TECNO recently dropped their latest budget offering, the POP 8, in India. Priced at Rs 6,599, it packs dual speakers, an LCD display, and an Unisoc Chipset. We’ve been using it for a while now. It’s a solid device for the price, but there are some hits and misses. Here’s a quick review of the TECNO POP 8 where we break down five things we liked and one area where it could’ve been better.
TECNO POP 8
Rs 6,599
What Is Good?
- Dual speakers
- Smooth 90Hz display
- Good battery life
- One of the better UIs for the price
- Decent performance
What Is Bad?
- Camera performance could have been better
The Good
Here’s an outline of all the notable traits that impressed us throughout our exploration of the TECNO POP 8:
Dual Speakers on a Budget
One of the standout features of the POP 8 is its dual speakers. A rare find in smartphones under Rs 7,000, this addition elevates the audio experience, making multimedia consumption a pleasure.
Smooth 90Hz Display
The smartphone boasts a 6.6-inch LCD display with an HD+ resolution of 720 × 1612 pixels. However, the highlight of the display is its 90Hz refresh rate. This fluid display improves overall usability and adds a touch of sophistication to the device.
Solid Battery Life
While the 5,000mAh battery has become a standard in the market, it’s nice to find such a substantial battery in a budget device. It will effortlessly last you through a complete workday. Although the listed 10W charging may seem modest, it won’t be an issue if you charge the device overnight.
Decent Performance
The POP 8 is powered by the Unisoc T606 chipset with a Mali G57 GPU. While it may not be the speediest option around, it does the job well. The phone easily handles essential tasks like messaging, social media, and video streaming.
Functional Features
The smartphone comes with various additional features that may not stand out on the spec sheet but prove to be practical additions to the device. Features like the side-mounted fingerprint scanner, face unlock, and Dynamic Port work seamlessly. However, there’s a lack of third-party app compatibility for Dynamic Port.
Room for Improvement
Here’s that one area where we believe there’s room for improvement to enhance the overall user experience on the POP 8.
Camera Performance Could Be Better
In terms of optics, the POP 8 falls behind. It houses a 12MP primary camera with an f/1.85 aperture, AI lens, and LED flash. The images are decent, considering the price, but we would have appreciated the smartphone more if the pictures had a bit more detail or sharpness. It’s still acceptable in daylight, but in low light or indoors, the shots make noticeable noise. Portrait mode captures okay shots with decent bokeh, but there’s room for improvement in edge detection.
Verdict
At the price of Rs 6,599, the POP 8 strikes a good balance between cost and features.
The TECNO POP 8 packs a large display, smooth 90Hz refresh rate, and dual speakers at an attractive price of Rs 6,599. If you prioritize entertainment and basic tasks, it’s a solid choice. However, the cameras are average, and, additionally, storage might be limiting for heavy users. Consider its strengths if you primarily browse, watch videos, and stay connected at an affordable price.
