Tecno Pop 9 3GB RAM 64GB Storage – Affordable Smartphone

Tecno Pop 9 3GB RAM 64GB Storage – Affordable Smartphone

Key Features

• Screen Size: 6.67 inches
• Resolution: 720 x 1600 pixels
• Display Technology: IPS LCD
• HDR Support: Not supported
• Refresh Rate: 60Hz
• Smart TV Features: Not applicable (Smartphone)
• Operating System: Android 14 Go Edition
• Audio Quality: Loudspeaker with clear output, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS
• Ports: USB Type-C, 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD slot

What Comes in the Box 

• Tecno Pop 9 Smartphone
• 15W Type-C Fast Charger
• USB Type-C Cable
• SIM Ejector Tool
• User Manual
• Warranty Card

Design and Build Quality

The Tecno Pop 9 stands as a budget-friendly smartphone designed to balance affordability with essential modern features. One of the first aspects that users notice is its physical design, which showcases an aesthetic that feels more premium than its price might suggest. The body is crafted primarily from high-quality polycarbonate material that is designed to mimic the glossy look of more expensive glass-backed devices. While plastic is a cost-effective option, the finish on the Tecno Pop 9 adds a sense of sophistication. It reflects light in subtle patterns and is available in various color options that appeal to both younger and more mature users alike.

The rear panel features a clean layout, with a vertically arranged camera module positioned to the upper left-hand side. This camera setup is modest yet functional for basic photography needs. The fingerprint sensor is centrally placed at the back, allowing for ergonomic unlocking. Its tactile feedback is decent, responding accurately to fingerprint input. The device has gently curved edges and corners, ensuring a comfortable grip during one-handed use. It is lightweight, making it ideal for prolonged usage without causing fatigue. The button placements—volume rocker and power button—are located on the right edge of the phone. The buttons are responsive and offer a firm press, contributing to an overall satisfying tactile experience.

In terms of dimensions, the Tecno Pop 9 is optimized for casual and daily use. Its size is large enough to enjoy multimedia content, yet compact enough to fit easily into a pocket or small bag. The phone also includes a microUSB port for charging and data transfer, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is still appreciated by users who rely on wired audio accessories. The inclusion of a dedicated microSD card slot is a valuable feature, allowing users to expand storage without compromising one of the SIM card slots. This dual SIM plus dedicated microSD slot arrangement is especially helpful for those who need to balance personal and work contacts or travel frequently and require a secondary SIM.

Overall, while the Tecno Pop 9 may not sport a premium metal or glass build like flagship devices, it compensates with a well-thought-out design that prioritizes functionality, comfort, and style within the constraints of a budget-friendly price point.

Display

The display on the Tecno Pop 9 is engineered to provide an acceptable viewing experience for everyday use. It features a 6.6-inch screen that makes use of an IPS LCD panel. This type of panel technology is common in budget and mid-range smartphones, as it provides a good balance between cost, color accuracy, and viewing angles. While it cannot compare to the deep blacks and high contrast ratios of OLED panels, the LCD on the Tecno Pop 9 performs admirably within its category.

With a resolution of 720 by 1600 pixels, the device offers HD Plus clarity. While this is not full HD, it is a reasonable resolution for the screen size and price. Pixel density remains sufficient for viewing web pages, reading eBooks, streaming videos, and playing casual games. Colors are decent, though slightly washed out when compared to higher-end displays. Brightness levels are adequate for indoor usage, but visibility under direct sunlight might be limited. Despite that, the adaptive brightness feature helps in maintaining usability by adjusting screen brightness based on ambient lighting conditions.

The screen follows a modern 20:9 aspect ratio, which helps in providing a more immersive viewing experience. This tall and narrow screen format also makes it easier to scroll through social media feeds, browse the internet, and manage split-screen multitasking. The bezels surrounding the display are relatively thin on the sides but slightly more pronounced on the top and bottom. The top houses a small notch, which contains the front-facing camera. This waterdrop-style notch is unobtrusive and allows for a greater screen-to-body ratio, enhancing the overall visual appeal of the device.

Touch response is another important aspect of the display experience. The Tecno Pop 9 offers a responsive touchscreen that performs well in everyday navigation, typing, and basic gaming. Multitouch gestures work smoothly, and there is no significant delay or lag when interacting with apps or swiping across menus. For users who consume a lot of media on their phones, the display is perfectly adequate. It supports YouTube streaming at 720p resolution, which is in line with the screen’s native resolution and provides a crisp viewing experience.

