6.78" cruved AMOLED display | Dimensity 7300 Ultimate | 64MP Sony IMX682 main sensor |
HiOS 15 | Gorilla Glass 5 | 144Hz |
Tecno has never been shy about bold design, and with the POVA Curve 5G, it’s doubling down—literally, with a 3D curved AMOLED display that’s rarely seen in this price bracket. But in India’s under-₹20,000 segment where the competition is intense, a flashy exterior just isn’t enough.Sure, the 144Hz curved display, MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate chip, and a dose of Ella AI smarts make a strong first impression on paper.
But the real question is: does the POVA Curve 5G deliver where it counts—battery, software, cameras, long-term usability?
That’s exactly what we’re here to find out. I’ve spent over a week with this phone, putting it through everything from gaming marathons to low-light camera tests. So, is it a style-first showpiece or a well-balanced budget warrior? Let’s dig in.
The Tecno Pova Curve 5G starts at ₹15,999 for the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant, while the 8GB RAM model with the same storage is priced at ₹16,999. Both price points slot it competitively in the crowded sub-₹20,000 segment, where every rupee counts and options are plenty. The POVA Curve 5G is available online via Amazon.in, Flipkart, and Croma
The standout feature of the Tecno Pova Curve 5G isn’t hidden deep in the settings menu or buried behind a flashy spec sheet—it's front and center: the display.Tecno’s gone big here, literally and figuratively. You’re looking at a 6.78-inch FHD+ curved AMOLED panel with a buttery-smooth 144Hz refresh rate (defaulting to 120Hz), 240Hz touch sampling, and a peak brightness of 1300 nits.
The result is a screen that feels faster than you’d expect at this price point. Animations glide. Social feeds scroll effortlessly. And those deep AMOLED blacks give every swipe, tap, and transition a touch of drama.
What’s more interesting is that Tecno allows per-app toggles for 144Hz refresh, so you can squeeze out extra fluidity in apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook—though you’ll have to dig into the settings to set it up manually.
For durability, you’re also getting Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, which is nice to see at this price point. That said, there are trade-offs. Netflix streaming lacks HDR support, which is unfortunate if your idea of downtime involves back-to-back episodes in bed.
Also, there’s no pre-applied screen protector out of the box—a curious omission on a curved screen, which by design is more vulnerable to edge nicks and scratches.
Still, the experience is immersive. During my time with the device, I caught myself watching more YouTube than usual—not because I had to, but because the display made it enjoyable. In this price segment, it’s hard to find a panel that looks and feels this premium. Tecno clearly knows where to spend its budget, and this display is proof.
The Tecno Pova Curve 5G doesn’t scream budget phone when you first pick it up. In fact, it leans heavily into a Starship Troopers-meets-Gen-Z aesthetic—with a sleek, curved rear panel that feels like it was pulled from a spaceship's control deck. Our unit came in Magic Silver, a finish that catches light in all the right ways without going full mirrorball. If that’s not your vibe, you can also grab it in Geek Black or Neon Cyan.
The design definitely leans flashy—and for some, maybe a bit too flashy—but Tecno is clearly aiming for distinction over subtlety. Even with its plastic back, the matte finish helps keep fingerprints at bay, and the phone manages to feel more expensive than it is.
It also earns an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance, so it's enough to survive a coffee spill or a run through the rain. The glossy plastic frame, however, is a bit of a fingerprint magnet, so keep a cloth or use the clear protective case that comes bundled in the box.
At just 7.45mm thin, this thing is razor-slim—especially impressive considering it packs a 5500mAh battery inside. Tecno even claims it’s the slimmest phone in India with that kind of battery, and honestly, it shows. At 188.5 grams, the weight is well-balanced, making it surprisingly comfortable to hold for long stretches.
Button and port placements are pretty standard fare. You get the power button and volume rockers on the right; the left side is clean. Down below, there’s a dual SIM tray, a USB-C port, a primary mic, and a loudspeaker grille. Up top, you’ll find the secondary mic, speaker vents, and yes an IR blaster.
The design doesn’t break new ground, but it doesn’t need to. What matters is that the phone feels well put together and, more importantly, easy to live with—lightweight, slim, and just sci-fi enough to stand out.
So yes, the Pova Curve 5G may lean a bit extra in the design department. But the important thing is this: the phone is well put together, feels great in the hand, and nails the basics of usability. Lightweight, slim, and just sci-fi enough to stand out without tipping into gimmick territory.
Under the hood, the Tecno Pova Curve 5G runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate—a 4nm chipset that’s become a go-to for budget phones with gaming ambitions. It’s paired with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage. Unfortunately, there’s no 256GB variant, and with no microSD slot either, you’re locked into what you buy on Day One.
In terms of benchmarks, the Pova Curve 5G holds its own. It scored 1021 in Geekbench’s single-core test and 3110 in multi-core. On AnTuTu, it clocked a respectable 675,104—numbers that won’t shatter records but are very competitive in this segment. In 3D Mark wild life stress test, it scored 99.2% which is fantastic.
Everyday tasks like app switching, social scrolling, and light photo editing are smooth and snappy. But where this phone really wants to flex is in gaming. Tecno claims 90FPS support in BGMI, and surprisingly, it mostly delivers.
I recorded an average of 87 FPS running Smooth + Extreme settings, with no noticeable frame drops or thermal throttling. That’s seriously impressive for a phone at this price—and even more so when you factor in the stable thermals. It runs cool under pressure.
That said, the curved edges—while great for aesthetics—aren’t the most ergonomic during extended play sessions. They tend to dig into the palms, and while it’s not a dealbreaker, it’s something to be aware of if you're the type to game until your battery begs for mercy.
