Tecno Pova Curve 5G review

There’s a moment when you pick up a new phone and it just feels right, like slipping into a well-tailored jacket or finding sunglasses that suit your face shape perfectly. The Tecno Pova Curve 5G delivers that kind of tactile satisfaction.

It doesn’t try to dazzle with sheer spec overload or flashy branding. Instead, it turns heads with an elegant, curved display, a razor-slim profile, and thoughtful design flourishes that give it the aura of a far more expensive device.

In the hyper-competitive sub-Rs 20,000 smartphone segment, the Tecno Pova Curve 5G is not shy about its capabilities, but its biggest trick lies in how it balances style and substance. Let’s see if manages to get the balance right in our review.

Tecno Pova Curve build and design: Space-age on a shoestring

The first thing you’ll notice? That curve. True to its nomenclature, the curve is not subtle, nor is it trying to be. The Pova Curve 5G’s AMOLED display spills over the edges like a high-end flagship, a feature that even mid-range phones hesitate to attempt. It’s an ambitious design choice, one that’s paid off, visually at least.

At just 7.45mm thick and 188.5 grams, it’s also one of the slimmest and lightest devices in its class. Despite housing a 5,500mAh battery, it doesn’t feel bloated. The matte polycarbonate back cleverly disguises its plastic build, resisting fingerprints while gleaming just enough to catch light in interesting ways.

Tecno calls the look “starship-inspired”, which is either fluff or oddly accurate, depending on how you feel about curved panels and silver accents.

Available in Cosmic Black, Magic Silver, and Neon Cyan, the device isn’t shy about making a visual statement. There’s IP64 splash resistance, an orange-accented power button that adds a pop of contrast, and even an IR blaster. There’s no pre-installed screen protector (surprising, considering the curved glass), but Tecno includes a translucent colour-matched case in the box.

Tecno Pova Curve 5G display and audio: Sharp curves, smooth moves

At the heart of this phone lies a 6.78-inch AMOLED display that feels like it was pulled from a higher price bracket. It offers FHD+ resolution, 1,300 nits of peak brightness, and supports up to a 144Hz refresh rate, though in daily use, it largely hovers around 120Hz.

Want the full 144Hz? You’ll need to toggle it manually for apps like Instagram or WhatsApp. It’s a minor inconvenience for an otherwise buttery experience.

The curved edges aren’t just for show, they give the display a cinematic feel, especially when you’re watching YouTube in HDR or scrolling through image-heavy apps. Gorilla Glass 5 adds a layer of protection, and the 2304Hz PWM dimming means fewer eye-fatigue issues during nighttime use.

ALSO READ: Tecno’s Pova Curve 5G brings style and specs to the budget game

Audio comes from a pair of stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos. They’re crisp and decently loud, though the bass response won’t rattle your bones. For Netflix bingers and casual gamers, the experience is more than adequate. But if you’re expecting flagship-level acoustics, or HDR support on Netflix, for that matter, you won’t find it on this sub-Rs 20,000 phone.

Tecno Pova Curve 5G performance and software: Everyday speed, with a side of AI

Under the hood, the Dimensity 7300 Ultimate chipset hums along confidently. It’s built on a 4nm process and backed by up to 8GB LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. The result? A phone that feels fast in daily use.

App launches are zippy, multitasking is fluid, and even gaming performance is respectable. It scored around 6.7 lakh on AnTuTu, a number that means little in isolation, but puts it ahead of many rivals in its class.

Gaming-wise, BGMI runs at 90fps on Smooth settings. Extended sessions do result in some warmth, but Tecno’s 11-layer cooling system keeps it from getting uncomfortable. It’s not a gaming phone by DNA, but it’ll handle casual and even mid-tier gaming just fine.

HiOS 15, built on Android 15, is cleaner than past iterations. Yes, bloatware is still around, but it’s less in-your-face, and many pre-installed apps can be uninstalled or disabled. Tecno promises one major OS update (to Android 16) and two years of security patches. That’s the Achilles’ heel here. While the hardware feels forward-looking, the software roadmap is frustratingly modest.

Still, there are some genuinely useful additions. Features like Circle to Search, AI Eraser, and a multilingual voice assistant that understands regional Indian languages (Hindi, Bangla, and more) add value.

It’s rare to see innovative AI features in a budget device. Voice typing, smart replies, and real-time recommendations in vernacular languages make the phone feel more inclusive, especially for first-time smartphone users in tier II and tier III cities

Tecno Pova Curve 5G cameras: All you need, almost

The dual-camera system is straightforward and honestly, a bit too basic for our liking. You get a 64MP Sony IMX682 sensor and a 2MP depth camera on the back, paired with a 13MP front camera. And that rear 64MP shooter doesn’t have OIS, which is slightly disappointing.

In good light, the main sensor performs admirably. Images are sharp, colour-rich (sometimes overly so), and maintain good dynamic range. Portrait shots have poor edge detection though.

Low light is where things dip again – photos are usable, but noise and softness creep in quickly. The selfie camera holds its own outdoors but struggles under artificial light. What stands out is the fact that both front and rear cameras can record 4K at 30fps, a feature even many Rs 25,000 phones skip.

Tecno’s AI tools help here too. You get features like AI Eraser 2.0 for removing unwanted objects, AI Sharpness Plus to enhance detail, AIGC Portrait, which turns your image into an avatar, and Portrait Expansion, which reconstructs blurred backgrounds.

They’re not perfect, and sometimes feel like filters, but they do offer creative flexibility if you enjoy tinkering with your photos.

Tecno Pova Curve 5G battery and connectivity: Built for the long haul

The 5,500mAh battery is a champ. With moderate use including social media, streaming, and some calls, it’ll comfortably last a day and a half. Push it harder and you’ll still get a full day with juice to spare. The 45W charger in the box brings it to 50 per cent in about 30 minutes and to 100 per cent in roughly 75.

Connectivity is another area where Tecno flexes its specs. You get Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and an in-display fingerprint scanner that’s quick and accurate. The phone also includes an AI-driven antenna system that optimises reception in low-signal areas; handy if you live or travel through rural regions.

Unboxed Take: Who should buy the Tecno Pova Curve 5G?

The Tecno Pova Curve 5G is a bit like discovering a great café hidden behind a flashy food court; understated from a distance, but full of character once you step inside.

It nails the basics with smooth performance, a beautiful display, and sturdy battery life. And then layers on flair with the curved AMOLED, AI photo tools, IR blaster, and a striking design that looks nothing like its Rs 15,999 price tag would suggest.

Its limitations are clear though, the software support is underwhelming, and the camera experience is mediocre, at best. Looking for alternatives? Sure – the CMF Phone 2 Pro delivers on long-term support with a more minimalist look, while the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite offers a more reliable camera. You can check out either of these options if you’re looking for longer software support or more versatile cameras.

What makes the Pova Curve stand out in this segment is the blend of curves and charisma, which is rare at this price. For those reasons, we rate the phone a 3.5/5.

Sure, we had to shave off some points for some misses, but overall, the Pova Curve makes a strong case for itself in the thriving budget smartphone segment. For more such in-depth reviews and everything tech stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma.