Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G Review: Packed with AI, Priced Under 15k

Tecno has introduced the latest addition to its Pova Series in India. The company has unveiled the Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G smartphone, which is positioned in the budget-friendly segment and incorporates AI features to enhance its appeal. This marks the first time AI capabilities have been included in a device priced under Rs. 15,000, and Tecno appears to be leveraging this technology effectively. The Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G boasts impressive specifications, including a Dimensity 6300 chipset, a 5000mAh battery, and a 108MP main camera, among others. The question remains: can this budget-friendly smartphone establish itself in such a competitive market? Let’s explore.

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Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G Review – Design & Build

The Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G showcases a design that harmonizes practicality with aesthetic appeal, appealing to both Gen-Z users and professional adults. Its boxy shape, complemented by rounded corners, ensures a comfortable grip. Weighing just 192 grams, the smartphone feels lightweight, while its slim profile of 7.8mm adds to its sleek appearance.

Tecno has introduced the Pova 6 Neo in three color options: Aurora Cloud, Midnight Shadow, and Azure Sky. I had the chance to evaluate the Aurora Cloud variant. The device features a matte finish on its back panel, which showcases a marble-like design, despite being constructed from plastic. This back panel not only enhances the device’s aesthetic appeal but also effectively resists fingerprints and dust.

The Tecno Pova branding is positioned at the lower section of the back panel, while the upper part features a well-integrated camera module that includes two camera cutouts and an LED flash for photography purposes. The camera module has a square design and protrudes slightly, yet it maintains an appealing aesthetic. In contrast to the matte finish of the rest of the back panel, the camera module boasts a glossy appearance and a smooth texture, with a subtle glittery effect that enhances the overall visual appeal of the back panel.

Talking about functionality, the Tecno Pova 6 Neo houses a USB-C port, a speaker grille, and a 3.5mm headphone jack at the bottom while the right edge includes volume rockers and a power button. The left edge has the SIM tray while the top edge has one more speaker.

The Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G boasts an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance, a feature that is uncommon among smartphones priced below Rs. 15,000. This rating provides confidence for outdoor usage without significant concerns. Nonetheless, a notable drawback is the presence of large bezels surrounding the display, which can be distracting during video playback or content streaming.

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Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G Review – Display

The Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G features a 6.67-inch HD+ IPS LCD display, complete with a central punch-hole for the selfie camera. While the screen provides sufficient clarity for daily activities, the resolution of 720×1600 pixels can occasionally seem lacking. Color accuracy is fairly good, but the standout feature is the 120Hz high refresh rate, which enhances the smoothness of scrolling. Viewing angles are acceptable, though the contrast ratio is somewhat restricted. Notably, the device holds Widevine L1 certification, allowing for FHD content playback, which is a commendable aspect.

The maximum brightness reaches 580 nits, which is adequate for indoor use; however, it becomes quite challenging to read the screen in direct sunlight. I found it particularly difficult to see the display when exposed to bright sunlight, even when set to the highest brightness, leading to considerable frustration at times.

The previously noted thick bezels are quite distracting and difficult to overlook during video playback, appearing overly prominent. In summary, Tecno could have put in more effort to enhance the display of the Tecno Pova 6 Neo smartphone.

The audio quality is satisfactory. While it may not be particularly remarkable, it is certainly not poor either. Generally, listening to music or viewing reels was acceptable, with only minor instances of audio distortion.

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Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G Review - AI & Software

The Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G operates on Android 14 with HiOS 14.5 pre-installed. Upon beginning to use the device, I noticed a significant drawback: it comes with over 40 pre-installed applications, such as Snapchat and AHA games. While some of these applications can be removed, others remain permanently on the device, consuming valuable storage. Additionally, Tecno has not announced any plans for major operating system updates, only committing to provide security patches for a duration of two years for the Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G.

The only highlight in terms of OS is the six main AI Features. Namely these features are AIGC portrait, AI Cutout, AI Wallpaper 2.0, AI Eraser, AI Artboard, and Ask AI. Let us talk about these one by one.

AIGC portraits help to create AI profile pictures of avatars with just a click. The AIGC portrait mode can be found when you left-swipe after opening the camera. I tried this feature out by clicking four random selfies and the AIGC portrait mode worked its magic to give the following results which are impressive.

AI Cutout can clean-cut images similar to how iPhones do so. When I used this feature, it wasn’t as accurate as expected, but the results were usable.

