In April 2024, Tecno took a playful jab at Nothing and OnePlus with a cheeky newspaper ad that might still linger in your memory.
But a lot has happened since then, and if you’ve forgotten about it, don’t worry – we’re here to refresh your memory!
While Tecno might not be a household name in the West, it’s a major player across Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. You might be more familiar with Nothing and OnePlus, but Tecno is now ready to make waves with its latest smartphone lineup – the Pova 7 Series.
Gone are the days of playful jabs at competitors. Instead, Tecno has shifted its focus entirely to its new product: the Pova 7 series. Tecno aims to leave its value-focused image behind and step up its game in the competitive mid-range smartphone space with this ambitious launch.
The Pova 7 Series includes five models, with the Pova 7 Ultra taking center stage as the top offering. This model is clearly designed with gamers and power users in mind, boasting some impressive specs. It comes with a massive 6,000mAh battery, 70W wired and 30W wireless fast charging, and is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultimate chipset. Tecno claims it delivers a smooth 120 FPS in popular games like PUBG and has achieved over 1.5 million on AnTuTu benchmarks.
The design of the Pova 7 Ultra has been dubbed “Interstellar Spaceship” and features sharp lines, a curved-edge display, and an LED lighting system that stands out. The entire series comes with a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen that offers a smooth 144Hz refresh rate and can reach a peak brightness of 4,500 nits – great specs, especially for a mid-range phone. Though the full 4,500 nits may not be available all the time, it’s still an impressive feature for a phone at this price point.
Beyond just gaming, the Pova 7 Series boasts Dolby Atmos-enhanced stereo speakers, haptic feedback, and a vapor chamber cooling system, rounding out the list of features aimed at gamers.
However, the most intriguing innovation is the FreeLink feature, a walkie-talkie-style tool that lets users communicate with others within a 1 km radius without relying on a mobile network. This could be a game-changer for hikers, travelers, or anyone who might find themselves off the grid and in need of emergency communication.
The Pova 7 Series also embraces AI, with tools that offer live translation, noise suppression, virtual assistant capabilities, and even on-screen object recognition (think Google Lens-style). There are also AI-powered editing tools that let users erase unwanted elements from photos or enhance portraits without the need for third-party apps.
Running on Tecno’s HiOS 15 software, the Pova 7 phones offer a customizable Android experience, complete with new icon styles, dynamic wallpapers, and an exclusive typeface.
The Pova 7 Series is starting its global rollout, beginning with the Pova Curve 5G in India. Other models will follow in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and Latin America. Pricing will vary depending on the region.