Spark 8, the second generation of the series to launch this year and a successor to the Tecno Spark 7, debuted in Africa yesterday. The phone is already available in the Nigerian market, but Tecno has yet to publish any official announcements or promos. Here’s what the Spark 8 has to offer.
The Tecno Spark 8 is another entry-level Tecno phone with low-value specs. Like its predecessor, the device has a MediaTek chip at its heart — the Helio P22, to be specific. The P22 came out in 2018, so we don’t expect to be nearly as competitive as current-gen Xiaomi or Realme phones.
It works with a modest 2GB of memory and 64GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD card.) Android11 Go Edition tweaked for low-end hardware, runs on the Tecno Spark 8. Tecno is one of the only brands still sticking to micro-USB interfaces, and the Spark 8 is no exception. Its 5000 mAh battery charges over a dated USB port without any quick charging.
The screen of Tecno's new model phone 2021 also feels out of place in 2021. It’s flanked by a hefty notch on one side and a prominent V-notch on the other. We’re looking at a 6.5” IPS LCD. Tecno Spark 8 delivers an underwhelming 720P resolution and houses an 8MP selfie camera.
Tecno has redesigned the backplate, however. Its mirror-finished shell has the ‘Stop at Nothing’ branding stamped on it. An oversized camera island is mounted on the back, containing two lenses, an LED flash, a rear-facing fingerprint scanner, and a lot of blank space. Its look is heavily inspired by the new line of Realme Narzo 50 phones.
The camera array is made of a 16MP wide lens and a low-res sensor. Following its launch in Africa, the Tecno Spark 8 should be headed to Asian markets. It’s priced at 55,000 NGN (~ Rs. 22,000.)