Tecno Phantom X2 Pro Review: Impressive, but Not Ideal

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Tecno Phantom X2 Pro features a massive 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of peak brightness, and 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution for an incredibly sharp viewing experience. Under the hood is the powerhouse MediaTek Dimensity 9000 processor (4nm), which is said to provide lightning-fast performance while also being very power efficient. On top of that, it runs on the Android 12 operating system with HIOS 12 UI for a smooth user interface experience. In our review process, we tested the Tecno Phantom X2 Pro to gauge its performance capabilities.

Tecno Phantom X2 Pro Specifications

Body
Dimensions	6.44 x 2.91 x 0.34 in
Weight	201 g
Colors	Starry Night Blue, Monet Summer
Body Material	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), Plastic back Plastic frame
SIMs	Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Water & Dust	No
DISPLAY
Size	6.7 inches
Type	AMOLED 120Hz capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Resolutions	1080 x 2400 pixels
PPI	256 ppi density
CAMERA
Triple Rear	50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.3″, 1.2µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, Laser AF 13 MP, 50mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, 120? (ultrawide), 1/4.0″, 1.12µm
Features	Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR
Videos	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Front Dual	32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0″, 0.8µm LED flash 1080p@30fps
HARDWARE
OS	Android 12
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 9000
CPU	Octa-core (2×2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU	Mali-G76 MC4
RAM	8GB
Storage	256GB
Card Slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
BATTERY
Capacity	5000 mAh
Fast Charging	Fast Chirging 45W
Wireless Charging	No

Tecno Phantom X2 Pro Review: Design, Display and Durability

Tecno describes the design of the Phantom X2 Pro as “unibody double-curved”, referring to the symmetrical curves of the front and back panels. However, the phone’s construction actually consists of three pieces – the front, back, and middle frame. Despite this, the double-curved design adds a unique and visually appealing element to the overall aesthetic of the phone.

The Phantom X2 Pro boasts a large, 6.8 inch AMOLED panel with a full HD 1080 x 2400 resolution and a high refresh rate of 120Hz. The curved front screen provides users with an immersive viewing experience, and the 500 nits of brightness ensures that content is easily visible even in bright outdoor conditions. Although 500 nits is lower than some flagship models, it is still sufficient for most users.

The Phantom X2 Pro’s display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, known for its durability and toughness in the smartphone industry. This ensures that the display is well-protected against scratches and other damage.

The Phantom X2 Pro features a sleek design with an aluminum frame and plastic back, providing both aesthetic appeal and added strength to the overall structure of the phone. This ensures that the device is durable and able to withstand daily use.

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The Phantom X2 Pro has a camera module placed in the top center of the rear. This module features two large camera sensors that may appear unappealing in photographs. However, when viewed up close or with a protective case on the phone, the camera module is less noticeable.

While the design of the Phantom X2 Pro may be a matter of personal preference, the display and durability do not meet industry standards. The display is only 500 nits, which is not particularly bright, especially in direct sunlight. Additionally, the phone is not certified to be water and dustproof, indicating that it may not be as durable as some other smartphones on the market.

Tecno Phantom X2 Pro Review: Performance

Phantom X2 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 5G chipset, which is running at its stock CPU clocks. This configuration includes one ARM Cortex-X2 core running at up to 3.05 GHz, three Cortex-A710 cores clocked at up to 2.85 GHz, and four Cortex-A510 cores running at up to 1.8 GHz. These are paired with a 10-core Mali-G710 MC10 GPU, clocked at 850 MHz. The Phantom X2 Pro also features 256GB of internal storage and 12GB of fast LPDDR5X RAM, providing ample space and power for a variety of tasks and activities.

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The MediaTek Dimensity 9000 5G chipset in the Phantom X2 Pro is a strong performer, capable of handling graphics-intensive games and rendering graphics with ease. When compared to the chipset in the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, the Phantom X2 Pro is a top performer, able to play games using the highest graphics settings without any issues. Overall, users can expect smooth and efficient performance from this phone, with no concerns about its ability to handle demanding tasks.

