Tecno Pova Curve 5G: The Tecno Pova Curve 5G represents a significant milestone in Tecno Mobile’s journey, marking the brand’s ambitious push into the premium mid-range smartphone segment.
As the first curved display smartphone from Tecno, the Pova Curve 5G combines striking aesthetics with powerful performance capabilities, targeting tech enthusiasts and mobile gamers who seek distinctive design without breaking the bank.
This comprehensive analysis explores the device’s innovative features, performance metrics, user experience, and value proposition in the increasingly competitive 5G smartphone market.
Tecno Pova Curve 5G Design Philosophy and Build Quality
The Tecno Pova Curve 5G immediately distinguishes itself through its curved display design, a feature typically reserved for flagship devices from premium brands.
The 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display creates an immersive visual experience while reducing the perceived bezel size, resulting in a modern, premium aesthetic that belies its mid-range positioning.
The smartphone features a glass front and back with a polymer frame, striking a balance between premium feel and practical durability.
Available in distinctive color options including Glacier Blue, Sandstone Black, and Aurora Green, the device incorporates a subtle textured pattern on the rear panel that not only enhances grip but also minimizes fingerprint smudges while adding visual interest.
With dimensions of approximately 164.5 × 74.8 × 8.6mm and weighing around 198 grams, the Pova Curve 5G manages to maintain a relatively comfortable in-hand feel despite its large display.
The curved edges contribute to improved ergonomics, allowing for better one-handed operation compared to flat-display counterparts with similar screen sizes.
The attention to detail extends to thoughtful design elements such as the strategically placed physical buttons on the right edge for easy access, the minimalist camera island that houses the rear camera system, and the under-display fingerprint sensor that maintains the sleek aesthetic while providing convenient biometric authentication.
Display Excellence
At the heart of the Tecno Pova Curve 5G’s appeal is its 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution (2436 × 1080 pixels) and 120Hz refresh rate. This combination delivers several notable advantages:
The curved AMOLED panel produces vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios, enhancing content consumption across various media types. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations, particularly beneficial for gaming and navigating the user interface.
The 1000 nits peak brightness enables comfortable outdoor visibility even under direct sunlight, while the 240Hz touch sampling rate provides responsive touch input for gaming scenarios.
Additional display features include DC dimming to reduce eye strain during low-light usage, HDR10+ support for compatible streaming content, and Widevine L1 certification that enables HD streaming from popular platforms.
The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, offering reasonable protection against everyday scratches and minor drops.
Performance Powerhouse
Under the hood, the Tecno Pova Curve 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chipset, built on a 4nm process technology.
This processor is paired with 8GB LPDDR4X RAM (expandable virtually by an additional 8GB) and 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 storage, expandable via microSD card. This hardware configuration delivers impressive performance metrics:
The octa-core CPU arrangement, featuring two Cortex-A715 performance cores at 2.8GHz and six Cortex-A510 efficiency cores at 2.0GHz, handles everyday tasks with ease while providing sufficient headroom for demanding applications and multitasking scenarios.
The Mali-G610 MC4 GPU delivers capable graphics performance for modern mobile games at medium to high settings, maintaining playable frame rates across popular titles.
The device incorporates an advanced vapor chamber cooling system that effectively dissipates heat during extended gaming sessions, maintaining sustained performance while preventing uncomfortable device temperatures.
Benchmark results position the Pova Curve 5G competitively within its price segment, with AnTuTu scores approximately in the 550,000-600,000 range and respectable Geekbench 6 multi-core scores around 2,200-2,400.
Camera Capabilities
The Tecno Pova Curve 5G features a versatile triple camera system on the rear, consisting of:
A 108MP primary sensor with f/1.8 aperture and 0.8μm pixel size (supporting 9-in-1 pixel binning for effective 2.4μm pixels in low light).
A 13MP ultrawide camera with 120° field of view and f/2.2 aperture, enabling landscape photography and creative perspectives. A 2MP macro lens with f/2.4 aperture for close-up shots of small subjects.
The front-facing camera utilizes a 32MP sensor with f/2.4 aperture, housed in a centered punch-hole cutout, delivering detailed selfies suitable for social media sharing.
The camera system is supported by Tecno’s AI-enhanced imaging algorithms that provide several computational photography features:
Super Night Mode combines multiple exposures to create well-lit images even in challenging low-light environments.
AI Portrait mode intelligently separates subjects from backgrounds for natural-looking bokeh effects. Ultra Steady video stabilization minimizes shaking during video recording, particularly useful for action shots.
Video recording capabilities include 4K at 30fps from the main camera, 1080p at 60fps with electronic image stabilization, and various creative modes such as Dual-View recording that captures from both front and rear cameras simultaneously.
Battery Life and Charging
The Tecno Pova Curve 5G is equipped with a substantial 5000mAh battery that provides excellent endurance:
Under typical usage patterns including social media browsing, messaging, occasional gaming, and media consumption, the device easily lasts a full day with capacity to spare.
For heavy users, the intelligent battery management system optimizes background processes to extend battery life.
The device supports 68W fast charging technology, capable of recharging from 0% to approximately 50% in about 20 minutes and achieving a full charge in around 45-50 minutes. While wireless charging is absent, the rapid wired charging largely compensates for this omission at this price point.
