Tecno Pova Curve 5G: The smartphone landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with manufacturers constantly pushing boundaries to deliver compelling devices across various price segments.
Among these contenders, Tecno has emerged as a notable player in the budget and mid-range categories, particularly in emerging markets.
The Tecno Pova Curve 5G represents the company’s ambitious foray into the curved display segment while maintaining its value-oriented approach.
This device attempts to democratize premium features—previously reserved for flagship models—making them accessible to a broader audience.
Through thoughtful hardware choices, distinctive design elements, and strategic compromises, the Pova Curve 5G embodies Tecno’s growing confidence in challenging established brands in increasingly competitive price brackets.
Tecno Pova Curve 5G: Design and Build Quality
The Pova Curve 5G immediately distinguishes itself through its curved display—a design element traditionally associated with premium devices.
The gentle curvature along the long edges creates an immersive visual experience while contributing to a more comfortable hand-feel during extended use.
This curved approach extends beyond mere aesthetics, reducing the perceived bezel size and lending the device a distinctly upmarket appearance.
The rear panel features a textured finish with geometric patterns that serve both ornamental and practical purposes, reducing fingerprint visibility while providing enhanced grip.
Available in Aurora Prism, Carbon Fiber Black, and Glacier Frost colorways, these finishes incorporate subtle light-refracting elements that create dynamic visual effects as the device catches light from different angles.
Structurally, the Pova Curve 5G employs a composite frame that balances durability with weight considerations.
At 204 grams, the device feels substantial without becoming unwieldy, while its 8.9mm thickness accommodates the generous battery without excessive bulk.
The power and volume controls positioned along the right edge offer satisfying tactile feedback, though their slightly elevated placement may require adjustment for users with smaller hands.
Protection elements include Gorilla Glass 5 for the display, providing reasonable resistance against everyday hazards, while the included silicone case offers additional insurance against accidental impacts.
The IP52 rating provides basic protection against dust and limited water exposure—representing adequate rather than exceptional resistance for its price category.
Display Technology
Centered around its 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display, the Pova Curve 5G delivers visual performance that exceeds expectations for its segment.
The panel offers FHD+ resolution (2436 x 1080 pixels) with 120Hz refresh rate capability, creating fluid transitions during scrolling and supported gaming scenarios. The 240Hz touch sampling rate further enhances responsiveness during interactive tasks.
Color reproduction impresses with coverage approaching 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut, while brightness reaches 950 nits at peak, ensuring reasonable outdoor visibility even under direct sunlight.
The panel supports 10-bit color depth, allowing for smoother gradients and more accurate representation of color-intensive content.
The curved edges reduce perceived bezel thickness while enhancing immersion during media consumption, though they occasionally introduce subtle distortion and accidental touch issues despite algorithmic palm rejection efforts.
The centered punch-hole camera cutout proves minimally intrusive during everyday use, fading from perception after brief acclimation.
Additional display technologies include DC dimming to reduce eye fatigue during low-light viewing, Widevine L1 certification for HD streaming across major platforms, and an optical in-display fingerprint sensor that performs reliably if not exceptionally quickly.
The inclusion of Always-On Display functionality, while welcome, implements only basic customization options compared to more established competitors.
Performance and Hardware
Powering the Pova Curve 5G is MediaTek’s Dimensity 7020 chipset, manufactured on a 6nm process.
This octa-core configuration combines two Cortex-A78 performance cores (2.2GHz) with six efficiency-focused Cortex-A55 cores (2.0GHz), striking a balance between processing capability and power conservation.
The Mali-G57 MC2 GPU handles graphical tasks with reasonable competence for mainstream gaming and media consumption.
| Variant | RAM | Storage | Price (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 8GB LPDDR4X | 128GB UFS 2.2 | ₹18,999 |
| Standard | 8GB LPDDR4X | 256GB UFS 2.2 | ₹20,499 |
| Premium | 12GB LPDDR4X | 256GB UFS 2.2 | ₹22,999 |
Memory management benefits from virtual RAM expansion technology, allowing allocation of up to 8GB additional RAM from storage when required.
While this feature doesn’t match dedicated physical memory in performance, it provides meaningful assistance during multitasking scenarios.
Storage utilizes UFS 2.2 technology, delivering satisfactory data transfer speeds though falling short of the UFS 3.1 standard found in some similarly priced competitors.
Thermal management implements a vapor chamber cooling system that maintains reasonable temperatures during extended usage periods.
While gaming sessions inevitably produce warmth, the system prevents throttling during typical usage scenarios, maintaining performance consistency during extended tasks.
Benchmark performance places the device comfortably in the mid-range segment, with AnTuTu scores hovering around 550,000 points and Geekbench 6 delivering single/multi-core scores of approximately 980/2350 respectively.
These numbers translate to smooth everyday performance with occasional frame drops only during the most demanding mobile gaming titles at maximum settings.
Camera System
The camera array represents one of Tecno’s most concerted efforts to elevate performance beyond mere specification listings. The system includes:
108MP primary sensor (Samsung ISOCELL HM6) with f/1.8 aperture
8MP ultrawide lens with 120° field of view
2MP macro shooter for close-up photography
32MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls
The primary sensor implements pixel-binning technology, combining multiple pixels to create 12MP images with enhanced light sensitivity in typical shooting scenarios.
The resulting daylight images exhibit good detail preservation and dynamic range, though processing occasionally favors punchy colors over absolute accuracy—a deliberate choice aligned with consumer preferences in target markets.
