sure what this logo the “Camon C9” sits atop was intended to be

But common sense says it’s a camera lens something something. Since the Camon range is camera focused, it makes sense, yeah?

Then there’s this particularly difficult seal…

…that took a while to break!

The main compartment slides out of the pouch-like pouchy thing. Fancy.

Finally we open the box and lo, there lies the Tecno Camon C9.

Underneath the compartment are the usual accessories, and some more

The  charger head, USB cable, earpiece, warranty, the device itself and a mystery black box.

Mystery black box skewered with the SIM ejector pin. Let’s look inside…

Alas! It is a phone pouch

Been a long time we saw those, at least scratches won’t come early to this device.

Oh, lest I forget. There is this “for freshness” little bags you are not supposed to eat

Not me, it was in the box.

At the top of the front-side, there is the flash by the left side, and the 13 MP Auto-Focus camera in the middle

The speaker grill is right above the whole setup.

Still in the front, the menu buttons are located at the bottom

The earphone jack is at the top

On the flip-side, there’s the 13MP camera with flash underneath

Below that is the second speaker grill for music

In the left-hand corner underneath the phone is an allowance made for prying the cover open, the charger jack comes next and the pin-prick hole at the other end is the microphone for making calls

Upon prying it open, I discovered the 3,000 mAh battery is stuck there; non-removable.

Two micro-SIM slots (both LTE capable)

And if you are wondering (like I was) what the ejector pin is for, the image above explains it. It is for extracting the SIM cards after inserting them.

Memory card slot is on the left-hand side. And all those other ugly workings that the case covers

First Impressions

It’s really slim

5.5 inches and that thin? The Tecno Camon C9 is “looking” like a good deal. There is something iPhoney about the width from this angle, abi? 

The Tecno Camon C9 also has a rounded feel to it, thanks to the slight curvature behind.

There is an improvement in the front camera from the Tecno Camon C8’s 5MP. There has not been any price marker, but I am estimating a ₦45,000- ₦55,000 range.

I also hear there is an iris scanner that lets you unlock the phone with your eyes. Exciting hearsay, the more reason I would hasten up on this review, we need to see things for ourselves. I would bring you reports in a few days. Watch this space.

Suggested Read: Tecno Camon C9 review — More than a camera phone.

[UPDATE]: Read our full review of the Tecno Camon C9 here.

Victor Ekwealor

tech. media. startups. africa. vc | Twitter: @victor_ekwealor