Highlights

• POVA 8 5G was officially launched in India as the successor to last year’s POVA 7 5G.
• It is priced at Rs. 29,999 for the 6GB + 128GB model and the 8GB + 128GB model costs Rs. 31,999.
• The newly launched phone will be available on Flipkart and at leading retail stores across India starting from June 18th.

POVA 8 5G still has a few days left before it will be available for purchase in India. In the meantime, we are bringing you a hands-on review of POVA 8 5G after using the device thoroughly. Read on to know more about our experience.

POVA 8 5G – Key Features

• 76-inch FHD+ flat LCD screen with 144Hz refresh rate
• MediaTek Dimensity 7100 6nm processor
• 6GB / 8GB LPDDR5X RAM
• 128GB UFS 2.2 storage
• Android 16 with HiOS 16
• 50MP rear camera with Sony LYT-600 sensor
• 13MP front-facing camera
• 8000mAh battery with 45W fast charging
• IP64 Rated Dust and Splash resistant

POVA 8 – Pros and Cons

POVA 8 5G – Unboxing

POVA 8 5G – Design and Build Quality

The first thing to notice about POVA 8 is how it brings a completely fresh design compared to its predecessor. This one has a futuristic styling and it looks like it has been designed to achieve a very specific look that seems quite familiar. To be specofic, the transparent looking rear panel gives the phone a unique look that somewhat reminds us of Nothing’s design language but manages to have its own identity.

We received the 16 Bit White colour unit for review and it surely grabs attention. The back panel features metallic-inspired industrial textures complemented by orange accents and shiny white dot patterns that add to the overall visual appeal. One of the most interesting elements is the angular rear camera module that houses a mini dot-matrix style LED panel within one of the camera cutouts.

Tecno calls this the ALIVE Matrix Display. It is essentially a customisable rear lighting system that can display notifications, battery status, time, music playback information, gaming alerts, timers and more. We aren’t sure how useful it is going to be for users but it definitely adds character to the phone and helps it stand out from the crowd.

The rear panel also carries POVA branding on the left side, while “designed by Tecno” is inscribed on the right. A subtle battery graphic printed on the back is certainly something new and has been done in a classy way.

In terms of build, the POVA 8 uses a polycarbonate frame and rear panel. Despite the plastic construction, the phone feels solid in hand and does not come across as cheaply built. It also offers an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance along with MIL-STD-810H certification that gives some extra peace of mind for everyday use.

At 165.66 x 78.46 x 8.8mm, the phone isn’t particularly slim and its 225g weight is immediately noticeable. It feels quite heavy during extended use especially when gaming or watching videos for long periods.

Overall, the POVA 8 has a fresh design that prioritises unique functionality and uniqueness. The ALIVE Matrix Display definitely help it stand apart from most smartphones in this price segment.

POVA 8 5G – Display

The POVA 8 features a large 6.76-inch Full HD+ IPS display with a resolution of 1080 x 2344 pixels. This isn’t as sharp as AMOLED panels available in this segment but the display offer a good viewing experience for everyday use. The large display size also makes it well-suited for watching videos, browsing the web and gaming. Content appears reasonably sharp thanks to the Full HD+ resolution and 381 PPI pixel density.

A big highlight is the 144Hz refresh rate. This makes scrolling through social media apps, navigating the interface and gaming feel smooth and responsive. The animations look fluid and phone does have a premium feel. The bezels, however, are noticeable including the huge chin.

We found touch responsiveness good during gaming as it comes with supports a 1500Hz instantaneous touch sampling rate. Touch inputs feel quick and accurate even in fast games where reaction times matter.

Outdoor visibility seems decent as well but it does struggle under sunlight. Although you can confidently rely on this for simple tasks like reading messages, browsing social media and viewing content during outside daylight.

Colours look vibrant enough for daily usage and viewing angles are good.

At the end, the POVA 8 offers a good display experience. Even if the IPS panel, it is a good device for media consumption and gaming.

POVA 8 5G – Performance

The chipset in POVA 8 is MediaTek Dimensity 7100 built on a 6nm process. This chipset features four Cortex-A78 performance cores clocked at 2.4GHz and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores running at 2.0GHz paired with the Mali-G610 MC2 GPU.

Performance wise, the phone remained smooth and reliable during our time with it and we have spent a good 15 days with the device. Everyday activities such as web browsing, social media scrolling, video streaming and switching between multiple apps were handled without any noticeable lag.

The smartphone is available in 6GB and 8GB RAM variants and both support Memory Fusion technology. We noticed that the phone usually maintains enough headroom for multitasking. This means keeping multiple apps open in the background wasn’t an issue.

Storage options include 128GB and 256GB UFS 2.2 variants. It isn’t the fastest standard available today but app installation times, file transfers, and game loading speeds were satisfactory for the segment.

We tested the phones on all major benchmarking platforms and got decent results. Here are the screenshots of some of the tests we performed on the handset.

Gaming performance is another area where the POVA 8 performs well. Popular titles ran smoothly at medium graphics settings and the phone managed heat effectively since it comes with a large 14,689mm² cooling system. Even during longer gaming sessions, we felt the device was comfortable to hold with no major signs of thermal throttling.

