I have spent the last week testing the Tecno Spark Go 3 as my secondary device. In the budget segment, manufacturers often cut corners to keep prices low. Usually, you lose out on a good screen or decent build quality, but Tecno seems to have taken a different approach here. They are offering features like a 120Hz screen refresh rate and IP64 water resistance durability for under ₹9,000. It sounds impressive on paper, so I put it to the test to see how it holds up in real daily use.
Key Takeaways
- The 120Hz refresh rate is a rare find in this price segment, making scrolling and animations feel much faster than usual.
- Ella AI supports local languages like Hindi, Marathi, and Tamil, making voice commands actually useful for regional users.
- The ‘No Network Communication’ feature lets you talk to other nearby users without a signal, which is great for remote areas.
- An IP64 rating means it handles dust and water splashes better than most budget rivals.
- The 15W charging support is quite slow by modern standards, and the box only includes a 10W charger.
Design and Display: Smooth and Tough
The first thing I noticed about the Spark Go 3 is that it does not feel “cheap”. I have the Ink Black variant, and while it is made of plastic, it feels solid. The phone is relatively slim at 8.19mm and weighs about 182g, which is comfortable to hold for long periods.
The standout feature here is undoubtedly the display. It sports a 6.745-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. If you are coming from a standard 60Hz phone, you will immediately notice the difference. Scrolling through social media feeds or menus feels fluid. The touch response is quick, thanks to the 240Hz touch sampling rate.
I used the phone outdoors under direct sunlight. With 580 nits of brightness, the screen is legible, though you might have to squint a bit if the sun is directly overhead. The “Dynamic Port” (Tecno’s notification pill around the camera) is a neat touch that gives it a modern look.
One practical addition is the IP64 rating. I used the phone with wet hands after washing dishes, and the screen responded accurately. It also survived a few accidental splashes of rain without any issues. For a phone in this price bracket, this level of durability is a big plus.
Performance and Software: Good for Daily Tasks
The Spark Go 3 runs on a Unisoc T7250 processor. This is an entry-level chip, so I managed my expectations. For basic tasks like WhatsApp, browsing Chrome, and watching YouTube, the phone runs well. The 4GB of RAM (expandable virtually by another 4GB) keeps the interface snappy enough for general use.
Tecno claims “4 Years Lag Free Performance.” While I cannot test it for four years in a week, I did notice that the phone stays consistent even when I have a few apps open. However, do not expect to play heavy games like Call of Duty Mobile on high settings. It handles casual games like Subway Surfers or Candy Crush easily, but heavy graphical loads will cause stutters.
The software is HiOS 15 based on the very latest Android 15. This is surprising and excellent. Most budget phones still launch with older Android versions. The interface is colorful and has many features. There’s no commitment from the brand to offer future OS updates as of now.
Ella AI and Special Features
The AI features are where Tecno tries to differentiate this phone. The voice assistant, Ella AI, now supports Indian languages. I tested it with Hindi commands, and it understood me most of the time. It can change settings, play music, or answer queries. It feels more localized than the standard Google Assistant.
Another interesting feature is the “No Network Communication.” This works like a walkie-talkie. I tested this with a colleague who also had a compatible Tecno unit. We could send voice notes and texts without any SIM card signal or Wi-Fi over a short distance (around 800 meters in my city test, though they claim up to 1.5km). This could be very useful if you work in a basement, a large warehouse, or live in an area with patchy network coverage.
The phone also includes an Infrared (IR) sensor. I set it up with my TV and air conditioner, and it worked perfectly as a remote. It is a small addition that I found myself using every day.
Camera Performance
The camera setup is modest. You get a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera.
- Daylight: In good lighting, the 13MP sensor takes decent shots. Colors are punchy, which is typical for Tecno phones. The “AI Flash Snap” helps capture moving subjects, like a pet or a car, with less blur.
- Low Light: Indoors or at night, the quality drops. Images can look a bit soft or grainy. The dual flash helps, but it won’t work miracles.
- Selfies: The 8MP front camera is good enough for video calls and social media. The beauty filters are on by default, so you might want to turn them off if you prefer a natural look.
The “AI Flash Snap” is useful. I tried taking a photo of a moving fan, and the phone adjusted the shutter speed to freeze the motion better than I expected.
Battery Life and Charging
The 5000mAh battery is a workhorse. On a typical day of calling, texting, and about two hours of video streaming, I finished the day with around 30% battery left. The standby time is excellent; I left it unplugged overnight, and it only dropped 2%.
However, charging is a pain point. The phone supports 15W charging, which is slow for 2026. To make matters worse, Tecno only includes a 10W charger in the box. Charging from 0% to 100% takes over two hours. If you are in a rush, this can be frustrating. You will need to plug it in overnight or plan your charging habits.
Tecno Spark Go 3 Specifications
- Display: 6.745-inch HD+ (720 x 1600), 120Hz Refresh Rate, 580 Nits Brightness
- Processor: Unisoc T7250 (Octa-core: 2x Cortex-A75 @ 1.8GHz, 6x Cortex-A55 @ 1.6GHz)
- RAM: 4GB LPDDR4x (+4GB Memory Fusion)
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Rear Camera: 13MP with AI Flash Snap
- Front Camera: 8MP with AI Flash Snap
- Battery: 5000mAh, 15W Charging Support (10W charger in box)
- OS: HiOS 15 based on Android 15
- Durability: IP64 Dust & Water Resistant, Drop Resistant
- Special Features: Infrared Remote, DTS Sound, No Network Communication (up to 1.5KM)
- Dimensions: 167.79 x 77.97 x 8.19mm | Weight: 182.6g
- Price: ₹8,999 (4GB/64GB Variant)
Verdict
The Tecno Spark Go 3 is a solid choice for practical users. It fits the needs of students, delivery partners, or anyone looking for a reliable secondary device. It does not have the most powerful processor or the best camera, but it nails the basics: a great screen, long battery life, and a tough build.
The addition of Android 15 and local language support shows that Tecno understands its Indian audience. If you can live with the slow charging speed, this phone offers excellent value for ₹8,999. It is a phone that handles the rough and tumble of daily life while looking good doing it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Does the Tecno Spark Go 3 support 5G?
A1: No, this is a 4G device. It does not support 5G networks.
Q2: Can I use the ‘No Network Communication’ feature with any phone?
A2: No, this feature generally works between compatible Tecno devices that support the same protocol. It allows you to chat or talk without a SIM signal or Wi-Fi.
Q3: How much time does it take to charge fully?
A3: With the provided 10W charger, it takes over 2 hours to charge from 0 to 100%. If you use a compatible 15W charger, it will be slightly faster but still relatively slow.
Q4: Does it have a fingerprint sensor?
A4: Yes, it has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button, which is fast and reliable.
Q5: Can I expand the storage?
A5: The phone comes with 64GB of internal storage, but you can likely use a microSD card to store more photos and videos (though the exact expansion limit wasn’t specified in the file, standard practice in this segment is usually up to 1TB).
