Reviews
Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Review
Tecno, a prominent player in the mid-range smartphone market, has unveiled its newest addition to the Spark 20 series – the Spark 20 Pro+. Positioned as a budget-friendly option with premium features, the Spark 20 Pro+ aims to provide users with a compelling smartphone experience without breaking the bank. In this review, we delve into the various aspects of the device to evaluate its performance, design, camera capabilities, and more.
Design and Build Quality
The Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ boasts an eye-catching design with a curved profile and a sleek, shiny frame. The back panel, available in a variety of colors including green with vegan leather and other matte finishes, adds a touch of sophistication to the device. However, the oversized camera housing detracts slightly from the overall aesthetic appeal. Despite this minor flaw, the phone feels solidly built, with no noticeable flex or hollowness.
Display
Featuring a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2436 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate, the Spark 20 Pro+ delivers vibrant colors and smooth visuals. The display is bright and crisp, making it ideal for multimedia consumption and gaming. However, the lack of HDR support is a notable drawback.
Performance and Battery Life
Powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 Ultimate chipset and 8GB of RAM, the Spark 20 Pro+ offers smooth performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming. The 5,000mAh battery provides respectable endurance, although heavy gaming sessions can drain it quickly. Fortunately, the device supports 33W fast charging, allowing for speedy recharges.
Camera Capabilities
Equipped with a 108MP main camera and a 32MP selfie camera, the Spark 20 Pro+ delivers decent photography capabilities. Daylight shots exhibit good detail and color reproduction, although dynamic range could be improved. Low-light performance is acceptable, with the Super Night mode enhancing visibility in darker environments. However, the absence of an ultrawide camera limits the device’s versatility.
Software and Features
Running on Android 14 with Tecno’s HiOS 13.6.0 overlay, the Spark 20 Pro+ offers a range of features and customization options. While the software is relatively intuitive to use, the lack of the latest HiOS version and uncertain software support duration may deter some users.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
– Stylish and durable design
– High-quality display with smooth refresh rate
– Long-lasting battery with fast charging
– Capable camera performance in well-lit conditions
– Solid overall performance for its price range
– Rich retail package with additional accessories
Cons:
– Oversized camera housing detracts from design
– Lack of HDR support for display
– Unstable Wi-Fi connectivity on some units
– Uncertain software support duration from Tecno
In conclusion, the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ offers a compelling package for budget-conscious consumers seeking a smartphone with premium features. Despite some minor flaws, such as the oversized camera housing and software version discrepancies, the device excels in key areas such as design, display quality, and camera performance. Overall, the Spark 20 Pro+ represents excellent value for money and is worth considering for anyone in the market for an affordable yet capable smartphone.
Design & Build Quality
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: With its sleek 7.9mm thickness and weight of 193g, the Find X8 Ultra strikes a balance between form and function. The aluminum alloy body with Gorilla Glass 7i provides durability while maintaining a premium look. Its IP68 rating ensures it is both dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
Vivo X200 Ultra: A slightly bulkier device at 8.0mm and 197g, it features a glass body that is also protected by Gorilla Glass, offering good resistance to scratches and drops. The X200 Ultra shares the IP68 rating, making it equally resistant to dust and water. Both phones use high-end materials, though the Vivo feels a bit more substantial.
Verdict: Both devices offer premium designs, but the Oppo has a slight edge with a more compact form factor and similar build quality.
Display
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: It sports a 6.59-inch AMOLED display with an impressive 1256 x 2760 pixel resolution, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast ratios. The display supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, making it great for high-quality video streaming. It also features a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsiveness.
Vivo X200 Ultra: The Vivo features a slightly larger 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1260 x 2800 pixels, also supporting HDR10+ but without Dolby Vision. Its 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth interaction, though the absence of Dolby Vision means it may not offer the same cinematic experience as the Find X8 Ultra.
Verdict: The Oppo Find X8 Ultra edges out slightly in display quality with Dolby Vision support, ideal for media consumption. The Vivo X200 Ultra, while excellent, lacks this feature.
Performance
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset, it offers an octa-core CPU with a 3nm architecture. Coupled with 12GB RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, the Find X8 Ultra provides fast and smooth performance for everyday tasks and intensive applications.
Vivo X200 Ultra: The Vivo X200 Ultra is equally equipped with the Dimensity 9400 chipset and offers the same RAM and storage configurations. Both phones are highly efficient in handling multitasking and heavy apps. However, Vivo’s optimizations in the OriginOS contribute to smooth performance, with slightly better thermal management reported.
Verdict: Both phones are very similar in performance, offering top-tier processing power. The Vivo may have a slight advantage in thermal efficiency due to its software optimizations.
Software & OS
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Runs on ColorOS 15, which offers a refined, feature-rich interface with customization options. It comes with extensive privacy controls, performance optimizations, and a user-friendly experience.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Utilizes OriginOS 15, which has a similar feature set but with a more pronounced focus on efficiency, streamlined multitasking, and system fluidity. Both OS versions are based on Android 15, providing users with a clean, modern experience.
