The Tecno Spark 20C offers all the essential features expected from a budget-friendly model: 6.56-inch 90Hz display, 50MP primary camera, dual speakers with DTS support, 5,000mAh battery, and 18W fast charging The phone is priced at Rs 8,999 on Amazon and it certainly impresses with its feature list. The question is, does it deliver the performance and asking price? Let us find out in this review of Tecno Spark 20C.
Rating: 7 /10
Verdict
The unique feature of Tecno Spark 20C is its stereo speakers with DTX support, surprisingly loud with minimal sound distortion at high volume Attractive design, smooth 90 Hz display, battery backup capable reliability, satisfactory daylight camera etc. There is also no 5G capability.
Design
The design of the Spark 20C is very attractive. The Magic Skin Green variety I received stands out in particular, in part because of its faux leather surface. Not only does this product do a good job of hiding fingerprints and stains, but it also provides a unique look. It can get a little dirty in use, but a quick wipe with a slightly damp cloth is all that is needed to get the back panel back to its original shape and the machine comfortable to hold if balanced weight of 189g.
The back has a 50MP primary lens, as well as an AI lens and flash unit. The Camera Deco features a gold metallic cladding that complements its thin edges, giving the device a visual appeal. There are two stereo speakers, along with a Type-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. On the right side, you’ll find the power and volume buttons, while the SIM card tray is on the left side. The power button also acts as a fingerprint scanner, which works well, and unlocks the phone quickly.
Display
Coming to the display, the phone has a 6.56-inch LCD panel with 90Hz, 180Hz touch response, HD+ (720 x 1,612) resolution, and refresh rate. The panel has flat bezels around the edges with the bottom jaw protruding slightly, which is typical in this price range. The display provides a satisfying viewing experience but the visibility is limited due to low brightness. Even when cranked to maximum, the brightness is only acceptable for indoor use, as visibility is further reduced in direct sunlight or brightly lit areas.
However, the dual speakers contribute in many ways to improving the multimedia experience on the device. The speakers come with DTS support and claim to deliver 400 percent higher levels. Naturally, having said that, I was excited to try these, and was not disappointed. The speakers are indeed surprisingly loud. Now, there is some distortion at the maximum level, but this is within an acceptable range without ruining the experience. Watching shows and videos on this device was a blast.
Cameras
The Tecno Spark 20C features a 50MP primary lens paired with a 0.08MP auxiliary lens. On the front, there is an 8MP camera for all your selfie and video conferencing needs. When it comes to photography, the camera performs well in daylight, although it has been slightly enhanced, with acceptable detail and clear colors. Still, some details can be lost in corners due to all results being satisfactory. The lens also comes with 2x digital zoom, it works well. In low light, images are blurry and there is only visible grain. The AI cam detects low light and switches to ‘night view’, but images are often inconsistent, requiring multiple tries to achieve acceptable results There’s no dedicated night mode, so images aren’t as compelling as they could be with some long-shot exposure.
The photo mode on the Tecno Spark 20C is inconsistent, with inappropriate background blur and slightly poor edge detection. The colors look more hand-painted, and the skin tone is a pale orange. The selfie camera works like the main camera, producing satisfying results in daylight. The camera produces images with skin color reproduction and a slight blur. Selfies in low light are more grainy, with more blur and lack of detail. Videos recorded on the device are average, capable of recording up to 1080p video at 30FPS. As a result, videos sound dull and the sound is often a bit distorted.
Performance and software
The MediaTek Helio G36 SoC is the core of the Tecno Spark 20C and powers all its performance needs, with 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and support for storage that is also user-expandable up to 1TB. The processor competently handles everyday tasks like browsing and regular app usage, but it gets some performance hiccups and lags here and there, especially when you scroll too fast or switch between certain apps
There’s Memfusion functionality available, which increases the RAM to a total of 16GB. With Boost enabled, noticeable performance increases, which sometimes lag when browsing, are reduced and slightly better gaming performance There is a difference, but not particularly significant. Speaking of gaming, this machine is good for casual gaming at best, and while it can run graphically demanding games like BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile, the gaming experience isn’t fun, even at the lowest image settings.
On the software side, the device runs on HiOS, based on Android 13.0 out of the box. The OS comes with a few pre-installed apps, some of which can be uninstalled but others can simply be turned off. The OS is user-friendly and comes with a smart panel, a dynamic port (which Tecno calls its Dynamic Island-like feature), a game mode, and other features to enhance your user experience.
Battery and charging
A 5,000mAh battery paired with 18W fast charging support rounds out the smartphone. The battery in the device is quite strong, and since the smartphone is designed for basic everyday use, the battery can easily last throughout the day and if you use it heavily you may need to carry the machine’s load at the end of the day.
The Tecno Spark 20C scored 14 hours and 9 minutes on the PC Mark battery test, which is within an acceptable price range. The bundled 18W charger takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to fully recharge the device from 0 to 100 percent, which is standard for the price segment.
Final Verdict
At an asking price of Rs 8,999, the Techno Spark 20C offers several key features that make it a strong choice in the segment. Where the phone fails is its output performance, screen brightness level, and lack of 5G capabilities. Competitors like the Moto G24 Power and POCO M6 5G offer better performance, and the latter also comes with 5G connectivity. itel P55 5G is another device that offers 5G support and better performance for just Rs 500 more as compared to Spark 20C. Realme C53 and Moto G24 Power offer 30W charging, which is faster compared to Tecno Spark 20C.
On the other hand, the Spark 20C also has a few functional parts up front. These include a smooth 90 Hz display, satisfying daylight cameras, excellent battery backup, and a unique textured faux leather design. However, the unique feature of the smartphone is its stereo speakers which are very impressive and greatly improve the multimedia experience.
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