Budget phones are tricky. Manufacturers make big promises about features and performance, but when you actually use the phone daily, reality can be disappointing. The Tecno Pop 9 is one of those ultra budget phones that’s everywhere in Nigeria right now. You see it at every phone shop, online stores are pushing it, and the price looks tempting.
But should you actually buy it?
I’ve spent two weeks using the Tecno Pop 9 4G as my daily phone. Not as a backup device, but as my main phone for everything. WhatsApp, social media, calls, photos, mobile banking, all the things we actually do with our phones in Nigeria.
Here’s the honest truth about what this phone can and cannot do.
First, Know Which Version You’re Buying
Before we go further, there’s something important you need to understand. Tecno released two different Pop 9 models, and they’re quite different from each other.
The Pop 9 5G has a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, 48MP camera, and 120Hz display. It launched in September 2024 and costs more.
The Pop 9 4G has a Unisoc T615 processor, 13MP camera, and costs around 105,000 to 122,000 naira. This is the version most Nigerians are buying because it’s cheaper.
This review focuses on the 4G version since that’s what most people will encounter in stores. If you’re considering the 5G version, some of this applies, but the camera and processor performance will be better on that model.
The Price Makes Sense For Entry Level
The Tecno Pop 9 4G costs around 105,000 to 122,000 naira depending on where you buy it. Some stores sell it for as low as 100,000 naira during promotions.
At this price point, you’re firmly in ultra budget territory. This is a phone for people who need something that works but truly cannot afford to spend more. Students, first time smartphone buyers, people buying backup phones, that’s the target market.
Your expectations need to match the price. This is not a phone that will impress you. It’s a phone that will do basic tasks without completely frustrating you, if you’re lucky.
The Display Is Bigger Than Expected
The phone has a 6.67 inch IPS LCD display with 720 x 1600 pixel resolution. The screen is genuinely large, which is nice for watching videos or reading.
Here’s where it gets confusing. The international version has a 120Hz refresh rate, while the Indian version has 90Hz. In Nigeria, you might get either version depending on where the phone was imported from. Check with the seller which refresh rate your unit has.
If you get the 120Hz version, scrolling feels smoother than you’d expect at this price. If you get 90Hz, it’s still better than the standard 60Hz most cheap phones have.
The 720p resolution is not full HD. On a screen this large, you can notice it’s not super sharp if you look closely. Text has slightly visible pixels. Images aren’t as crisp as more expensive phones. But for everyday use, it’s acceptable.
Brightness is just okay. Outdoors in direct Lagos sun, you’ll struggle to see the screen clearly. Indoor use is fine. Colors are decent for an IPS LCD panel, nothing special but not terrible either.
Performance Is The Biggest Compromise
The phone uses either a Unisoc T615 processor internationally or MediaTek Helio G50 in India, with 3GB or 4GB of RAM. Nigerian units typically have the Unisoc T615.
Let me be very direct. This phone is slow. Not unusably slow, but noticeably slow compared to anything in the 150,000 naira and above range.
Apps take a few seconds to open. WhatsApp works fine once it’s open, but switching between apps causes brief delays. Scrolling through Instagram or Twitter sometimes stutters. Taking a photo and then viewing it has a small lag.
For very basic use, calls, texts, light WhatsApp, casual browsing, the phone manages. But if you’re used to a faster phone, this will feel sluggish.
The phone runs Android 14 Go Edition, which is a lightweight version of Android designed for low resource devices. This helps performance somewhat. Go Edition removes some features and optimizes for cheaper hardware.
The 3GB RAM version struggles more than the 4GB version. If you can, get the 4GB variant. The extra gigabyte makes a real difference in how many apps you can keep open without the phone slowing down further.
Gaming is possible but limited. Very light games like Candy Crush or Temple Run work acceptably. Anything more demanding like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty will either not run or will run with terrible frame rates and lag. This is not a gaming phone.