Verdict: Both operating systems are excellent, with ColorOS offering more customization options, while OriginOS is lauded for its efficiency and smoothness.
RAM Management and Virtual RAM
Effective RAM management ensures smoother multitasking.
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Offers 12GB/16GB of physical RAM with an option for up to 8GB virtual RAM expansion.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Provides similar physical RAM configurations but supports up to 12GB virtual RAM, allowing greater flexibility for resource-intensive applications.
Verdict: Vivo provides slightly more headroom for heavy multitasking with additional virtual RAM.
Camera Systems
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP primary wide-angle lens (f/1.8), a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP telephoto lens (f/2.6). It offers superb photo and video quality with features like Dolby Vision support for videos.
Vivo X200 Ultra: The Vivo X200 Ultra also boasts a triple 50MP camera array, including similar wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses, but with slightly different apertures (f/1.57 for the wide lens). It supports advanced Zeiss optics for superior image processing, particularly in low light.
Verdict: Both cameras are top-tier, with the Vivo offering slightly better low-light performance and optical processing, while Oppo’s Dolby Vision support offers a richer video experience.
Battery Life & Charging
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Comes with a 5630mAh battery, offering decent endurance. It supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging but lacks wireless charging.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Features a larger 5800mAh battery, providing a bit more longevity. It supports 90W fast charging and 50W wireless charging, plus reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
Verdict: The Vivo X200 Ultra offers better overall battery performance, with faster wired and wireless charging options, as well as reverse charging.
Connectivity
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB Type-C 3.0, ensuring high-speed connectivity and future-proof networking.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Similarly equipped with 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.4, but with a USB Type-C 3.0 port. Both devices offer the latest in connectivity.
Verdict: Both phones excel in connectivity, offering similar features and future-proof technologies.
Speakers & Audio
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Features stereo speakers with enhanced Dolby Atmos support for an immersive audio experience.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Also equipped with stereo speakers, offering a comparable audio experience, though it lacks Dolby Atmos.
Verdict: Oppo’s Dolby Atmos support gives it a slight edge in sound quality.
Security & Biometrics
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Offers an in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock for security.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Similarly equipped with an in-display fingerprint sensor and face recognition.
Verdict: Both offer comparable security features, with in-display fingerprint sensors being a standard for both.
Price & Value
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Priced around €550-560, offering a premium experience with Dolby Vision and excellent camera features.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Priced similarly, but with the added benefit of reverse wireless charging and slightly better camera optics, providing excellent value.
Verdict: Both phones provide excellent value at their price points, with the Vivo slightly edging out in battery and camera features.
Final Verdict
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Best for users prioritizing display quality, video features, and overall design.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Best for users who value better battery life, reverse wireless charging, and superior camera performance.
Build and Design
Materials: Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus front and back
Dimensions: 163.2 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm
Weight: 210 g
IP Rating: IP69 dust and water-resistant
Display
Type: 6.78-inch AMOLED
Resolution: 1.5K (approx. 3040 x 1440 pixels)
Refresh Rate: 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
Peak Brightness: 6000 nits
Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Processor and Software
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
GPU: Adreno 830
OS: Realme UI 6 based on Android 15
Storage and Memory
Configurations:
-256GB with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM
-512GB with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM
Storage Type: UFS 4.1 Pro
Camera System
Rear Cameras:
-Main: 50 MP wide with OIS
-Ultra-Wide: 8 MP
-Telephoto: 50 MP periscope with 3x optical zoom
Front Camera: 32 MP under-display camera
Battery and Charging
Battery Capacity: 6500 mAh silicon-nitride
Charging: 120W wired fast charging
Audio and Connectivity
Audio: Stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack
Connectivity:
-5G, Wi-Fi 7
-Bluetooth 5.4
-USB-C 3.2
-Dual GPS, NFC
Build and Design
Materials: Aluminum body
Dimensions: 254 x 165.3 x 6.8 mm
Weight: 515 g
Color Options: Gray, Blue
Display
Type: 11.2-inch LCD
Resolution: 3.2K (3072 x 1920 pixels), 3:2 aspect ratio
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Brightness: Peak brightness of 800 nits
Processor and Software
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
OS: Android 15 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2.0
Storage and Memory
Configurations:
-8GB RAM with 128GB storage
-12GB RAM with 256GB storage
-16GB RAM with 512GB storage
Camera System
Rear Camera:
-Main: 50 MP primary
-Depth Sensor: 2 MP for bokeh effects
Front Camera: 32 MP
Battery and Charging
Battery Capacity: 8,850 mAh
Charging Speed: 67W wired charging
Audio and Connectivity
Audio: Quad stereo speakers
Connectivity:
-Wi-Fi 7
-Bluetooth 5.4
-USB-C
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