Transsion Holdings has been a staple company in the list of smartphone manufacturers with the biggest market share in the Philippines. It owns a number of popular smartphone brands, including TECNO.
Despite being considerably a neophyte in the Philippine smartphone market with its 2020 launch, TECNO gradually makes its mark, especially on the radar of fund-conscious Filipino tech users. One of its recent offerings is the TECNO Spark Go 1. With a starting price of P3,499, this smartphone packs the necessary features a casual smartphone owner might need without a remarkable dent on the budget.
TECNO Spark Go 1
Here are insights on the TECNO Spark Go 1 after a few weeks of using the device.
DESIGN and BUILD:
Despite its plastic build that shy away from a premium feel, the TECNO Spark Go 1 is relatively a good-looking device. Its rear highlights a large camera module with two circles placed diagonally like that of the iPhone 14 and a panel with a textured, sparkly design that makes the device resistant to smudges and fingerprints.
The unit that we got is in the Glittery White colorway with its sides painted in silver for that faux metal look. For those who want a more solid color, the TECNO Spark Go 1 is also available in Startrail Black.
While the TECNO Spark Go 1 is a tall device, one-handed use is pretty easy. All of its buttons for volume and power are located on its right cheek. On the left side of the device, there’s only a SIM card tray that can carry two nano SIM cards and a microSD card at the same time. This means that no need to settle for using just one active SIM card to expand the storage of the TECNO Spark Go 1.
What’s inside the TECNO Spark Go 1 package
Overall, the TECNO Spark Go 1 comes in a sturdy build. For a budget smartphone under P5,000, it’s a feat to have an IP54 water resistance. Even the free clear silicone case is enough for added protection without covering the design of the device.
DISPLAY:
With a 6.67-inch LCD IPS display in HD+ (1600 x 720) resolution, the TECNO Spark Go 1 delivers the screen quality expected for its price point. It could use more sharpness but the colors are vibrant enough for a decent multimedia experience. The bezels on the TECNO Spark Go 1 are thick and its punch hole camera eliminates an all-screen look.
Viewing angles are also acceptable. However, the TECNO Spark Go 1 seemed to struggle in maintaining a visible screen when used outdoors on a bright, sunny day.
TECNO Spark Go 1
Audio-wise, the TECNO Spark Go 1 delivers loud audio which will delight those who like to watch content in loudspeaker mode.
PERFORMANCE:
Admittedly, there’s a bit of a stutter when we first fired up the TECNO Spark Go 1. But this was resolved with a software update. Switching from one app to another is a walk in the park with the TECNO Spark Go 1. Gaming, on the other hand, is a different story. It’s advisable to use the TECNO Spark Go 1 with low graphics and audio settings to avoid hiccups.
The TECNO Spark Go 1 runs on a 12nm UNISOC T615 octa-core processor clocked at 1.8GHz. Available memory and storage options include 6GB extended RAM + 64GB memory, 8GB RAM+64GB ROM, 6GB RAM+128GB ROM, and 8GB RAM+128GB ROM. Storage expansion is available for up to 2TB via a microSD card.
CAMERA:
Even with a sole 13-megapixel camera, the TECNO Spark Go 1 is capable of capturing photos with acceptable quality. All that’s needed is a bit of tweaking on color saturation and the images are good to be posted on social media. Meanwhile, its front camera takes clear selfies without the unnecessary pre-applied filters.
Below are a few camera samples.
BATTERY:
With a generous 5,000mAh battery life, the TECNO Spark Go 1 can last a whole day of moderate to heavy usage with a bit of juice left for the next day. It supports a 15W SuperCharge function which helps refuel the device’s battery back to 100% in around an hour and a half.
VERDICT:
With its fair share of hits and misses, the TECNO Spark Go 1 can be considered as one of the strong contenders in the entry-level smartphone segment. The TECNO Spark Go 1 is priced at P3,4999 for the 3GB + 64GB variant and P4,399 for the 4GB + 128 GB version, available via Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok and through TECNO retail stores.