The Camera Is Functional But Basic
The rear camera is 13MP with dual LED flash, and the front camera is 8MP, also with dual LED flash. Having flash on both cameras is actually nice at this price point.
In good daylight, outdoor photos are usable. Not impressive, but usable for social media. Colors are oversaturated, which some people actually like because photos look more vibrant than reality.
Sharpness is mediocre. When you zoom into photos, detail falls apart quickly. But at normal social media viewing size, most people won’t notice.
Indoor photos and low light photos are where this camera really struggles. Images come out noisy, dark, or blurry. The dual LED flash helps for close up shots but creates harsh lighting that looks unnatural.
Portrait mode exists but barely works. Background blur is inconsistent and often blurs the wrong things. Use it carefully or just avoid it.
The 8MP front camera is better than expected. Selfies in good light come out decent. The dual flash on the front is genuinely helpful for low light selfies, which is thoughtful at this price.
Video recording is 1080p at 30fps. Video quality is basic. Acceptable for capturing memories but nothing you’d want to watch repeatedly. Stabilization is minimal, so videos can be shaky if your hands aren’t steady.
If camera quality matters to you, save more money. This camera is functional but nothing more.
Battery Life Is Genuinely Good
The phone has a 5000mAh battery with 15W charging. This is one area where the Pop 9 actually delivers well.
With light to moderate use, I consistently got a full day with 20 to 30 percent battery remaining. Some days with very light use, I made it to the evening of the second day before needing to charge.
The slower processor and 720p display actually help here. They consume less power than faster chips and higher resolution screens. So while performance suffers, battery life benefits.
15W charging is not fast by modern standards. The phone takes roughly two hours to charge from empty to full. From 0 to 50 percent takes about an hour. It’s slower than I’d like but acceptable.
The charger comes in the box, which is good because you’re not spending extra money on accessories.
For people who worry about their phone dying during the day or who don’t always have access to charging, this battery life is a real advantage.
Build Quality Is Plasticky
The phone has a glass front with plastic back and plastic frame, weighs 189 grams, and has IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance.
It feels like a cheap phone when you hold it. The plastic back is lightweight but doesn’t feel premium at all. It’s the kind of plastic that feels hollow when you tap it.
The good news is the IP54 rating means it can handle dust and splashes. Not full water submersion, but accidental spills or light rain won’t immediately kill it. This durability is appreciated.
At 189 grams, the weight is reasonable. Not too heavy, not too light. The size is large due to the 6.67 inch screen, so people with small hands might find it awkward to use one handed.
The side mounted fingerprint sensor works reasonably well. It’s not the fastest but it’s reliable enough. Face unlock is also available and works in good lighting.
The phone comes in Startrail Black and Glittery White colors. Both look okay but nothing special.
You’ll want to buy a case immediately. The plastic body will scratch easily and doesn’t inspire confidence that it will survive drops well.
Storage and Expandability
The phone comes with either 64GB or 128GB storage options, expandable via microSD card up to 1TB.
Get the 128GB version if possible. 64GB fills up quickly once you install apps, take photos, and download some videos. You’ll be constantly managing storage.
The microSD card slot is useful for expanding storage cheaply. You can buy a 128GB or 256GB card for reasonable money and store photos, videos, and music there.
The storage type is eMMC, which is slower than the UFS storage found in more expensive phones. You’ll notice this when installing large apps or transferring many files. It’s not terrible but it’s not fast either.
Connectivity and Extras
The phone supports 4G LTE, has WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, USB Type-C charging port, and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack.
No 5G, but that’s expected at this price and 5G coverage in Nigeria is still limited anyway.
The 4G works fine. I tested with MTN and Glo, both connected without issues. Call quality is acceptable. Data speeds depend on your network.
There’s an infrared blaster, which lets you use the phone as a TV remote. This is a nice bonus feature that some people will find useful.
