Cheap smartphones have gotten really good and good smartphones have gotten really cheap. These aren’t my words, but I totally agree with them. One such smartphone is the new TECNO Spark that has generated a lot of interest if the number of review requests we get for it is anything to go by. The Spark is a new series of budget smartphones from TECNO that was launched back in August, it retails at around Ksh.10,000 depending on where you buy it.
Well, I have had a unit for close to a month now, if not more and it’s about time I gave the device a review treatment, albeit a little different from my normal reviews. This will be a quick review, so buckle up.
Display
The TECNO Spark is a head-turner, especially in this coral blue colour. The phone is designed to resemble certain flagships that we will not mention but I must appreciate how good this phone looks. The camera is designed to mimic a dual camera setup, but don’t be fooled, its only one lens and the flash. There are also fake antenna lines along the edges, which didn’t have to be there since they are not functional but look good all the same. At the front you have a standard 5.5-inch 720p IPS LCD display that gets the job done, in Short, this is a great design, that does not scream “cheap”, despite being made entirely out of plastic.
Software and Performance
The TECNO Spark runs on a near stock version of Android 7.0 Nougat that I must commend TECNO for; since it’s way better than that HiOS skin they insist on. The Spark offers a good software experience with minimal lags despite having just 1GB of RAM. Included in the software are TECNO’s complimentary apps such as Phone Master to help you keep your device running smooth, power saving options and even theming options via Hi Theme app.
The processor is an entry-level MT6580 Quad-Core processor, that does an ok job to keep the Spark running but who’s complaining? This is a sub 10k smartphone anyway.
Camera
This can be summed up as “good enough for sharing online”, which is what most people want. In broad daylight, you will get photos that look good but once the lighting goes down, the quality of the images goes down as well. The selfie camera is the biggest letdown, it does very little to impress, we all know with budget smartphones corners have to be cut, it seems the selfie camera took a hit for the Spark to get its low price tag. Then again, the device is an entry-level smartphone, I am sure you can survive with its 13MP main camera and 5MP selfie camera.
Battery Life
The Spark has a 3000mAh battery that honestly will last you throughout the day. There’s nothing much to talk about the battery, just that it wasn’t a disappointment. However, keep in mind that there isn’t any form of fast charging support on the TECNO Spark, so be ready to exercise some patience when its time to juice up.
Conclusion
For Ksh.10,000 the TECNO Spark is a steal that will appeal to a majority of the population looking to get into the Smartphone game. The device comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint reader, which is always a delight to see at this price point. Despite the fact that it lacks 4G support, I would highly recommend the TECNO Spark to anyone looking to buy a budget smartphone that doubles as a fashion accessory.
