If you’re on the lookout for that spark to kickstart the new year, the Tecno Spark 20 series deserves your attention. Tecno, a Chinese smartphone brand under Shenzhen Transsion Holdings, shares its umbrella with Infinix and iTel, primarily capturing markets in Africa and Asia. Known for delivering budget-friendly devices, Tecno stands out by offering impressive features that can compete with many flagship models currently dominating the market.
The spanking new Tecno Spark 20 series introduces three distinct models: Tecno Spark 20, Tecno Spark 20 Pro, and Tecno Spark 20 Pro+. Tecno decided to skip the series numbering system from the Tecno Spark 10 series to the 20 series without much explanation. Well then, without further ado, let’s dive into a detailed comparison of their specifications and features below.
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Tecno Spark 20 Series Spec Sheet
| Model | Tecno Spark 20 | Tecno Spark 20 Pro | Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ |
| Announced | 2023, December 01 | 2023, December 15 | 2023, December 29 |
| Display | 6.6″ IPS LCD, 90Hz display | Resolution: 720 x 1612 pixels | 6.78″ IPS LCD, 120Hz display | Resolution: 1080 x 2460 pixels | 6.78″ AMOLED display with Always-On display @ 120Hz| Resolution: 1080 x 2436 pixels, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 168.6 x 76.6 x 8.4 mm (6.64 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 164.7 x 75 x 7.6 mm (6.48 x 2.95 x 0.30 in) |
| Weight | – | – | 179 g (6.31 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | IP53, dust and splash resistant | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | IP53, dust and splash resistant | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 14 | Android 14 |
| Processor | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12nm) | CPU: Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | GPU: Mali-G52 MC2 | Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) | CPU: Octa-core (2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | GPU: Mali-G57 MC2 | Mediatek Helio G99 Ultimate | CPU: Octa-core (2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | GPU: Mali-G57 MC2 |
| RAM/Storage | 128GB ROM 4GB RAM | 256GB ROM 8GB RAM | 256GB ROM 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | 50 MP, 0.08 MP (auxiliary) with Dual-LED flash | Video: 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 108 MP, 0.08 MP (auxiliary) Quad-LED flash | Video: 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 108 MP, 0.08 MP (auxiliary) Quad-LED flash | Video: 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie Camera | 32 MP with Dual-LED flash | Video: 1080p@30fps | 32 MP with Dual-LED flash | Video: 1080p@30fps | 32 MP with Dual-LED flash | Video: 1080p@30fps |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Audio jack | Yes | Yes | No |
| Network and Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | GSM / HSPA / LTE | Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE | FM Radio | GPS | USB-C | OTG | | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | GSM / HSPA / LTE | Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE | FM Radio | GPS | | GLONASS| USB-C | OTG | NFC | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | GSM / HSPA / LTE | Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE | FM Radio | GPS | | GLONASS| USB-C | OTG | NFC |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | Non-removable 5000 mAh | 18W wired charging speeds | Non-removable 5000 mAh | 33W wired charging speeds | Non-removable 5000 mAh | 33W wired charging speeds |
| Colors | Gravity Black, Cyber White, Neon Gold, Magic Skin 2.0 (Blue) |
Moonlit Black, Frosty Ivory, Sunset Blush, Magic Skin 2.0 Green |
Temporal Orbits, Lunar Frost, Radiant Starstream, Magic Skin 2.0 Green |
Design
The Tecno Spark 20 series have a similar design to the iPhone, especially in the rear camera module. The main camera, the secondary camera and the LED flash are arranged in a way that mimics the iphone’s style. However, the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ stands out from the rest of the series with a different design language. It rather reminds me more of the Oneplus phones, with a the circular camera bump and a sleeker look.
Display
The Tecno Spark 20 has a 6.6-inch IPS LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and a disappoint resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels. I would have expected better in the new year. The Tecno Spark 20 Pro has a slightly larger 6.78-inch IPS LCD screen with a faster 120Hz refresh rate and a much better resolution of 1080 x 2460 pixels. As for the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+, Tecno goes all with an AMOLED display that supports Always-On display and has a peak brightness of 1000 nits. The AMOLED display also has a higher resolution of 1080 x 2436 pixels much as the screen size stays the same.
Dimensions and Weight
The Tecno Spark 20 is the smallest of the lot, measuring 163.7 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm. The Tecno Spark 20 Pro is the biggest device in the series and measures 168.6 x 76.6 x 8.4 mm. And lastly, the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ measures 164.7 x 75 x 7.6 mm and weighs 179 grams. All three models have a glass front, a plastic back, and a plastic frame. They are also IP53 certified, which means they are dust and splash resistant. The Spark 20 has unsightly bezels which I suppose serve the purpose of nudging buyers to the more expensive 20 Pro and 20 Pro+.
Operating System and Chipset
The Tecno Spark 20 runs on Android 13, while the Tecno Spark 20 Pro and the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ run on Android 14. The Tecno Spark 20 is powered by the Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 chipset, which has an octa-core CPU (2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) and a Mali-G52 MC2 GPU. This chipset optmises power consumption, ensuring longer battery life without compromising on performance.
The Tecno Spark 20 Pro and the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ are powered by a much more powerful Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, which has an octa-core CPU (2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) and a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. The Helio G99 chipset is more powerful and efficient than the Helio G85 chipset, as it is based on a smaller 6nm process.
Main Camera
The Tecno Spark 20 has a 50 MP and a depth camera with dual-LED flash. It can record videos at up to 1440p@30fps or 1080p@30fps. The Tecno Spark 20 Pro and the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ have a single rear camera of 108 MP with quad-LED flash. They can also record videos at up to 1440p@30fps or 1080p@30fps. All three models have the same selfie camera of 32 MP with dual-LED flash. They can also record videos at up to 1080p@30fps.
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Network and Connectivity
All three models support Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac aka WiFi 5 dual-band, GSM / HSPA / LTE, Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE, FM Radio, GPS, USB-C, and OTG. The Tecno Spark 20 Pro and the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ also support GLONASS. As for old school earphone support, the Tecno Spark 20 and the Tecno Spark 20 Pro have a standard audio jack, while the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ does not.
Conclusion
The Tecno Spark 20 series offers some impressive features for its price range, such as high-resolution displays, powerful processors, large storage and RAM, high-megapixel cameras, and Android updates. The main differences between the models are in the display type, size, and resolution; the chipset; and the audio jack availability. Depending on your preferences and budget, you can choose the model that suits you best. Personally, I would skip the Tecno Spark 20 altogether and opt in for the Tecno Spark 20 Pro and if the price is right, the Pro+.