We received a dark blue gradient TECNO Spark 3 for review a few weeks ago and this is one of the best review kits that have never disappointed s per their default taglines. The Spark 3 comes with a “Light Up the best in You” tagline and for the time we’ve held this elegant release for proves it to be one the best affordable mid-range releases of all time when its price scale is balanced up with its launch quarter.

On unboxing the device, the device components didn’t raise our eyebrows higher, but the new TECNO Mobile headsets proved a bit of the company’s plans to peel off headphone jacks on future releases as Apple ignited the trend. So, for the entire 2 weeks, we’ve held this device for, a scent of advantages of owning one is much evident as its low lights cant raise a beep from the ground. Nonetheless, here is how the TECNO Spark 3 performed on our review desk, but first here is a recap of its sweet specifications to expect.

Announced: May 2019
Available: From May 2019
Model: TECNO Spark 3 (KB7)
Colors: Bordeaux Red, Charcoal Black
SIM: Dual Micro-SIM
OS: Android 9 Pie
Network: GSM, WCDMA, LTE
Display: 6.2-inch HD+ Super FULLVIEW, 1500 x 720px
CPU: Qualcomm SD430 Octa-core Up To 1.4GHz
Storage: 16GB ROM expandable up to 128 GB (Memory Card support)
RAM: 2GB RAM,
Rear Camera: 13MP + 2MP dual rear cameras with quad-flash 
Front Camera: 8MP  front Camera with soft LED flash
Sensors: Accelerometer, Ambient Light, Proximity, Fingerprint
Battery: Non -Removable Li-Ion 3500 mAh

The Spark 3 Design, Build and Display

The TECNO Spark 3 is designed with ease or usage and beauty in design as compared to its predecessors, the Smartphone ships a new navigations button layout riding on a revamped shiny backplate with a solid gradient feel similar to what the Camon 11 brought to life.

Besides the lovely shiny gradient back plate of the TECNO Spark 3, a top-notch display welcomes you to the front as a 6.0 close to bezzeless screen size guarantees a perfect viewing experience on a 720*1500 pixels resolution. As a fact, the Spark 3 is the 2nd TECNO Mobile release to carry a top-notch display and the customizable notch makes it a beautiful device by sight.

On the other hand, the Spark 3 charging port sits independently on the bottom plate only sharing sides with the device infrared sensor. As an improvement from the Spark 2, the Spark 3 packs its headphone jack to the top completing the physical access ports with the in-screen navigation buttons coming to life again.

The Spark 3 rear end has a well rounded close to 2px deep fingerprint sensor to its centerpiece as the top left corner houses its dual rear cameras and a quad flash finishing the device rear top. To the bottom, its where the Spark 3 external speakers swip in action as the vertical TECNO logo as well finishes the dotted gradient back cover.

Camera Perfomance

“Light Up the best in You” That’s what the TECNO Spark 3 craved to the market during its launch earlier this month, luckily the Smartphone cameras produce excellent pictures better than what we expected. On utilizing the camera’s 16+2MP zoomable lenses, the quality was still great to bring a perfect finish to the rear picture’s dialogue. As a test, here are some of the pictures taken during an evening Spark 3 testing spree.

The Spark 3 front camera also produces the full quality selfies in a one-shot by utilizing the device’s AI capabilities and modes including a bokeh/portrait mode that allows you to take professional grade pictures by simply utilizing the Spark 3 excellent capturing texture. On a low light test of the front camera which is powered by a soft duo LED flash, the quality still remains constant proving the device’s featured tagline a notch higher than how it actually sounds.

A Tale of the Spark 3 Perfomance levels

With Android 9 pre-installed to the TECNO Spark 3 and a provision to test the tales of Android Q, the Spark 3 performs better than any of its predecessors__thanks to the 2GB RAM and lightweight operating system. As an increment, 16GB is not enough for such an elegant release, but the Spark 3 performs, fortunately, continues its lighting fast spree even with the internal storage in the red zones.

