In our last TECNO review, we were impressed by the specs of the standard TECNO Pova 5. Now, the question is: can TECNO replicate that success with their latest model, the TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G? Notably, this device comes with a unique feature on its backplate, alongside the upgraded specifications. All will be revealed in this in-depth review article.
Table of Contents
TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G Specifications
| OS: | HIOS 13, Android 13 |
|---|---|
| Processor: | MediaTek Dimensity 6080 |
| Display: | 6.78-inches 120Hz IPS LCD |
| Wireless Connections: | 5G, Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Memory: | 8GB+256GB |
| Connectors: | USB Type-C, OTG |
| Cameras: | Rear Camera: Main – 50MP, f/1.6 Depth – 0.08MP Front Camera: 16MP, f/2.0 |
| SIM Card Slots: | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM), dedicated microSD slot |
| Battery: | 5,000mAh 68W Wired Charging |
| Price: | 8GB+256GB: Php 10,399 |
The Unboxing
The TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G features the same packaging design as its non-Pro counterpart. It arrives in a triangular prism shape, enclosed within a sleeve adorned with a Garena Free Fire print, showcasing the product itself. Upon removing the sleeve, you’ll unveil the TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G’s packaging.
Inside the package, you’ll find a generous assortment of items, much like the previous version. This includes the device itself, a clear silicone case, a set of Garena Free Fire stickers distinct from those in the non-Pro version, a POVA series x Free Fire Special Edition Gift Code, a 68W charging brick, a USB-C cable, earphones, a user manual, and a warranty card. For Garena Free Fire players, it’s a real treat, as there’s a special in-game gift waiting for you.
The Design
The TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G still has the same build quality as the standard Pova 5 but features a slightly different design pattern on its backplate, inspired by mecha aesthetics. One standout feature that sets it apart as the “pro” version is the inclusion of RGB LED lights arranged in three lines.
The TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G offers two color options: Silver Fantasy and Dark Illusion, with the latter resembling a dark blue shade. Notably, the Dark Illusion color enhances the backlight effect when it is active. This backlight effect is utilized during incoming calls, notifications, startup, or when playing music on the device.
It also maintains a low-profile camera bump, which means it doesn’t protrude significantly when placed flat.
When it comes to the buttons and ports, you’ll find the volume rocker and power button, which also doubles as a fingerprint sensor, on the right side. On the left side, there’s the SIM tray that can accommodate two nano SIM cards and a dedicated microSD card slot. Moving to the bottom, you’ll notice the speaker grill, USB-C port, microphone hole, and headphone jack. At the top, there’s another speaker grill, making it a stereo speaker smartphone.
The Display and Speaker
The TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G retains the same display as its base model—a 6.78-inch 120Hz IPS LCD with a display resolution of 1080×2460 pixels. During our testing, we found that the Pova 5 offers a sharp and vibrant display. However, it does exhibit a subtle blue tint, and its black levels don’t quite match those of an AMOLED screen. Nevertheless, it remains an impressive display, thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate and the use of an IPS panel.
As of now, the speakers remain the best at this price range. They maintain the same DTS dual speaker setup as the base model, delivering impressively loud and crystal-clear audio output. Moreover, if you prefer a more private listening experience, you can easily connect headphones to its headphone jack.
The Performance
The TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 chipset, which is newer than the one in the non-pro version. It’s paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB internal storage. Below are the benchmark results for the TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G.
Operating on HiOS v13, built on the foundation of Android 13, the device comes with some unavoidable pre-installed applications. Surprisingly, these pre-installed apps didn’t bombard us with annoying notifications or cause any disruptions during our use.
It’s intriguing to witness the collaboration with Garena Free Fire, as the device immerses users in a Free Fire-themed experience right from the moment it powers on. Customized wallpapers, alert tones, notification sounds, and icons have all been customized to align with this theme.
Similar to the base model, the TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G operates smoothly, with average loading and app opening speeds. It’s surprising to note that its benchmark results are in a similar range to the non-pro version. The real “pro” feature, however, is the lighting on its back plate.
Playing games such as Mobile Legends, Wild Rift, and CODM runs smoothly. While it can run Wild Rift at 120Hz, we noticed some stuttering after about 30 minutes, especially when using high graphics quality, resolution, and medium effects settings.
For graphics-intensive games like Genshin Impact, it can only handle the lowest graphic settings, with occasional stuttering during combat scenes.
The Camera
The TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G retains the same camera setup as the non-pro version, featuring a dual rear camera configuration and a punch-hole front camera. On its rear, you’ll find a 50-megapixel main camera paired with a 0.8-megapixel depth sensor. On the front, there’s a 16-megapixel camera, which is an upgrade from the 8-megapixel camera on the Pova 5.
The TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G showcases its photography capabilities, even at its budget-friendly price point. In well-lit conditions, it captures images rich in detail, though occasional overprocessing, particularly noticeable in green elements such as leaves and grass, can occur. When it comes to low-light scenarios, the Super Night mode enhances brightness but may introduce some trade-offs in terms of detail, with a slight increase in the graininess of the images.
In terms of the front camera, some of our selfies exhibited slight fuzziness in certain shots. Nevertheless, the subject appeared well-captured, with natural skin tones and respectable sharpness.
When it comes to video recording, its supports up to 2k@30fps or 1080p@60fps for both rear and front cameras. However, stabilization is limited to 1080p@30fps, and the electronically stabilized footage is zoomed in. Quality-wise, it is better to record at 1080p, although the 2k videos are also acceptable.
The Battery
The TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G features a slightly lower battery capacity at only 5,000mAh, compared to the base model’s 6,000mAh battery. In our PCMark battery test, with the display brightness set at 50%, it lasted for 9 hours and 13 minutes, which is relatively lower than some other smartphones we’ve reviewed. However, in day-to-day usage, it easily lasts for 12 hours with moderate use.
The included 68W charger provides significantly faster charging speeds, allowing the device to go from 20% to 100% in under an hour.
TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G Verdict
The TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G stands as a robust choice within the entry-level smartphone segment. While it offers only modest improvements over its non-pro counterpart, it serves as a commendable option for those seeking 5G connectivity. Additionally, you also get the nifty backlight LED feature. Looking ahead, it would be advisable for TECNO to consider enhancing its battery life in future iterations, as it currently lags behind the competition in this aspect.
The TECNO Pova 5 Pro 5G is priced at PHP 10,399 for the 8GB+256GB configuration. It is available to purchase on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.
