Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus

It measures 164.7 x 75 x 7.6 mm (6.48 x 2.95 x 0.30 in) and weighs  179g. The handset features a 6.78-inch, 120Hz AMOLED display with 1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density). It runs on Android 14 OS and is powered by an Octa-core Mediatek Helio G99 Ultimate processor, anchored by 256GB and 8GB RAM in terms of storage (it also comes with a MicroSDXC for additional memory).   The camera consists of a single 32MP camera with dual LED flash and a 108 MP (Main) (Ai Lens) with autofocus that records 1440@ 30fps and 1080p@30fps videos. Spark 20 Pro+, a 4G, Dual SIM smartphone, runs on HSPA, LTE network speed and has several connectivity options: Wi-Fi support, Bluetooth, a 3.5mm jack port, GPS, FM Radio, and USB Type-C, OTG. A fingerprint (side-mounted) sensor, alongside an accelerometer and compass sensors, helps better handle the handset and improves the user experience. Powering the mid-range handset is a Li-Po 5,000mAh, non-removable battery, recharged by a 33W wired fast-charging unit. Choice colours are Temporal Orbits, Lunar Frost, Radiant Starstream, Magic Skin 2.0 Green.

Product Description

Design

The Spark handset features minimalist aesthetics with a futuristic look in the three-ring cosmic design. Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus’s sleek metal edges blend with cosmic deco inspired by stars. Notably, the handset is characteristically slim, with a balanced rectangular form that feels impossibly thin yet ergonomic, combining refinement and comfort. Advanced side-edge fingerprint unlocking provides instant access with a simple touch—state-of-the-art engineering crafted to captivate.

Waterproof Rating

Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus is IP53-graded, protecting water and dust. Fear no more over splashes or dust as you work and venture out in the wild, knowing your phone is intact and ready for the next task, be it making that critical phone call or video recording extraordinary moments.

Spark 20 Pro Plus Display

It features a 6.78-inchAMOLED, 120Hz multi-touch hole screen with 1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density) resolution. Leading the class with AMOLED curved screen: 93% screen-to-body ratio for maximally expansive views; P3 color gamut for cinema-grade color presentation; 1000-nit peak brightness for visibility even in glaring sunlight; Adaptive refresh with 1500Hz instant touch sampling rate for ultra smoothness and responsiveness; Smart Refresh 3.1 for self-adaptation & up to 5% power saving; And flagship-grade glass material for double the scratch resistance and damage protection for flawless durability.

Dynamic Port: Always-On, Never In the Way

Tecno’s self-developed Dynamic Port cleverly merges with the whole screen, giving you early access to the cool, leading-edge gadget. Futuristic design and intuitive integration breathe new life into the front camera hole – displaying messages and offering front-end services while captivating onlookers with an envy-inducing allure.

Spark Pro Plus Camera Set up

It has a decent front and back set of cameras for pictures and videos—the high-resolution photography camera system rivals and triumphs over many competitors within the price range and category.

Selfie Camera

The handset packs a 32MP (wide) lens with dual-LED flash for awesome, breathtaking selfies and high-quality 1440p@30fps and 1080p@30fps videos. You will have no dull moment once you power on your Tecno Spark 20 Pro+.

Main Camera

Spark 20 Pro+ packs a 108 MP (Main) (Ai Lens) with an autofocus primary camera at the phone’s rear. It is a significant upgrade to Spark 20 and Spark 20 Pro+, which were released earlier in the month.  The 108MP Ultra Clear Camera provides clarity beyond comparison for your pictures and videos. Ultra-Clarity Mode pushes it further, rendering photos bursting with details. Every press yields endless surprises.

2K Video Recording

Relive your epic moments in 2K clarity- with discoveries in each playback. The background naturally blurs, so your hero stands out; the Night algorithm maximizes noise reduction, turning dim scenes into vibrant tales.

Performance

Operating System

Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus runs on Android 14 OS. This OS provides a user-friendly interface when browsing applications and customizing the handset. Tecno’s Hi0S software skin helps in personalization and enhanced user experience.

