The CMF Phone 1 and the Tecno Pova 6 Pro are among the strongest contenders in the highly competitive Rs 20,000 segment in India. Both devices feature unique designs to cater for the ever-evolving style requirements of GenZ buyers. We tested both smartphones to analyze their performance, cameras, battery life and other aspects. Here’s a detailed comparison between the CMF Phone 1 and the Tecno Pova 6 Pro to help you decide the right pick.
CMF Phone 1 vs Tecno Pova 6 Pro: Price and Availability in India
| CMF Phone 1 | Tecno Pova 6 Pro |
| Rs 15,999 (6GB+128GB) | Rs 19,999 (8GB+256GB) |
| Rs 17,999 (8GB+128GB) | Rs 21,999 (12GB+256GB) |
While it appears that the CMF Phone 1 is cheaper than the Tecno Pova 6 Pro, there’s a huge difference in the RAM and storage capacities. The Tecno Pova 6 Pro is priced higher but offers more value as it comes with higher storage in its base variant, compared to the top variant of the CMF Phone 1.
Tecno also offers an optional 12GB RAM variant, which the CMF Phone 1 doesn’t get. The lower entry price of the CMF Phone 1 does favour buyers on a tight budget, but that does not make the Tecno Pova 6 Pro overpriced by any means.
CMF Phone 1 vs Tecno Pova 6 Pro: Design
The CMF Phone 1 is the most unique-looking device not just in its segment but in the entire smartphone market. The device comes with a modular back panel that can be swapped in four different colours using the user-removable screws. It also allows users to attach accessories like a lanyard, kickstand, and cardholder using the multi-purpose screw in the bottom left corner.
The CMF Phone 1 has a plastic build and comes with flat edges. It might not be the most comfortable device to hold in hand, but it’s a head-turner. The only downside of its modular design is that the add-on accessories are sold separately and are quite pricey. The swappable panels cost Rs 1,499 (each) and the lanyard and card case are priced at Rs 799. Those spending Rs 17,000 on a smartphone may find the accessory costs high.
The Tecno Pova 6 Pro also has a distinctive design featuring geometrical patterns and LED lights on its back. It’s a robot-themed futuristic design with a subtle Tecno Pova branding. The LEDs light up while receiving a call or a notification and the design here appears more functional than the CMF Phone 1. The in-hand feel is quite similar, as the Tecno Pova 6 Pro also has a plastic build.
CMF Phone 1 vs Tecno Pova 6 Pro: Display
Both smartphones feature AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate and almost similar screen size. The CMF Phone 1 produces excellent colours both indoors and outdoors. The multimedia streaming is pleasant and the HDR support in YouTube is a cherry on top. However, the device does not support HDR on Netflix.
| CMF Phone 1 | Tecno Pova 6 Pro |
| 6.67-inch AMOLED | 6.78-inch AMOLED |
| 2400×1080 pixels | 2436×1080 pixels |
| 120Hz refresh rate | 120Hz refresh rate |
| 2000 nits peak brightness | 1300 nits peak brightness |
The Tecno Pova 6 Pro does not support HDR at all. But that does not place it lower than the CMF Phone 1 as it still produces great colours. Indoors, the Tecno Pova 6 Pro is just as good for regular usage. But when it comes to outdoor visibility, reading text messages can be slightly challenging.
Overall, the CMF Phone 1 is a winner here as it has HDR support and better outdoor visibility.
CMF Phone 1 vs Tecno Pova 6 Pro: Performance
The CMF Phone 1 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, while the Tecno Pova 6 Pro has the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 chipset. Although both are capable processors in the midrange segment, there’s a significant performance difference with the CMF Phone 1 having a huge advantage.
| CMF Phone 1 | Tecno Pova 6 Pro |
| Dimensity 7300 | Dimensity 6080 |
| Mali-G615 MC2 GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 GPU |
| 6GB+128GB, 8GB+128GB | 8GB+256GB, 12GB+256GB |
Here are the benchmark comparisons between the CMF Phone 1 and the Tecno Pova 6 Pro.
The CMF Phone 1 beats the Tecno Pova 6 in AnTuTu and Geekbench by almost 30% as the Dimensity 7300 is more powerful than the Dimensity 6080. The difference can only be experienced in demanding tasks like gaming.
For day-to-day usage like social media, messaging, checking emails and documents, etc., the CMF Phone 1 and Tecno Pova 6 Pro are equally good. We did not face any stutters or lags with general usage. Both smartphones can also handle regular games like Subway Surfers and Clash of Clans with ease. But for heavy games like Battle Grounds Mobile India and Call of Duty Mobile, the CMF Phone 1 has a massive edge.
