Tecno Spark 30 Pro: In-Depth Review of Common Issues, Problems, and Bugs - Is This Budget Smartphone the Right Choice?
The Tecno Spark 30 Pro is designed to provide solid features for budget-conscious consumers, with a focus on camera quality, battery life, and smooth display performance. Tecno has positioned itself as a go-to option for affordable yet functional smartphones, making the Spark 30 Pro appealing for users who need reliable daily performance without breaking the bank. However, some users report issues and limitations that may affect its usability. In this detailed review, we’ll explore these problems, potential solutions, and whether the Tecno Spark 30 Pro is a worthy purchase.
Key Specifications of the Tecno Spark 30 Pro
- Model: Tecno Spark 30 Pro
- Operating System: HiOS 13, based on Android 13
- Processor: MediaTek Helio G85
- Memory and Storage: 6GB RAM, 128GB storage (expandable via microSD)
- Display: 6.8-inch FHD+ IPS LCD, 90Hz refresh rate, 1080 x 2400 pixels
- Camera: Dual rear camera setup – 50MP main, 2MP depth sensor; 8MP front camera
- Battery: 5,000mAh with 18W fast charging support
- Connectivity: 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C
1. Battery Life and Charging Issues
The Tecno Spark 30 Pro features a 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging support, offering a substantial battery capacity for extended use. However, some users report concerns regarding battery life and charging efficiency.
Battery Drains Faster with High Usage: With its large 6.8-inch 90Hz display, power consumption can increase significantly during heavy use, such as gaming or streaming, causing the battery to drain faster than expected.
Charging Speed Limitations: Although it supports 18W charging, this is relatively modest, resulting in slower charging times compared to some competitors.
"The battery is good for daily use, but I find it depletes faster with gaming and doesn’t charge quickly enough to keep up," commented one user.
Potential Solutions:
- Switch to 60Hz Refresh Rate: Reducing the refresh rate from 90Hz to 60Hz for everyday tasks can extend battery life.
- Manage Background Apps: Limiting background activity can help conserve battery by reducing power-draining processes.
- Charge Overnight: Given the 18W speed, many users find it convenient to charge the device overnight for a full battery the next day.
2. Display Quality and Issues
The 6.8-inch FHD+ IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate is a key selling point of the Spark 30 Pro, delivering smooth visuals. However, some users report issues with color quality and brightness levels, which can affect the overall display experience.
Underwhelming Brightness Levels: The screen’s maximum brightness may be insufficient for outdoor visibility, which can make it challenging to use in direct sunlight.
Color Accuracy: Some users note that colors may appear less vibrant or slightly washed out compared to AMOLED displays, impacting the viewing experience.
"The display looks nice indoors, but it struggles under sunlight, and colors don’t pop as much as I’d like," one user shared.
Potential Solutions:
- Adjust Brightness Manually: Increasing the brightness manually can help in situations with poor visibility, though it may reduce battery life.
- Consider Indoor Usage for Media Consumption: For optimal color and brightness, using the device indoors or in shaded areas can improve the viewing experience.
3. Performance and Lag Issues
With a MediaTek Helio G85 processor and 6GB of RAM, the Tecno Spark 30 Pro provides decent performance for light to moderate tasks. However, users may encounter performance limitations with more demanding apps.
App Stuttering During Heavy Multitasking: The device can show lag when running multiple apps or more resource-intensive apps simultaneously, affecting its responsiveness.
Gaming Performance Limitations: While the Spark 30 Pro can handle casual gaming, it may struggle with high-end games or graphics-intensive apps, causing occasional frame drops or lag.
"It’s fine for daily use, but I notice a bit of lag when I try to multitask or play more graphic-heavy games," noted a reviewer.
Potential Solutions:
- Close Background Applications: Limiting the number of open apps can improve performance, as closing unused apps frees up memory and reduces lag.
- Reduce Graphics Settings for Gaming: For gaming, adjusting the in-game graphics settings to medium or low can provide smoother performance.
- Clear Cache Regularly: Clearing cached data in the settings can help improve speed and free up storage space.
