Introduction
The TECNO Spark 20 is the one of the recent additions to the brand’s entry-level lineup. Like many in the same space, it aims to deliver features and performance that’s more than enough for typical day-to-day tasks, without reaching into mid-range price points. In other words, it’s every penny you pay for, and a bit more.
Design and Build Quality
What’s nice about recent entry-level devices is that they don’t really look like they’re entry-level devices. The TECNO Spark 20 is another prime example with it brushed metallic finish at the back, the contrast of the glossy surface for the rear camera housing, an only simple and subtle branding, all makes this a thing you can proudly whip out at any meeting or party.
I’m a fan of the flat design, so the flat sides and the flat display is to my delight. Yes, the bezels are a bit on the thick side, which is to be expected, but isn’t distracting at all. Oh, and this has a dual speaker set up, and a headphone jack, for those who still use wired headphones.
Speaking of which, you get a 6.56-inch display with HD+ resolution, which is a letdown as some entry-level devices are already shifting to Full HD+ screens. At least, you do get a 90Hz refresh rate, which means animations and transitions will appear smoother and more fluid.
Is it still good for media consumption? definitely. It’s only when you pixel-peep will you probably notice that things aren’t as sharp and as detailed.
Performance
The Helio G85 is becoming a staple for several devices in this segment, since it’s able to deliver a good balance of performance and efficiency. Obviously, it’s not for more resource-heavy tasks like graphics intensive gaming, but it’s for delivering the needed performance for day-to-day use, while also leaving some headroom for more lighter games. You also get 8GB of RAM, and a generous 256GB of storage, with the option to add more via a microSD card slot.
Speaking of which, the device will run Mobile Legends: Bang Bang on High framerate and Ultra graphics just fine. Farlight 84 will also run well on Smooth graphics and Extreme frame rate.
And if you really want to try something a bit heavier, Diablo Immortal is very playable at 30 fps, medium resolution, and low quality preset. As for Honkai: Star Rail, the game is playable, but you will encounter stutters occasionally, even at the lowest settings.
Camera
The TECNO Spark 20 has a 50MP main camera, accompanied by an auxiliary unit. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting a lot from this camera, but it’s surprisingly good considering the price.
And while a lot of phones would get day shots right, it’s the low-light shots that separate the good from the average, and this one’s on the former. Detail, sharpness, and colors are really good considering the price. Obviously it’s not flagship level quality, but for what you pay, it’s more than enough.
Software
At the time of writing, the TECNO Spark 20 was running HiOS 13.5 on top of Android 13. The usual set of features like Lighting Multi Window, which basically allows you to open an app via a floating window for multi-tasking, and Smart panel are here, but now, with the addition of Dynamic Port, which is TECNO’s take on the Dynamic Island.
It basically activates on certain scenarios to notify the user of certain activities, such as when the phone is charging, when charging is finished, or when using face unlock.
You do get a number of pre-loaded apps, but not an intrusive amount.
Battery
Using PCMark’s Work 3.0 benchmark which simulates tasks like photo and video editing, web browsing, and data manipulation, the TECNO Spark 20 managed to score almost 13 hours – a very good result. As for charging, I was able to recharge the device from empty to full in around 1.5 hours. Not great, but not bad either.
TECNO Spark 20: Verdict
If you’re looking for a phone that delivers decent performance, great battery life, and a good camera that does well for taking photos even in low light (relative to price of course) and won’t cost an arm or leg (Price is PHP 6,999), the TECNO Spark 20 is a good option. Is it the best overall package you can get for this price point? no. But if you’re focus isn’t gaming, and more of casual use, media consumption, and photography, it’s definitely something worth checking out.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
