introduction
Given that we recently reviewed the Phantom X2 Pro, we’re assuming that a larger portion of our readers are familiar with Tecno as a brand. However, we will give you the cliff notes. Tecno is one of the brands under the umbrella of Chinese tech giant Transsion. It is mainly used in foreign markets and, above all, in Africa. If you’ve heard of Tecno, chances are it’s for their popular Camon line, a line of value devices with a clear focus on the camera experience. However, there is also the Phantom line, which has more or less spun off into its own separate entity. One that aims to deliver truly flagship devices and experiences.
Last year, the original Phantom X was released, and now the Phantom X2 series has arrived. It consists of two devices: the Pro we’ve already reviewed and the Vanilla Phantom X2 model we have in the office today.
Left: Phantom X2 Pro • Right: Phantom X2
The Phantom X2 family still echoes its predecessor in some ways, but overall it’s a truly premium flagship space adventure from Tecno. Just like its Pro sibling, the Phantom X2 has an eye-catching premium design and flagship internals with the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset, a curved AMOLED display and a large battery pack.
Tecno Phantom X2 specifications at a glance:
- Body: 164.6×72.7×8.9mm, 203g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame, plastic back.
- Screen: 6.80″ AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080x2400px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 387ppi.
- chipsets: MediaTek Dimensity 9000 (4 nm): Octa-core (1×3.05 GHz Cortex-X2 and 3×2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 and 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A510); Mali-G710 MC10.
- Memory: 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM; UFS 3.1.
- Operating system/software: Android 12, HIOS 12.
- Rear camera: Broad (main): 64MP, PDAF, OIS; Ultra wide angle: 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/1.3″, 1.12µm, AF; Depth: 2 megapixels.
- Front camera: 32MP, (wide).
- Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps; Front camera: 1080p@30fps.
- Battery: 5160mAh; 45W wired, 54% in 20 mins, 100% in 60 mins (advertised).
- Various: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical); NFC; FM radio, recording.
These highlights are shared between the Vanilla and Pro models. In fact, most things are. While creating the lower tier Phantom X2, Tecno decided to keep its Pro sibling intact as much as possible. The two phones are nearly identical visually and in terms of specs. Vanilla is notably missing the Phantom X2 Pro’s retractable vertical telephoto lens.
Even so, the focus on photography is still clearly present on the regular Phantom X2. It has a large 64MP main camera, equipped with OIS, as well as a 13MP ultrawide with autofocus and a large 32MP selfie cam.
Unpacking
Before we get into the camera differences or any of the other aspects of the Phantom X2, we should take a look at its retail packaging. Like its sibling, the vanilla model ships in a large, sturdy pull-out cardboard box.
The box is filled with accessories, which is always great. In no particular order, in addition to the phone, inside the box we also find a 45W charger and a USB Type-A to Type-C cable to go with it. The cable appears to be standard with no extra pins or anything like that, so could easily be swapped out should the need arise. Also in the box is a nice looking pair of earphones with an inline mic.
Last but not least, Tecno also gives you a hard case. It looks and feels very good and is generally a notch above almost any other bundled case we’re used to seeing. It also has a built-in kickstand as a bonus feature.
Overall, Tecno has really gone all-in on the Phantom X2’s retail package. It’s hard to complain about all the extra goodies you get in the box.
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