Tecno just released the Spark 40, and if you’re in the market for a budget phone, you’ve probably seen it everywhere. Slot, Jumia, your local phone dealer, they’re all pushing it hard. The ads make it look amazing. The price seems reasonable. But should you actually buy it?
I’ve been using the Tecno Spark 40 as my daily driver for two weeks. Not as a backup phone or occasional device, but as my main phone for everything. Calls, social media, photos, videos, mobile banking, the full Nigerian phone experience.
Here’s what you actually need to know before spending your money.
The Price Is Reasonable For What You Get
The Tecno Spark 40 costs around 142,000 to 152,000 naira depending on where you buy it. For that price, you’re getting a phone that handles basic tasks reasonably well.
It’s not going to blow your mind. But it’s also not going to frustrate you every time you try to use it, which is more than I can say for some phones in this price range.
Tecno has always understood the Nigerian market. They know most people can’t afford flagship phones and need something that works without breaking the bank. The Spark 40 fits that position.
You could spend 30,000 naira less and get a worse phone. You could spend 50,000 naira more and get something noticeably better. This phone sits in that middle ground where it’s good enough for the money.
The Display Is Actually Impressive
The Spark 40 has a 6.67 inch display with 120Hz refresh rate. This is a standout feature at this price point. The screen is large and scrolling feels genuinely smooth.
Watching YouTube videos is a pleasant experience. The colors are vibrant enough. The brightness gets high enough to use outdoors in Lagos sun, though you’ll still squint a bit on very bright days.
The 120Hz refresh rate surprised me. This is something you usually find on more expensive phones. Scrolling through Twitter, Instagram, or just navigating your phone feels smoother than 60Hz or 90Hz displays. Once you use 120Hz, going back feels choppy.
The resolution is 720p HD+, not full HD 1080p. On a phone this size, most people won’t notice unless they’re specifically looking for it. Text is clear enough. Images look fine for social media. It’s not premium, but it’s acceptable.
One complaint is the chin at the bottom of the screen is quite noticeable. It’s that thick black bar below the display. Not a deal breaker, but it makes the phone look cheaper than it could.
Performance Is Fine For Everyday Use
The Spark 40 runs on a MediaTek Helio G81 processor with either 8GB or 16GB RAM depending on which variant you buy. The RAM includes extended virtual RAM, so the 8GB variant has 4GB physical RAM plus 4GB extended, while the 16GB variant has 8GB physical plus 8GB extended.
For basic tasks like WhatsApp, calls, browsing, and social media, the phone handles everything smoothly. Apps open reasonably fast. Switching between apps doesn’t cause major lag. You can use your phone normally without frustration.
Where it struggles is heavy multitasking and demanding apps. If you have many apps open and try to switch between them quickly, you’ll notice slowdowns. Gaming is possible but don’t expect smooth performance on graphics heavy games like Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact.
Light games like Candy Crush, Subway Surfers, or casual games work fine. But if you’re a serious mobile gamer, this isn’t the phone for you.
Video editing is also not this phone’s strength. You can do basic edits with apps like CapCut, but rendering takes longer than you’d like and the phone gets warm during intensive tasks.
For the average Nigerian using their phone for communication, social media, and light entertainment, the performance is adequate. Just manage your expectations.
The Camera Situation Is Mixed
Tecno advertises a 50MP main camera with dual LED flash. The front camera is 8MP with dual flash as well.
In good lighting, during the day outdoors, the camera takes decent photos. Colors are a bit oversaturated, which some people actually prefer because photos look more vibrant. Detail is acceptable for social media posting.
The problem is low light. Indoor photos or evening shots often come out soft and noisy. The phone tries to brighten everything up but ends up with photos that lack sharpness. If you take a lot of photos at parties or indoor gatherings, prepare to be disappointed.
The portrait mode is hit or miss. Sometimes it blurs the background nicely and makes your subject stand out. Other times it blurs parts of your subject or leaves obvious halos around edges. It’s inconsistent.