Network-wise, the TECNO Spark 3 loads online content faster even on a 3G connection and only it’s pro version supporting 4G, this makes it a compatible with sleek weight browsers like Chrome and Over the TOP (OTT) taxed Smartphone apps for a prolonged uninterrupted experience.

However, on running heavy 3D arcade games, the Phone posed slight sluggish movements meaning a 3GB Pro version would pull off the gaming duty much faster than the regular version. On the contrary, Android 9 pie runs with a smooth structure to its formation on the Spark 3 and we didn’t have any low flares on running compatible normal resource apps. So, you don’t need to hide your joy in Lite apps like Uber Lite or even Facebook Lite, but instead, enjoy the full versions as the developers crafted them for usage.

Software and Security

From Facial Recognition to an effective 5 feature fingerprint sensor, the security layers of the Spark 3 are on the perfect heights with no chances of bypasses as we tried to full the face recognition feature with a photo but instead failed on our first attempt. So, its a thumbs up to the effective fingerprint sensor and Full AI recognition face recognition algorithms shipped to the TECNO Spark 3.

Software-wise, the TECNO SPark 3 is gifted with HiOS 5__TECNO Mobile’s custom firmware and Android 9 Pie operating as the top phone system. Both these developer pieces are the latest advancements from the respective corners as Android 9 has come to play before Android Q. So, the Spark 3 ships the latest mobile operating system riding on a low budget unlike any other smartphones coping with the same advancements on the market.

Our Verdict

We’ve had a couple of smartphones lying on our review desk, from the Camon 11 to budget-friendly podium finishers like the Itel S13 and P33, but the TECNO Spark 3 is the best release we have so far glittered within 2019. On the low lights, we only don’t appreciate the dedicated 16GB which is not really enough for such a latest release coupled with Android 9 to its MediaTek Chip.

If you’re to bring the TECNO spark 2 and Spark 3 closer on the same desk, you might think these are two different manufacturer devices cruising with close to the same size.

In fact, the Spark 3 ships a lot more modifications to its model to a point that it’s just a Spark 2 dressed with a top-notch, solid gradient back plate a tale of dual cameras to its back. Additionally, the operating system difference between these two releases is highly notable with performance and AI tweaks taking shape on the May 2019 release.

From the blue corner, believe it or not, the Spark 2 still poses a good competitive craze to its successor amidst the design and performance stunts. This is because the Spark 3 uses the same chipset MEDIATEK MT6580WP as the Spark 2 in addition to sharing the same Internal Storage size. However, the Spark 3 Pro version doesn’t fit in this comparison league since its a notch higher than the initial Spark 3 and has a bunch of features beyond the Spark 2.

Spark 3 Vs Spark 2 Perfomance test

We received a Tecno Spark 3 review unit from TECNO Mobile Uganda a few weeks back, had fair unboxing impressions feel of it and luckily we also bumped into a months old TECNO Spark 2.

On comparing the response times to the performance modes of the two phones, you can easily fail to notice which is the newer version of the other since the performance is almost the same with the Spark 2 taking advantage of having a faster-operating system of Android 9 pie. Except for the operating system upgrade that gives the Spark 3 a boost ahead, we think the smartphones are on the same level as per our experience with the Spark lineage duo.

Both the Spark 3 and Spark 2 ship on-screen navigation buttons easily accessible by flipping a figure from the bottom non-touch screen. However, the Spark 3 ships an in-screen accessibility widget as an added advantage to utilizing more phone features in a flip of a button. Think of the feature as an assistive touch pod but with more features to its menu.

Camera perfomance

The Spark 3 ships a dual rear camera threat (13Mp+2MP)to its back and the Spark 2 has a single wide-angle lens(13MP) filled with zoom capabilities to its rear end. TO the front, both phones have a single selfie camera powered by a soft LED flash as the camera modes are totally different for the two phones.

The Spark 3 ships AI and quick editing tools to its camera view finder as the Spark 2 has minimal shooting options available on the other hand. So, the Spark 3 produces more quality rear taken pictures as the two phones have close to the same quality for selfie shots since the two carry 8MP front cameras.