For casual gamers, or even those pushing mid-tier graphics in titles like Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact, the Pova Curve 5G delivers consistent performance without the usual thermal drama. It’s not a powerhouse—but it’s definitely a workhorse.
HiOS 15 is Tecno’s most polished version of its Android skin yet. The interface has seen a noticeable glow-up: smoother animations, revamped icons, and cleaner design make daily use feel snappier and far less cluttered than previous iterations. It’s still HiOS—but this time, it’s trying to act grown-up.
That said, the bloatware problem hasn’t gone away. The phone ships with a handful of pre-installed apps you’ll likely never touch—from generic games to local shopping platforms. Most of them can be uninstalled, thankfully, but for a phone trying to look and feel premium, this kind of software clutter still breaks the illusion.
The real highlight, though, is how aggressively Tecno is pushing AI features across the board. At the center is Ella, the brand’s smart assistant, which currently supports Hindi and is expanding to Bengali, Tamil, Gujarati, and Marathi by the end of the year. That kind of regional language integration isn’t just marketing fluff—it makes a real difference in accessibility for Indian users.
There’s also a suite of AI utilities that go well beyond gimmicks. The AI Call Assistant can translate, transcribe, and summarize calls in real time—including WhatsApp calls. Other additions include AI Auto Answer, Voiceprint Noise Suppression, AI Screen Awareness, and a surprisingly handy AI Writing & Document Assistant.
Even the Gallery app gets in on the action with AI Eraser 2.0, Image Extender, AI Sharpness Plus, and an AI Wallpaper Generator. You also get playful touches like Vogue Portraits and Artboard for your lockscreen if you’re into a more curated aesthetic.
But here’s the catch: the software update policy is underwhelming. Tecno is offering just one Android OS update and two years of security patches. That’s not great—especially when brands like Samsung and even Infinix are pushing harder in the budget space with longer support cycles. At the very least, this phone deserved two major updates to match the longevity of its hardware.
In short, HiOS 15 is smarter, smoother, and more thoughtful than before—but it still carries some old baggage. With less bloat and a better update promise, this could’ve been one of the best budget software experiences out there.
Let’s talk cameras—because Tecno’s made some interesting choices here. On paper, the Pova Curve 5G packs a 64MP Sony IMX682 main sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, backed by a 2MP portrait lens and an LED flash. Around the front, there’s a 13MP selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture nestled in the curved display. It’s not a groundbreaking setup, but it’s certainly punching above its class in a few key areas.
Now, before you get too excited about that 64MP number—know that after pixel binning, your typical output clocks in around 17MP. Still, in good lighting, the results are genuinely impressive. Daylight shots are sharp, colours lean natural, and dynamic range is surprisingly wide if you keep HDR on. The autofocus is quick to lock on, and portrait mode delivers clean edge separation more often than not.
Low-light performance, however, is a bit more complicated. Standard night shots can get noisy, especially when you start zooming in. Night mode does help—boosting brightness and reining in highlights—but don’t expect miracle shots. Also, close-up and macro photography feels like an afterthought here. The camera struggled with focus locking at short distances, often leaving you with soft or misfired shots.
The 13MP selfie camera performs reasonably well outdoors and in bright indoor settings. Portraits from the front cam don’t look artificial, though edge detection isn’t as refined as the rear shooter.
Video is where expectations should be kept in check. The footage is usable, but far from cinematic. That said, both the front and rear cameras support 4K at 30fps -- a rare flex at this price point, even if stabilization and detail aren’t standout strengths.
In short: this isn’t a phone for camera purists, but it gets a lot right for the money. The main camera handles everyday moments with confidence, and the inclusion of 4K video on both ends gives it a surprising edge in this segment.
Battery life on the Tecno Pova Curve 5G is one of its strongest assets—and not just because of the numbers on the spec sheet. The phone packs a 5500mAh battery, and thanks to some solid software optimization, it’s more than just a big cell on paper.
In real-world use, it’s a solid performer — it comfortably lasted through a full day without anxiety —think gaming, streaming, and camera tests.
Charging is quick and surprisingly well thought-out. The phone supports 45W fast charging, and it gets to 50% in just over 30 minutes, hitting full charge in just over an hour. That’s fast enough to make morning top-ups practical, even if you forget to plug in overnight.
What’s even more impressive is the inclusion of bypass charging—a feature we usually see on higher-end gaming phones. When enabled during gameplay, it routes the power directly to the motherboard instead of the battery, helping reduce heat and slow long-term battery degradation. There’s also reverse wired charging, which can turn the Pova into a backup power bank in a pinch.
Put simply, the battery experience here feels well-rounded—not just big, but efficient and thoughtful. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done with confidence.
The Tecno POVA Curve 5G is a bold swing—and for the most part, it connects. You get a genuinely striking curved AMOLED display with a fast 144Hz refresh rate, solid battery life, dependable performance for the price, and a surprisingly rich set of AI features baked into HiOS 15.
Add in extras like bypass charging, an IR blaster, and stereo speakers, and you’ve got a device that punches above its weight in several key areas. But it’s not all smooth sailing. The software support is limited to just one Android update, which feels like a missed opportunity for long-term buyers.
There’s still some bloatware to deal with, and the camera system, while serviceable in daylight, doesn’t hold up as well in low light or macro scenarios. And while the phone looks premium, the plastic frame and flashy design won’t appeal to everyone.
That said, if your priorities are display quality, battery life, and everyday usability—and you're okay living with one major Android update—this phone is a serious contender in the sub-₹20,000 crowd. It’s not trying to be everything to everyone. But for the right kind of user, the POVA Curve 5G makes a strong case for itself as a stylish, value-packed daily driver that doesn't shy away from standing out.