Processor

It comes installed with an Octa-core Helio G99 Gaming Processor for multitasking and unlimited gaming. Experience the pinnacle of performance with the MTK G99 processor, the undisputed best in its class. Seamless and stable operations made your everyday reality. There is a significant performance upgrade on Tecno Spark 20 Pro+. Its processor comes with a twin-engine buff for software-level acceleration. AI-powered Aurora Engine boosts the launch rate for major games by 85% and popular apps by 95%. Besides, Darwin Engine’s deep optimization enhances frame rates by 8x, with a minimum 4°C reduction in average temperature rise, delivering an exceptional, lag-free gaming experience with minimal heat.

Storage Capacity

A bigger space guarantees more considerable potential and better handset performance. Capture all good memories in doubled memory capacity on Spark 20 Pro Plus. it packs 256GB 8GB RAM. The RAM comes with up to 8GB extra. Turbocharge your system with up to 16GB of RAM using Memory Fusion. Run fast, carrying it all – the perfect blend of capacity and velocity.

Sound Output

The dual speaker sound by DTS provides up to 400% significant volume. Now that is impressive! Feel the beat of superior sound on the go. Immerse in true stereo with the volume pumped up by 200%, enriched with DTS for profound bass and distortion prevention, enabling a cinematic feel at home. Channel-adaptive technology intelligently aligns with device orientation, so you move as you wish during video or gaming without compromising audio excellence. It also cares for your business: Switch seamlessly between handheld and hands-free modes with the Volume Plus algorithm for 400% clearer calls in noisy settings.

Dual-Mic Noise-Cancelled Calls

Hear and Get Heard. Have crystal-clear conversations flowing  freely. Dual microphones empower crisp clear sound: Primary mic captures your voice while secondary targets background noise for removal, with AI noise cancellation joining forces for seamless communication

AI Assistant

Meet your savvy AI buddy! It’s like a personal assistant but cooler and smarter – managing schedules, offering thoughtful suggestions, providing upfront services or reminders, and anticipating your needs when juggling multiple tasks.

Network, Connectivity & Communications

It is a 4G network-enabled smartphone. It runs on GSM/HSPA/LTE network technology, supporting 2G, 3G, 4G bands with HSPA, LTE speeds. Enjoy excellent connectivity and seamless communication via:

• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
• Bluetooth:5.2, A2DP, LE
• FM Radio: supported
• 3.5 mm jack port: yes.
• USB: USB Type-C, OTG
• Loudspeakers: dual speakers
• Positioning: GPS
• NFC: supported.
• Sensors: Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery and Power Performance

The Spark 20 Pro Plus is powered by a 5,000mAh Super Battery, charged by a 33W Fast Charge (Type-C) unit. It provides epic endurance, up to 53 hours of talk time to normal usage before recharging. Revive and recharge the battery using the 33W fast charging. Watch as it revives like Superman’s energy bar fills up, fortified with an extended service life for prolonged usage.

Pros and Cons of Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus

Pros

• Slim and sleek phone measuring 7.6 mm thick
• Awesome design and aesthetics
• It’s a dual-SIM smartphone
• Large 6.78 inches display with 1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density) resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.
• Fewer bezels maximize your viewing experience.
• Decent processor for multitasking and gaming
• The handset is dust and waterproof, with an IP53 Rating
• Impressive front and rear camera setup
• Decent storage specifications
• Supports MicroSD storage expansion
• Decent battery power, giving up to 53 hours of talk time
• with fast charging support, 33W wired
• Stereo speakers installed
• It supports NFC

Cons

• Unfortunately, no 5G connectivity.
• No 4K Video recording capabilities
• Lacks Gyro-EIS support for image stabilization.
• Only 1 set of storage packages on Spark 20 Pro, no variants
• Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus does not support wireless charging
• No Gorilla glass screen protection.

