TECNO has consistently brought innovation and affordability to the forefront. Last year, just in time for the festive season, the company unveiled the TECNO Spark 20 Pro, a device that garnered attention for its features and competitive pricing.
Fast forward to 2024, and TECNO is back with an upgraded version of this smartphone, offering more memory and the same promise of a powerful user experience.
WATCH: TECNO SPARK 20 Pro unboxing
TECNO SPARK 20 Pro Build Quality and Design
TECNO Spark 20 Pro holds its ground with a design that catches the eye and a build quality that assures durability. Available in the Moonlit Black variant, the Spark 20 Pro boasts a finish that goes beyond the ordinary.
Closer inspection reveals a subtle shimmer, making the device come alive with movement. The plastic body, though not premium in material, doesn’t compromise on the overall visual appeal. The back finish, a fusion of glass and metal elements, contributes to a sophisticated look.
A standout feature is the camera island, strategically placed and reminiscent of iconic smartphone designs. Composed of translucent, glass-like material, it brings a unique blend of elegance. The camera sensors, adorned with a goldish tint, add a touch of luxury to the overall aesthetics.
Examining the bottom edge, alongside the speaker grille and USB Type-C port, is the inclusion of a 3.5mm audio jack. This thoughtful addition caters to users who prioritize a seamless audio experience without the constraints of latency.
The left edge of the device houses the power button, which also doubles as a fingerprint scanner, ensuring quick and secure access. Accompanying it is the volume rocker, strategically placed for ease of use. The top-firing loudspeaker adds to the immersive audio experience, while the SIM tray, found on the opposite side, supports dual nano SIM cards and a microSD expansion card.
TECNO SPARK 20 Pro Display and Audio
Featuring a 6.78-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, the Spark 20 Pro promises a smooth and responsive visual experience. In the Moonlit Black variant, the display adds to the device’s overall elegance. It’s not a very high quality panel, but the high refresh rate ensures that interactions on the screen, from scrolling to gaming, are fluid and dynamic.
For a budget phone, the SPARK 20 Pro has a hole punch cutout for its selfie camera. Like most budget phones however, it has a really thick chin.
One of the noteworthy features of the Spark 20 Pro is its stereo speakers. Both the bottom-firing and top-firing speakers deliver a balanced and loud sound experience. According to TECNO, users can expect up to 400% maximum sound volume. The inclusion of a 3.5mm audio jack is an added convenience for users who prefer a wired audio connection without compromising on quality.
TECNO SPARK 20 Pro Productivity and Benchmarks
Powered by the Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, the Spark 20 Pro boasts an octa-core processor with a configuration of 2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. This setup ensures efficient multitasking and responsiveness, catering to users who demand swift performance for productivity tasks.
One of the notable upgrades in the 2024 version is the enhanced memory. The device now comes with a substantial 12GB of RAM, a 50% increase over the OG SPARK 20 Pro with 8GB of RAM. This extra memory allows for smoother multitasking, making it a suitable companion for users juggling various applications and demanding workflows.
In our benchmarks, the device achieved a score of 426k on Antutu, placing it in the mid-range category. This indicates that the device is well-equipped to handle everyday tasks and even some resource-intensive applications.
Umfortunately, the phone comes with a bit of pre-installed applications or bloatware. However, TECNO allows users the flexibility to uninstall applications they don’t need, providing an opportunity for a customized and clutter-free device.
TECNO SPARK 20 Pro Gaming
The Helio G99 chipset has proven to be a reliable choice for mid-range gaming, and the TECNO SPARK 20 Pro follows suit. Running on an octa-core processor with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, the device provides a commendable gaming experience.
WATCH: TECNO SPARK 20 Pro gaming test video
In our initial gaming sessions, the Spark 20 Pro demonstrated smooth gameplay, handling popular titles such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), with ease.
It struggled a bit with Honkai: Star Rail and Carx Street, both of which require a bit of tweaking to play comfortably. For the smoothest gameplay, such resource-intensive games will have to be played at the lowest graphics setting.
