The Infinix Smart 8HD and the Tecno Pop 8, a low-cost smartphone, are quite similar to each other. Although the Tecno smartphone has a slightly different finish and a 12MP primary camera instead of the Infinix phone’s 13MP camera, the other features are quite similar. This raises the question of whether the smartphone is a better purchase than the Infinix Smart 8 HD (review) and other rivals given its smaller camera sensor and unique design. Find out by reading this review of the Tecno Pop 8.
Rating: 7 / 10
Verdict
For the price, the Tecno Pop 8 provides good performance. It also has a matte finish, dual speakers, up to 8GB of RAM, and a 6.6-inch display with respectable outside visibility, among other noteworthy features. Long-lasting performance is guaranteed by the 5,000mAh battery, although a full charge from the 10W charger takes about two hours.
Design and display
Given its pricing, I think many people will find the Tecno Pop 8’s intriguing design appealing. The phone is made of plastic and has a rear panel in addition to flat edges. Because of their attractive curvature, the edges provide a secure hold without pressuring the hand. Now let’s look at the back panel. In the upper-left corner are three separate camera rings. It has a clean appearance because there is no camera module. A matte coating helps with this by avoiding smudges and fingerprints. The phone also has shiny, symmetrical lines on the back panel, which enhances its overall beauty.
Regarding the display, the Tecno Pop 8 comes equipped with a 6.6-inch IPS LCD featuring a 90Hz refresh rate, punch-hole arrangement, and HD+ resolution. Despite having thick bezels on both sides, this entry-level display performs well. Even in bright sunlight, looking outside is comfortable—at least when reading text. With Apple’s Dynamic Island design, the punch-hole supports the Dynamic Port function, which allows for instant notifications for charging, low battery life, and other events. In addition, the screen is protected with Panda Glass.
Cameras
Regarding photography, the Tecno Pop 8 features a 12MP+AI lens on its rear. It uses an 8MP camera for video calls and selfies. For the price, the photos are sufficiently nice. The colors look decent, at least in daylight, despite the lack of clarity and detail. The cameras demonstrate fast focus when there is sufficient light. You’ll have to deal with a lot of noise in the pictures if it’s dark outside or inside. In terms of portraits, edge detection has to be improved.
Performance and software
Unisoc T606 SoC is the heart of the Tecno Pop 8. This chipset is suitable for everyday tasks including social networking app scrolling, chatting, and streaming. Anything beyond that will cause the phone to stutter, including multitasking and gaming. Although the device is said to be the first in its class to have 8GB of RAM, it’s vital to remember that 4GB of that memory is virtual and is taken out of the 64GB of onboard storage. With a microSD card in the designated slot, the latter can be expanded even further.
The Tecno Pop 8 comes pre-installed with HiOS 13, an Android 13 Go-based operating system. The gadget comes pre-installed with a number of apps, but the good news is that they are either official or Google apps, not third-party ones. In addition, the phone has capabilities like call recording and customization possibilities.
Battery and charging speeds
With its 5,000mAh battery capacity, the Tecno Pop 8 could last more than a day and a half between charges, especially considering how much it is used. In the PC Mark battery test, the phone received a score of 15 hours and 2 minutes. A dead battery can be fully charged in around two hours using the 10W charger that is included in the package.
Final verdict
In India, the Tecno Pop 8 costs Rs 6,499 in pricing. The Infinix Smart 8HD is the only other smartphone in this price range that can compete with the Tecno. In India, the latter is likewise sold for less than Rs 6,500. With two speakers rather than one, the Tecno Pop 8 performs better than the Infinix and the majority of other smartphones. Considering its pricing, this phone can be a great option if you like to stream music or songs. In addition, the phone has respectable cameras, dependable battery life, and adequate everyday performance for simple activities.
