The TECNO SPARK Slim, the Slimmest 3D-Curved Phone in its class, brings a fresh approach to the budget smartphone scene. While many brands focus on bigger batteries or faster networks, TECNO shifts the spotlight to style, comfort, and a design-first experience.
After spending time with the SPARK Slim, it’s easy to see how its slim design and lightweight build make daily use comfortable, while its performance keeps up with apps, social media, videos, and light gaming. All this comes at a budget`-friendly price, making it an appealing choice for anyone looking for a sleek, modern smartphone without overspending.
Design and Build Quality
The TECNO SPARK Slim features an ultra-thin, modern design that feels premium without stretching the budget. Its 3D-curved back not only looks stylish but also makes the phone comfortable to hold. The subtle finish on the back catches light nicely without being flashy, giving it a clean and refined look.
Weighing just 156g and measuring only 5.93mm thick, the SPARK Slim feels almost weightless in hand. Using it throughout the day, whether scrolling through social media or catching up on videos, it never felt tiring to hold.
Even with the large 6.78-inch display, one-handed use for light tasks was surprisingly manageable. The side-mounted fingerprint/power button and volume keys are perfectly positioned, and the USB-C port, speaker, and SIM tray are easy to access at the bottom.
TECNO achieved this slim profile by reworking eight core components, including the battery, Type-C port, motherboard, SIM slot, back cover, speaker, front camera, and display layers, so everything fits more efficiently inside the frame. With Honeycomb Space Stacking Technology, the internal layout is packed tighter, keeping the phone impressively thin without making it feel fragile.
The back cover is made from flagship-level fiberglass, giving it excellent strength, toughness, heat resistance, and a smooth, premium touch. Personally, I found the phone comfortable to grip even during long scrolling sessions or watching videos in bed. The rear camera layout is simple yet distinctive, highlighted by the Mood Light strip that glows for notifications.
However, the Mood Light doesn’t have color customization, which may feel limiting for users who want to personalize it. The matte back can also pick up minor fingerprints, though the included case helps keep it clean.
Overall, holding and using the SPARK Slim day-to-day gives a sense of balance between style, comfort, and durability, proving that a slim phone can still feel practical and premium.
Display and Sound
The TECNO SPARK Slim comes with a 6.78-inch 1.5K 3D AMOLED display that delivers sharp visuals and vibrant colors. Scrolling through apps, watching videos, or browsing social media feels smooth and fluid, thanks to the 144Hz refresh rate. Even during prolonged usage, the display is easy on the eyes, and colors remain consistent at different viewing angles.
TECNO also includes Eye Care and Sleep Aid modes, which intelligently adjust the screen’s color temperature based on your usage and rhythm. Over several days of using the phone, I noticed these modes made late-night browsing much more comfortable and less straining on the eyes, helping maintain a better sleep pattern after extended evening use.
Audio comes through dual speakers with Dolby Atmos. In my experience, the sound is clear and detailed for calls, videos, and casual music listening. However, at higher volumes, the sound can feel a bit thin and lacks bass depth, so it’s not ideal for users seeking a full, rich audio experience.
Durability
Even with its ultra-slim design, the TECNO SPARK Slim feels remarkably sturdy. The phone uses a Corning Gorilla Glass 7i cover, which significantly improves performance compared to earlier versions like GG5, offering twice the resistance to drops, shocks, and friction. During my time using the phone, it felt solid in hand, and I had confidence it could handle the usual bumps and knocks of daily life.
Thanks to its high-strength structural design, extending from the inside to the outside of the body, the SPARK Slim passed military-grade shock resistance tests. It also comes with IP64 water and dust resistance, which protects it from splashes, spills, and dust exposure during everyday use. I didn’t worry about accidental rain or minor kitchen spills while testing it, which adds peace of mind for daily life.
However, being extremely slim, it’s still wise to use the included case, especially to protect the edges from dents or scratches if dropped on hard surfaces.
Overall, the SPARK Slim combines a lightweight, sleek design with exceptional durability, proving that a thin phone can also be tough enough for everyday use.
Performance
The TECNO SPARK Slim is powered by the MediaTek Helio G200 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM (plus 8GB extended RAM) and 256GB internal storage. In daily use, the phone feels smooth and responsive. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is handled well, and scrolling through social media or browsing the web rarely shows any lag. Even with multiple apps open, the device stays fluid and doesn’t overheat.
Daily Use
Using the SPARK Slim as my primary device for a few days, I found that everyday tasks like messaging, video calls, and streaming ran seamlessly. Switching between apps is fast, and the interface remains responsive thanks to the well-optimized HiOS overlay on Android 15. The phone never felt heavy in hand, and the slim body makes it easy to carry around all day.