 

Detailed Product Description

Design and Build of Samsung Galaxy A55 5G

Samsung Galaxy A54 boasts a unified design language that aligns with the Galaxy lineup, featuring a distinct camera arrangement similar to the flagship models. It boasts of a minimalist design that deceptively covers lots of sophistication in terms of features, performance, and capabilities of the mid-range handset. The design choices reflect a blend of flagship features with practical considerations for a midrange device, offering a balance between aesthetics and durability. It is a big, bulky, and somehow weighty phone, measuring 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm (6.34 x 3.05 x 0.32 in) and weighing 213g. The device boasts a larger 6.6-inch AMOLED display compared to Galaxy A54’s 6.4-inch display. Galaxy A55 body frame is made of Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), and aluminum frame. The back also features the distinctive Samsung A series Camera design, with 3 separate camera lenses, each encircled by a shiny ring, protruding by nearly 2mm. The Galaxy A55 is IP67 rated for dust and water resistance, which is still a rarity in midrange phones and enhances its status as a phone built for durability. It supports Single SIM (Nano-SIM, eSIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by). Under its impressive 6.6-inch display is an under-display fingerprint scanner which is instrumental in enhancing phone security from unauthorised access. Available models, based on phone space specs come in Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, and Lemon colorway variants. Overall, the Galaxy A55 5G is designed to provide a comfortable grip and a visually appealing aesthetic that aligns with Samsung’s reputation for quality in smartphone design and build.

Samsung Galaxy A55 5G Display

It boasts a 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and features Vision Booster technology for enhanced visibility in various lighting conditions. The display is designed to provide a vivid and immersive viewing experience, whether you are watching videos, playing games, or browsing the web. To enhance durability, Samsung installed the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ screen protector on the A55 model, which is an improvement to the equally effective Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the Galaxy A54.

Camera Set Up

Samsung Galaxy A55 5G features a versatile camera setup designed to cater to various photography needs. The device’s camera specifications include:

• Primary Camera: 50MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture lens, equipped with autofocus (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS).
• Ultra-wide Camera: 12MP sensor providing a 123-degree field of view with an f/2.2 aperture lens.
• Macro Camera: 5MP sensor with an f/2.4 aperture lens for close-up shots.
• Selfie Camera: 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74″, 0.8µm

In terms of performance, the camera system delivers:

• Accurate exposure and a fairly wide dynamic range in bright light and indoors.
• Fairly high texture levels in bright light conditions.
• 4K and 1080p video recording
• Fairly good video stabilization when recording while stationary.

However, the Galaxy A55’s camera system has some limitations you need to be aware of to manage your expectations of its performance and leverage its strengths for the best camera experience:

• Some autofocus and exposure instabilities and stepping.
• Noise, particularly in shadow areas of the frame.
• Occasionally inaccurate color rendering.
• Ineffective video stabilization when moving while recording.
• Limited zoom capabilities with low texture and limited dynamic range in zoom shots.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G’s camera setup offers a solid performance for its class, with a few areas that could be improved in challenging shooting conditions. You stand to enjoy much with Big Pixel technology and advanced AI Image Signal Processing (ISP), the Galaxy A55 is designed to capture stunning low-light images, elevating night photography to new heights

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is equipped with the following specifications for optimal performance:

Operating System

It runs on Android 14, complemented by Samsung’s One UI 6.1. Android 14 comes along with a host of new features aimed at enhancing personalization, privacy, security, and accessibility.

Android 14 OS

Here are some of the key highlights include:

• Personalization: Improved photo quality, new themes, and AI-generated wallpapers to customize your device to your style.
• Privacy and Security: Updates include restricting photo and video access, and data protection with 3^rd party apps.
• Accessibility: Non-linear font scaling, using the Android camera as a webcam, and a transparent navigation bar.
• Camera and Media: Features like ultra HDR for images and passkeys for 3^rd
• User Experience: Custom actions and improved ranking in the share sheet, separate ring, and notification volume settings.

These features are designed to make the Android experience more customizable, accessible, and protective when using your Android 14-based Samsung Galaxy A55 5G.

Samsung’s One UI 6.1

It is an update that brings a variety of new features and improvements to enhance your experience on Samsung devices, like in this case the Galaxy A55 5G. Some of the key features introduced with One UI 6.1 include:

• AI Integration: One UI 6.1 includes several AI features, such as Circle to Search, which allows users to circle anything on the screen to search for it via Google Search.
• Live Translation in Calls: This feature provides real-time translation during calls, displaying what is being said as text on-screen.
• Enhanced Quick Panel: The quick panel has been redesigned for easier access to frequently used features, with dedicated buttons for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• Improved Notification Layout: Notifications now appear as separate cards for better visibility, and full-color icons are used for a more vivid display.
• Lock Screen Customization: Users have more freedom to move the clock to their preferred position on the lock screen.
• Simplified Home Screen: App icon labels are limited to a single line for a cleaner look, and some app names have been shortened.
• Multitasking Enhancements: Pop-up windows remain open when accessing the Recents screen, allowing you to continue your tasks without interruption.
• Samsung DeX Updates: The new Samsung DeX allows for switching between DeX mode and tablet mode while maintaining the same home screen layout.

