Are you hunting for an affordable smartphone that packs a serious punch? The Tecno Pova 6 Pro might be the surprise package you’re looking for. This phone boasts features usually absent in the sub-20k price range, including some truly unique additions.
We’ve been testing the Tecno Pova 6 Pro for a while now and we are ready to share our thoughts. Let’s dive into a comprehensive review and see if this device lives up to its ‘Pro’ name.
Design: Motherboard Chic with Arc Lights
The first time we laid eyes on the Tecno Pova 6 Pro, it stood out. The back panel has a distinct motherboard-inspired design that Tecno calls “arc interface.” The highlight of this design is the arc lights flanking the camera module and the bold 6000mAh branding. Love it or hate it, it’s unquestionably unique. The back panel uses an interesting photolithography process for its texture.
Despite having a plastic back and frame, Tecno keeps things surprisingly slim. Considering the massive battery inside, the phone is a mere 7.9mm thick – an impressive feat. At 197g, the weight is well-distributed, making the phone feel comfortable.
You’ll also find several practical features here. It’s IP53 dust and splash-resistant, has an IR blaster on top, dual speakers (which are surprisingly good!), and a 3.5mm headphone jack. However, be aware that the back is a fingerprint magnet.
Display: AMOLED Goodness with a Dynamic Twist
The Tecno Pova 6 Pro sports a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This translates to smooth scrolling and animations, making the phone feel snappy. It even gets quite bright at 1300 nits peak brightness, ensuring decent outdoor visibility. This is a 10-bit panel with Widevine L1 support, so you can stream HD content from your favorite platforms.
While it lacks HDR support, the AMOLED panel still delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks. Tecno also includes 2160hz PWM dimming, which is great for reducing eye strain during nighttime use. You’ll also find an in-display fingerprint scanner, a feature some brands skip at this price point.
Interestingly, the Pova 6 Pro has a software feature called “dynamic port,” which mimics the Dynamic Island concept seen on newer iPhones. Notifications, calls, and charging status expand and animate around the front camera cutout. It’s a neat little addition.
Specifications and Performance:
Under the hood, the Tecno Pova 6 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 processor. It’s a capable mid-range chip, but some competitors at this price offer slightly more powerful options. Nonetheless, day-to-day performance is snappy, and I didn’t encounter major lags or stutters.
The phone comes in 8GB and 12GB RAM variants, both with 256GB of storage. The RAM is LPDDR4x, and the storage is UFS 2.2 – decent, but not top-tier speeds. The 12GB model also supports up to 12GB of virtual RAM expansion.
You do get a dedicated gaming mode for optimizing performance. However, don’t expect to play demanding games at the highest graphics settings. You’ll mostly stick to medium or high settings for smooth frame rates. Thankfully, there’s VC cooling to keep thermals in check. Additionally, you get a bypass charging option for gaming sessions, which helps reduce stress on the battery.
Arc Interface Lights: Unique or Gimmicky?
One of the Tecno Pova 6 Pro’s most distinguishing features is the arc interface lights on the back. 210 mini LEDs can be customized extensively. You get different modes for calls, notifications, and charging. The camera AI lens and the back section can be customized separately.
Honestly, whether you love this feature or find it a bit too flashy depends on your taste. I can see it being a fun conversation starter, but it might get old for some users over time.
Haptics and Speakers:
The Tecno Pova 6 Pro surprised me with its dual speakers. They produce clear sound with a hint of bass and adequate volume. Of course, they won’t replace dedicated Bluetooth speakers, but they’re excellent for watching videos or casual listening.
Tecno Pove 6 Pro’s Camera Performance
The Tecno Pova 6 Pro has a triple camera setup on the back, consisting of a 108MP main camera, a 2MP macro lens, and an AI lens. The selfie camera is a 32MP shooter with a unique dual-tone LED flash for better low-light selfies.
The main camera performs well in good lighting, capturing images with decent detail and impressive dynamic range. Colors are generally accurate, and the overall image quality is commendable for this price range. The 3x in-sensor zoom is surprisingly usable, preserving a good amount of detail.
Portrait mode does a decent job with edge detection, creating a natural-looking background blur effect. Night mode shots are passable, though not flagship-level.
The front-facing camera also performs well, capturing bright and detailed selfies. The dual-tone flash offers more flexibility than a standard single-tone flash, and can noticeably improve selfies in dim settings.
On the front video, the main camera can record up to 2K 1440p resolution, and you get EIS (electronic image stabilization). However, videos can be a tad shaky. The front camera maxes out at 2K 30fps, producing decent video footage. The camera app offers numerous modes to play around with, ensuring you have options for creative expression.
Battery: A Beast with Lightning-Fast Charging
The headlining feature of the Tecno Pova 6 Pro is its massive 6000mAh battery. This is one of the biggest batteries you’ll find in a mainstream smartphone right now. With moderate usage, I easily got two days of battery life. Heavier users should still comfortably manage a full day on a single charge.
What’s even more impressive is the included 70W fast charger. Tecno claims a 50% charge in just 19 minutes, and in our testing, those claims were mostly accurate. This super-fast charging is a godsend, easing your battery anxiety.
Software: HiOS with a Few Quirks
The Tecno Pova 6 Pro runs HiOS based on Android 14. Sadly, you shouldn’t expect many major updates – likely just one more Android version and a couple of years of security patches.
HiOS comes with its fair share of bloatware, some of which can be uninstalled. Notifications from apps like Palm Store and Hola browser can be a bit annoying, so disabling those is recommended.
The Verdict: Tecno Pova 6 Pro
The Tecno Pova 6 Pro is a compelling option for anyone looking for a long-lasting phone with a unique personality. At its price point (around ₹18,000 with bank discounts), here’s a quick summary of the pros and cons:
Pros
- Massive 6000mAh battery with super-fast 70W charging
- Smooth and vibrant AMOLED display
- Unique design with customizable arc lights
- Good camera performance for the price
- IP53 rating, IR blaster, dual speakers
Cons
- It could have a slightly more powerful processor
- Software updates might be limited
- Back panel design might not be for everyone
- Arc lights could be gimmicky for some
If you value battery life above all else, prioritize a good display and decent cameras, and are open to something different, the Tecno Pova 6 Pro is worth considering.
