The Tecno Spark 4 is among the latest offering of the Transsion group and launched as the successor to the Spark 3 models. The Spark 4 is among Tecno’s best devices, sporting some upgraded features including 2GB/3GB of RAM, 32GB storage, triple 13-MP rear cameras, and a powerful 3000mAh battery life.
We’ve had the Spark 4 for a while now to see if it’s worth your buy and whether it’ll make a worthy contender among other mid-rangers. Here are our full review and final thoughts.
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Table of Contents
Tecno Spark 4 Key Specifications
- Display: 6.52-inches IPS LCD
- Resolution: 720 x 1600 pixels
- Processor: MediaTek MT6761
- Front Camera: 8-megapixel
- Rear Camera: 13-megapixel
- RAM: 2GB /3GB
- Storage: 32GB
- Battery Capacity: 4000mAh
- OS: Android 9 (Pie), HiOS 5.5
Tecno Spark 4: Design and Display
The Tecno Spark 4 rocks spectacular color options of Energetic orange, Misty grey, and Royal purple. However, there are no much design changes like in the Spark 3, but it sports green sparkles for the black variant.
Unfortunately, the rear panel easily attracts fingerprints, but Tecno offers a silicone case in the box to protect against scratches. However, the phone is relatively slimmer at 165.3 x 75.9 x 8.2 mm dimensions. This paves way for a comfortable one-hand grip and won’t strain you much when handling the phone despite its large size. On the top left corner is a triple-camera array, accompanied by a fingerprint sensor, while on the bottom left is a boldly inscribed ‘Tecno’ brand logo.
Upfront is a waterdrop notch that houses the selfie camera which sits below the earpiece. The selfie camera also functions as a face unlock feature and it’s accompanied by a LED flash for selfies.
The volume rocker and power button are perfectly positioned on the top right side for easier accessibility, while on the left is the dual nano-SIM and SDcard slot. Meanwhile, at the bottom is a mono speaker grill, a micro-USB port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
When it comes to display, you’re getting a bigger 6.52-inch IPS display with a 720p resolution. However, a 1080p resolution would have been much appreciated, but since you’re getting a massive display that offers more than enough screen real estate to stream YouTube or Netflix videos, check your social media news feed, and surf the internet. Meanwhile, you’re getting a color and vivid bright screen that’s moderate for this price. Hopefully, Tecno will increase the mediocre resolution of its display on the next Spark series.
Tecno Spark 4: Camera Review
The Tecno Spark 4 comes with a total of four cameras, three at the back, and one upfront. It sports some major improvements over the Spark 3 that make the phone worthy of adding to your collection. Also, the Tecno Spark 4 rocks some video modes including bokeh, beauty, AI Cam, and portraits. However, the photos lack details even daylight scenes, making the phone unworthy to be among the best camera-centric mid-range phones.
On the rear panel, there’s a 13-MP primary shooter with other unspecified cameras. For selfies, you’re getting an 8-MP front camera accompanied by a LED flash.
Tecno Spark 4: Hardware, Performance, and Software
In terms of performance, you’re getting a moderate performance with a MediaTek MT6761 chip just like the Spark 3. Also, it comes with the same 2GB /3GB of RAM and 32GB built-in storage. Just like its predecessor, the Tecno Spark 4 handles day-to-day tasks with no issues. However, the problem comes when you want to switch between open Chrome tabs or apps, the system aggressively handles memory that you have to restart some apps.
On the graphics side, you’ll experience some stutter while playing high-graphics games or doing some video editing. However, simple games like Temple Run, Subway Surf, and others will play well but not on high graphics settings.
When it comes to software, Tecno fails to alter the unnecessary ads that continue to wreck the user’s experience on the HiOS interface. Also, you’ll get some unnecessary pre-installed apps that will occupy 25% of the phone’s built-in storage. However, you’ll need to install a custom launcher if you want to get rid of the ads that follow the HiOs launcher.
Tecno Spark 4: Battery Capacity
One of the key selling points of the Tecno Spark 4 is its strong battery life. An upgraded 4000mAh battery capacity is more than enough to cover the numerous shortcomings of this handset. Fortunately, the phone will literally push for 24 hours on moderate use but will last more if you avoid most of the battery-draining apps.
Tecno Spark 4 Price and Availability
The Tecno Spark 4 comfortably checks the basics of a budget phone, but when it comes to competition, the Spark 4 fails. The handset is sold for ₦45,000 (roughly $115) and is available for Naijagadgets
Tecno Spark 4 Full Specifications
Tecno Spark 4 General
- Brand: Tecno
- Model: Spark 4
- Release Date: September 25, 2019
- Operating System: Android 9 (Pie), HiOS 5.5
- Weight: —
- Colors: Energetic orange, Misty grey, Royal purple
Tecno Spark 4 Display
- Touchscreen: YES
- Type: IPS LCD
- Display Size: 6.52-inch
- Screen Resolution: 720 x 1600 pixels
- Dimensions: 165.3 x 75.9 x 8.2 mm (6.51 x 2.99 x 0.32 in
- Facelock Support: YES
- In-display fingerprint scanner: Yes
- Sensors: fingerprint (rear-mounted)
Tecno Spark 4 Platform
- Chipset: MediaTek MT6761
- CPU: Quad-core 2.0 GHz
- GPU: —
Tecno Spark 4 Memory
- RAM: 2GB /3GB
- Inbuilt Storage: 32GB
- SD Card slot: Yes, (dedicated slot)
Tecno Spark 4 Camera
- Rear Flash: LED Flashlight
- Rear Camera: 13-MP AF, other unspecified cameras
- Video: 1080p@30 fps
- Front Camera: 8-MP
- Front Flash: Yes
Tecno Spark 4 Connectivity
- Wi-Fi: YES
- Bluetooth: 4.2
- USB: MicroUSB 2.0
- GPS: YES
- WLAN: YES
Tecno Spark 4 Network
- SIM: Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
- Technology: GSM | HSPA | LTE
- 3G Support: Yes
- 4G/ LTE Support: Yes
- 5G Support: No
Tecno Spark 4 Battery
- Capacity: Li-lon 4000 mAh, non-removable
- Fast Charge: No