Spark 3 vs Spark 2: The Differences against the device similarities

By first Impressions, the TECNO Spark 3 appears like a bidget friendly iPhone X without powering on the screen. Though the story changes when you realise its yet another mid range release powered by Android 9, the Spark 2 doesn’t hide its mid range looks making it a straight forward budget friendly entrant compared to its successor dressed in a top tier fashion.

To the design, both smartphones pose a 6.0-inch screen with the Spark 2 only missing a top-notch display to match its successor screen wise. The Spark 3 charging and headphone jack sit on alternate sides with the fire port occupying the bottom craze and its listening drother taking the top igniting signs that TECNO Mobile is planning to trash headphone jacks just like the high-end warners.

New Charging/headphone Jack design

On the other hand, the TECNO Spark 2 has its Charging and headphone jacks situated on the same bottom plate with the Smartphone speakers well finishing the design of the centerpiece entrants. Unlike the Spark 3 which ships the external speakers to the back, the Spark 2 has its duo pack sharing sides with the accessibility ports.

Either way, the Spark 3 ships approximately 9 by 9 padding pixels between its Volume and power buttons as the Spark 2 has a single volume button with ends meeting as up and down ignitions. So, TECNO Mobile decided to bring a new design to life in the Spark 3 with different up and low volume buttons in mind for easy navigation. Except for the padding between the navigation buttons, both phones ship them to the same side cutting out the Spark 3 pro that has a SIM cards plate to the opposite lane.

TECNO Spark 3 Vs Spark 3 pro Specifications sheet

The Cost difference

In Uganda, a brand new TENO Spark 2 now costs UGX 350,000 ($90)as the price will go lower than that as future releases pop into play. On the other hand, a TECNO Spark 3 goes for UGX 429,000 ($120) as it’s Pro version retails for UGX 489,000 ($138) closing a margin of 79,000/= between the two devices. So, with a slight margin, an upgrade from the TECNO Spark 2 to its successor can easily pay off?

Our Verdict: Is the TECNO Spark 3 worth to upgrade to?

First of all, the TECNO Spark 3 is simply an upgraded Spark 2 with more RAM, more cameras, a new operating system and elegant looks riding on a top-notch display. So, if you’re a person who loves lighting fast performance riding on the latest operating system available on the market, then upgrading from the TECNO Spark or Spark 2 becomes a must consider move since the predecessor ships Android 8.1 and 1GB RAM to its model line.

Either way, you can sacrifice a difference of UGX 120,000 and have yourself the TECNO Spark 3 pro which is more of a phablet with more upgrades compared to the regular version. Nonetheless, depending on the picture quality of the two light up smartphones and performance, ignoring the upgrade will only cost you the top tier looks of the TECNO Spark 3.

Earlier this week, we received a TECNO Spark 3 review unit and by the look of things, this must be the most superior Spark series release to ever hit the market brightly higher due to its price tag. But then, content in a book is never judged by its cover, so let’s see what lies beyond the solid color Spark 3 sealed box.

Unboxing the TECNO SPARK 3

Inside the Spark 3 sealed box, the light up device seats in comfort of a well designed interior housing all power up accessories beneath its back layer. But since its packaging box is not bulk to tease a fentch of catchy accessories to its release mode, we didn’t raise our hopes high other than the usual Smartphone accessories that come bundled with every release, except for the fact that the TECNO Spark 3 ships iPhone like Earphones marking the genesis of a top tier future. More so, with the Box looks and design, you might want to keep the device box in a dust free closet with these power-ups spicing up the device.

