Tecno Spark 40 Pro+ review
The competition
At the time of writing, a Spark 40 Pro+ will set you back around $200. That's not a lot of money, but there are some interesting viable competitors to consider on the current market.
The Samsung Galaxy A26 offers 5G and great build quality, including Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back sides and an IP67 ingress protection rating, which should allow it to survive an actual submersion in water compared to the Spark's water splashes. You also get expandable storage with the Galaxy (which you might need, seeing how the base version is 6GB/128GB memory) and a great support commitment for a whopping six major software updates. On the flip side, the display isn't quite as nice or bright as Tecno's. There are also no stereo speakers, and you get no wireless or reverse charging, and slower wired charging. It's also some 20% more expensive on the market where the two are available together.
Over in camp Xiaomi, we have the ever-popular Redmi Note 14 series. And while the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G might be a bit too expensive for the price range we are working with, you can definitely get yourself a Redmi Note 14 4G. In fact, you can get the top 8GB/256GB variant. Or, alternatively, save some money on storage since the Note 14 4G does have a microSD slot. It also offers a great display, although not as good as the Tecno one. Also, stereo speakers, four major OS updates, and a large 5,500 mAh battery. The 108MP main camera on the Redmi is also arguably better. However, there are compromises like a simple IP54 ingress protection rating on the Redmi.
Samsung Galaxy A26 • Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 4G • Motorola G96 • vivo iQOO Z10R
Over at Camp Motorola, you can get the Moto G96. It also has an IP68 ingress protection rating and should survive being submerged. It also has a more versatile camera setup with an ultrawide and 4K video capture, thanks to the overall more potent Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset. You also get a large 5,500 mAh battery. Just one OS update, though.
The vivo iQOO Z10R is a device with somewhat regionally limited availability. However, it is an interesting offer. Some of the highlights include an IP68/IP69 and MIL-STD-810H ingress protection rating. The Dimensity 7400 is also a more capable chipset that allows for 4K video capture. The vivo also has OIS on its main camera. Plus, a large 5,700 mAh battery.
Our verdict
The Tecno Spark 40 Pro+ manages to stand out in a crowded budget segment by offering a remarkably slim and lightweight body without skimping on features. The star of the show is undoubtedly the AMOLED display - incredibly bright, impressively smooth, and color-rich, even if its native resolution and refresh rate claims come with a bit of trickery. Still, in day-to-day use, it's one of the best displays in this price bracket.
Performance from the Helio G200 is respectable, and the phone remains fluid enough for typical tasks. Camera quality, both from the main and selfie shooters, is surprisingly capable for the class - consistent, detailed, and reliable even in lower light. There's also a solid connectivity suite with NFC, an IR blaster, stereo speakers, and even wireless and reverse wireless charging - a rare set of features in the sub-$250 space.
Unfortunately, it's not all smooth sailing. Battery life is underwhelming given the large capacity, and loudspeaker performance is just average. But perhaps the biggest red flag is Tecno's poor software support commitment - just two years of security patches and there is no specific number of major OS updates promised.
Still, taken as it is today, the Spark 40 Pro+ is one of the most feature-packed and thoughtfully equipped sub-$200 phones around. As long as you don't expect long-term support or regular updates down the line, it delivers great value and it's worth recommending.
Pros
- Thin and impressively lightweight design.
- Excellent AMOLED display: bright, colorful, and smooth.
- Solid main and selfie cameras for the class.
- Stereo speakers and Hi-Res Audio support.
- NFC, IR blaster, FM radio.
- Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and bypass charging.
- Great selfie quality and practical dual LED front-facing flash.
Cons
- Mediocre low-light photos.
- No 4K video recording (just 1440p) and only 1080p video has stabilization.
- Battery life is underwhelming.
- No eSIM support.