Performance is a standout feature of the Phantom X2 Pro, thanks to its powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9000 5G chipset. During my time using the phone, I experienced no lag or hanging, and app opening and switching were smooth and fast. Compared to the previously released Tecno Phantom X, the Phantom X2 Pro offers a significant performance boost, thanks to its advanced processor. Overall, users can expect excellent performance from this phone, making it a great choice for those who prioritize speed and efficiency.

Benchmarks

In Geekbench 5, the Phantom X2 Pro scores 3984 in the Multi core benchmark and 1248 in the Single core benchmark. In AnTuTu 9, the X2 Pro scored 961576. These impressive scores indicate that the Phantom X2 Pro is a strong performer in terms of speed and efficiency, capable of handling a variety of tasks and activities with ease. Overall, users can expect smooth and reliable performance from this phone.

Phone	Multicore score	Single core
ROG Phone 6D (X Mode+)	4631	1399
ROG Phone 6D Ultimate (X Mode+)	4575	1360
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra	4265	1276
Xiaomi 12T Pro	4081	1238
Realme GT2 Explorer Master	4021	1336
Tecno Pahntom X2 Pro	3984	1248
Huawei Mate 50 Pro	3839	1277

Tecno Phantom X2 Pro Review: Software and UI

The Phantom X2 Pro is powered by the latest Android 12 operating system and Tecno’s custom HiOS 12 interface, providing users with a seamless and efficient user experience. The combination of powerful hardware and advanced software ensures smooth and responsive performance, making the Phantom X2 Pro a top performer in its class.

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No Bloatware: The Tecno Phantom X2 Pro offers a clean and pleasant user experience, thanks in part to the reduced presence of bloatware and ads compared to previous models. In the past, Tecno’s custom skin has been criticized for these issues, but the Phantom X2 Pro does not annoy users with notifications and offers, resulting in a smooth and enjoyable user experience.

If you are being bothered by notifications from third-party apps on your Phantom X2 Pro, you can easily disable them. This can be done either from within the app itself or from the Notification settings in your phone’s settings menu. By disabling notifications, you can enjoy a more peaceful and enjoyable user experience without interruptions from unwanted notifications.

Tecno Phantom X2 Pro Review: Camera

The Phantom X2 Pro boasts major improvements in its camera system compared to the Phantom X. The phone’s cameras feature larger sensors and apertures, providing enhanced image quality and performance. The main camera is a 50MP lens, and the phone also includes a 50MP portrait camera with a retractable lens, a 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 32MP front camera. These powerful cameras provide users with a wide range of shooting options and ensure that every photo is crisp, clear, and detailed. Overall, the Phantom X2 Pro’s camera system is a standout feature that sets it apart from its predecessors.

50MP Primary camera

TECNO Phantom X2 Pro’s main 50MP camera is based on the Samsung s5kjnv sensor, which is likely the ISOCELL GNV, a custom sensor previously used in the Vivo X80 series. This sensor has a 1/1.3″ size, 1.2µm pixels, and employs an RGBW arrangement, as well as ISOCELL 3.0 technology. The lens’s front element is made of glass, providing enhanced image quality and performance. Overall, the Phantom X2 Pro’s main camera is a powerful and capable shooter that is sure to impress users with its image quality and versatility.

50MP Portrait camera

The Phantom X2 Pro’s 50MP, f/1.49, 65mm portrait camera uses a Samsung s5kjn1tele sensor, commonly known as the Samsung ISOCELL JN1. This sensor has a 1/2.76″ size, 0.64µm pixels, and employs ISOCELL 2.0 technology with Double Super PD autofocus and a Tetrapixel RGB Bayer pixel arrangement. These advanced features ensure that the portrait camera is able to capture detailed and accurate images, with smooth and accurate autofocus for fast-moving subjects. Overall, the portrait camera is a powerful and capable shooter that provides users with enhanced creative options.

