Tecno Pop 9 4G Review: Features, Price, and Performance
Network Technology:
- GSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch:
- Announced: November 22, 2024
- Status: Available (Released November 26, 2024)
Body:
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Weight: Not specified
- Build: Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
- SIM: Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
- IP Rating: IP54 (dust and splash resistant)
Display:
- Type: IPS LCD, 90Hz (India), 120Hz (International)
- Size: 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm²
- Resolution: 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~263 ppi density)
Platform:
- OS: Android 14 (Go edition)
- Chipset:
- International: Unisoc T615 (12 nm)
- India: Mediatek Helio G50
- CPU:
- International: Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)
- India: Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53
- GPU:
- International: Mali-G57 MP1
- India: PowerVR GE8320
Memory:
- Card Slot: microSDXC
- Internal Storage:
- 64GB 3GB RAM
- 64GB 4GB RAM
- 128GB 3GB RAM
- 128GB 4GB RAM
- Storage Type: eMMC 5.1
Main Camera:
- Single: 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF
- Features: Dual-LED flash, HDR
- Video: 1080p@30fps
Selfie Camera:
- Single: 8 MP
- Features: Dual-LED flash
- Video: Yes
Sound:
- Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers
- 3.5mm Jack: Yes
Comms:
- WLAN: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Positioning: GPS
- NFC: No
- Infrared Port: Yes
- Radio: FM radio
- USB: USB Type-C
Features:
- Sensors: Fingerprint (side-mounted), unspecified sensors
Battery:
- Type: 5000 mAh
- Charging: 15W wired
Miscellaneous:
- Colors: Glittery White, Lime Green, Startrail Black
- Price: ₹6,499
The Tecno Pop 9 4G is an affordable, feature-packed smartphone for budget-conscious users looking for reliable performance, a great camera, and solid battery life. Part of Tecno's Pop series, the Pop 9 4G is aimed at entry-level smartphone users, offering a sleek design and basic features at an affordable price. Let's take a closer look at the features of the Tecno Pop 9 4G.
Design and Finish :
Design and Finish :
The Tecno Pop 9 4G features a simple yet modern design, with a plastic body that makes it a lightweight and easy-to-handle phone. The device feels solid in the hand, but as with most budget phones, the choice of material may not convey the same premium feel as higher-end models. The back has a glossy finish which gives the phone a clean and attractive look, though it is prone to fingerprints.
The device comes in a variety of colors and offers users several personalization options. The dual rear cameras are arranged vertically at the top left corner with an LED flash placed just below it. Tecno branding is placed at the bottom at the back, creating a minimalist aesthetic.
On the front, the Tecno Pop 9 4G features a large display with minimal bezels, providing an immersive experience when watching videos and browsing. The front camera is housed in a small notch at the top of the display, a common design feature on budget smartphones these days.
Screen :
The device comes in a variety of colors and offers users several personalization options. The dual rear cameras are arranged vertically at the top left corner with an LED flash placed just below it. Tecno branding is placed at the bottom at the back, creating a minimalist aesthetic.
On the front, the Tecno Pop 9 4G features a large display with minimal bezels, providing an immersive experience when watching videos and browsing. The front camera is housed in a small notch at the top of the display, a common design feature on budget smartphones these days.
Screen :
The Tecno Pop 9 4G features a 6.6-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 1612 x 720 pixels. While the resolution isn't as high as some premium phones, it's more than enough for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and watching media. There's plenty of space to view your content on the large screen, and the 20:9 aspect ratio means you can enjoy videos and games for a wide, immersive viewing experience.
Colors are very vibrant, but due to the HD+ resolution, they may not be as sharp as more expensive smartphones. However, the display has decent brightness and color reproduction for the price, which is a plus for occasional media users. The brightness is adequate for indoor use, but direct sunlight can cause issues.
Performance :
Under the hood of the Tecno Pop 9 4G is a UNISOC T606 octa-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage. The UNISOC T606 chipset is an entry-level processor that handles everyday tasks like web browsing, social media, and light multitasking pretty smoothly. This is not a powerful machine, so you may experience lags or poor performance when performing more demanding tasks like heavy games or intensive apps. For users who need extra storage, the 32GB internal storage can be expanded with a microSD card slot. This is a great option for users who want to store a lot of photos, videos, and apps. The 2GB RAM is very basic but should be enough for light use. However, you may experience occasional app reloads if you have multiple apps running at the same time.
Overall, the Tecno Pop 9 4G is good for basic tasks, but users looking for a smartphone with strong performance for gaming and intensive multitasking may want to consider a more powerful device.
Camera :
The camera setup on the Tecno Pop 9 4G is relatively basic, but it produces decent results for an entry-level phone. On the back, it features a 13MP main camera paired with a QVGA sensor. The 13MP sensor is a standout feature, taking reasonably sharp and vibrant photos in good lighting conditions. However, like many budget phones, the camera doesn't perform well in low light, producing images that are noisy and lacking detail at times.
The front camera is an 8MP sensor, good for selfies and video calling. It takes sharp images in good lighting conditions, but like the rear camera, performance can suffer in darker conditions. Tecno has added software improvements such as AI beautification and a range of filters to help users achieve better results with their selfies. The rear camera can record video, but don't expect 4K or high-resolution video at this price point. Videos recorded on the Tecno Pop 9 4G have a resolution of 720p, which is adequate for everyday use but lacks the clarity and stability found in more expensive models.
Battery Life :
One of the most impressive things about the Tecno Pop 9 4G is its 5000mAh battery, which is very large for an entry-level phone. With moderate use, you can get the device through a full day without needing to charge, even during activities like browsing social media, watching videos, and light gaming. The combination of a large battery and a relatively power-efficient processor gives the Tecno Pop 9 4G great endurance. Although the device does not support fast charging, the high-capacity battery can be fully charged within a few hours via the MicroUSB port. Battery life is one of the main selling points of this phone, meaning users don't have to worry about charging the device frequently during the day.
Software and Features :
The Tecno Pop 9 4G runs on Android 12 (Go Edition), a lightweight version of Android designed for entry-level devices with limited RAM and processing power. Android Go offers a more streamlined user experience, with lightweight versions of popular Google apps like Gmail, YouTube Go, and Google Maps Go. These apps are optimized to run efficiently even on lower-spec devices, helping to improve overall performance.
The phone also comes with Tecno's custom HiOS UI, which offers a ton of extra features and customization features. Some of these include smart gestures, theme customization, various shortcuts, and more. While HiOS adds some useful features, it can also be a bit cluttered with pre-installed apps and bloatware that some users may not need. Connectivity and Additional Features
The Tecno Pop 9 4G supports 4G LTE for high-speed mobile data, which is one of the best features of the device. This makes it a great option for users who need access to high-speed internet on a budget. The device also supports WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is also an added benefit for users who prefer wired audio devices.
In terms of biometric authentication, the Tecno Pop 9 4G does not have an in-display fingerprint scanner, but it does have a facial recognition feature, so users can unlock their phone using facial recognition. This is not as secure as a fingerprint sensor, but it does offer additional convenience.
Conclusion :
The Tecno Pop 9 4G is a great choice for users looking for an affordable smartphone with solid performance for basic tasks. The large display, great camera, and good battery life make it a strong contender in the budget category. While the performance and camera quality may not be on par with mid-range or flagship phones, it is a solid choice for everyday use, especially for users on a budget who value battery life and 4G connectivity.
