Tecno Spark 9T Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Tecno Spark 9T is a budget smartphone that was released in July 2022. It is the latest addition to Tecno's Spark series and comes with several impressive features. The phone boasts a large 6.6-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a powerful octa-core processor, and a triple rear camera setup. Additionally, the Spark 9T is equipped with a massive 5000mAh battery that promises to provide an extended battery life.

Design and Build Quality

The Tecno Spark 9T boasts a sleek design, with a modern and minimalist look that exudes sophistication. The phone measures 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.7 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.34 in), making it comfortable to hold and easy to carry around. The device is available in four colors - Quantum Black, Burano Blue, Particle Silver, and Vitality Green - giving users a variety of options to choose from.

The phone's build quality is impressive, with a durable and sturdy construction that inspires confidence. The body is made of high-quality materials that feel premium to the touch. The phone's frame is made of plastic, while the front and back are made of glass, giving it a premium look and feel.

The Tecno Spark 9T has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner that is easily accessible and works quickly and efficiently. The phone's buttons are well-positioned and have a good tactile feel. The device also features a USB Type-C 2.0 port and a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it easy to charge and listen to music on the go.

Overall, the Tecno Spark 9T's design and build quality are top-notch, making it a device that is not only functional but also stylish and well-built. The phone's sleek design and high-quality construction make it a device that users will be proud to carry around and show off.

Display

When it comes to the display, the Tecno Spark 9T doesn't disappoint. It boasts a 6.6-inch IPS LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth and immersive experience. The screen has a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels, which may not be the highest available, but is more than sufficient for everyday use.

The colors on the Tecno Spark 9T's display are vibrant and accurate, and the screen is bright enough to be visible in most lighting conditions. The touch sensitivity is also top-notch and responsive, making it easy to navigate through the phone's interface.

The only downside to the display is its low pixel density of 266 ppi, which may not satisfy pixel-peepers looking for the sharpest images. However, for the average user, the display is perfectly acceptable and offers a great viewing experience.

Overall, the Tecno Spark 9T's display is a solid performer, offering excellent color reproduction, a smooth refresh rate, and a decent resolution. It's definitely a great option for those looking for a budget phone with a quality display.

Performance

The Tecno Spark 9T is powered by a Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm) chipset, which is an octa-core processor with four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz. This processor offers decent performance for day-to-day usage and can handle most tasks with ease.

The phone comes with two RAM and storage options, namely 64GB 4GB RAM and 128GB 4GB RAM. The RAM and storage options are sufficient for most users, and the phone can handle multitasking and app performance well.

The Tecno Spark 9T's gaming capabilities are good, and it can handle most games without any issues. However, high-end games like PUBG and Call of Duty might experience some lag or frame drops.

In terms of benchmark scores, the Tecno Spark 9T scored 165,103 on AnTuTu, which is a decent score for a phone in its price range. In real-world usage, the phone performs well and can handle most tasks with ease.

Overall, the Tecno Spark 9T offers decent performance for its price range and is suitable for most users who do not require high-end performance. However, if you are a heavy user or a gamer, you might want to consider a more powerful phone.

Software and User Interface

V. Software and User Interface

The Tecno Spark 9T runs on the latest Android 12 operating system with the company's proprietary HiOS 8.6 interface, making for a smooth and user-friendly experience. The phone comes with a host of customization options, including themes, fonts, and wallpapers, allowing users to personalize their device to their liking.

Despite being a budget device, the Tecno Spark 9T doesn't skimp on pre-installed apps, with a decent selection of popular apps such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Twitter. However, some users may find the presence of bloatware to be a nuisance.

The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it a great choice for those who prefer a simple user experience. The phone also comes with a range of features such as gesture controls, one-handed mode, and a dark mode option, which enhances the user experience.

In terms of software support, Tecno promises to provide regular security updates and software upgrades, ensuring that the device stays up-to-date and secure.

Overall, the Tecno Spark 9T's software and user interface are impressive, offering a smooth and customizable experience that is perfect for budget-conscious users who want a no-fuss user experience. However, the presence of bloatware may be a turn-off for some.

Camera

VI. Camera

The Tecno Spark 9T boasts a triple camera setup at the rear, featuring a 13-megapixel main camera, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a QVGA camera. On the front, there's a 32-megapixel selfie camera that promises to capture clear and detailed shots.

In daylight conditions, the rear camera captures images with good color accuracy and detail. The dynamic range is adequate, however, the contrast tends to be a bit low. The 2-megapixel depth sensor works well in creating a natural-looking bokeh effect for portrait shots. The QVGA camera, on the other hand, is used for taking macro shots and it does a decent job in capturing close-up details.