The front camera does a better job than I expected. Selfies come out clear in good light. Video calls on WhatsApp or Zoom look fine. The dual flash on the front is helpful for low light selfies, which is a nice touch.
Video recording capabilities are basic. Videos are stable enough for casual recording but nothing special. Don’t expect professional quality.
Bottom line on cameras, they’re okay for social media and casual photography. If camera quality is your top priority, save more money and buy something better.
Battery Life Is a Strong Point
The Spark 40 has a 5200mAh battery, and it actually lives up to expectations. This is one area where the phone genuinely delivers.
With moderate use, calls, WhatsApp, some social media browsing, occasional YouTube, I consistently got a full day with 30 to 40 percent battery remaining. Even with the 120Hz display enabled, the battery holds up well. Heavy users might need to charge by evening, but most people will make it through the day comfortably.
Standby time is excellent. If you’re not using your phone heavily, it can last almost two days on a single charge. For people who travel or deal with irregular power supply, this battery reliability is valuable.
The phone comes with 45W fast charging. This is impressive at this price point. It charges the phone from 0 to 100 percent in about 55 minutes. From 0 to 70 percent takes roughly 30 minutes, which is excellent for quick top ups when you’re in a hurry.
No wireless charging, but that’s expected at this price. You get a charger in the box, which is becoming rare these days, so that’s appreciated.
The Software Experience Has Ups and Downs
The Spark 40 runs HiOS 15.1 based on Android 15. This is the latest Android version, which is good to see on a budget phone.
HiOS comes with pre-installed apps. Some are useful, many are not. You can uninstall or disable most of them, but it takes time and effort. Why Tecno includes so much bloatware is frustrating when storage space matters.
The interface is colorful and somewhat cluttered. Everything has animations and effects. Some people like this visual style, others find it overwhelming. It’s very much a personal preference thing.
Notifications can be aggressive. Apps keep sending you promotional messages and suggestions. You’ll spend some time in settings turning off notifications you don’t want. It’s annoying but manageable.
The positive side is that HiOS has some genuinely useful features. The split screen multitasking works well. Various customization options let you adjust the phone to your liking. There’s also AI features like Ask Ella for assistance, though their usefulness varies.
Software updates are where Tecno traditionally struggles. Don’t expect many Android updates or frequent security patches. You’ll probably get one major update if you’re lucky, then that’s it. For budget phones, this is unfortunately normal, but Tecno claims four years of lasting fluency, so we’ll see.
Build Quality Is What You’d Expect
The phone has a plastic frame and plastic back with a glass front. This keeps weight down at 188 grams, but doesn’t feel premium. It’s not cheap feeling, just clearly a budget device when you hold it.
The phone is rated IP64, which means it’s resistant to dust and water splashes. It also has drop protection up to 1.5 meters according to Tecno. These durability features are appreciated at this price point.
The back has a finish that looks nice but attracts fingerprints. You’ll be wiping it constantly or just accepting that it always looks smudged.
The fingerprint sensor is side mounted on the power button. It works quickly and reliably. Face unlock is also available and works well in good lighting, though it struggles in dim conditions.
The phone has dual speakers, which is nice for media consumption. The sound quality is decent for a budget phone. There’s also an infrared remote control blaster, which lets you control TVs and other devices.
No headphone jack on this model, which might disappoint some people. The phone comes in four colors: Ink Black, Titanium Grey, Veil White, and Mirage Blue.
Storage Options and Performance
The phone comes in different storage configurations: 128GB with 8GB RAM (4GB+4GB extended) or 256GB with either 8GB or 16GB RAM variants. The base 128GB storage is adequate for most users.
The storage is expandable via microSD card. If you run out of space, you can add extra storage. This flexibility is valuable and not always available on modern phones.
Tecno uses something called Memory Fusion or Extended RAM that borrows storage space to act as additional RAM. It’s a software trick that helps a bit with performance but doesn’t replace actual physical RAM.