13MP Ultrawide camera

The Phantom X2 Pro’s 13MP ultrawide camera is based on a Samsung S5K3L6 sensor, which is not commonly found in smartphones. This sensor has a 1/3″ optical format and 1.12µm pixels, providing enhanced image quality and performance. The ultrawide camera allows users to capture more of their surroundings in a single image, providing a wider perspective and greater creative flexibility.

13MP selfie camera

TECNO Phantom X2 Pro’s 32MP fixed-focus selfie camera is the same as the one seen on the Tecno Camon 19 Pro. This camera uses a Samsung S5KGD2 sensor, which has a 1/2.8″ size and 0.8µm pixels, as well as ISOCELL PLUS technology and a Tetrapixel RGB Bayer arrangement. These features ensure that the selfie camera is able to capture detailed and accurate images, even in low light conditions.

Photos

The Phantom X2 Pro boasts a 50MP main camera that produces sharp and detailed photos. Even in low light conditions, the quality remains impressive with natural colors and adequate saturation. While not the best in its price range, the Phantom X2 Pro’s camera produces decent photographs.

While the Phantom X2 Pro’s 50MP portrait lens and 13MP ultra-wide lens produce average-quality photos, they are a significant improvement over the previous model, the Phantom X. However, when compared to flagship smartphones like the Galaxy S22 Ultra or iPhone 14 Pro, the X2 Pro’s camera falls short and produces only average-quality photos.

The 32MP selfie camera on the Phantom X2 Pro is truly impressive. It captures plenty of detail and sharpness, producing selfies with stunning clarity and natural-looking skin tones. Overall, it is a standout feature of this smartphone and is sure to impress even the most discerning users.

Videos

Phantom X2 Pro’s impressive camera system is capable of capturing 4K@60fps video using its two rear 50MP cameras, while the ultrawide and selfie cameras are limited to 1080p. These videos are saved in a standard AVC video stream at 50 Mbps in 4K, with a stable frame rate and a high-quality stereo 48kHz AAC audio track. The videos are packaged in an MP4 container, but unfortunately, the X2 Pro does not offer the option for h.256 (HEVC) video capture.

Phantom X2 Pro’s main camera captures impressive 4K videos with plenty of detail and natural-looking colors. However, the dynamic range and contrast could be improved, as the image can sometimes appear overly sharp and overprocessed. Some users may still appreciate the look, however.

In comparison, the 4K capture from the portrait camera generally looks cleaner and more detailed. The colors are just as good as those from the main camera, with natural and mature processing. Overall, the X2 Pro’s camera system produces high-quality 4K videos that will satisfy most users.

While the 1080p videos from the Phantom X2 Pro’s ultrawide camera are good, they are not particularly impressive. The level of detail is decent, but the colors are a bit more vibrant than those from the main camera, which can be a plus for some users. The contrast is somewhat high, and the dynamic range could be better, but overall the videos are still good quality.

Tecno Phantom X2 Pro Review: Battery

The Tecno Phantom X2 Pro is equipped with a powerful 5,160mAh battery that supports fast 45W wired charging. This allows you to quickly recharge the battery from 0 to 100% in just 55 minutes. On a single charge, the X2 Pro’s battery can last for more than 8 hours of use, making it a reliable choice for heavy users. However, it should be noted that the X2 Pro does not support wireless charging or reverse wired or wireless charging.

Tecno Phantom X2 Pro Review: Verdict

Tecno Phantom X2 Pro is a top-of-the-line smartphone that offers a number of impressive features, including a flagship chipset, larger camera sensors, and Gorilla Glass Victus protection. However, for its $920 price tag, the X2 Pro falls short in some areas, such as its lack of IP68 water and dust resistance, OIS stabilization in the camera, wireless charging, and support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. Additionally, the X2 Pro only offers a limited software update plan, whereas many competitors offer up to three years of updates. Overall, the X2 Pro is a solid choice, but there are better options available at this price point.

Images Courtesy GSMArena