Have you heard about the Tecno Pop 9? It’s this new budget-friendly smartphone that’s been turning heads lately, and I’ve got to say, I’m pretty impressed with what it’s bringing to the table. Let’s chat about it, shall we?
First off, can we talk about that design? I mean, wow! Tecno clearly took some inspiration from the iPhone 13, and you know what? I’m not mad about it at all. It’s sleek, it’s stylish, and it feels way more premium than its price tag suggests. Speaking of which, this bad boy is priced from ₦114,000 to ₦131,600, depending on which variant you go for. Not too shabby, right?
Now, I’ve been using the black version, and let me tell you, it’s a fingerprint magnet’s worst nightmare. That matte finish on the back? chef’s kiss It’s got this subtle sheen when the light hits it just right, and it feels great in your hand. It’s lightweight but doesn’t feel cheap at all. I’ve been using it for hours on end (you know, “research”), and my hand hasn’t cramped up once!
Let’s talk about that screen for a sec. It’s a big ol’ 6.78-inch display, which is great for watching videos or scrolling through your socials. Now, I know what you’re thinking – “But it’s only 720p!” And yeah, you’re right. It’s 2024, and we’re still dealing with 720p displays. But hear me out – for a budget phone, it’s not half bad! The colors are pretty vibrant, and honestly, I’ve been binge-watching YouTube on this thing without any complaints.
Oh, and get this – Tecno claims it’s got a 120Hz refresh rate. Now, between you and me, it feels more like 90Hz most of the time. But hey, that’s still better than the standard 60Hz you usually get at this price point, so I’m not complaining!
Now, let’s chat about performance. The Tecno Pop 9 is rocking a Unisoc T615 chip, which is… well, it’s entry-level, let’s be real. I’ve been using the 3GB RAM version, and it’s been decent for everyday stuff. Social media? Check. Watching videos? No problem. Light gaming? You’re good to go. But if you’re thinking about playing something like Call of Duty Mobile, well… let’s just say you might want to adjust your expectations a bit. It’ll run, but it won’t be the smoothest experience.
But here’s where things get interesting. This phone has some features that you don’t usually see in budget devices. Like, get this – it has an IR blaster! Remember those? You can use your phone to control your TV, AC, and other electronics. I’ve been using it to mess with my dad’s TV, and it’s been hilarious (don’t tell him, okay?).
And then there’s the 4.5G network support. Tecno says it’s faster than regular 4G, and while I haven’t noticed a massive difference, browsing and streaming have been pretty snappy. So that’s cool.
Battery life? Oh, it’s a beast. We’re talking 5,000 mAh here, folks. You can easily get through a full day without reaching for the charger. Charging is a bit on the slower side with the 15W charger, but hey, good things come to those who wait, right?
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – the cameras. Look, if you’re expecting iPhone-level photography, you might want to adjust those expectations. The 13MP rear camera and 8MP front camera are… okay. In good lighting, you can get some decent shots. But as soon as the sun starts to set, well, let’s just say it’s not the phone’s strong suit. But for social media posts and casual snapshots, it’ll do the job.
Oh, and here’s something interesting – Tecno is making this bold claim about “4 years lasting fluency.” They’re saying this phone will stay smooth and lag-free for four years. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit skeptical. Most budget phones start to slow down after a year or two. But hey, if they can pull it off, more power to them!
The software situation is pretty neat. It’s running Android 14 Go Edition, which is like the lite version of Android. It’s clean, doesn’t have a ton of bloatware, and runs smoothly on the hardware. I appreciate that Tecno didn’t load it up with a bunch of apps you can’t uninstall.
So, what’s the verdict after using this phone for a week? For a budget device, it’s pretty solid. The design is sleek, it handles everyday tasks well, and that battery life is no joke. The cameras are okay, the display is usable (even if it’s not the sharpest), and those extra features like the IR blaster and 4.5G support are nice touches.
Of course, it’s not perfect. The 120Hz refresh rate claim is a bit of a stretch, and I’m not entirely sold on that four-year fluency promise. But if you’re looking for an affordable phone that does the basics well and throws in a few extras, the Tecno Pop 9 is definitely worth considering.
Just remember, at this price point, you’ve got to keep your expectations in check. It’s not going to compete with flagships, but for what it is, it’s a pretty sweet deal.
So, what do you think? Are you intrigued by the Tecno Pop 9? Would you consider it for your next budget phone? Let me know in the comments! And hey, if you’ve got any questions about the phone that I didn’t cover, drop them below. I’d love to chat more about it!