Performance and Hardware

The performance of the Tecno Pop 9 is powered by a quad-core processor optimized for power efficiency and basic multitasking. This chipset is not built for heavy gaming or demanding applications but instead focuses on delivering a stable and consistent experience across routine tasks such as calling, texting, browsing, social media, and video streaming. The processor is paired with 3GB of RAM, which is becoming a baseline for entry-level smartphones. This amount of memory allows for moderate multitasking capabilities, enabling users to switch between a few applications without causing severe slowdowns or forced app closures.

In terms of storage, the device comes equipped with 64GB of internal memory. This is a generous amount for the price segment and is sufficient for storing a large number of photos, videos, apps, and documents. For users who need more storage, the Tecno Pop 9 offers support for expandable storage via a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing the memory to be expanded by up to 256GB or more depending on the microSD card used. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who consume large amounts of media or need to store large files for work or personal use.

Graphics processing is handled by an integrated GPU that is modest in its capabilities. It can support basic graphics rendering, which is sufficient for 2D games, simple animations, and standard user interface transitions. However, users should not expect it to handle graphically intensive titles or high-resolution games. That said, popular lightweight games and puzzle apps perform smoothly, offering a satisfactory casual gaming experience.

Thermal performance is another area where the Tecno Pop 9 manages to perform well. Due to the power-efficient nature of its components and lack of performance-intensive features, the device remains relatively cool during usage. Thermal throttling is rarely an issue, and users can expect the phone to maintain a consistent level of performance during prolonged usage sessions.

Operating System and Software Experience

The Tecno Pop 9 runs on HiOS, which is Tecno’s custom Android-based user interface. It is likely layered over a version of Android Go or Android 11, depending on the production batch and region. HiOS is a customized skin designed to offer a visually engaging and feature-rich experience even on devices with limited hardware capabilities. The Android Go edition, if used, is specifically optimized for budget phones, offering lightweight versions of Google applications such as Gmail Go, Maps Go, and Assistant Go to ensure smoother performance with lower memory consumption.

The interface itself is colorful and vibrant, with a youthful aesthetic that appeals to the broader user base in emerging markets. HiOS includes various pre-installed applications and features designed to enhance productivity and customization. These include a file manager, themes engine, app freezer, and phone manager utility that allows users to clear cache, manage battery usage, and control permissions efficiently. While some users may find the preloaded apps useful, others may consider them bloatware. Thankfully, many of these apps can be disabled or uninstalled depending on the version of HiOS installed.

Security features are well-integrated into the software, with support for fingerprint unlock, face unlock, app lock, and permission management for individual apps. These security tools ensure that user data remains protected without sacrificing ease of access. Additionally, the phone provides access to Google Play Protect, which scans apps and files for harmful behavior. This ensures a baseline level of security even on a budget device.

The settings menu is intuitive, with categorized options that make it easier for users to navigate and customize their experience. System updates are delivered through over-the-air updates, although users should not expect frequent Android version upgrades due to hardware limitations. However, Tecno does offer periodic security patches and minor bug fixes that help maintain the phone’s performance and safety over time.

Get more specs on Tecno smartphones

FAQS

1. Is the Tecno Pop 9 a 4G phone?
   Yes, the Tecno Pop 9 supports 4G LTE connectivity for faster internet and better call quality.

2. How much RAM and storage does the Tecno Pop 9 have?
   It comes with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card.

3. Does the Tecno Pop 9 support fast charging?
   Yes, it supports 15W Type-C fast charging, which helps recharge the 5,000mAh battery more quickly.

4. Can the Tecno Pop 9 run WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube smoothly?
   Yes, with its Android 14 Go Edition and 3GB RAM, the phone handles social media apps and light multitasking well.

5. What kind of display does the Tecno Pop 9 use?
   It has a 6.67-inch IPS LCD display with HD+ resolution (720 x 1600 pixels), ideal for casual viewing and browsing.

6. Is the Tecno Pop 9 suitable for gaming?
   While it’s not a high-end gaming phone, it can handle light games like Candy Crush, Subway Surfers, and Free Fire on low settings.

7. Does the Tecno Pop 9 have a fingerprint scanner?
   Yes, it features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and also supports face unlock.

8. What version of Android does it use?
   The Tecno Pop 9 runs on Android 14 (Go Edition), optimized for smooth performance on entry-level hardware.

9. Does the Tecno Pop 9 come with a screen protector or case in the box?
   Depending on the retailer, it may come with a free transparent silicone case and pre-applied screen protector.

10. Is the Tecno Pop 9 dual SIM?
    Yes, it supports dual SIM cards, making it convenient for users who want to separate work and personal numbers.