The storage type is eMMC, which is slower than UFS found on more expensive phones. You’ll notice this when installing large apps or transferring files, but for everyday use it’s acceptable.
Network and Connectivity Work Fine
The phone supports 4G LTE on all Nigerian networks. I tested with MTN and Glo, both worked without issues. Call quality is clear. Data speeds are as good as your network provides.
There’s also a feature called FreeLink that helps you stay connected even when traditional networks are weak. This could be useful in areas with poor coverage.
WiFi connectivity is stable with dual band support. Bluetooth 5.3 works for connecting headphones and other devices. GPS is accurate enough for Google Maps navigation, though it takes a few seconds to lock onto your location when you first open the app.
NFC support is available on some variants depending on the market. This allows for contactless payments if your bank supports it.
No 5G support, but that’s expected at this price and 5G isn’t widely available in Nigeria yet anyway.
Who Should Buy This Phone
The Tecno Spark 40 makes sense for specific people in specific situations.
If you need a reliable phone for basic tasks and can’t spend more than 150,000 naira, this is a solid choice. It handles communication, social media, and everyday apps without major problems.
If battery life and fast charging are your priorities, this phone delivers. The 5200mAh battery combined with 45W charging means you’re not constantly worrying about power.
If you want a smooth display experience at a budget price, the 120Hz screen is genuinely impressive for this price range.
If you’re buying a phone for a student, an elderly parent, or someone who just needs something functional without complications, the Spark 40 works well. It’s not exciting but it’s dependable.
If you’re upgrading from a very old phone, the Spark 40 will feel like a significant improvement. The larger screen, better battery, and smoother performance compared to phones from five years ago are noticeable.
Who Should Skip This Phone
If you care deeply about camera quality, look elsewhere. The cameras are acceptable but not impressive. Save more money and get something with better imaging.
If you’re a mobile gamer, this phone will frustrate you. The Helio G81 processor handles casual games but struggles with demanding titles. Gaming focused phones exist at higher price points.
If you need full HD resolution, the 720p display might bother you. Though honestly, most people won’t notice the difference at this screen size.
If you want guaranteed long term software support, Tecno probably won’t satisfy you. Their update track record is weak.
If you have the budget for something better, spend the extra money. Phones in the 180,000 to 220,000 naira range offer noticeably better performance, cameras, and build quality.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re considering the Spark 40, you should also look at these alternatives in similar price ranges.
Infinix Note 40 offers similar specs but sometimes better camera performance. Pricing is comparable and availability is good in Nigeria.
Samsung Galaxy A15 costs a bit more but offers better brand reputation, longer software support, and generally more reliable performance.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 is worth checking if you can find it at a good price. Usually offers better value for money with superior specs.
Itel S25 Ultra is a direct competitor with similar features and might be slightly cheaper.
The Honest Bottom Line
The Tecno Spark 40 is a decent budget phone that does basic tasks well enough. It’s not exciting, not impressive, but also not disappointing if you know what you’re buying.
The battery life is genuinely good. The 120Hz display is a standout feature at this price. The 45W fast charging is excellent. Performance handles everyday tasks adequately. The price is fair for what you get.
The cameras are just okay. The 720p resolution might bother some people. The software has bloatware. Updates will be minimal. Storage is slower eMMC rather than UFS.
For someone who needs a functional smartphone with good battery life and smooth scrolling, and can’t spend more money, the Spark 40 delivers reasonable value. You’re not getting ripped off. You’re also not getting amazing quality.
It’s the phone equivalent of a reliable danfo bus. Not comfortable or exciting, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
If that’s what you need, go ahead and buy it. Just manage your expectations and understand you’re getting a budget device with budget compromises.
If you can stretch your budget higher, you’ll get better quality. But if you can’t, the Spark 40 won’t leave you feeling like you wasted your money.
That’s the most honest assessment I can give you.