Using the SPARK Slim as my primary device for a few days, I found that everyday tasks like messaging, video calls, and streaming ran seamlessly. Switching between apps is fast, and the interface remains responsive thanks to the well-optimized HiOS overlay on Android 15. The phone never felt heavy in hand, and the slim body makes it easy to carry around all day.
Gaming
For gaming, the SPARK Slim handles both demanding and casual games surprisingly well. I tested Honor of kings, Destiny: Rising, Black Desert Mobile, Diablo Immortal, and Call of Duty Mobile, and they ran smoothly at medium settings with minimal stutter. The vapor chamber cooling system helped prevent overheating during longer sessions. For lighter, casual games like Among Us, Plants vs. Zombies 2, and Pokémon Go, the phone performed flawlessly, with fast load times and smooth animations. While it’s not a flagship gaming device, it’s more than capable for both casual and moderate mobile gaming.
Lag-Free for 5 Years
The SPARK Slim is TÜV-certified, promising a lag-free experience for up to 5 years. This indicates long-term smooth operation and durability without frequent replacements. Of course, 5 years is a long claim and still to be proven in real-world use, but it reflects TECNO’s confidence in the device’s performance and stability over time.
Benchmark
On Antutu benchmarks, the SPARK Slim scores within the expected range for mid-budget devices, delivering solid performance without surprises. The combination of processor and extended RAM allows the phone to handle daily multitasking and moderate gaming without noticeable slowdowns.
Overall, the TECNO SPARK Slim balances performance and efficiency, offering a smooth experience for daily tasks, media consumption, and a wide range of mobile games, all within a slim, lightweight design.
OS and User Interface
The TECNO SPARK Slim runs on Android 15 with TECNO’s HiOS overlay, which feels cleaner and more refined compared to previous versions. Navigating the interface is smooth and intuitive, making it easy to jump between apps, settings, and notifications without confusion.
During my usage, the system remained lag-free and responsive, even with multiple apps running in the background. A key highlight is the “Ask Ella” AI assistant, which can be activated with one press to handle a variety of tasks. It includes AI Search, AI Writing, AI Translate (supporting 131 text languages, 44 voice interpretation languages, and 51 photo translation languages), as well as features like reading summaries, text editing, and image tools. In practice, these tools made daily tasks quicker and more convenient, especially when handling translations or editing content on the go.
HiOS also includes useful customization options, such as changing themes, wallpapers, and app icons. While some pre-installed apps may not be needed by all users, they are easy to ignore or uninstall, keeping the experience clean. Personally, I found the Eye Care and Sleep Aid modes helpful for reducing eye strain during late-night use, with smooth adjustments to the screen’s color temperature.
However, some gestures and navigation shortcuts may feel unintuitive at first, but once familiar, they work reliably. Overall, the interface combines simplicity, efficiency, and smart AI tools, making the SPARK Slim both user-friendly and productivity-friendly for everyday tasks.
Connectivity
The TECNO SPARK Slim covers all the essential connectivity options you’d expect from a modern budget smartphone. It supports 4G/LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, and OTG functionality, making it versatile for both daily tasks and on-the-go needs.
During my usage, network performance was reliable. Streaming videos, browsing social media, and making calls over 4G felt smooth, with no noticeable drop in signal or speed. Wi-Fi connectivity was stable even in crowded networks, and Bluetooth 5.2 paired seamlessly with headphones and other accessories. NFC worked without a hitch for mobile payments, adding convenience for quick transactions.
A notable feature is FreeLink, which lets you make calls and send messages even without network coverage, using direct Bluetooth communication. This is handy in areas with weak or no signal, like mountains, concerts, or underground parking. However, it only works with other TECNO devices, so it’s limited if you need to contact users on different smartphone brands. Hopefully, TECNO will expand this feature to work across all devices in the future.
GPS performance was also accurate, making navigation straightforward whether walking or driving. Using the phone for map apps and location-based games like Pokémon Go was consistent and precise.
However, the phone does not support 5G, which could be a limitation for users wanting faster network speeds in the future. For most budget users, though, the connectivity options including FreeLink, cover daily needs reliably.
Camera
The TECNO SPARK Slim features a dual rear camera setup, led by a 50MP main camera and a 2MP secondary lens, while the front uses a 13MP camera for selfies and video calls. For a slim and budget-friendly phone, the camera feels practical, reliable, and even a bit fun to use in daily life.
Daytime Photography
During my time using the SPARK Slim, I found the 50MP main camera to be impressively sharp for a budget device. Capturing street scenes, food, or quick snaps for social media was straightforward. Colors looked natural, and details were clear enough that I didn’t feel the need to touch up most photos.
The AI Cam mode made it effortless, just point and shoot, and the camera handled exposure and color very well. Selfies with the 13MP front camera came out nice and vibrant, perfect for quick social media posts or video calls with friends.
