Is ‘Ultra’ Losing Its Meaning? Why the Tecno Camon 50 Ultra Doesn’t Feel So Ultra
Over the past few years, there has been a growing trend of smartphone companies using the word “Ultra” in labeling their top-of-the-line phone.
You know, when consumers buy a smartphone with the name Ultra in it, they expect top-of-the-line specs, like the Samsung S26 Ultra. Still, some brands use the name Ultra in their midrange device just because a big brand is using it in their bleeding-edge flagship, yet the phone being called “Ultra” is more of a midrange smartphone, as is the case with the Tecno Camon 50 Ultra.
Tecno has recently launched the Tecno Camon 50 series, which comprises the Tecno Camon 50, the Camon 50 Pro, and the Camon 50 Ultra. Looking closely at the Pro and the Ultra, they share most of the specs, which makes you wonder why there is an Ultra version in the first place.
{getToc} $title={Table of Contents} $count={Boolean} $expanded={Boolean}
What Does "Ultra" Actually Mean Anymore?
When the term “Ultra” first showed up in smartphones, it meant something extreme. Take the Samsung S20 Ultra, for example, it doesn’t sit above the S20+, it completely separated itself with a 108MP camera, periscope zoom, and a bigger battery, and clear hardware advantages.
It felt like the no-compromise version of the lineup. Fast forward to today, and the word doesn’t always carry that same weight in many cases. “Ultra” models now share the same battery, similar displays, and only marginal upgrades over their Pro siblings,
Instead of representing a pro-technological leap, the term is increasingly starting to feel like a branding strategy, a way to position a phone higher without making it dramatically better.
Red Also:5 Important Smartphone Specs You Keep Ignoring
The Case Study: Tecno Camon 50 Ultra vs. Camon 50 Pro 4G
| Feature | Camon 50 Ultra (5G) | Camon 50 Pro (4G) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.78" 1.5K AMOLED, 144Hz | 6.78" 1.5K AMOLED, 144Hz | Identical |
| Durability | IP68 / IP69 / IP69K | IP68 / IP69 / IP69K | Identical |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP Main + 50MP Telephoto + 8MP Ultrawide | 50MP Main + 50MP Telephoto + 8MP Ultrawide | Identical |
| Charging Speed | 45W Wired | 45W Wired | Identical |
| Processor | Dimensity 7400 Ultimate | Helio G200 Ultimate | Different |
| Battery | 6500mAh/6160mAh | 6150mAh | Different |
| Selfie Camera | 50MP | 32MP | Different |
| Connectivity | 5G | 4G LTE | Different |
They both feature a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 1.5k resolution, with a stupidly fast 144Hz refresh rate, and they both support HDR image support, which improves visual quality by producing a wider range of brightness, deeper contrasts, and more accurate colors compared to standard dynamic range.
On the durability front, they are both IP68/IP69k dust and water-tight, meaning they can withstand high temperature and high-pressure water jets, a feature even the bleeding edge flasghips don’t have.
For the cameras, both have a 50MP main camera with OIS, a 50MP telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultrawide lens. At the front, we get a 50MP selfie shooter for the selfie shooter for the Camon 50 Ultra and a 32MP selfie shooter for the Camon 50 Pro.
The real major difference is when it comes to video recording, where the Camon 50 Ultra records at 4 K 60 fps for both the front and the rear cameras, while the Pro version sticks to 1080p 60 fps for both the rear and the front cameras due to the Mediatek Helio G200 limitations.
Another area where they almost share the specs is on the battery and charging speeds. The Ultra model has a 6500mAh/6160mah battery, while the Pro version has a 6150 mAh battery; they both have 45W charging.
The "Upgrades" (Are they Ultra?)
Looking at the processors of the Pro and the Ultra model, the Camon 50 Ultra comes with the Mediatek Dimensity 7400 (4nm), while the Pro model has the Mediatek Helio G200 (6nm).
Benchmark results show the Dimensity 7400 is faster than the Helio G200 by a huge margin. The Dimensity 7400 is 40% faster in single-core score and 47% faster in multicore score than the G200.
Since the Dimensity 7400 on the Tecno Camon 50 Ultra is faster than the G200 on the Camon 50 Pro, it still doesn’t provide “Ultra” performance, not even close.
The cameras on the Camon 50 Ultra, on paper, are very impressive; however, an “Ultra” phone should not have an 8MP ultrawide, really Tecno? I expected maybe a 50MP ultrawide lens plus 4k recording on this lens.
The Price vs. Value Reality Check
Tech consumers in Nairobi and across Kenya are highly sensitive to value-for-money.
The Camon 50 ultra, which goes for around $441 (KES 57,000), I feel, is quite overpriced, given that you get the Poco x6 Pro for around $309 (KES 39,000), and you get better performance.
On the other hand, the Camon 50 Pro, in my opinion, is way too overpriced. KES 40,000 for a 4G smartphone is crazy, yes, you get a good IP rating, bigger battery, and faster charging, great triple rear cameras and selfie cameras, but Mediatek Helio G200 for KES 40,000 just doesn’t make sense, thumbs-down Tecno!
Most people should be okay with the Camon 40 Pro; only go for the Ultra if you want 4k recording, better performance, and a slightly bigger battery compared to the Camon 40 Pro.
Conclusion: Holding Brands Accountable
The Tecno Camon 50 Ultra is a fantastic device, but it is fundamentally misnamed. I feel this should be the Pro, while the Tecno Camon 50 Pro should not have any marketing suffix, for that matter.
Kindly comment with examples of phones you feel don’t deserve the “Pro”, “Max”, or “Ultra”.