TECNO SPARK 3 Box Contents

• Charging Brick
• Headsets
• Screen Cover
• Transparent Phone Cover
• User Manual
• 13 Months Warranty Card

A Taste of the TECNO Spark 3 Specifications

Announced: May 2019
Available: From May 2019
Model: TECNO Spark 3 (KB7)
Colors: Bordeaux Red, Charcoal Black
SIM: Dual Micro-SIM
OS: Android 9 Pie
Network: GSM, WCDMA, LTE
Display: 6.2-inch HD+ Super FULLVIEW, 1500 x 720px
CPU: Qualcomm SD430 Octa-core Up To 1.4GHz
Storage: 16GB ROM expandable up to 128 GB (Memory Card support)
RAM: 2GB RAM,
Rear Camera: 13MP + 2MP dual rear cameras with quad-flash 
Front Camera: 8MP  front Camera with soft LED flash
Sensors: Accelerometer, Ambient Light, Proximity, Fingerprint
Battery: Non -Removable Li-Ion 3500 mAh

By First Sight: The TECNO SPARK 3 Impressions

If you love quality, chances are you can easily be blown away by the TECNO Spark 3 elegant looks that not only bring out its charmy close to bezzeless curves, but also portray the power of having a top notch Smartphone riding with a triple camera threat to its rear end.

Unlike any previous Spark releases sharing the same lane with the TECNO Mobile’s 3rd approach to the mid-range square. The Spark 3 is the first to ship a Camon 11 like back shiny plake with a solid gradient standing out loud. As a matter of fact, once you land on your favorite colors, you don’t need any sort of phone cover to re-spice the device since the Spark 3 designs glitter much louder than any pre-custom designed cover.

Amazingly the TECNO Spark 3 doesn’t carry around the “light up” tagline for less, the device packs a triple rear camera force that ignites another layer of mobile photography than any other release in its caliber. One of the lenses takes over the wide angle duties as its drother brings action much closer to the Smartphone for a peak of super quality. To the front end, the Phone packs a single selfie camera riding on the comfort of a soft LED flash for low light conditions. However, we shall share the quality of these Spark 3 beauties in our review after a prior all conditions test.

Additionally, the TECNO Spark 3 design is exceptional to the fact that its charging port is on a standalone mission only sharing a slot with the bottom mouthpiece as the headphone jack sit right to the top. More so, it’s another 6-inch release that has maintains size to its model making it another perfect pocket fit with no bulky signs. Nonetheless, with a 3500 mAh inbuilt battery, the Spark 3 is one device that has raised our eyebrows to have a taste of Android 9 Performing on yet another budget-friendly release in the mid-range tier.

the TECNO SPARK 3 Price tag

A Brand new TECNO Spark 3 costs UGX 429,000 as it’s pro version goes high for 489,000/= with a few features separating the two amazing releases. On Where to purchase a genuine TECNO Spark 3 Smartphone, riding to a TECNO branded VIP shop becomes your ultimate choice to further grab it at its real retailed price. Either way, you can buy the Phone online on Jumia or any other trusted source like Dondolo shops to have it delivered to your doorstep.

All in all, the TECNO Spark 3 is an amazing Smartphone that we shall have to tickle its beats to have a taste of what a budget-friendly release piling Android 9 to the list has to offer. Given the fact that TECNO Mobile has core ties with Google unlike the Huawei Fate, it means more is yet to come to a point that we might see a foldable release from the TECNO camp before 2019 comes to a close.

The Tecno Spark 3 and Spark 3 pro phones succeed the Spark 2 which not only had a great camera, but also an affordable companion much superior to its K7 predecessor. By the sphere of the new smartphone, TECNO mobile inked an upgrade in its AI functionalities with the latest Spark 3 norm being an AI bright camera.

According to Gladys Liu, The Spark 3 is predicted to surpass the popularity streak of its predecessors. History has it that the initial Spark K7 was popular due to its price tag and extensive features as the Spark 2 upgrade looked amazing with an even bigger screen and a light up super grade selfie camera. Amazingly the Spark 3 is expected to surpass the ratings due the much prioritized camera upgrades a notch higher than the Spark 2.