Night Photography
I tested the camera during evenings and indoor settings, and the results were surprisingly decent. Noise is noticeable in very dark areas, but Super Night mode brightened up the scenes effectively. I was able to take snapshots of dimly lit cafés and evening streets that were shareable with minor edits. Low-light shots lose some fine details, but for casual use, they work just fine.
Shooting Modes and Creative Tools
Experimenting with the different shooting modes was enjoyable. I tried AIGC Portrait, Portrait, Time-lapse, Dual Video, Vlog, Slow Motion, and Sky Shop, and they all added some fun to photography sessions. Sky Shop, for example, made sunset shots look more dramatic, and Vlog mode was handy for recording short clips without thinking too much about settings. These modes aren’t essential for everyday shots but do add a creative touch when I wanted to experiment.
Sample Camera Shots
AI Camera Features
The AI features, including Ask Ella, AI scene recognition, and AI image editing, were genuinely useful. For instance, I could quickly clean up photos or adjust lighting without opening a separate app. It made casual photography feel smarter and more efficient, especially when I wanted to post content quickly.
Video Recording
For video, the phone records up to 2K at 30fps. I filmed short clips while walking around the city and found the results satisfactory for social media. Videos were stable enough for handheld shots in good lighting, though fast-moving scenes revealed the lack of higher frame rates and advanced stabilization.However, the camera has its limits. Highlights can occasionally appear overexposed in bright scenes, low-light shots may lose fine details, and some creative modes feel more like extras than tools I’d use daily. Video recording is also constrained by the lack of higher frame rates and advanced stabilization.
Overall, the camera felt friendly and reliable in real-world use. Daytime shots are good, night photos are usable, AI tools simplify edits, and creative modes add a bit of fun. For a slim, budget-friendly phone, it’s a camera that’s easy to enjoy without overthinking..
Battery and Charging
The TECNO SPARK Slim comes with a 5160mAh battery that comfortably gets through a full day of typical use, including social media browsing, video streaming, casual gaming, and taking photos. On lighter days, it can even stretch into a second day without needing a recharge.
It supports 45W Super Charging, which is noticeably fast for a budget device. I was able to charge the phone from nearly empty to about 70% in around 30 minutes, perfect for quick top-ups before heading out.
The phone also supports 10W reverse charging, letting it act as a power source for other devices in emergencies. In practice, though, it’s not the most convenient feature, since it requires a Type-C to Type-C cable. For most situations, a portable power bank, like the UGREEN MagFlow 10,000mAh 25W Magnetic PowerBank is usually a quicker and easier way to share power.
Another highlight is heat management. The phone uses a 24,532mm² heat dissipation area with a vapor chamber system, which keeps it cool even during gaming or extended video streaming while charging. I didn’t notice any uncomfortable heat build-up, making long sessions worry-free, a rare feat for a slim budget phone.
However, the SPARK Slim does not support wireless charging, which might be a minor drawback for users who prefer cable-free convenience. Still, given its slim design and price, the battery performance and cooling system are very practical.
Overall, the TECNO SPARK Slim delivers reliable battery life, fast charging, and effective heat management, making it easy to use all day without constantly hunting for an outlet.
Pros
Slim and lightweight design
Good battery life with fast charging
Large AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate
Dual rear cameras (50MP + 2MP) and 13MP front camera
Durable build with Gorilla Glass, and military-grade shock resistance
Efficient cooling system
Useful AI and connectivity features (Ask Ella, FreeLink, NFC, reverse charging)
Good battery life with fast charging
Large AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate
Dual rear cameras (50MP + 2MP) and 13MP front camera
Durable build with Gorilla Glass, and military-grade shock resistance
Efficient cooling system
Useful AI and connectivity features (Ask Ella, FreeLink, NFC, reverse charging)
Cons
Mood Light has no color customization
Camera highlights can overexpose, low-light shots lose detail
Video recording limited to 2K 30fps, no advanced stabilization
FreeLink only works with other TECNO devices
Camera highlights can overexpose, low-light shots lose detail
Video recording limited to 2K 30fps, no advanced stabilization
FreeLink only works with other TECNO devices
Verdict
The TECNO SPARK Slim shows that a slim design can go hand in hand with practical performance in a budget smartphone. Its lightweight body, large 1.5K AMOLED display, and 45W fast charging keeps everyday use, whether browsing, streaming, or playing games, effortless and responsive.The cameras deliver reliable daytime shots, while AI features like Ask Ella and creative shooting modes simplify tasks and add a bit of fun. With its durable build, IP64 water/dust resistance, and efficient cooling system, the phone feels solid and dependable for everyday use.
While features like reverse charging, FreeLink, and video recording have some limitations, they don’t take away from the overall experience. Priced at ₱9,499, the SPARK Slim is a well-rounded, stylish, and budget-friendly option for anyone looking for a capable phone that balances design and performance.
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