Welcome to my review of the all-new Tecno Spark 30 Pro, the latest addition following the Tecno Spark 20 Pro. Priced at around $150 or 249,600 Naira, Tecno has a reputation for shaking up the budget smartphone market. The big question is: Is the Spark 30 Pro the ultimate budget smartphone, or just another mid-range contender? Let’s explore its features together!
When you unbox the Spark 30 Pro, you’ll find the smartphone itself, a warranty card, a data gift card, a SIM ejector, 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.
Now, let’s talk about the design. The Spark 30 Pro is sleek, measuring just 7.4mm thin, making it feel fantastic in your hand. It strikes a perfect balance between being slim and sturdy, giving it a premium feel. Even with its large display, it’s not too big or too small, making it a great choice for those who prefer a more manageable size.
The device features a headphone jack, dual SIM trays with dedicated microSD card support, and overall, it checks a lot of boxes. However, I did notice something about the fingerprint scanner. It has an in-display optical fingerprint scanner, but it’s positioned a bit lower than I would prefer. While it’s not a deal breaker, it can feel a bit awkward at times. On the bright side, the Spark 30 Pro comes with IP54 dust and water resistance, an upgrade from the IP53 rating of the Spark 20 Pro. While you shouldn’t take it swimming, it can handle a splash of rain without any issues.
There are several stylish color options available, including Obsidian Edge, Arctic Glow, and the eye-catching Optimus Prime Edition. If you enjoy controlling your electronics from one device, the Spark 30 Pro includes an IR Blaster, allowing you to manage your devices with the IR Control app.
One impressive feature is the dual stereo speakers, which deliver a surprisingly clear listening experience. The sound quality is crisp and loud, and there’s support for Dolby Atmos. Plus, you still get the beloved 3.5mm jack, so you won’t need to scramble for wireless earbuds unless you prefer them. If you do, Tecno has you covered with 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.
Now, let’s discuss the display. The Spark 30 Pro boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel that looks stunning. With about 1 billion colors and a resolution of 1080 x 2436 pixels, the visuals are vibrant and sharp. The 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 1700 nits ensure smooth scrolling and excellent visibility, even in direct sunlight. Overall, the display is a major win for this smartphone at its price point.
Under the hood, the MediaTek Helio G100 chipset powers the Spark 30 Pro. While it’s an upgrade from the G99 found in the Spark 20 Pro, the difference in everyday performance is minimal. The main advantage of the G100 is its support for 200MP sensors, which isn’t something you’ll be using on this device. In real-world usage, the G100 handles casual gaming, multitasking, and social media effortlessly. I was able to play games like Call of Duty and PUBG without any 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, which is roughly $170. There’s also a more affordable 8GB option available for 249,600 Naira or $150. If you need more storage, there’s an SD card slot as well.
The device runs on Android 14 with Tecno’s iOS 14 interface on top. While the interface offers plenty of customization options, it may feel a bit extra for some users. In terms of future updates, you can expect around two years of updates from Tecno, although they promise a lag-free experience for up to five years.
Now, let’s talk about the cameras. On paper, the Spark 30 Pro features a 108MP main camera with an f1.9 aperture and an auxiliary sensor. However, it’s important to note that the back of the device may appear to have four camera setups, but in reality, there are only two sensors. The other two spots are for the IR blaster and a 4-way LED flash, so don’t be misled by appearances.
In daylight, the photos taken with the Spark 30 Pro are sharp and detailed, producing usable social media shots. Just ensure you have enough lighting for the best results. However, in low-light conditions, the photos can become noisy, even with the Super Night Mode feature activated. It’s best to stick to well-lit environments for optimal results.
The front-facing camera is a 13MP sensor with a dual LED flash, which helps capture solid selfies in good lighting. In dim environments, the flash is a handy feature to keep your selfies looking great.
For video recording, the Spark 30 Pro can shoot at 1440 or 2K resolution at 30fps, but without stabilization, the footage can be shaky. I recommend sticking to 1080p for smoother videos, which can go up to 60fps for slow-motion recordings. The front camera also maxes out at 2K for video.
At the end of the day, the cameras on the Spark 30 Pro get the job done, and with good lighting, you can expect impressive results.
Finally, let’s discuss battery life. The Spark 30 Pro is equipped with a 5000mAh battery paired with an efficient processor, ensuring it lasts a full day of heavy use. The 33W fast charging feature allows you to recharge quickly, taking about 75 minutes to go from zero to full. If you want to conserve battery life, consider switching from 120Hz to 60Hz or using the auto selection feature.
So, what’s the final verdict on the Tecno Spark 30 Pro? This smartphone excels in many areas, offering a stunning AMOLED display, good cameras, and enough performance for daily tasks. The dual stereo speakers, high-resolution audio, and fast charging are the icing on the cake.
While it’s not perfect—there are some minor issues like the fingerprint sensor placement and limitations for power users—the Spark 30 Pro is hard to overlook at this price point. If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly device that offers more than just the basics, the Tecno Spark 30 Pro should definitely be on your list.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let me know what you think in the comments section below, and feel free to check out my comparison of the Tecno Spark 20 Pro against similarly priced devices.
