Tecno Pop 8 Review - Best Phone Under $100
The Tecno Pop 8 is a pocket-friendly device from Tecno, and back in 2019/2020, you could buy devices like this for less than 50K; as a result of inflation, the Tecno Pop 8 cost 80,000 Naira for the base model with 3GB RAM, and 64 GB storage that. The 4GB RAM and 128GB storage version is priced at almost 100K. The crucial question is whether spending this amount on the phone or considering an alternative is better. I will address this question in the following review, beginning with the unboxing experience.
Tecno Pop 8 Unboxing
If you're familiar with the Pop 7 Pro launched earlier this year, you'll find that the box design of the current model is quite similar. Inside you will find the phone first, which we will come back to in a bit. You will get an MTN voucher for 1GB data that can be redeemed; you get a 10 watts charger, which we will talk about before the end of the video; there is an earpiece, sim ejector tool, and a silicone case that fits the phone perfectly. (ASMR)
Our review of Tecno Pop 8
Positives
- Great Battery Life
- Excellent Build Quality
- Dynamic Port Feature
Negatives
- Poor Software Optimizarion
Design & Build Quality
The Tecno Pop 8 has a plastic finish at the back and a plastic frame. A side-mounted fingerprint scanner is on the right side, just below the volume keys. The phone has two speakers, one at the top and a second one at the bottom In terms of sound, it’s pretty okay but lacks bass. It charges through a USB C port; as usual, a headphone port is at the bottom. I have the gravity black color option, but some other colors are available. It has a textured pattern at the back, but you don’t feel it while holding the phone. The phone sits comfortably in my hand because it’s flat with round edges. There are two cameras at the back with a flashlight beside them. The overall design isn't new if you are familiar with the latest devices nowadays. Tecno and Infinix have repeatedly used this design for some time now, and I feel it’s time they retire it. The SIM card slot is on the left side and supports two 4G SIM cards and a memory card slot. There is minimal Tecno branding at the back, and that’s just about the design. In terms of build quality, the phone is sturdy, and no creaking on any part of the phone.
Tecno Pop 8 Review Display Aspect
What about the display? We have a 6.6-inch IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate and 720p resolution. There is an option to keep the refresh rate between 60Hz and 90Hz, and you can also select it to auto-refresh between 60 and 90Hz. Personally, I set mine to 90Hz, but the screen sometimes goes back below 90Hz, depending on what you are doing on the display. There is also ultra-touch in the display settings; you can turn it on to adjust the speed when you scroll. The bezels around the display tell you it’s a budget phone, but the most noticeable change on the display coming from the pop 7 Pro is the punch hole cut out at the top center of the display. The display is touch-sensitive, and the colors are decent when streaming content on YouTube or scrolling through TikTok. It’s not the best, but it gets a pass for its price. You also get the dynamic port that can be turned on in the settings of the phone, it informs you when there are certain notifications on the Pop 8 Pro using some cool animations. The display is okay for the price, and there isn’t much to complain about.
Performance & Software Aspect
The Unisoc T606 chipset powers the Tecno Pop 8 Pro and is near the MediaTek Helio G85. I would have preferred the Helio G85 on the phone, but it is what it is. My model has 3GB RAM that can be expanded to 6GB using memory fusion. In terms of performance, it’s not the fastest, and if you open some apps, you have to wait for a few seconds. I am not expecting the phone to fly and it is very okay for the price. It’s not made for people demanding too much from a phone. I used it to play some minimal games, and there were times when the lag was apparent, especially after prolonged gaming sessions. As long as you stick to calls and text and light social media scrolling, you will be okay with the phone. If you also want a full gaming review let me know in the comment section and the games you want me to play. I also have to point out that even though I tried pushing it to its limits during my usage, I didn’t experience any overheating.
Software Aspect
The Tecno Pop 8 runs on Android 13, and HiOS 13 is the user interface. Surprisingly, there aren’t many installed apps on the phone like we usually have with previous Tecno phones. You get Google and a few other apps that can’t be removed. The interface is typical of any other Tecno phone, and you can do some level of customization on the phone. I am unsure if there will be a software update to Android 14, but after unboxing the phone, I had to do some security updates. If you know where Tecno is coming from, then you will appreciate the interface.
Tecno Pop 8 Camera Review
The phone has a 13MP primary camera and a 0.08MP depth sensor at the back. There is an 8MP selfie camera and some pictures from the cameras. Let us know your opinion of the image quality in the comment section. You can also shoot 1080p videos with the phone, and it's pretty okay.
Battery Life & Charging Speed
It comes with a 5000mAh battery and can last an entire day on a single charge. The battery is one of the best features of the phone. The 10-watt fast charger it comes with charges the phone from zero to a hundred in over two hours, which is slow by today’s standard. You are better off charging the phone overnight when it’s low.
Conclusion
With all said, is the Tecno Pop 8 worth buying? I will say yes and no. Yes, if you don’t do much on the phone and don’t care about the camera. It will handle minimal stuff like a champ. It’s a No when you demand so much from a phone. You won’t be able to bear how slow it might be when you give it too much to handle. The phone is made for a specific audience, and they will appreciate it.