11 Pros and Cons of Tecno Mobile Phones

Tecno Mobile has rapidly become a competitive player in the global smartphone market. It has captured the interest of budget-conscious consumers since its introduction in 2020. Most smartphones launched by Tecno have made quite an impression. Are you a fan of this brand?

Tracing its roots back to 2006, Tecno is relatively seasoned compared to its sister brands, Infinix (launched in 2013) and itel (established before 2013), all are subsidiaries of Transsion Holdings.

Originally, Tecno focused on the African market but has since expanded into various regions, including parts of Asia and South America. The brand made its notable expansion with the launch of the Tecno Spark 6 Go.

Now, with a brief background on Tecno, let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of this brand’s offerings.

Pros of Tecno Mobile Phones

Tecno stands as the most seasoned brand under Transsion Holdings, leveraging its long-standing experience to bring innovative features to the table.

1. Innovative and Unique Design

Tecno's research and development team consistently brings fresh ideas to the forefront. This means you can expect mobile designs that stand out from the crowd. Each series features its unique design elements, ensuring that no two models look exactly the same.

Moreover, Tecno often introduces design innovations that are rare in other brands. For example, the Tecno POVA 3 features an RGB light strip down its rear center, which lights up for notifications. Meanwhile, the Tecno Spark 6 Go 2021 sports distinctive textured grooves on its back.

Beyond aesthetics, Tecno phones have excellent build quality. The phone feels solid in your hand, with tightly fitted components and buttons that respond well to touch.

2. Value for Money

Tecno, along with other Transsion Holdings brands, maintains a modest profit margin on each device to keep prices competitive.

This approach results in a range of smartphones that offer good specs without breaking the bank. Typically priced within an affordable range, these phones meet the needs of budget-conscious consumers worldwide.

3. Clear Naming Structure

Tecno's product lineup is quite diverse, ranging from entry-level to premium models. They produce the high-end Phantom series and three other series like POP, Spark, and POVA, which have become so popular. The POP series is the most affordable, designed for basic communication needs.

The Spark series is a step up, offering specific enhancements such as better performance, longer battery life, or improved camera features.

At the top is the POVA series, known for its versatile phones that perform well across various functions. The designs in the POVA series are also distinct and trendy.

This clear differentiation helps make Tecno's product names easier to understand, unlike its sister brand, Infinix, where the product lines like Hot and Note can be confusing due to their overlap.

4. Targeted Features

Tecno borrows several smart features from its sibling brand, Infinix, such as a front camera flash, Voice Changer, and Peek Proof, which obscures the display to prevent others from glancing at your screen.

Moreover, Tecno phones often unlock the full potential of their chips. For example, the Tecno POVA Neo 2 can record video in 2K resolution at 30 fps, a capability that is rarely found in other phones using the same MediaTek Helio G85 SoC. While the Helio G85 supports high-resolution recording, not all brands take full advantage of this feature.

5. Complete Sales Package

Source: Gonta Ganti Hape

Tecno stands out among manufacturers for still including the charger head in their phone packages. Along with the phone and charger, you'll find a case, USB cable, SIM ejector tool, screen protector, and paperwork inside the box.

This makes Tecno’s package quite comprehensive. Additionally, for some models like the Tecno POVA 3, they even throw in a pair of wired earphones.

6. Focused Marketing Efforts

Tecno is committed to making its mark with a broad audience. Their dedication is evident in their active marketing campaigns across multiple social media platforms. Tecno maintains official accounts on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter.

Beyond these efforts, Tecno has forged strategic partnerships to boost its visibility. Since 2016, they've been affiliated with the Premier League club Manchester City, earning the title of Official Handset and Tablet Partner.

In 2021, Tecno stepped up its game by collaborating with Hollywood actor Chris Evans, best known for his role as Captain America, who now serves as Tecno's Brand Ambassador.

7. Global Network of Service Centers

Although Tecno is a relatively new player compared to other established brands, they ensure excellent after-sales support through a widespread network of service centers. Users worldwide can rely on these facilities if their Tecno mobile device encounters any issues.

Tecno has partnered with Carlcare for their official service operations. Notably, Carlcare is also part of the Transsion Holdings group, which oversees repairs and services for Tecno, as well as Infinix and itel devices.

Carlcare boasts a substantial global presence, with hundreds of service centers strategically located across various countries.

They are committed to providing quick and efficient service, aiming to resolve minor issues within an hour and more complex problems within a maximum of 72 hours. For added convenience, customers can also use their online registration system for faster service.

For regions without a dedicated Carlcare center, Tecno has arrangements with multi-brand service providers that are equipped to handle their devices, ensuring that support is always within reach.

Cons of Tecno Mobile Phones

Tecno has quickly become a notable brand, but it still faces several areas that need improvement. Here are a few:

1. Bloatware and Ads

Source: Gonta Ganti Hape

Every 4G and 5G mobile phone must meet certain local content requirements, which can include hardware or software components.

For Tecno phones, this has led to the inclusion of pre-installed applications commonly referred to as bloatware. These are intended to help meet regulatory standards but can sometimes clutter up the phone's memory.

While some of this bloatware can be useful, much of it is unnecessary and fortunately, most can be uninstalled to free up space. In addition to bloatware, Tecno phones often display advertisements which can detract from the user experience.

These ads are a way for the manufacturer to offset production costs, allowing them to offer the phones at lower prices. This business strategy explains why Tecno phones are economically priced, as the revenue from ads helps subsidize the manufacturing.

2. Unclear Software Update Policy

One reason Tecno phones are more affordable is their approach to software updates. As of the latest information, Tecno has not committed to regular software updates for all their models.

This means that while some users might receive updates, others may not, which can be unpredictable. Limiting software updates can reduce costs, allowing Tecno to keep their prices low.

In general, brands under Transsion Holdings, which owns Tecno, do not prioritize frequent software updates, except for the Infinix Zero series. This series is guaranteed to receive one major Android update and biannual security patches for two years.

3. Limited Support from Game Developers

While Tecno does well in enhancing video capabilities to utilize the full potential of the SoC for high-resolution recording, it falls short in gaming performance. Some games that could theoretically run at over 60 fps do not perform as well on Tecno devices, despite having capable hardware.

This issue stems from limited support by game developers for Tecno devices. To improve gaming performance, Tecno needs to collaborate with more game developers to unlock higher graphics settings on their phones.

4. Inconsistent Camera and Microphone Quality

The quality of Tecno's cameras and microphones is variable. For instance, while devices like the Tecno Spark 7 Pro might hit the mark with color accuracy, others like the Tecno POVA 4 can suffer from issues like pale colors and oversharpening.

Furthermore, microphone quality on Tecno phones often does not meet the needs of users who want to create content. Improving this aspect by including dual microphones with noise reduction capabilities could enhance user experience significantly.

Conclusion

This overview highlights both the strengths and areas for improvement in Tecno's product lineup. Although Tecno offers products that resonate with many users due to their affordability and features, there is room for enhancement, especially if Tecno aims to maintain and grow its market presence globally.