Tecno Pop 9 Budget 5G
Announced on September 23, 2024, the Tecno POP 9 5G is already making waves ahead of its October release. This latest offering from Tecno promises to be more than just a minor upgrade, featuring enhancements that set it apart from its competition.
The POP 9 5G is targeting rivals like the Infinix Smart series, offering a perfect blend of affordability and impressive features. It comes with a 120Hz display, ensuring smooth navigation, and a capable camera system ideal for capturing everyday moments. Additionally, it offers 5G connectivity, providing users with fast and reliable internet speeds.
Beyond these core features, Tecno has included some unexpected extras, such as NFC support for convenient mobile payments—an uncommon feature in budget smartphones.
With its combination of advanced features and affordability, the Tecno POP 9 5G could be the budget smartphone that delivers on both performance and cost. As the release approaches, we’ll explore its specifications, potential, and expected price in regions like Nigeria, Kenya, and beyond, to see if it can reshape the budget smartphone landscape.
Tecno Pop 9 Design and Build
- Dimensions: H: 165 mm (6.5″), W: 77 mm (3.03″), D: 8 mm (0.31″)
- Weight: 189g
- Material: Glass front; plastic back and frame
- Colours: Aurora Cloud, Azure Sky, Midnight Shadow
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, IR sensor
The Tecno Pop 9 5G offers a great blend of style and practicality. With dimensions of 165×77×8 mm and weighing just 189g, it’s compact and light enough for easy everyday use. The glass front adds a sleek, elegant touch, while the plastic back and frame keep it both affordable and durable. While it may not have the premium feel of high-end phones, the plastic build is less prone to cracking than glass, making it more practical for daily wear and tear, while also keeping the price and weight in check.
As for the camera design, it bears a resemblance to the iPhone 16, housed in a larger, rounded square that adds a nice visual element to the back of the device. This gives it a modern, polished look.
The phone comes in three colors: Aurora Cloud, Azure Sky, and Midnight Shadow. For added customization, Tecno includes two vibrant skins in the box to give your phone a personalized touch.
While the Tecno Pop 9 5G might not compete with flagship models in terms of eye-catching design, it offers a comfortable, practical, and surprisingly stylish option that’s perfect for everyday use.
Display and Audio
- Size: 6.6″ (168 mm) diagonal
- Type: IPS LCD, 120 Hz
- Resolution: 720×1612 px, about 267 PPI
- Speaker: Loudspeaker (Yes), Dual speakers, Dolby Atmos, 3.5 mm Headphone Jack (Yes).
Camera
- Main Camera: Dual-LED flash, HDR, 48 MP wide lens (Sony IMX582 sensor) and an auxiliary lens, Video: 1080p at 30 fps
- Front Camera: Dual-LED flash, 8 MP
The Tecno Pop 9 5G’s camera system may not have all the bells and whistles, but it’s designed to deliver a solid everyday photography experience. Its 48MP main camera, powered by the Sony IMX582 sensor, promises sharp, vibrant photos, especially in good lighting. While its low-light performance isn’t groundbreaking, it should still capture the essential details in most settings.
The secondary AI lens adds flexibility, adapting to various shooting scenarios. Up front, the 8MP camera with dual-LED flash ensures your selfies are well-lit, though they may lack the sharpness of higher-end models.
Features like autofocus and HDR enhance the overall quality, delivering crisp, well-balanced images. While 1080p video recording may not satisfy mobile filmmakers, it’s more than enough for everyday moments and sharing on social media.
In short, the Tecno Pop 9 5G’s camera punches above its weight, offering a practical, enjoyable photography experience that’s closing the gap with premium phones.