TECNO SPARK 20 Pro Camera and Content Creation
The highlight of the SPARK 20 Pro’s camera arsenal is the impressive 108MP main sensor. This powerhouse promises to capture detailed and vibrant images, catering to photography enthusiasts and those who prioritize visual excellence in their content creation.
Equipped with additional features like quad-LED flash, HDR, and various shooting modes, the SPARK 20 Pro aims to provide users with a versatile toolkit for diverse photography scenarios. From low-light captures to dynamic HDR shots, the camera setup endeavors to deliver a comprehensive photography experience.
Click on the sample images to view a larger version, or check our these unedited sample photos on social media.
Front and center for content creators is the 32MP selfie camera. Accompanied by a Dual-LED flash, this front-facing camera ensures that your selfies are well-lit and detailed, contributing to a high-quality visual presence in your content.
To offer you a glimpse of the Spark 20 Pro’s photography capabilities, we’ve captured images in various scenarios, showcasing the device’s prowess. The images will be displayed on-screen, allowing you to assess the color reproduction, sharpness, and overall quality.
For those venturing into content creation, whether it be vlogging, photography, or short-form videos, the Spark 20 Pro aims to be a reliable companion.
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TECNO SPARK 20 Pro Battery Life and Charging
Fueling the Spark 20 Pro is a robust battery that aims to keep up with your daily tasks. The device comes equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery, strategically designed to provide extended usage without compromising on performance.
The integration of the 6nm Mediatek Helio G99 chipset ensures efficient power management, striking a balance between performance and energy consumption. This optimization is particularly crucial for users who rely on their smartphones for prolonged periods throughout the day.
We managed to pull 12 hours with PCMark Work 3.0 battery life benchmark running on Wi-Fi. It doesn’t hurt that it lasts at least 2 days in actual real world use.
In case you do run out of juice, the TECNO SPARK 20 Pro supports fast charging at 33 watts, promising swift and efficient charging.
Closing thoughts
The TECNO Spark 20 Pro impresses with its ability to strike a balance between premium features and affordability. Packed with a robust Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, an enhanced 12GB of RAM, and a versatile camera setup, the device positions itself as a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone segment.
As a result, the device delivers efficient performance for productivity and gaming alike. However, the SPARK 20 Pro doesn’t compromise on battery life. It also manages to look amazing, drawing inspiration from the design language of the newest iPhones, and refining it even more.
At its promo price of P8,999 (down from its retail price of P9,999), the TECNO SPARK 20 Pro – both the 8GB and 12GB upgraded version, delivers great value for money, especially for users seeking a feature-packed device without breaking the bank. Its blend of innovative design, versatile camera capabilities, efficient performance, and fast-charging capabilities positions it as a well-rounded and affordable choice.
Hit the play button to watch our TECNO SPARK 20 Pro review video or visit TechKuya on YouTube for more tech reviews!
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TECNO SPARK 20 Pro specs
- Display: 6.78″ FHD+ IPS LCD, 1080*2460 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
- SIM: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
- OS: Android 13
- Chipset (SoC): MediaTek Helio G99
- CPU: Octa-core (2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
- GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
- Memory (RAM) + storage: 256GB storage, 8GB RAM (plus 8GB extended memory), expandable via microSDXC
- Expansion: microSDXC card slot
- Main camera (rear): Triple rear cameras: 108MP f/1.74 main, two unspecified secondary cameras; Quad-LED flash, HDR; Video: 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps
- Selfie camera (front): 32MP f/2.2 with dual LED flash; Video: 1080p@30fps
- Connectivity: 4G LTE, WiFi 2.4GHz + 5GHz, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, GNSS, USB Type-C, 3.5mm audio jack
- Other features: NFC, Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, IP53 splash and dust resistance, dual speakers, FM radio
- Battery: 5,000 mAh, 33W wired charging
- Colors: Moonlit Black, Frosty Ivory, Sunset Blush, Magic Skin 2.0 (Green)
- Price (Philippines): Retail price PHP 9,999, introductory price PHP 8,999 via Shopee and Lazada; currently only Moonlit Black variant available