Tecno Spark Go 1 Review: Does Affordability Compromise Quality?

September 26, 2024, 12:13 PM
by Md. Mehedi Hasan

UNB News
Publish- September 26, 2024, 12:13 PM
Md. Mehedi Hasan
Update- September 26, 2024, 12:25 PM

Tecno Spark Go 1

Tecno, the celebrated Chinese smartphone manufacturing company, is back again with its latest addition to its Spark series. On 19th August 2024, Spark Go 1 appeared in the Chinese and Indian markets. The phone offers affordability and a good design. Let’s go over the specifications, pros, cons, and price of the Tecno Spark Go 1.

Key Features of Tecno Spark Go 1

Design

The Tecno Spark Go 1 features a design with a glass front, plastic back, and plastic frame. The phone maintains a dimension of 165.62 mm by 77.01 mm by 8.35 mm. Available in Startrail Black, Glittery White, and Lime Green, the Spark Go 1 measures 8.35mm in thickness (8.55mm for the leather version) and weighs 189 grams, making it easy to handle.

Its display has a punch-hole for the front camera. The chin is defiant along with a noticeable bottom bezel.

An IP54 rating provides sufficient resistance against dust and splashes. On the back, it has a single rear camera with an LED flash and an IR blaster miming an extra camera sensor.

The SIM tray has double slots rooming for two SIMs. The phone’s edges include stereo speakers, a USB-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button. The SIM slot is located on the left side.

Display

The Tecno Spark Go 1 comes with a 6.67-inch HD+ IPS LCD. Users will get a viewing experience with the 720 by 1600 pixel resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio of the display. The pixel density masses around 263 PPI helping the display to preserve clear output.

The phone provides users the option to switch the refresh rate between 60 Hz and 120 Hz. So, users can enjoy a bit of control over the smoothness of the display. The screen brightness reaches 480 nits, making it suitable for indoor viewing but less effective in bright outdoor conditions.

The phone also supports Eye Care mode, reducing blue light for more comfortable viewing, though it lacks options for adjusting the color profile. The device is Widevine L1 certified, allowing users to stream HD content on supported platforms.

For audio, the Tecno Spark Go 1 is equipped with DTS dual stereo speakers, designed to provide enhanced sound quality for media consumption and gaming.

Cameras

The Tecno Spark Go 1 is equipped with a 13-megapixel (f/1.8) rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera. The rear camera offers a variety of shooting modes, including AI Cam, Beauty Mode, Portrait, Time-Lapse, Dual Video, Super Night, Panorama, Pro Mode, AR Shot, and Short Video. The rear sensor is capable of 1080P video recording.

The front camera, designed for selfies and video calls, also supports AI Cam, Beauty Mode, Portrait, and video recording. It features a dual-color temperature flash for better lighting in selfies.

The phone lacks advanced stabilization features like gyro-EIS, which could impact video quality. Additionally, the Spark Go 1 includes an infrared remote-control sensor, allowing users to control home appliances directly from the phone.

The device also features AI Active Noise Cancellation, which helps improve call quality in noisy environments. While the camera setup provides basic functionality, it is more suitable for casual photography and social media sharing.

Performance and Software

The Tecno Spark Go 1 is powered by a Unisoc T615 processor with 8GB of RAM. This RAM includes 4GB of LPDDR4x physical memory and up to 4GB of virtual RAM for smoother multitasking. It offers 64GB of eMMC 5.1 storage, with the option to expand via a dedicated microSD card slot.

The phone runs on Android 14 Go Edition, customized with HiOS 14, a lightweight, optimized version of Android designed for budget-friendly phones. This software provides a simplified interface and is intended to offer smoother performance.

Benchmarking tests such as AnTuTu, Geekbench, and CPU Throttle provide insights into its processing capabilities, but practically, long-term performance is yet to be tested.

Battery and Chargers

The 5,000mAh battery in the Tecno Spark Go 1 provides decent battery life for daily tasks. It supports 15W wired charging, allowing for faster recharges compared to standard chargers, though it may still take some time to charge the large battery fully. This capacity is suitable for extended use, making it ideal for users needing long-lasting power on the go.

Pros and Cons of Tecno Spark Go 1

Pros

- Android 14 (Go edition) with HiOS 14
- 120Hz IPS LCD
- IP54 dust and splash resistance
- Audio jack and infrared port
- Large battery with 15W charging
- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner

Cons

- Low image and video quality
- No gyro-EIS
- Limited for multitasking and gaming
- No reverse charging
- 720p resolution display
- No 5G or NFC support.

Price of Tecno Spark Go 1 in Bangladesh

Spark Go 1 is not officially available in Bangladesh yet. The phone’s pricing in India starts from INR 7298, or BDT 10380. The conversion rate here is INR 1 = BDT 1.42. However, the official price of Tecno Spark Go 1 in Bangladesh may vary due to tax and other issues.

Conclusion

The Spark Go 1 is a budget-friendly smartphone featuring a 6.67-inch 120Hz display, a 5,000mAh battery with 15W fast charging, and IP54 dust and splash resistance. It runs on Android 14 Go Edition with HiOS 14, powered by the Unisoc T615 chipset and 4GB of RAM, plus virtual RAM.

While it lacks 5G, NFC, and high-end camera features, it offers essential functions like a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and stereo speakers. The Tecno Spark Go 1 is ideal for users seeking an affordable phone for basic tasks and media consumption, without heavy multitasking or gaming needs.