Introduction
Launched in early 2025, the Tecno Pova 7 positions itself as a powerful budget gaming smartphone, priced around ₹13,999 to ₹14,999 depending on the variant. Aimed squarely at students, gamers, and power users on a budget, it promises a huge battery, reliable chipset, and flashy looks.
But does it deliver on performance, or is it just another spec-heavy phone that falls short in real-world use? Let’s dive in.
Unboxing & First Impressions
Box Contents:
- 33W Fast Charger
- USB-C Cable
- TPU Protective Case
- SIM Ejector Pin
- Documentation
The unboxing experience is clean and generous for the price. The phone feels hefty and solid in hand, hinting at its large battery.
Design & Build
- Material: Plastic back and frame
- Finish: Glossy or matte (varies by color), moderately fingerprint-resistant
- Weight: ~230g
- Thickness: ~9.5mm
- Ports: USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Colors: Electric Blue, Mecha Black, Cyber Green
Tecno added a unique LED strip near the camera module for notifications and gaming flair. The rear design stands out, especially for RGB lovers. Button placements are ergonomic, though the weight may be noticeable for some.
Display
- Size: 6.78 inches
- Type: IPS LCD
- Resolution: FHD+ (2460×1080)
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Touch Sampling Rate: 240Hz
- Brightness: ~580 nits (peak)
While it’s not AMOLED, the panel delivers vibrant colors and decent brightness for outdoor usage. The high refresh rate ensures a smooth UI and gaming experience, though you’ll miss deep blacks.
Pros:
- Excellent for gaming visuals
- High refresh and sampling rates
Cons:
- No HDR support
- Contrast and deep blacks not AMOLED-like
Performance & Processor
- Chipset: MediaTek Helio G99 (6nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.2GHz + 6x Cortex-A55)
- GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR4x
- Storage: 128GB/256GB UFS 2.2 (expandable)
Benchmark Scores:
- AnTuTu v10: ~400,000+
- Geekbench: 725 (Single Core), 1,980 (Multi-Core)
- 3DMark Wild Life: 1,200
- CPU Throttle Test: ~85% stability after 15 minutes
In daily use, the Pova 7 feels snappy. It handles app switching, video calls, and social media with ease. The Helio G99 shines as a power-efficient chipset for budget users.
Gaming Review
Games Tested:
- BGMI: Smooth + High (~40fps, stable)
- COD Mobile: Medium + High (~45fps)
- Free Fire Max: Ultra (~55fps)
- Genshin Impact: Low settings (~30fps, noticeable frame drops)
Thermals:
- Slight warmth after 30 mins gaming
- No major throttling unless in heavy multitasking
Features: Game Mode in HiOS boosts FPS, blocks notifications, and enables GPU performance stats.
Verdict: For under ₹15K, this is one of the best budget gaming phones, especially for BGMI and COD.
Software & UI
- OS: HiOS 13.6 based on Android 13
- Pre-installed Apps: Palm Store, Carlcare, BoomPlay, and others (some uninstallable)
- Ads/Bloatware: Moderate, can be disabled
Notable Features:
- Multi-window
- Video assistant
- Game Space
- Dynamic theming
Update Promise: 1 major Android update + 2 years of security patches (unofficial)
Camera Performance
Rear Camera Setup:
- 50MP Main Sensor (f/1.6)
- 2MP Depth Sensor
Front Camera: 8MP Selfie Shooter (f/2.0)
Camera Samples (Real-world Results):
- Daylight: Decent detail, slightly oversaturated colors
- Portrait Mode: Edge detection is hit-or-miss
- Night Shots: Grainy without Night Mode, usable with it
- Selfies: Good in daylight, soft in indoor lighting
- Video: Max 2K at 30fps, EIS present
Camera Verdict: Great for casual social media use, not for photography enthusiasts.
Battery Life & Charging
- Battery: 6,000mAh
- Charging Speed: 33W Fast Charging
- Charger in Box: Yes
Test Results:
- 0 to 50%: ~30 minutes
- 0 to 100%: ~90 minutes
- Screen-On-Time: 8–10 hours (mixed usage)
Real Usage:
- 2 hours gaming + 3 hours video + 2 hours social = still ~35% left
- Excellent standby time
Audio & Multimedia
- Speakers: Mono (bottom firing)
- 3.5mm Jack: Yes
- Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC
- Dolby Atmos: No
Verdict: Loud enough for videos, lacks depth for immersive experience. Good for calls and casual listening.
Network & Connectivity
- SIM Slot: Dual SIM + microSD (dedicated)
- 4G Bands: Full India support
- Wi-Fi: 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)
- Bluetooth: v5.1
- VoWiFi/VoLTE: Supported
- GPS: Fast lock
Security & Biometrics
- Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted, fast and reliable
- Face Unlock: Works well even in dim light
Sensors & Other Features
- Accelerometer, Gyroscope (software-based), Compass, Light, Proximity
- OTG Support: Yes
- FM Radio: Yes
- Notification LED: No
- Haptic Feedback: Weak and buzzy
Pros & Cons Table
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Long battery life (6000mAh) | No AMOLED panel |
| 120Hz high-refresh display | Cameras need tuning |
| Helio G99 gaming power | No stereo speakers |
| Stylish LED design | HiOS has bloatware |
| Great value under ₹15K | Mono audio experience |
Comparison With Competitors
| Phone | Display | SoC | Battery | Camera | Price |
| Tecno Pova 7 | 120Hz LCD | Helio G99 | 6000mAh | 50MP | ₹14,999 |
| Infinix Zero 5G | 120Hz LCD | Dimensity 920 | 5000mAh | 50MP | ₹15,999 |
| Realme Narzo 60x | 120Hz LCD | Dimensity 6100+ | 5000mAh | 64MP | ₹15,499 |
| Poco M6 Pro | 90Hz LCD | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | 5000mAh | 50MP | ₹12,999 |
Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip?
Buy If You Are:
- A student or casual gamer
- Looking for 120Hz + big battery combo
- Wanting style with performance
Skip If You Are:
- A camera-first user
- Prefer AMOLED display or stereo speakers
- Hate ads and bloatware
Final Verdict
Score: 8.5/10
The Tecno Pova 7 offers phenomenal value with its smooth performance, large battery, and gamer-friendly design. While the camera and software still need polishing, for under ₹15,000, it’s hard to beat what you get here.
Verdict: Buy it if you’re looking for a budget gaming phone with long battery life and eye-catching design.
FAQs
1. Does Tecno Pova 7 support 5G? No, this variant uses Helio G99 which is 4G-only. There may be a 5G version later.
2. Is there Gorilla Glass protection? No official Gorilla Glass, but it has scratch-resistant glass.
3. Can it run BGMI smoothly? Yes, it handles BGMI on Smooth + High settings at ~40fps stably.
4. Does it have stereo speakers? No, only a single bottom-firing speaker is available.
5. What Android version will it get next? Likely Android 14 in future, with 2 years of security patches.
6. Is there microSD support? Yes, up to 1TB via dedicated slot.
7. Is Tecno Pova 7 good for students? Absolutely! It’s ideal for online classes, gaming, and binge-watching.
Would you buy the Tecno Pova 7? Let us know in the comments below!
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