The phone has dual stereo speakers. They’re not high quality, but having two speakers instead of one makes media consumption slightly better. Videos and music sound fuller.
The 3.5mm headphone jack is becoming rare, so if you still use wired headphones, you’ll appreciate having this.
Software Has Too Much Bloatware
The phone runs Android 14 Go Edition with HiOS 14. Go Edition is optimized for cheaper hardware, which helps performance.
The problem is HiOS comes with too many pre-installed apps. Tecno includes their own apps for various functions, plus promotional apps you didn’t ask for. Some can be uninstalled, others just disabled, and some you’re stuck with.
The interface is colorful but cluttered. There are animations and effects everywhere. Some people like this style, others find it overwhelming.
Notifications can be aggressive. Apps send suggestions and promotions frequently. You’ll spend time in settings turning off notifications you don’t want.
The positive side is there are some useful features. Split screen multitasking works. There are customization options for themes and icons. Features like AI call noise reduction are included, which is nice.
Software updates will be minimal. Tecno’s track record on updates is poor. You might get one security update, maybe two if you’re lucky. Don’t expect Android 15 or long term support.
Who Should Actually Buy This Phone
The Tecno Pop 9 4G makes sense for very specific people in specific situations.
If your absolute maximum budget is 110,000 to 120,000 naira and you cannot spend more, this phone will work for basic needs. It’s functional enough for communication and light use.
If you’re buying a first smartphone for someone, like an elderly parent or young teenager who just needs something basic, this phone does the essentials without complicated features.
If you need a backup phone or secondary device for occasional use, the Pop 9 is cheap enough that you’re not wasting significant money on something you rarely use.
If battery life is your main priority and you don’t care much about performance or camera quality, the 5000mAh battery is a genuine strength.
If you’re replacing a very old phone from five years ago or more, the Pop 9 will feel like an upgrade. The larger screen, better battery, and modern Android will be improvements.
Who Should Absolutely Skip This Phone
If you use your phone heavily for social media, you’ll be frustrated by the slow performance. Scrolling and app switching lag will annoy you.
If you take photos frequently or care about photo quality, the camera will disappoint you. Save money for something better.
If you play mobile games, even light games, find a phone with better processor. This won’t give you a good gaming experience.
If you can stretch your budget to 150,000 to 170,000 naira, you can get significantly better phones. The performance and camera jump at that price level is worth the extra money.
If you’re expecting a smooth, fast smartphone experience, you’ll be disappointed. This is a slow phone even when new.
Better Alternatives If You Can Afford Them
If you’re considering the Pop 9 but can possibly spend more, look at these alternatives.
Infinix Smart 8 or Smart 9 series often offer better value at similar prices. Check current pricing and compare.
Xiaomi Redmi phones in the 120,000 to 150,000 naira range typically have better processors and cameras for not much more money.
Samsung Galaxy A series phones, even the cheapest ones, offer better long term software support and generally more reliable performance.
If you can wait and save another 30,000 to 40,000 naira, phones in the 150,000 to 160,000 naira range are significantly better in every way.
What i think about Tecno POP 9
The Tecno Pop 9 4G is an ultra budget phone that does exactly what you’d expect from an ultra budget phone. It works for basic tasks but makes compromises everywhere.
The battery life is genuinely good. The large screen is nice for media. The IP54 rating adds some durability. These are real positives.
But the performance is slow. The camera is mediocre. The build quality is cheap. The software has bloatware. These are real negatives.
At 105,000 to 122,000 naira, you’re getting what you pay for. Not more, not less. It’s a functional device for people who truly cannot afford anything better.
If this is your absolute budget limit, the Pop 9 will serve you adequately for basic smartphone needs. You won’t love it, but you probably won’t hate it either.
If you can possibly save more money and buy something in the 140,000 to 160,000 naira range, do that instead. The quality jump is significant and worth the wait.
This is a phone for people with very limited options. If you have options, choose something better.
