Pros
- Arc interface
- High refresh rate
- Good gaming performance
- Large battery
Cons
- Bloatware
- Decent camera
Tecno has introduced a new smartphone called the Pova 5 Pro 5G in India. This phone is all about the fancy LED lights that many phones have nowadays. The Pova 5 Pro stands out because it has colorful LED lights on its back, making it look different from other phones, particularly in the lower mid-range segment. The way they used lights on the back of the phone is really cool and catches your eye. But, is this budget-friendly device deliver on performance? Let’s find out. Also Read | Tecno Camon 19 Smartphone Review: A Well-Rounded Mid-Range With A Stylish Design
Pricing And Availability
The Tecno Pova 5 Pro is priced at Rs. 14,999 and you can buy it from August 22 on Amazon. If you have an old phone to trade in, you can get a Rs. 1,000 discount on your purchase. Furthermore, the Tecno Pova 5 series extends a no-cost EMI option for up to six months, making it appealing to potential buyers.
What’s Inside The Box?
- Pova 5 Pro handset
- Soft silicon case
- Type-A to Type-C cable
- 68W charger
- User manual
- Warranty card
Design
When it comes to the phone’s appearance, it’s available in two colors: Dark Illusion, the one we have here, and Silver Fantasy. Personally, I’d lean towards the Dark Illusion option. The back design is quite impressive, setting it apart from other phones in its price range.
The back of the phone features four LED strips. Three of them are linked together, forming a cool triangular pattern. This unique design gives the phone a futuristic look with a touch of geometric beauty. Additionally, there’s a coil-style decoration that adds a mechanical texture, contributing to a futuristic aesthetic. When you take all these design elements into account, including the LED strips, the coil, and some metal-like patterns, the phone looks like a mecha from the future.
The glass back and chrome sides tend to collect fingerprints, making the phone look messy quite quickly. The power key on the right side also doubles as a fingerprint sensor. The volume buttons are on the right, while the SIM slot is on the left. The bottom houses the USB Type-C charging port, microphone, speaker grille, and headphone jack. On the top, there’s another speaker grille.
Although the Pova 5 Pro isn’t incredibly slim, its weight of 214g is manageable, and I find it comfortable to use. The phone’s frame is smooth, allowing for easy edge swiping without any interference.
Overall, I’m genuinely impressed by the Pova 5 Pro’s external design. In the same price range, I couldn’t find any other brands that paid such attention to the design. Even when compared to some high-end gaming phones, the Pova 5 Pro’s appearance still stands out.
Display
The Tecno Pova 5 Pro sports a large 6.78-inch LCD display that boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and full-HD+ resolution. During my brief time with the phone, I observed that the display provides enough brightness for indoor usage, but it struggles to remain easily readable when used outdoors during daylight hours. Nevertheless, the display does offer vibrant colors and sharp visuals. The 120Hz refresh rate also contributes to a smoother and more enjoyable user experience.
It’s worth noting that the absence of HDR certification for streaming content is noticeable, and some users might find the support for HD content with WideVine L1 insufficient. The presence of backlight bleeding around the punch-hole for the front camera and slightly larger-than-desired bezels might raise concerns for some users.
However, for those who prioritize a large display with a high refresh rate within this price range, the compromises might be acceptable. In my opinion, the viewing experience is pleasant enough for everyday activities.
Performance
The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 5G SoC, which capably manages most tasks, and gaming tends to run smoothly at their recommended settings. The Pova 5 Pro comes in two variants, with either 128GB or 256GB of storage, both paired with 8GB of RAM.
Playing games at medium graphics settings and achieving a 45fps output for titles like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile is quite satisfying. The ample VC (vapor chamber cooling) system effectively maintains the device’s temperature during extended gaming sessions, and less demanding games operate effortlessly.
Additionally, the device offers a good stereo speaker output, delivering impressive depth without crackling even at high volumes. I also appreciate the quick performance of the side-mounted fingerprint scanner for unlocking the phone. As for its 5G capabilities, the device performs well enough for usage in the Delhi NCR region.
Also Read | Tecno Pova 5G Review: Packs All The Punch?
Software
The Pova 5 Pro runs on Tecno’s custom HighOS software, which imparts a unique touch to the Android 13 base. This customized approach ensures a distinctive interface tailored to the smartphone’s capabilities.
Unfortunately, the device suffers from an abundance of pre-installed apps and a cluttered user interface that might deter certain users. On a positive note, the inclusion of customization choices and features like Game Space, designed to optimize gaming performance, are welcome additions.
The design of the quick settings drop-down menu could be improved, and the overall software experience might feel somewhat hindered. Nonetheless, the commitment to delivering software updates for a span of up to two years is a positive sign. With a few improvements, the software experience of the Pova 5 Pro could be significantly elevated.
Camera
The back of the phone houses a camera arrangement consisting of a 50MP primary sensor along with a depth sensor. Positioned on the front is a 16MP selfie camera. Returning to the camera setup, the inclusion of a 50MP sensor is a notable addition to a gaming-oriented phone. It captures fairly decent photos with accurate colors, particularly in well-lit conditions. I was especially pleased with the Beauty mode. This seems to be Tecno’s forte, and I’m glad to see that the algorithms have been retained in the Pova 5 Pro. There’s a pleasing balance with the beauty effects, avoiding any excessive enhancements.
When it comes to recording videos, it’s a bit disappointing that 4K video recording is not available. However, all things considered, the cameras on the Pova 5 Pro are more than sufficient for daily capturing and sharing, especially considering its price point.
Interactive LEDs
The LEDs on the Pova 5 Pro serve a purpose beyond decoration. They offer interactive features by syncing with music, games, notifications, and various other functions.
This dynamic aspect introduces an element of both entertainment and usefulness, enhancing the engagement level of the smartphone experience. Interestingly, the back design of the Pova 5 Pro might trigger a sense of familiarity, reminiscent of a popular smartphone.
The primary standout feature of the Pova 5 Pro 5G is what Tecno refers to as the Arc Interface, represented by the illuminated LEDs beneath the back panel. These LEDs illuminate in different colors during activities like charging, booting up, receiving notifications, and even when you’re listening to music. While these LED lights are visible in well-lit indoor environments, they’re less visible when outdoors under bright sunlight. You can personalize the speed at which the lights flash through a dedicated menu, although the available options are fairly limited.
Battery
One of the standout features of the Tecno Pova 5 Pro is its battery life. Equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, it guarantees extended gaming and entertainment sessions without the worry of running out of power. The 68-watt fast charging capability is a game-changing addition. Using this technology, the Pova 5 Pro can achieve a 50% charge within just 20 minutes, and a full charge in only 45 minutes.
The bypass charging feature, designed to maintain lower temperatures while ensuring fast charging, further enhances convenience. Offering a full day’s worth of usage on a single charge with up to six hours of screen-on time is quite great for most users.
Verdict
The Tecno Pova 5 Pro stands out as a great option within the mid-range smartphone category. Its design, gaming capabilities, and battery performance are all noteworthy. If you’re into gaming and appreciate a distinct appearance, this phone is definitely worth considering. What’s even more significant is that we don’t have to break the bank for high-end gaming features; the Pova 5 Pro provides an alternative without the premium price tag.