AI Eraser as the name suggests can remove unwanted objects or people that you don’t like in your photos. I used this feature in the gallery while editing the photos and though it did remove what I marked, it wasn’t seamless as the final result showed that something had been erased from that place.

AI Wallpaper 2.0 can generate wallpapers from text or images. All you need to do is enter what you need and how you need it. The feature gave impressive results which can be seen below.

AI Artboard is a fun feature that helps you unleash your creativity. You can access the feature in the Notepad app as all you need to do is draw something in the notepad and AI will generate a way better drawing for the same. I just drew a basic flower and looked at what AI drew.

Ask AI comes in handy when you need something summarized for you. You can select a news article and ask the AI feature to summarize it for you, thus saving time and energy spent in reading the entire thing. The feature was quick and worked well.

All in all, for a smartphone priced under Rs. 15,000 Tecno has done a decent job in terms of AI features.

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Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G Review – Performance

The Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, delivering satisfactory performance for routine activities such as making calls, sending texts, browsing social media, engaging in light gaming, and streaming content. This device features 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, facilitating efficient multitasking and seamless app transitions. Overall, the smartphone offers dependable performance for daily use, making it a worthwhile option for individuals seeking a practical device priced below 15,000.

In terms of gaming performance, the smartphone is not designed for demanding titles but is capable of managing light to moderate gaming experiences. During my attempts to play more resource-intensive games, I noticed significant lag and an increase in device temperature, which was anticipated since the manufacturer does not market this model as a gaming device. Benchmark results are provided below.

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Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G Review – Cameras

The Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G features a 108MP primary camera on its rear. This advanced 108MP sensor is augmented by Artificial Intelligence, which improves image quality in both daylight and low-light conditions. Although Tecno has equipped the device with just one 108MP camera on the back, it delivers impressive performance.

Images captured in bright lighting exhibit clarity and detail, showcasing vivid colors. If you enjoy taking casual photographs occasionally, this sensor will meet your expectations. The 108MP sensor provides commendable portrait photography, featuring effective edge detection and realistic skin tones. The level of detail is also satisfactory. Below are several examples that further illustrate the camera’s quality.

In low-light or nighttime scenarios, the camera’s performance is merely satisfactory. Activating Night Mode does enhance the quality of the images to some extent, yet clarity remains subpar and details are quite restricted. The resulting photos exhibit noticeable grain and noise. There is significant potential for enhancement in low-light photography capabilities.

The front features an 8MP selfie camera that outperforms two of its main rivals, the Redmi 13 5G and iqoo Z9x, in capturing selfies. It effectively captures precise facial details, and skin tones appear natural. The emphasis remains on the subject, with the background receiving less attention. While the 8MP camera excels in well-lit environments, it faces serious challenges in low-light situations.

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Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G Review – Battery Life and Charging

Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G packs a massive 5000mAh battery under the hood that gives ample juice to get throughout the day. My daily tasks included video calling, messaging, watching videos, browsing reels, listening to music, clicking pictures, running benchmarks, and light gaming. Despite all these tasks being performed, there was still 12% battery in the evening which is impressive. However, on days I tried to play heavier titles or watched content for long hours, the battery had to be charged slightly earlier.

In terms of charging, the Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G supports 18W charging speed which is very slow when you look at the super fast charging speeds that are now a norm. The device took over one and a half hours to charge from 0 to 100% which feels too much when you don’t have time. The adapter comes inside the good box.

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Review Verdict: Should You Buy the Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G?

Smartprix Rating: 7.4/10

Design and Build: 8/10

Display and Speakers: 7/10

Software and Haptics: 7/10

Performance: 7/10

Camera: 7.5/10

Battery Life and Charging: 7.5/10

The Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G distinguishes itself in its category by effectively balancing features with affordability. It boasts a modern and elegant design, complemented by impressive specifications such as a 108MP camera, a Dimensity 6300 chipset, and a robust 5000mAh battery. Additionally, it incorporates valuable AI functionalities that enhance the user experience. While there are areas that could be improved, such as display quality, gaming capabilities, and fast charging, it is important to note that compromises are expected at a price point below 15,000. For users who do not engage in heavy usage and seek a cost-effective smartphone, the Tecno Pova 6 Neo 5G is a viable option.

First reviewed in October 2024.

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