4. Camera Performance and Bugs
The Tecno Spark 30 Pro features a 50MP main camera, which is impressive for a budget device, and offers reasonable quality for everyday photos. However, the camera has some reported issues, particularly in low-light situations.
Poor Low-Light Performance: Users report that photos taken in low-light conditions can appear grainy or blurry, with limited detail capture.
Shutter Delay and Lag: Some users experience a delay between pressing the shutter and capturing the photo, which can lead to missed moments or blurred shots.
Overexposure in Bright Light: The camera occasionally struggles with bright environments, resulting in overexposed images with reduced color accuracy.
Potential Solutions:
- Use Night Mode for Dark Settings: Enabling Night Mode can help improve low-light photos by enhancing detail and reducing noise.
- Manually Adjust Exposure: Tapping on the screen to adjust focus and exposure in bright settings can reduce overexposure and improve image quality.
- Clear Camera App Cache: Regularly clearing the cache for the camera app can improve responsiveness and reduce lag.
5. Software and UI Bugs
Running on HiOS 13 based on Android 13, the Tecno Spark 30 Pro offers Tecno’s custom user interface. However, some users have reported minor software bugs that may impact daily usability.
Random Freezes or Reboots: Certain users have experienced occasional device freezes or unexpected reboots, which can disrupt usage.
Notification Delays: Some users report delays in receiving notifications, particularly for messaging apps, due to HiOS’s aggressive power-saving features.
Unwanted Ads and Bloatware: HiOS includes pre-installed apps and occasionally displays ads, which may be bothersome for users preferring a cleaner interface.
Potential Solutions:
- Install System Updates: Regularly checking for and installing updates can help resolve software issues, as updates may include bug fixes.
- Adjust Notification Settings: Ensuring that essential apps are set to “unrestricted” in the battery optimization settings can prevent delayed notifications.
- Disable Unnecessary Apps: Disabling or uninstalling pre-installed bloatware can improve performance and reduce unwanted ads.
6. Connectivity Issues
The Tecno Spark 30 Pro provides basic 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS connectivity. However, users report occasional connectivity issues, particularly with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Wi-Fi Connection Drops: Some users report intermittent Wi-Fi disconnections, particularly when moving between networks or routers with weak signals.
Bluetooth Pairing and Audio Lag: Bluetooth devices, particularly wireless headphones, can experience pairing issues, with occasional audio lag or connection drops.
Weak GPS Signal: Users may occasionally experience weak GPS reception, which can affect navigation accuracy.
Potential Solutions:
- Restart the Device: A quick restart can often resolve temporary connectivity issues.
- Reset Network Settings: Resetting the network settings in the device’s settings menu can help resolve persistent Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues.
- Switch to High-Accuracy GPS Mode: Enabling high-accuracy mode in the location settings may improve GPS performance for navigation.
Conclusion: Is the Tecno Spark 30 Pro Worth Buying?
The Tecno Spark 30 Pro is an appealing option for budget-conscious users who need a smartphone for basic everyday tasks, thanks to its large display, decent camera, and solid battery life. For casual users who prioritize cost-effectiveness and essential functionality, it’s a reliable choice. However, users seeking fast performance, vibrant display quality, and low-light camera capabilities may encounter some limitations with this device.
Is it worth buying?
The Tecno Spark 30 Pro is a decent choice for light users who need a big screen and don’t mind occasional software quirks. However, if you’re willing to spend a little more, options with smoother performance, higher-quality displays, and faster charging speeds may be worth considering.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for similar devices with possibly enhanced features, consider these alternatives:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 - Offers better performance with a Snapdragon processor, a higher resolution display, and a reliable camera setup.
- Realme C35 - Provides similar specifications with a different software experience, delivering smoother performance and faster updates.
- Samsung Galaxy A13 - Known for consistent software support and stable performance, with a clean interface that may appeal to users looking for a simpler Android experience.
Final Recommendation: The Tecno Spark 30 Pro is suitable for users who want a budget-friendly device for essential tasks. For those seeking more robust performance or camera quality, exploring some alternatives may provide better value for the price.