This is the brand-new Tecno Pova 8, which adopts a design-first approach in the lower midrange segment. Let's begin by exploring what’s included in the box.
The Pova 8 comes with a clear silicone case, a 45W charger, and a USB-C cable.
Now that we've covered the unboxing details, let’s dive into one of the phone’s standout features – the Alive Matrix Display. This small LED status display is uniquely designed within its own cutout in the triangular camera island.
Comprising 104 individual LEDs, it can quickly notify you of incoming alerts. However, its capabilities do not stop there; similar to the Nothing Phone (3) and Phone (4a) Pro, it exhibits various animations in a playful dot matrix style.
Tecno has developed 49 unique scenarios for the Alive Matrix, covering calls, notifications, music, gaming, and charging. Impressively, users can also customize their own sequences through the settings.
Pova 8's Alive Matrix Display in action
While discussing the back, it’s worth mentioning the camera system. The Pova 8 features a single 50MP main lens equipped with a 1/1.95-inch Sony Lytia 600 sensor.
Our Arc White unit has an appealing aesthetic, showcasing translucent elements reminiscent of the Nothing Phone series.
Under the back panel lies an impressive 8,000 mAh battery. Tecno claims this can provide up to two days of usage, including over 29 hours of video streaming. Despite the large battery, the phone feels light in hand.
Now, let’s take a look at the front. It boasts a 6.76-inch IPS LCD with FHD+ resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The device operates on Tecno’s HIOS 16 UI, which is based on Android 16, offering a more minimalist look compared to previous models. Tecno has pledged two major Android OS updates and three years of security patches.
HIOS 16 on the Pova 8
The device is powered by a Dimensity 7100 chipset along with Tecno’s G1 signal enhancement and SE1 Wi-Fi chips. The Pova 8 can be configured with up to 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage.
In summary, the Pova 8 is an eye-catching midrange device that offers solid specifications, starting at an attractive price of INR 29,999 ($313/€272 converted) in India.
