Tecno Pova Curve 5G review
This phone suits someone who spends their day scrolling, messaging, and streaming and wants a large, bright, fluid display without paying flagship prices. If gaming or photography matter to you, or if you expect fast charging, look elsewhere.
This review is written with AI assistance from Tecno’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Tecno Pova Curve 5G, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Pova Curve 5G is a large-screened, smooth midrange phone with a 144Hz AMOLED display and solid battery for the money, but the Dimensity 7300 chipset and weak camera setup mean it's best for everyday use rather than gaming or photography.
Design & Build
At 7.5mm thick and 188.5 grams, the Pova Curve 5G is genuinely slim and light for its 6.78-inch screen. The front is Gorilla Glass 7i, a solid choice, though the plastic frame and back feel less premium than glass would at this price point. IP64 dust and splash resistance is practical for everyday drops and rain but not a selling point—many rivals offer the same. The phone is comfortable to hold despite the large footprint, and the curved edges live up to the name with a softer grip than flat-sided designs.
Display
This is where the Pova Curve 5G justifies its existence. The 6.78-inch AMOLED screen runs at 144Hz with 2304Hz PWM dimming and 1300 nits of peak brightness, making it one of the smoothest and brightest displays at this price. Scrolling through apps and social feeds feels fluid in a way rival budget 5Gs often don't. The 1080 x 2436 resolution (393 ppi) is sharp enough at this distance and avoids draining battery as heavily as 1440p would. You won't see much practical difference from the 144Hz in video playback or static apps, but gaming and scrolling through feeds benefit noticeably. Sunlight readability is strong, a real advantage if you're often outdoors.
Performance
The Dimensity 7300 Ultimate is a capable midrange chip that handles social apps, messaging, light web browsing, and everyday multitasking without lag. Netflix, Instagram, and email run smoothly. Light games and emulation work fine. However, demanding 3D titles like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile at high settings will force you to lower graphics or accept frame drops. For most people who don't game heavily, this is a non-issue; for anyone expecting console-like gaming performance, it falls short. The Mali-G615 GPU is respectable but not cutting-edge, and the 8GB RAM variants should handle RAM-hungry apps adequately.
Software
Android 15 with Tecno's HIOS 15 skin ships out of the box, and the company has promised an upgrade to Android 16. HIOS is generally light and unobtrusive compared to some overlay-heavy Android skins, meaning you're getting a relatively clean experience without too much bloat slowing things down. Security updates and long-term support are typical for Tecno—competent but not aggressive, so don't expect four years of guaranteed patches.
Camera
The 64MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture and 1/1.73-inch sensor is fine for daylight shooting but uninspiring overall. Photos are adequate in good light with decent color and detail, but the narrow focal range and lack of an ultrawide or macro lens limit flexibility. In lower light, it falls back on software processing and gains a fair amount of noise. The 13MP selfie camera is typical for this class and handles video calls without complaint. Video maxes out at 4K 30fps, which is standard but not smooth by modern standards. If photography matters to you, this camera won't wow; if it's secondary, it's adequate.
Battery & Charging
The 5500mAh battery delivers roughly 6 to 8 hours of heavy screen-on time and easily gets through a full day of moderate use without resorting to low-power mode. For people who scroll social media, text, and use maps occasionally, you'll comfortably ignore charging until evening. The spec sheet omits charging wattage, which is telling—Tecno's typical midrange phones charge at 30W to 45W, likely placing this somewhere similar. That's slower than rivals hitting 60W or 100W now, but not catastrophic if you're comfortable charging overnight. The battery capacity itself is generous for the price tier.
Value & Verdict
At around 170 EUR, the Pova Curve 5G slots into the affordable 5G bracket with one genuine standout: its display. A 144Hz AMOLED screen at this price is rare and genuinely valuable day to day. The Dimensity 7300 is competent for non-gaming work, and the battery will last you a full day. Where it stumbles is in camera versatility and likely charging speed—two areas where higher-priced rivals noticeably pull ahead. If you value a big, smooth screen and all-day battery and don't game or photograph heavily, the value is real. If you want a capable gaming phone or a solid camera, you'll find better choices at a similar or slightly higher price.
Verdict
This phone suits someone who spends their day scrolling, messaging, and streaming and wants a large, bright, fluid display without paying flagship prices. If gaming or photography matter to you, or if you expect fast charging, look elsewhere.
- 144Hz AMOLED display with 1300-nit peak brightness, genuinely smooth for scrolling and readable in bright light
- 5500mAh battery with typical all-day endurance without needing a charge mid-afternoon
- 5G connectivity and dual SIM slots for carrier flexibility at a budget price
- Thin at 7.5mm and reasonably light at 188.5g for a 6.78-inch phone
- Charging speed not listed but likely modest given the 5500mAh capacity and Tecno's typical charging approach
- Dimensity 7300 struggles with demanding 3D games at high settings, a noticeable limit if that matters to you
- 64MP camera is adequate in daylight but lacks depth or versatility; no ultrawide or telephoto means you're cropping or missing shots
Tecno Pova Curve 5G Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2025, May 29 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.78 inches, 109.9 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio), AMOLED, 144Hz, 2304Hz PWM, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate (4 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 13 MP |
| Battery | 5500 mAh |
| Software | Android 15, planned upgrade to Android 16, HIOS 15 |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 7.5 mm (6.47 x 2.94 x 0.30 in) |
| Weight | 188.5 g (6.67 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Durability | IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Tecno Pova Curve 5G FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Pova Curve 5G support 5G?
Yes. The Pova Curve 5G supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Pova Curve 5G use?
The Pova Curve 5G runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate (4 nm).
What display does the Pova Curve 5G have?
A 6.78 inches, 109.9 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio) AMOLED, 144Hz, 2304Hz PWM, 1300 nits (peak), 1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density).
How big is the Pova Curve 5G battery?
The Pova Curve 5G has a 5500 mAh battery.
Does the Pova Curve 5G have NFC?
Yes, the Pova Curve 5G has NFC.
Is the Pova Curve 5G water resistant?
The Pova Curve 5G carries a IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes) rating.
Does the Pova Curve 5G support a microSD card?
No, the Pova Curve 5G does not support expandable storage.
Alternatives to consider
If the Pova Curve 5G isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Pova 7 Pro 5G
Pova 7 5G
Pova Slim 5G
Camon 40 Pro 5G
Galaxy A56
