Introduction
Tecno’s Pova series has always operated on a tight budget, yet it consistently manages to deliver impressive hardware where it counts. This time around, Tecno has focused on visual flair. The Pova 8 genuinely looks stunning with its semi-transparent back panel, distinctive camera island design, and what Tecno calls an “Alive Matrix Display.”
The Pova 8 also brings some practical features to the table, headlined by a massive 8,000 mAh battery. It’s a dual-SIM 5G device powered by the capable MediaTek Dimensity 7100 chipset. Tecno has even integrated two proprietary auxiliary chips — one to enhance cellular signal reception and another to improve Wi-Fi performance.
Tecno Pova 8 Specs at a Glance
- Body: 165.7 × 78.5 × 8.8mm, 225g; plastic back and frame; IP64 dust-tight and splash-proof, Circular matrix display (on the back), MIL-STD-810H compliant.
- Display: 6.76″ IPS LCD, 144Hz, 1080×2344px resolution, 19.53:9 aspect ratio, 381ppi.
- Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 7100 (6 nm).
- Memory: 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM; UFS 2.2; microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) — India model only.
- OS/Software: Android 16, HIOS 16.
- Rear Camera: Main (Wide): 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm, 1/1.95″, 0.8µm, PDAF.
- Front Camera: 13 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide).
- Video Capture: Rear Camera: 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; Front Camera: Yes.
- Battery: 8000mAh; 45W wired charging, 50% in 35 minutes, 10W reverse wired charging.
- Connectivity: 5G; Wi-Fi 5; Bluetooth 5.4; NFC; FM radio with recording; Infrared port.
- Misc: Side-mounted fingerprint reader; stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos.
The primary 50MP Sony LYTIA 600 camera might not top any quality charts, but it’s a proven performer that should exceed expectations for this price category. And while you’re getting an LCD panel instead of OLED, at least it refreshes at up to 144Hz for silky-smooth scrolling.
On the software side, Tecno has invested in what it calls “Practical AI,” offering features like AI Noise Cancellation and AI YouTube Summaries. The Pova 8 comes with a promise of two major OS upgrades and three years of security patches.
Unboxing
The Pova 8 ships in a two-piece cardboard box that feels exceptionally sturdy and protects the phone well during transit. Inside, there’s a cardboard cradle for the phone. Notably, there’s no plastic in the packaging at all — a welcome eco-friendly touch. The box itself is eye-catching with its bright blue-violet color scheme that shifts depending on how light hits it.
The package includes a 45W Tecno-branded charger, sufficient to max out the device’s charging potential. You also get a USB Type-A to Type-C cable. While the cable doesn’t appear to use proprietary pins, the charger is designed to push up to 4.5A through it, so if you need a replacement, make sure it can handle that current. Note that in some markets like Europe, the charger may be excluded from the bundle.
Tecno also generously throws in a protective hard case for the Pova 8, so you can start using it right away without worrying about damage.
