Tecno has steadily carved its space in the Indian smartphone market by surprising users with innovative products at aggressive price points. From its flip and foldable devices to feature-packed budget phones, the brand has consistently challenged established players. The latest addition, the Tecno Pova 7, aims to redefine the budget-friendly smartphone experience. But does it live up to the hype, or is it just another average device in the crowd? Let’s dive into the long-term review.
Tecno Pova 7 Design & Build
The Tecno Pova 7 brings a funky, Gen Z-inspired design, highlighted by 3D patterns and a unique light setup around the camera module—similar to Nothing phones. These LED lights blink for notifications, calls, low battery alerts, and even during gaming, adding a refreshing touch to the device.
The handset is made of polycarbonate but doesn’t feel cheap, weighing a manageable 207 grams. It also comes with an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance, which proved reliable even during heavy rains. A pre-applied screen protector is an added bonus.
Display
You get a 6.78-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD panel with a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and gaming visuals. For indoor use, the display is sharp and immersive. However, outdoor visibility is a concern—the brightness struggles under direct sunlight.
Streaming is a mixed bag. While YouTube 4K playback works well, the absence of HDR support on Netflix is disappointing. Bezels are acceptable for this segment, though the slightly thick chin could have been slimmer.
Performance
Under the hood, the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor keeps things running smoothly. Everyday usage and multitasking were fluid, with no major lags. Gaming was enjoyable, with BGMI running at 60fps and Genshin Impact playable at medium settings.
The device ships with 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. While this setup is fine for most users, occasional slowdowns were noticed while launching heavy apps. Another drawback—extended gaming sessions can cause heating issues.
Battery & Charging
Battery life is one of the strongest aspects of the Pova 7. The massive 6000mAh battery easily delivers nearly two days of medium usage. Charging is fairly quick with the 45W fast charger included in the box, taking around 70–80 minutes for a full charge.
Extra perks include reverse wired charging and bypass charging—handy features that prevent overheating during long gaming sessions.
Camera
The dual rear camera setup consists of a 50MP primary sensor and an AI camera, while selfies are handled by a 13MP front shooter.
A key highlight is 4K video recording at 30fps available on both front and rear cameras—rare at this price point. Daylight photography is decent, with accurate colours and balanced white tones. Portrait mode also performs well in good lighting.
However, low-light performance remains average, with noise and lack of detail. Some photos also appeared oversaturated, raising concerns about consistency.
Software
The Pova 7 runs on HiOS 15, offering smoother animations and AI-powered features like Circle to Search, Call Assist (for translation and summarisation), and AI Writing in Chrome.
The downside? Software support is limited—only one year of Android updates and two years of security patches, which is less than what competitors provide.
Extras
- Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos deliver above-average sound.
- Sadly, there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, which many budget users still prefer.
- Haptic feedback is decent for this price range.
Verdict
At a price point of ₹15,000–₹16,000, the Tecno Pova 7 is a strong contender in the budget smartphone segment. It excels with:
- Massive battery life
- 144Hz fluid display
- Unique glyph-style LED design
- 4K video recording support
However, if your top priorities include a vibrant AMOLED display, stronger camera performance, assured long-term updates, or a headphone jack, you may want to look elsewhere.
Bottom line: The Tecno Pova 7 is one of the most feature-packed budget smartphones of 2025, but it shines more for performance and design than for software longevity or low-light photography.
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