Tecno Phantom X2: Tecno has long been recognized as a brand of value-for-money smartphones. But with the release of the Phantom X2, it’s no longer just playing in the budget sandbox.
This phone represents Tecno’s daring leap into the premium mid-range sphere, hoping to bring features and polish that rivals those of the big players — without the giant price tag.
Let’s see if the Phantom X2’s premium moniker is justified or if it’s just a fancy reinvention.
Design: Smooth, Sexy, and Striking
From the first look, the Tecno Phantom X2 stands out from its predecessor. It has a curved AMOLED display, an aluminum frame, and a back cover that is made of an eco-friendly material (in the case of the Mars Orange model, it feels genuinely luxurious to hold).
The design is minimalist yet screams for attention with a large camera module.
It’s surprisingly light and well-balanced, even with the camera bump, which is significant given its biggish size. The feel of the phone in hand is premium, and taking a look at the aesthetics, I must say Tecno has tried paying attention here. It’s not just competing — it looks like it b belongs in the big leagues.
Display: Fluid and Immersive
On the front, the Phantom X2 comes with a 6.8-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. The rounded corners provide a little sophistication, while the waistline bezels let everything onscreen feel a little more expansive.
Whether it’s YouTube, Instagram or gaming, this panel will show off rich colours and deep blacks.
Both indoor and outdoor brightness are also good and high refresh rate means transitions are smooth.
There’s no LTPO technology however, so it’s refresh rate won’t adjust, that might mean the battery is ever so slightly less efficient.
Performance: Able and Steady
Powering the Phantom X2 is MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000 processor which is one of the most powerful 4nm chips available in this range. The phone is coupled with 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage for smooth multitasking, gaming, and daily usage.
This is a well optimized GPU and the thermal has also been tuned to get the best performance out of the box in titles like BGMI, COD: Mobile, and Genshin Impact among others. Apps open fast, and there’s little to no lag even when jumping around between intensive apps.
Camera: All About Innovation
The device’s standout feature is the 64MP retractable portrait lens, one of three rear cameras on the phone. This innovation acting as the DSLR function lens feels it brings familiar and reliable shooting feel for users.
The camera does a good job with detail in daylight, and its edge-detection performance in portrait mode is quite accurate, for a change.
Low-light performance is good, thanks to the big sensor and night mode. But the ultrawide and macro sensors are not as good. The 32MP front camera captures neat selfies with well-machined skin tones and enough detail, even under artificial light.
Battery and Charging: One Full Day Off A Charge
A 5160mAh cell powers the Phantom X2 and this is more than enough to comfortably keep the phone going for a day of moderate to heavy usage. The 45W fast charging brings your battery from 0 to 100% in less than an hour — not ultra fast, but fast enough for most users.
There’s no wireless charging however, perhaps something to be expected at this price point.
Software:
Packed but Unrefined There’s still plenty to dig into with the Pixel 5, but the company sent me a preview phone to test last week.
It’s based on the Android 12 that’s skinned with HiOS 12, and it comes with its fair share of customization and custom features. Performance is mostly smooth, although the UI is still relatively heavy compared to stock Android.
There is some bloatware here, though it is minimal.
Tecno says it will be taking software seriously, but its history in this realm is not free of flaws.
Pros:
Husband’s Take Beautiful design, quality materials
SoC MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Powerful (1019000)
Long-lasting battery and quick charge
Alien Retractable Portrait Camera (unique!)
Smooth AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
Generous RAM and storage
Cons:
No wireless charging
Ultrawide and macro cameras are mediocre
Software experience is a little clumsy
No IP rating for water and dust resistance
No stereo speakers, and that feels like a miss.
Tecno Phantom X2 Verdict: A Confident Step Up
The Tecno Phantom X2 isn’t just a great phone — it’s a statement. It confirms that Tecno has it in them to manufacture a premium smartphone that can stand up to the mainstream giants.
With a revolutionary and unique camera, good-looking design, and decent specs, it offers great value to those who want to break away from the same old brands.
Yes, it has some quirks, but for the money, it delivers a striking blend of form and function.
If you’re after something a bit out of the ordinary but don’t want to skimp on looks or performance, the Phantom X2 is worth serious consideration.