You are also getting a triple-chipset setup here, which the Dimensity 7100 processor comes with dedicated G1 and SE1 signal chipsets. Tecno says these additional chips help improve network stability and signal performance. The phone also supports 20 5G bands, which should provide better compatibility across different networks.

The software HiOS 16 based on Android 16 is decent. The interface offers a wide range of customisation options and features. There are, however, a few pre-installed apps out of the box on the device. Other than that, the overall phone feels smooth and responsive.

POVA 8 5G – Camera Performance

The POVA 8 comes with a 50MP Sony LYT-600 primary camera paired with a light sensor on the rear. On the front, the phone comes equipped with a 13MP selfie camera. The camera app has different shooting modes such as AI CAM, Portrait, Super Night, AIGC Portrait, Sky Shop, Pro, Panorama, Documents, Time-lapse, Dual Video, Vlog, Slow Motion and Super Macro.

The primary camera captures clear pictures with decent levels of detail and vibrant colous during the daytime. Photos come out sharp and perfect for social media sharing. Looking at the pictures we captured with the phone, it is clear the sensor does a good job of maintaining a balanced exposure in most situations. The Sony LYT-600 sensor helps deliver consistent results when there is plenty of natural light available.

Colour reproduction is generally pleasing although the camera tends to add a bit of extra saturation at times to make images look more visually appealing. Dynamic range is decent for the segment.

When it comes to low light environments or night time, we would recommend the Super Night mode. It helps brighten scenes and improve visibility in darker areas while keeping noise under control. The low light photography isn’t as smooth but the images remain usable and social-media ready.

The 13MP front camera delivers decent selfies in good lighting conditions. Skin tones are generally handled well and the camera retains enough facial detail for everyday use.

We also tried video recording with the phone in different light conditions. Both the rear and front cameras support recording at up to 2K resolution at 30fps. Video quality is good for the segment with good colours and sufficient detail in well-lit conditions. You also get Dual Video and Vlog mode that can add some flexibility for content creators.

POVA 8 5G- Battery and Charging

Battery life is a massive highlight of the POVA 8. The smartphone packs a 8,000mAh battery and it is significantly larger than what most smartphones in this segment.

During our usage, the phone easily lasted well beyond a full day on a single charge even with heavy use that included gaming, video streaming, social media browsing, and camera usage. With moderate users, the battery can comfortably stretch into a second day.

The company claims up to 1,198.1 hours of standby time, up to 39.5 hours of calling time, 17.8 hours of internet usage over Wi-Fi, and 17.77 hours of video playback. Gamers can expect up to 11 hours of gaming time, while music playback can last up to 113.8 hours through headphones and around 22.4 hours via the phone’s speakers.

The phone supports 45W fast charging and the good thing is that it ships with a compatible charger in the box. It takes around 40-45 mins for the phone to charge from below 10% to reach above 80%.

Verdict – Should You Buy POVA 8 5G?

POVA 8 definitely stands out in the sea of smartphones in this segment. The futuristic rear panel and ALIVE Matrix Display give it a unique identity. Other than that, we have a good 144Hz display and Dimensity 7100 chipset to ensure a smooth experience for everyday use.

There is also massive 8,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging that makes it an excellent choice for heavy users, gamers, and frequent travelers. The cameras are reliable for everyday photography and the software experience remains smooth for most tasks.

All in all, if your priorities are battery life, gaming performance and a standout design, the POVA 8 is easy to recommend. It may not be the most balanced smartphone in every area but it delivers strongly in the areas that matter most to its target audience.

Reasons to Buy

• Unique futuristic design with ALIVE Matrix Display on the back
• 76-inch display with smooth 144Hz refresh rate
• Reliable Dimensity 7100 processor
• Effective cooling system for long gaming sessions
• Massive 8,000mAh battery delivers outstanding battery life
• Supports 20 5G bands

Reasons Not to Buy

• Noticeably heavy
• IPS panel
• Subpar Camera Setup

Alternatives

Vivo T5 Pro – ₹31,000

Motorola Edge 70 Fusion – ₹27,114

Realme P4 Power – ₹25,600

FAQs

Q1. When was the POVA 8 5G launched in India?

Answer. The POVA 8 5G was officially launched as the successor to last year’s POVA 7 5G and will be available starting June 18th.

Q2. What is the price of the POVA 8 5G in India?

Answer. It is priced at ₹29,999 for the 6GB + 128GB model and ₹31,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model.

Q3. Where can buyers purchase the POVA 8 5G?

Answer. The smartphone will be available on Flipkart and at leading retail stores across India.

Q4. What are the key hardware specifications of the POVA 8 5G?

Answer. It features a 6.76-inch FHD+ LCD 144Hz display, MediaTek Dimensity 7100 processor, 6GB/8GB LPDDR5X RAM, and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage.

Q5. What are the camera and battery highlights of the POVA 8 5G?

Answer. It comes with a 50MP Sony LYT-600 rear camera, 13MP front camera, and a massive 8000mAh battery with 45W fast charging, along with IP64 dust/splash resistance.

Also Read –

https://www.mymobileindia.com/pova-8-debuts-in-india-with-144hz-display-8000mah-battery-and-dimensity-7100-soc/

https://www.mymobileindia.com/pova-8-5g-teased-in-india-with-glyph-style-interface-8000mah-battery-expected/