Low-light performance, while improved over previous Pova models, remains an area for development. The dedicated night mode requires approximately 2-3 seconds of exposure, delivering usable if not exceptional results.
Images display reasonable detail in moderate lighting but suffer from both noise and aggressive noise reduction in challenging conditions.
Video capabilities include 4K recording at 30fps from the main camera, with electronic stabilization providing adequate smoothness for casual recording.
The more practical 1080p/60fps mode delivers better stabilization and remains the recommended option for most users.
Specialized modes include document scanning, dual-view recording, and “film” templates with preset transitions and effects for social media content creation.
The camera application proves intuitive with meaningful AI scene recognition that adjusts parameters based on detected subjects.
While not competing with computational photography leaders, the system delivers respectable results that exceed expectations for its price category, particularly in well-lit environments.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery performance stands as a definitive strength, with the 5000mAh cell consistently delivering power for extended periods.
Typical usage patterns—including social media browsing, messaging, occasional photography, and moderate media consumption—reliably provide 1.5 to 2 days between charges.
More demanding scenarios involving location services, gaming, and video recording naturally accelerate power consumption, though even intensive use rarely exhausts the battery before day’s end.
The adaptive refresh rate technology intelligently adjusts between 60Hz and 120Hz based on content requirements, balancing visual fluidity with power conservation.
Charging capabilities include 68W wired fast charging support, delivering approximately 50% capacity in 19 minutes and full charge in slightly under 50 minutes.
While not class-leading, these figures represent practical convenience for everyday usage patterns. The device notably lacks wireless charging capabilities—an understandable omission given its price positioning.
Software Experience
The device ships with HiOS 13.5 based on Android 13, featuring Tecno’s distinctive visual language and functional additions.
The interface incorporates various customization options including theme support, flexible icon arrangement, and multiple navigation styles.
Productivity enhancements include a capable split-screen implementation, floating windows for multitasking, and an improved screen recording utility.
The software experience benefits from meaningful gaming optimizations including network priority allocation, notification suppression, and performance mode toggles.
Social media enhancements provide additional editing tools and sharing capabilities integrated directly into the gallery application.
Less appealing aspects include pre-installed applications that many users may find superfluous, though most can be uninstalled or disabled.
Occasional promotional notifications appear unless manually disabled through settings menus. Tecno commits to two major Android version updates and three years of security patches—reasonable if not exceptional longevity for this segment.
Connectivity and Audio
The device delivers comprehensive connectivity options including 5G support across 7 bands, ensuring compatibility with most global networks. Dual SIM functionality maintains simultaneous 5G connectivity on both lines where carrier support exists.
Additional wireless technologies include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC for contactless payments and device pairing.
Location services support GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou systems for accurate positioning across global regions.
The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack—increasingly rare even in mid-range devices—provides welcome flexibility for audio connections.
Speaker performance comes via a stereo configuration combining the earpiece and bottom-firing driver, delivering reasonable volume and clarity for casual media consumption.
While bass response remains predictably limited by physical constraints, the system provides satisfactory performance for video content and casual gaming. Audio enhancements include DTS processing with preset and customizable equalization options.
Key Advantages
Curved AMOLED Display: Premium visual experience uncommon at this price point
Extended Battery Life: Reliable multi-day endurance for typical usage patterns
Fast Charging: 68W capability provides practical recharge speeds
Capable Primary Camera: 108MP sensor delivers quality daylight photography
Performance Headroom: Sufficient processing power for mainstream gaming titles
Comprehensive Connectivity: Full 5G support with extensive band compatibility
Expandable Storage: MicroSD support allows cost-effective capacity increases
Cooling System: Vapor chamber design maintains consistent performance
Areas for Improvement
Software contains some pre-installed applications of questionable utility
Ultrawide and macro cameras deliver merely adequate performance
Low-light photography lags behind daytime image quality
Curved display occasionally registers accidental touches despite palm rejection
Update commitment, while reasonable, falls short of industry leaders
No official water resistance certification beyond basic splash protection
Charging, while fast, doesn’t match the very fastest systems in comparable devices
Plastic frame construction lacks the premium feel of metal alternatives
Conclusion
The Tecno Pova Curve 5G represents an increasingly confident approach from a brand steadily expanding beyond its entry-level origins.
By democratizing the curved display experience while delivering solid performance across core functionality areas, the device creates a compelling value proposition in its segment.
The thoughtful balance between visual appeal, processing capability, and battery endurance demonstrates growing maturity in product development.
While not without compromises—particularly in secondary camera performance and certain software aspects—the overall package delivers meaningful value, especially for consumers prioritizing display quality and battery longevity.
The device successfully challenges perceptions about which features belong exclusively to premium price brackets, continuing the ongoing democratization of smartphone technology.
For users seeking distinctive design elements and substantial everyday performance without flagship pricing, the Pova Curve 5G deserves serious consideration.
It exemplifies how competitive pressure continues to elevate consumer expectations across all price segments, ultimately benefiting end users through increasingly capable devices at accessible price points.
Though not revolutionary, the Pova Curve 5G represents another meaningful step in narrowing the experience gap between mid-range and premium smartphone categories.
Tecno Pova Curve 5G: Expert Verdict
The Tecno Pova Curve 5G earns recognition not for redefining performance standards but for successfully bringing previously premium features to more accessible price points.
It delivers a thoughtfully balanced experience that prioritizes visual appeal, battery endurance, and everyday performance—areas that impact user satisfaction most directly.
While camera performance and software refinement present opportunities for future development, the current implementation offers substantial value for price-conscious consumers seeking distinctive design elements without sacrificing core functionality.