We are proud to announce the release of TECNO SPARK 3 series. Equipped with the latest AI technology, the success of SPARK 3 is predicted to surpass that of its predecessors. SPARK 3 takes photography to a whole new level as it’s a by-product of rigorous research of massive human faces. Come and try SPARK 3, the AI Beauty Mode will blow your mind – Gladys Liu

Among the amazing features packed to the new Spark 3 series, the latest OS Android 9 Pie is shipped to the 32GB/16GB chips. To the AI lane, Google Assistant and smart notifications are also additional features of the new Spark 3 smartphones. As a matter of fact, the best feature we’re excited to see come true is the top notch which will make owners feel like they can still ride in the same zone as iPhone X owners.

Nonetheless, here is a taste of the amazing camera features shipped to the Spark 3 in addition to smart voice assistant and more privacy when using the phone.

TECNO Spark 3 AI Bright Camera

The SPARK 3 camera comes equipped with AI technologies and high configuration for brighter photos that results in high quality, bright and smooth pictures.

Skin —— SPARK 3 can recognized different face features and tones and give the most suitable level of “re-touch” and “lighting” automatically to your photos, which including skin polish, dispel freckle, remove acne, remove pouch and black rim of the eye.

3D Face Fine-tuning —— SPARK 3 AI camera can cover 18 face dimensions to enable 3D face fine-tuning. Also help to enhance hair contrast and color saturation, highlight your forehead, nose, lips. It even smartly increases the eyelids to both left and right to extend the eye liner, you can get the beautiful photo just in one second without having make-up.

Mix Flash 2.0 —— TECNO SPARK series always with ultra-bright front flash. The SPARK 3 comes with an 8MP front camera, F2.0 large aperture, 4P lens, 78° selfie angle, and adjustable front flash, adding the front flash and brighter screen, SPARK 3 is sure to give the best experience while taking photos, doing video chat, playing games and watching videos.

All in all, the Spark 3 is beyond what we expected, amidst the fact that it’s pro version is a charm with a spike in hardware specs, this is one of those budget-friendly releases to watch out in 2019. As a matter of fact, the Spark 3 will spike the mid-range sphere with shake down in price differences now that the pro version costs 489,000/= as the basic version goes for 429,000/=. Nonetheless, we shall test the outcomes of the Spark 3 performance once we receive a review kit of this amazing release.

Similar to all smartphone releases, the Tecno Spark 3 is rumored to ship AI features to its ladder as the Itel P33 crossed the line with AI battery capabilities. For the Spark 3, it is rumored to pack  AI to its front camera the same way the Camon 11 perfected its selfie lane with the same industry standard capability. As a matter of fact, our expectations are raised up high of what the Tecno Spark 3 will turn out to be in a leap year proclaimed with top tier foldable releases.

What we expect of the Tecno Spark 3

First of all, we expect the Tecno spark 3 to feature not less than 2 rear cameras to its build as its rumor images are circulating a well furnished close to bezzeless design. Second, we can’t hope, but a fingerprint sensor is another spicer we shall not miss to see in this next Spark series episode. More so, we expect the Spark 3 to borrow the charmy Camon tweaks dressed in an S-class attire, as a fact, our Camon like speculation is not just a rumor, but instead a mind blowing spoiler of the upcoming smartphone.

Since top tier manufacturers like Samsung and Huawei are competing up for major slots on the who has a better foldable smartphone board. We expect to see a shot of Tecno Mobile’s reply to this league through the Spark 3 before we even see flares of a foldable boom X , or even another folding series lane. So, expect the Tecno Spark 3 to have awesome camera standards riding on a big screen of atleast 6.0 inches to closely match the current phablet trend list.

All in all, we expect the Tecno Spark 3 to additionally cruise with a full view display notion as a top-notch will be a mind blower shipped to a budget-friendly league. Amazingly, we don’t expect the Tecno Spark 3 price tag to fly above $100 (UGX 370,000-390,000), if it goes beyond this, we think the price will meet resistance at UGX 450,000 depending on the Spark K7 and K9 retail prices. So, as we hope to see another Spark series entrant on the Ugandan market, it might be another extra spiced budget-friendly release of the season.