Look, the Spark 30 is not a cellphone I would be usually desirous about; it has a 90Hz LCD panel, solitary 64MP digital camera on the again, and is powered by the decidedly-outdated MediaTek Helio G91 (constructed on 12nm, no much less). However then Tecno partnered with Hasbro to launch a limited-edition mannequin of the system with Transformers livery, and that clearly piqued my consideration.
Most limited-edition telephones are typically high-end gadgets, so it is good to see manufacturers going this route with price range and entry-level telephones. POCO did the identical factor with the X7 Professional Iron Man Version, and I positively need this to turn into a pattern. Anyway, the Spark 30 Bumblebee Version switches out the mundane design of the common mannequin with a yellow and black colorway, and it seems to be fairly nice.
The again is on the busier aspect, but it surely would not look ungainly within the least, and the etched sample beneath the glass makes the system look way more upmarket. The digital camera island is centered, and it additionally will get a yellow shade scheme with the person lenses encircled in rings. Rounding out the design is the Transformers emblem on the backside.
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What I additionally like is that the edges have a matte texture — extra manufacturers want to do that. One other constructive is the three.5mm jack situated on the backside; Tecno one way or the other continues to retain the port on its price range telephones, and it is a refreshing change of tempo. The SIM card tray sits to the fitting, and also you get stereo sound.
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Tecno did a good job distilling the essence (because it had been) of the beloved Transformers character into the system — it is a design that is certain to show heads. The model nailed the packaging as nicely, and if something, Tecno put in additional effort than some high-end restricted version telephones I used prior to now. If you happen to’re not bought on the yellow shade scheme, Tecno has a second mannequin that is primarily based on Optimus Prime, with this variant decked out in blue and purple.
The system itself shares the identical {hardware} as the usual mannequin, and meaning a 6.78-inch LCD panel with 90Hz refresh, MediaTek’s Helio G91 with historic Cortex A75 and A55 cores, and 8GB of RAM with 256GB of storage and a microSD slot.
There is a 64MP digital camera on the again alongside a 13MP wide-angle lens, IP64 ingress safety, and a 5000mAh battery with 18W charging tech. Clearly, this factor will not win any {hardware} awards, however contemplating it prices the equal of $160 in most markets the place its bought — predominantly Africa and Southeast Asia — you do get quite a bit for what you are paying.
That stated, there may be noticeable lag even in day by day use, together with duties like navigating the interface and searching. That is a given with the {hardware} on supply, however it’s usable, and the 90Hz panel makes a distinction. Battery life is nice as nicely, and the system simply lasts over a day.
The cellphone runs HiOS 14.5 primarily based on Android 14, and Tecno’s software program is closely styled. If something, the Bumblebee Version is worse on this regard, as you get a customized icon pack that borders on garish. Fortunately, you possibly can simply change the icon pack, and as it is a limited-edition system, you get a set of distinctive backgrounds — each Bumblebee and Optimus Prime are included.
There’s loads of bloatware out of the field, however it may be uninstalled, so it is not an excessive amount of of a difficulty. Outdoors of that, there is not a lot to speak concerning the software program. Whereas different Chinese language producers have made constructive strides within the final three years to wash up their interface, Tecno nonetheless has some methods to go on this space, and I wish to see what the model does with its Android 15-based UI.
Total, the Spark 30 is an efficient price range cellphone that handles the fundamentals nicely. The usual mannequin is respectable sufficient in its personal proper, and while you add within the unique shade choice with the Bumblebee Version and all of the extras, it turns into simply that little extra engaging. I might have appreciated higher {hardware}, but it surely’s simple that you’re getting an excellent worth contemplating it prices round $160.