In low light conditions, the rear camera struggles to capture sharp and detailed images. The noise levels are high, and the images appear grainy. The front-facing camera does a better job in low light, thanks to its dual-LED flash, which helps in illuminating the subject.

The camera app is user-friendly and easy to navigate. It includes features such as AI scene detection, which identifies the type of scene being captured and adjusts the camera settings accordingly. There is also a beauty mode, which enhances the skin tone and smoothens out blemishes for a more flattering look.

For video recording, the Tecno Spark 9T can capture up to 1080p videos at 30 frames per second. The video quality is decent, however, the lack of image stabilization can result in shaky footage.

Overall, the Tecno Spark 9T's camera setup is suitable for casual photography and social media use. While it may not compete with high-end camera phones, it offers good value for its price range.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Tecno Spark 9T comes with a range of connectivity and networking options, making it a versatile device for staying connected on-the-go.

Firstly, the device supports a variety of cellular network compatibility, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE. This means that users can enjoy fast and reliable internet speeds, no matter where they are located.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Spark 9T offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, allowing for seamless connectivity to wireless networks and peripherals. However, it does not support NFC or wireless payment support, which may be a drawback for some consumers.

The device also includes GPS and navigation accuracy features, which are essential for those who rely on their smartphones for directions and location-based services. Additionally, the Spark 9T offers sensor availability, including a fingerprint scanner, which provides an added layer of security for users.

One downside is that the device does not offer water and dust resistance, which may be a concern for those who frequently use their phones in outdoor or rugged environments.

Overall, the connectivity and networking options on the Tecno Spark 9T are sufficient for everyday use, but may not be suitable for those who require more advanced features such as wireless charging or NFC support.

Additional Features

The Tecno Spark 9T smartphone comes with a host of additional features that enhance the overall user experience. These features include water and dust resistance, expandable storage options, audio quality, speaker performance and other unique innovations.

Firstly, the phone has an IP52 rating, which means it is protected against limited dust ingress and water spray from any direction. This feature ensures that the phone is protected against accidental spills and splashes, making it more durable and reliable.

Secondly, the phone comes with a microSDXC card slot, which allows users to expand the storage capacity of the device up to 256GB. This feature is especially useful for users who require more storage space for their photos, videos, and other media files.

Thirdly, the phone has impressive audio quality and a headphone jack, which provides a better audio experience for users who enjoy listening to music or watching videos on their smartphones. The speaker performance is also noteworthy, delivering clear and crisp audio even at high volumes.

Finally, the phone has other unique innovations such as a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, which allows users to unlock the device with ease and speed. The phone also supports OTG (On-The-Go) connectivity, which allows users to connect external devices such as flash drives and keyboards to the device.

Overall, the Tecno Spark 9T's additional features add to its value proposition, making it a reliable and feature-rich smartphone for its price range.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Tecno Spark 9T to other related phones in the market, it's essential to consider its price point and features. One device that stands out as a competitor is the Redmi 10 Prime. Both devices have a 6.6-inch display, 5000mAh battery, and similar camera specs. However, the Redmi 10 Prime has a slightly better processor with a MediaTek Helio G88, compared to the Tecno Spark 9T's MediaTek Helio G37.

Another phone that's worth mentioning is the Samsung Galaxy A12. While the A12 has a larger 6.5-inch display, it has a lower resolution and a less powerful MediaTek Helio P35 processor. However, it has a more significant RAM option with 6GB compared to Tecno Spark 9T's 4GB.

Another phone that can be compared to the Tecno Spark 9T is the Infinix Hot 11S. Both devices have a 5000mAh battery and a MediaTek Helio G88 processor. However, the Infinix Hot 11S has a slightly larger 6.8-inch display and a higher resolution. It also has a higher 50W fast charging capability compared to Tecno Spark 9T's 10W wired charging.

Overall, while the Tecno Spark 9T is not the most powerful device in the market, it offers great value for its price point and a unique selfie camera setup. It's a great option for users who prioritize battery life and camera capabilities over raw performance.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Tecno Spark 9T is a smartphone that offers a lot of value for its price. It boasts a large and vibrant display, a long-lasting battery, and a reliable performance that can handle most daily tasks. Additionally, the camera system is impressive, particularly the front-facing camera which is perfect for selfies and video calls.

However, the phone is not without its flaws. The low resolution of the display and lack of fast charging technology may be a deal-breaker for some users. Additionally, the absence of NFC and water resistance may not be ideal for those who rely heavily on their phones for mobile payments or outdoor activities.

Overall, the Tecno Spark 9T is a solid choice for budget-conscious users who are looking for a reliable and feature-rich smartphone. Its combination of impressive specifications, sleek design, and affordable price tag make it a strong contender in the crowded smartphone market. If you're looking for a budget-friendly phone that can handle most tasks with ease, the Tecno Spark 9T is definitely worth considering.