Innovative, AI-driven, technology brand TECNO officially unveiled two new smartphone ranges for South Africa at Comic Con Africa this week.
The POVA 7 Series, which marks the debut of POVA in the country, and the SPARK 40 Series, which is an evolution of the previously released SPARK 20 Series, brought crowds to the TECNO exhibition space who were eager to get a look and a hands-on feel of the new smartphones.
Futuristic Design, Unwavering Performance, and Numerous Features – POVA 7 Series
Designed for the next generation of users, POVA 7 Series combines futuristic, minimalist, and premium aesthetics with next-level AI capabilities and high-performance hardware tailored for immersive gaming and all-day entertainment.
Two devices are available locally in the POVA 7 Series, the POVA 7 5G and the POVA 7 Pro 5G.
Both the POVA 7 Pro 5G and POVA 7 5G bring flagship power with durable 6000mAh batteries, complemented by 45W Flash Charging, and 30W Wireless Fast Charge. Both devices are powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate AI Processor for top-tier gaming performance and multi-tasking efficiency. Whether in the middle of an intense gaming session or on a remote road trip, the cooling system on the devices keeps them cool under pressure, reducing device temperature by up to 3°C for sustained peak performance.
For immersive viewing, ultra smooth displays bring content to life with 144Hz refresh rates and 4500 nits peak brightness, making these devices perfect for gaming, scrolling, and streaming under any lighting condition. Designed for full immersion, the audio setup of these devices doesn’t disappoint, and a suite of customised gaming features creates an audio-visual experience built for the next generation of mobile gamers and explorers.
These devices also redefine smartphone aesthetics, introducing an all-new design language for the POVA lineup – bold yet refined, futuristic yet elegantly minimalist. The POVA 7 Series makes a confident visual statement for the next generation and is inspired by “Interstellar Spaceship Design”. Its signature triangular geometry emblem punctuates purity with personality. An upgraded Mini-LED Status Light delivers customisable lighting effects for calls, notifications, and gaming, adding instant feedback for daily use.
For off-grid adventures and emergencies, the debuting FreeLink feature enables peer-to-peer communication – calls and messages – across a range of up to 1km in signal-free environments (dependent on ideal conditions). Whether coordinating on a hike, camping in the wild, users stay connected without relying on mobile networks.
The technological progress also seamlessly converges with software revolutions in HiOS 15 Special for POVA 7 Series – marking the most significant OS evolution in POVA’s history. For the first time, TECNO introduces system-wide customisation with user-defined icons, fonts, and dynamic wallpapers, alongside a clean, bloat-free experience. This major update delivers a uniquely expressive and distraction-free interface, brought to life by neumorphism-inspired design and POVA’s exclusive typeface, setting a new standard for personalisation and purity across the TECNO ecosystem.
Ultra-Slim, Ultra-Strong, Trendy Design – SPARK 40 Series
Featuring robust performance, long-lasting battery life, flagship-grade AMOLED displays, trendy design, and much more, the smartphones in the SPARK 40 Series boast impressive tech while being price-conscious.
The series locally features four devices: the SPARK 40, SPARK 40C, SPARK 40S, and SPARK 40 Pro.
The slimness of the devices in the SPARK 40 Series is noticeable, with SPARK 40 Pro coming in at just 6.69mm, offering a lightweight feel without sacrificing toughness. Sophisticated matte finishes paired with colorful hues – including black and titanium – create a modern and vibrant aesthetic.
On the power front, standouts in the SPARK 40 Series include SPARK 40C’s impressive 6,000mAh battery, and SPARK 40 Pro’s 45W Fast Charging, both of which ensure that users are not tied to power outlets for a long time.
The SPARK 40 Pro elevates immersive visual experience via a 6.78” AMOLED 1.5K display with 144Hz refresh rate, 2160Hz instant touch sampling, and an eye-popping 4500 nits peak brightness, the strongest combination in its class, enabling users to enjoy immersive visuals in any environment. The SPARK 40 Series features SGS Low Blue Light (Hardware Solution) Certification, reducing harmful blue light emissions for prolonged viewing comfort.
Audio is equally immersive, with dual stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos on the SPARK 40 Pro for an elevated multimedia experience.
With TECNO AI, the SPARK 40 Series elevates the user experience even more. Supported by platforms like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Gemini, it puts the intelligent Ella assistant directly in users’ hands. For learning and efficiency on the go, features like document-to-text conversion and Circle to Search allow users to instantly extract or explore information from what they see, making premium AI experiences both practical and accessible. Whether removing distractions from photos, translating, or summarising phone calls in real time, users can unleash creativity and enhance communication without lifting more than a finger.
In regions with poor or no signal, TECNO’s FreeLink technology enables offline voice and file sharing via bluetooth with a theoretical range of up to 1 kilometre (under ideal conditions). Enhanced with Super WiFi 2.0, GPS 2.0, NFC, and an IR remote control, the SPARK 40 Series delivers seamless connectivity wherever life takes you.
All SPARK 40 Series devices are built with IP64-rated water and dust resistance, stressing the everyday durability of the devices, and all offer a lightweight feel without sacrificing toughness. SPARK 40 Pro also meets up to 1.5-meter drop resistance standards, with reliable touch performance even with wet or oily fingers.
With the SPARK 40 Series, TECNO challenges expectations of what affordable smartphones can deliver — combining style and strength, intelligence and endurance, all in a sleek body. Whether it’s a user’s first smartphone or their next upgrade, the SPARK 40 Series is built to keep up and built to last.
Availability
TECNO’s new POVA 7 Series devices will be available from Vodacom stores in the coming weeks for recommended retail prices of R10,999 for POVA 7 5G and R12,999 for POVA 7 Pro 5G.
SPARK 40 Series devices will be available in the coming weeks from select retail partners including Dunns, Edgars (exclusive bundle for SPARK 40S – limited quantities), Game, HiFi Corp, Jet, Mr Price (exclusive bundle for SPARK 40), TFG, and Vodacom (availability varies per retailer, per product, per store, and while stocks last. E&OE). Recommended retail prices for the phones are as follows: SPARK 40C – R1,699; SPARK 40 – R2,499; SPARK 40S – R3,999; SPARK 40 Pro – R6,999.
