Hello everyone! I’m Stephen from Nigeria’s leading phone engineering company, and today, I’m excited to share my thoughts on the all-new TECNO Spark 30 Pro. This smartphone comes in at around $150 or 249,600 Naira, and TECNO has a reputation for shaking up the budget smartphone market. So, is the Spark 30 Pro the ultimate budget smartphone, or just another mid-range contender? Let’s dive into the details!
Unboxing the TECNO Spark 30 Pro
When you unbox the Spark 30 Pro, you’ll find the smartphone itself, a warranty card, a data gift card, a SIM ejector tool, a TPU case, a 33W charger, a USB A to C connector, and a pair of wired earphones with a 3.5mm jack. It’s great to see these essentials included, especially the earphones.
Design and Build Quality
The Spark 30 Pro has a sleek design, measuring just 7.4mm thick. It feels great in hand—slim yet sturdy, making it comfortable to hold. The size is just right, even with its large display. You’ll find a headphone jack, dual SIM trays with dedicated microSD card support, and overall, it checks a lot of boxes.
One thing to note is the in-display fingerprint scanner. While it’s an optical type, I found its placement a bit lower than I would prefer. It’s not a deal breaker, but it can feel a bit awkward. On the plus side, the phone has IP54 dust and water resistance, which is an upgrade from the Spark 20 Pro. While you shouldn’t take it swimming, it can handle a splash of rain.
The Spark 30 Pro comes in several attractive colors, including Obsidian Edge, Arctic Glow, and the stylish Optimus Prime Edition. If you enjoy controlling your electronics from your phone, the IR Blaster allows you to do just that with the IR Control app.
Audio Experience
I have to give TECNO credit for including dual stereo speakers at this price point. The speakers deliver a surprisingly clear and loud listening experience, and there’s support for Dolby Atmos. Plus, the 3.5mm jack is still here, so you don’t have to scramble for wireless earbuds unless you want to. If you do, you’ll benefit from Bluetooth 5.3 and Hi-Res audio support for both wired and wireless connections. There’s even FM radio support for those who enjoy that feature.
Display Quality
The Spark 30 Pro features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display that looks fantastic. With around 1 billion colors and a resolution of 1080 x 2436 pixels, the visuals are vibrant and sharp. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling, and it peaks at 1700 nits, making it easy to see even in direct sunlight. Overall, the display is a win for this smartphone.
Performance
Under the hood, the MediaTek Helio G100 chipset powers the Spark 30 Pro. While it’s an upgrade from the G99 in the Spark 20 Pro, the difference in everyday performance is minimal. The G100 handles casual gaming, multitasking, and social media with ease. I was able to play games like Call of Duty and PUBG without issues, with PUBG running at HD graphics and high frame rates.
My unit comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, retailing for 285,100 Naira, or roughly $170. There’s also a more affordable option with 8GB of RAM for 249,600 Naira or $150. If you need more storage, there’s an SD card slot available.
The device runs on Android 14 with TECNO’s custom interface on top. While it offers plenty of customization options, you can expect about two years of updates, although TECNO promises a lag-free experience for five years.
Camera Performance
On the camera front, the Spark 30 Pro boasts a 108MP main shooter with an f/1.9 aperture. However, it’s important to note that while the back looks like it has four cameras, it actually has just two sensors. The other two spots are for the IR blaster and a 4-way LED flash.
In daylight, the photos are sharp and detailed, making them suitable for social media. However, in low-light conditions, the quality can drop, even with the Super Night Mode feature activated. For selfies, there’s a 13MP front camera with a dual LED flash, which performs well in good lighting but benefits from the flash in dim environments.
For video recording, you can shoot at 1440 or 2K resolution at 30fps, but without stabilization, things can get shaky. I recommend sticking to 1080p for smoother footage, which can go up to 60fps for slow-motion videos.
Battery Life
The Spark 30 Pro is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, paired with an efficient processor. This combination should last you a full day of heavy use. The 33W fast charging feature allows you to recharge quickly, getting you back to full power in about 75 minutes from zero.
To save battery life, consider switching from 120Hz to 60Hz or using the auto selection feature to balance performance and battery efficiency.
Final Verdict
So, what’s the final verdict on the TECNO Spark 30 Pro? This smartphone offers impressive features for its price, including a stunning AMOLED display, good camera performance, and enough power for daily tasks. The stereo speakers and fast charging are additional highlights.
While the fingerprint sensor placement could be improved and power users might want more for intensive apps or low-light photography, the Spark 30 Pro is hard to overlook for its value. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly device that delivers more than just the basics, the TECNO Spark 30 Pro should definitely be on your list.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and feel free to check out my comparison of the TECNO Spark 20 Pro against similarly priced devices. Thank you for your time!