Performance, Battery Life and Storage
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6300, Octa-core (2×2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 + 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), Mali-G57 MC2
- Antutu Benchmark score: 308,681
- Battery: 5000 mAh, 18W Wired Fast Charging
- RAM: 3 GB, 4 GB
- Internal Storage: 64 GB, 128 GB
Under the hood, the Tecno Pop 9 5G packs the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset. It’s not the flashiest processor on the market, but for a budget phone, it’s a solid performer. It will definitely handle some light gaming sessions without a hiccup.
Of course, if you’re planning on pushing the phone to its absolute limits with the latest graphically demanding games, you might encounter a few stutters. But let’s be real, at this price point, it’s all about balance. And the POP 9 seems to strike a good one between performance and affordability.
In terms of storage, the POP 9 comes in two variants: a 4GB + 64GB option for those who travel light, and a more spacious 4GB + 128GB variant for those who like to keep their digital world close at hand. And if you find yourself needing a bit more room, Tecno’s got you covered with the option to virtually expand the memory by an additional 8GB.
Battery life is another area where the POP 9 shines. Thanks to its generous 5000mAh battery, you can expect to easily make it through a full day of typical use. And when you do need to recharge, the 18W fast charging will get you back up and running in a reasonable amount of time.
So, while it might not win any speed records, the Tecno Pop 9 5G seems well-equipped to handle your everyday tasks and keep you connected all day long.
Software and Connectivity
- Android 14 with HiOS 14
- Network: 5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, USB Type-C, NFC
- Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD)
The Tecno Pop 9 5G keeps pace with the latest software, running on Android 14. But Tecno adds its signature HiOS 14 user interface. It’s like Android, but with a bit of flair on the custom icons, themes, and handy features like gesture controls. It might remind you of the customisations found on phones like the Pixel 8a, though likely not as polished.
On the connectivity side, the Pop 9 comes future-proof with 5G support. But it doesn’t neglect the basics either, offering Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, and GPS. NFC is a welcome surprise at this price point, making contactless payments a breeze.
And if you juggle multiple SIM cards, the dual nano-SIM support is a godsend. It’s perfect for separating work and personal life, or just taking advantage of those juicy data deals from different providers.
What we like about the Tecno Pop 9 phone
- Low Budget 5G smartphone.
- IP54 rating and High refresh rate display.
- The 48 MP main camera with a Sony IMX582 sensor captures decent daytime photos.
- Long battery life.
- The dual speakers with Dolby Atmos.
What to consider
- No custom UI Support in this phone.
- The plastic build might feel less premium compared to higher-end models Without any gorilla glass protection.
- Low 720p resolution display.
- The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC isn’t without its shortcomings.
Verdict
If you want a reliable phone that won’t empty your wallet, go for the Tecno Pop 9! It’s a solid pick for students, or casual users looking to upgrade without hurting your wallet. Power users might find the RAM and camera a bit limited, but for everyday tasks, it gets the job done.
Its plastic build and camera performance hint at its budget-friendly roots, yet it still delivers great value, especially with 5G connectivity and decent specifications. The budget market is competitive, with strong contenders like the itel Color Pro 5G, Infinix Hot 50, and Realme C65 5G all offering similar chipsets and features.
If you’re looking for more options within the Tecno lineup, the Tecno Pova 6 Neo could be worth considering. It offers better performance, camera quality, and battery life, all for a slightly higher price.
Pricing and Availability in Africa
The Tecno Pop 9 5G launched in some African regions in August 2024, with a phased release across other markets. It will be available in Nigeria starting October 7, 2024, via online platforms like Jumia, Konga, and Slot, as well as physical stores like Slot, Pointek, and 3C Hub.
Pricing:
- Nigeria: ₦115,360 (3GB/64GB), ₦128,560 (3GB/128GB), ₦165,000 (4GB/128GB)
- Kenya: KSh 11,800 (3GB/64GB), KSh 13,000 (4GB/128GB)
- Ghana: GHS 1,300 (3GB/64GB), GHS 1,485 (4GB/128GB)
Prices in other regions are expected to range between $115 and $120. For up-to-date information, check with local retailers around you.