Software Experience
The Tecno Pova Curve 5G runs on HiOS 13.5 based on Android 13, with a commitment to two years of major OS updates and three years of security patches. The software experience includes several noteworthy features:
Game Space 2.0 optimization tool enhances gaming performance by allocating system resources, blocking notifications, and providing gaming-specific tools like performance monitoring.
AI Assistant integrates various intelligent functions including image recognition, translation, and contextual recommendations. Multi-Window and Floating Window features enable efficient multitasking on the large display.
The user interface has been refined compared to earlier iterations of HiOS, with reduced bloatware and a cleaner aesthetic, though some pre-installed applications remain. The system-wide dark mode takes particular advantage of the AMOLED display’s power efficiency and contrast capabilities.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The Tecno Pova Curve 5G offers comprehensive connectivity options:
5G support across multiple bands ensures future-proof connectivity as networks continue to expand. WiFi 6 compatibility provides faster wireless networking with compatible routers.
Bluetooth 5.3 delivers reliable connections to accessories with improved range and power efficiency.
Additional features include a linear vibration motor for improved haptic feedback, stereo speakers with Hi-Res audio certification, and NFC for contactless payments. The under-display fingerprint sensor is complemented by face unlock for convenient biometric authentication options.
Comparison with Key Competitors
| Feature | Tecno Pova Curve 5G | Redmi Note 13 Pro | Realme 12 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 | Exynos 1380 |
| Display | 6.78″ Curved AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.67″ Flat AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.7″ Curved AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.6″ Flat AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Main Camera | 108MP | 200MP | 50MP | 50MP |
| Battery | 5000mAh, 68W charging | 5100mAh, 67W charging | 5000mAh, 67W charging | 5000mAh, 25W charging |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB/128-256GB | 8-12GB/256GB | 8GB/128-256GB | 6-8GB/128-256GB |
| Special Features | Curved display, Vapor cooling | IP54 rating, Glass back | Curved display, Telephoto lens | IP67 rating, Samsung ecosystem |
| Price Range (approx) | ₹21,000-24,000 | ₹23,000-27,000 | ₹22,000-26,000 | ₹25,000-30,000 |
Key Advantages of the Tecno Pova Curve 5G
Premium Design at Mid-Range Price: The curved AMOLED display brings flagship aesthetics to a more accessible price point.
Balanced Performance: The Dimensity 7200 chipset delivers capable processing power for both everyday tasks and gaming.
Fast Charging Technology: The 68W fast charging significantly reduces downtime, providing quick power replenishment.
Versatile Camera System: The 108MP primary sensor delivers detailed photos across various lighting conditions.
Enhanced Gaming Experience: The combination of vapor cooling, high refresh rate display, and gaming optimizations creates a compelling mobile gaming platform.
Target Audience and Usage Scenarios
The Tecno Pova Curve 5G appeals primarily to:
Tech enthusiasts seeking distinctive design features typically found in more expensive devices. Mobile gamers who require sustained performance, responsive display, and extended battery life. Content creators utilizing the capable camera system for social media content.
Young professionals who desire a stylish device with premium aesthetics without stretching their budget to flagship territory. Media consumers who will appreciate the immersive curved display for streaming videos and playing games.
Ownership Experience and After-Sales Support
Tecno has been expanding its service network across various regions, with several initiatives to enhance the ownership experience:
The Carlcare service centers provide technical support and repairs across major cities, with home pickup and delivery options in select locations. The Tecno Spot application offers remote diagnostics, service booking, and warranty information access.
The standard warranty covers 12 months for the device and 6 months for accessories, with extended warranty options available at additional cost.
Environmental Considerations
While not extensively marketed as an eco-friendly device, the Tecno Pova Curve 5G incorporates several environmentally conscious aspects:
The efficient 4nm processor architecture reduces power consumption compared to older generation chipsets.
The robust build quality potentially extends the device’s effective lifespan, reducing electronic waste. The packaging utilizes recycled materials and minimized plastic components, reflecting growing industry awareness of environmental impacts.
Future-Proofing and Longevity
Several factors contribute to the Pova Curve 5G’s longevity in a rapidly evolving smartphone market:
The commitment to two years of major OS updates ensures the device will receive new features and security improvements through Android 15.
The 5G connectivity prepares users for next-generation network capabilities as coverage expands. The generous RAM and storage configurations provide headroom for increasingly resource-intensive applications over the coming years.
Tecno Pova Curve 5G Conclusion
The Tecno Pova Curve 5G represents a significant step forward for Tecno Mobile, successfully bringing premium design elements and capable performance to the mid-range segment.
The curved display serves as both a visual differentiator and functional enhancement, creating an immersive user experience typically associated with more expensive devices.
While Tecno remains a relatively newer player in some markets compared to established brands, the Pova Curve 5G demonstrates the company’s growing technical capabilities and understanding of consumer desires for distinctive design without compromising performance essentials.
For consumers willing to explore beyond mainstream brands, the Tecno Pova Curve 5G offers an intriguing proposition – the visual appeal and core functionality of a premium device at a substantially more accessible price point.
This combination makes it a compelling option for tech enthusiasts seeking to maximize value without sacrificing the features that matter most in daily smartphone use.
As Tecno continues to refine its software experience and expand its after-sales support network, devices like the Pova Curve 5G position the brand as an increasingly credible alternative in the competitive mid-range smartphone landscape.