The CMF Phone 1 supports up to 60fps in BGMI, while the Tecno Pova 6 Pro only supports up to 40fps. Although CODM supports 60fps on both devices, the overall gaming experience is much better on the CMF Phone 1 than on the Tecno Pova 6 Pro. Both smartphones can get significantly warm at the back during an extended gaming session.
If you are a casual user, then you can comfortably choose either of the two smartphones. But if you play heavy games like BGMI, CODM, or even Genshin Impact, then the CMF Phone 1 is a better choice.
CMF Phone 1 vs Tecno Pova 6 Pro: Cameras
The CMF Phone 1 and Tecno Pova 6 Pro have a 2MP depth sensor. Neither devices support OIS, nor a wide-angle/telephoto lens.
| CMF Phone 1 | Tecno Pova 6 Pro |
| 50MP f/1.8 primary | 108MP f/1.9 primary |
| 2MP depth | 2MP depth |
| – | 0.08MP auxiliary lens |
| Up to 4K 30fps video recording |
Up to 1440p 30fps video recording
|
| 16MP f/2.0 selfie camera | 32MP f/2.2 selfie camera |
The CMF Phone 1 produces great images in outdoor lighting conditions. The colours are closer to natural tones, and the photos are sharp and contain plenty of details. However, when there’s a harsh source of light in the background such as the sun or a bright sky, the device struggles with dynamic range. In such situations, the images turn out to be slightly overexposed.
In dark light conditions, the CMF Phone 1 has a yellowish tint in images resulting in warm colour tones. You may also encounter shutter lag in dark lighting. The device does decent in selfies but again struggles if there’s not enough lighting.
The Tecno Pova 6 Pro produces sharp images, but the colours turn out to be pale at times. The camera is quick to focus and produces a good bokeh effect. The dynamic range is also good for bright skies. But just like the CMF Phone 1, the Tecno Pova 6 Pro also starts struggling in dark light and introduces noise and shutter lags. A similar tendency can be seen in selfies as well.
Overall, the CMF Phone 1 has a more consistent camera setup than the Tecno Pova 6 Pro.
CMF Phone 1 vs Tecno Pova 6 Pro: Software
The CMF Phone 1 runs NothingOS 2.6 based on Android 14. The software experience is neat, and there’s not much bloatware. NothingOS is quite distinctive compared to other Android skins and has a red-and-black theme and the signature dotted font design in certain UI elements. The OS is functional and we did not face any software bugs with the phone. The animations feel very smooth and refreshing.
The Tecno Pova 6 Pro runs HiOS 14 based on Android 14. The UI is neat to navigate and is similar to most other skins in the market. It comes preloaded with some bloatware apps that can be easily uninstalled. The device feels smooth to use and there were no stutters or lags in our testing.
The CMF Phone 1 will receive two major Android updates and three years of security patches. Tecno has not confirmed the update cycle for the Pova 6 Pro.
Software-wise, both smartphones are equally good. The CMF Phone 1 gives you a feeling of a material design, while the Tecno Pova 6 Pro makes you feel familiar as if using an MIUI or a ColorOS-based device.
CMF Phone 1 vs Tecno Pova 6 Pro: Battery and Charging
The CMF Phone 1 can easily last an entire day on a full charge. The device can constantly provide up to 6 hours of screen-on-time, which can also come closer to 7 hours with light usage. However, the device does not ship with a charger in the box. A branded 30W PD charger can charge the device from 0-100% in around 1 hour 15 minutes. The device supports a maximum of 33W fast charging using the original CMF adapter which costs Rs 1,299.
| CMF Phone 1 | Tecno Pova 6 Pro |
| 5,000mAh | 6,000mAh |
| 33W fast charging | 70W fast charging |
| 1 hour 15 minutes for full charge |
1 hour 30 minutes for full charge
|
The Tecno Pova 6 Pro lasts 1.5 days, which can also go up to 2 days on a single charge. It offers a screen-on time of around 6.5-7 hours with regular usage. The device gets a 70W fast charger that can charge from 0-100% in around 1 hour 30 minutes.
The Tecno Pova 6 Pro is a clear winner when it comes to battery life, and a bundled charger in the box gives extra points, compared to the CMF Phone 1.
CMF Phone 1 vs Tecno Pova 6 Pro: Verdict
The CMF Phone 1 is a much better device than the Tecno Pova 6 Pro, as it comes with an improved display, a more powerful processor, and relatively stronger cameras. Although it lags slightly in battery life, it is still good enough to last you an entire day. The lower price of the CMF Phone 1 also makes it a much wiser choice to consider over the Tecno Pova 6 Pro.
If battery life is a top priority, or if you like the special LED light setup on the back panel, the Tecno Pova 6 Pro is not a bad choice either. But keep in mind about the tradeoffs in cameras and performance.
With bank offers, you can get the CMF Phone 1 as low as Rs 14,999, and the Tecno Pova 6 Pro at Rs 17,499.