These features aim to personalize everyday experiences, increase productivity, and ensure data security and privacy. From a user point of view, these features on the operating system make the Samsung Galaxy A55 more user-friendlier, customizable, optimize production, and limit data breaches to 3^rd parties. This enhances the overall perception and stance of Samsung as one of the best smartphone brands.

Processor

Samsung Galaxy A55 5G  is powered by an Exynos 1480 chipset, which includes an octa-core CPU with 4×2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The chipset handles well most of the tasks placed on it, with a 702695 score on the AnTuTu BenchMark 10, which is quite robust and impressive.  On Geekbench 6, it achieves 1173 points in the single-core test and 3529 points in the multi-core test, reflecting good CPU efficiency.  The chips equally offer a decent gaming experience with a score of 47, but fall short for the top, most demanding games.

Phone Storage

It offers expansive internal storage options, which can be expanded via a microSD card up to 1TB. The available storage specifications include:

• 128GB 8GB RAM;
• 256GB 8GB RAM;
• 256GB 12GB RAM, all with UFS 3.1

These specifications profile the Galaxy A55 as a workhorse, especially when you consider the massive RAM options, equally decent internal storage capacity (RAM), and supporting additional memory up to 1TB.

Overall view on Samsung Galaxy Performance

These detailed features above combine to provide a smooth and responsive user experience, whether you are multitasking, gaming, or using demanding applications. The ample storage options mean you can keep all your important files, photos, and apps easily accessible. Android 14, complemented by Samsung’s One UI 6.1 combines to provide one of the most user-friendly, adaptable, privacy-enhancing, and productivity-enhancing Operating systems on Samsung smartphones, way ahead of its rivals. The combination of the Exynos 1480 processor, ample RAM, and fast UFS 3.1 storage contributes to the overall responsive experience of the device.

Connectivity and Communications Support

The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G offers a comprehensive range of connectivity and communication features:

• Network: The device supports 5G connectivity and comes with a Nano SIM card slot. eSIM support is also available, but applicability depends on the region.
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) with support for Dual Band, Wi-Fi MiMO, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Hotspot, and Wi-Fi Display.
• Bluetooth: v5.3 with LE (Low Energy) support.
• USB: USB Type-C with USB 2.0 features, including Charging, USB-storage mode, and OTG (On-The-Go).
• GPS: Includes support for GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, and QZSS.
• NFC: supported, with availability depending on the region.
• Sound: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support for an immersive audio experience.
• 5mm Jack port: not supported
• FM Radio: Not supported

These features ensure that the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G provides fast and reliable communication, and makes you productive and accessible at all times to family, friends, and the online community through social platforms to share knowledge and moments.

Battery and Power Management

Samsung Galaxy A55 5G packs a 5,000 mAh battery that supports 25W fast charging. This allows the phone to charge up to 57% in just 30 minutes. The device does not support wireless charging or reverse charging, which is a disappointment. Nevertheless, its fast-charging capability ensures that you can quickly power up the device when needed. The full charging time for the battery is approximately 1 hour and 2 minutes.

Power Management

Galaxy A55 5G includes features to optimize battery life, such as adaptive power-saving modes and app usage monitoring to reduce power consumption by apps that are not frequently used. These features help in extending the battery life, making the device more efficient for daily use.

Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy A55 5G

Pros

• Full metal aluminum frame and overall premium build compared to Galaxy A35 or A54 models.

• Equipped with the Exynos 1480 chipset and up to 12 GB of RAM, it offers robust and solid performance.
• It features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support, providing an immersive, cinematic viewing experience.
• The triple-camera setup with a 50 MP main sensor, OIS, and 4K video recording capabilities fit the bill for a handset of this stature.
• A 5,000 mAh battery with fast charging provides a good balance between capacity and charging speed to keep you going.
• The handset has an IP67 water and dust resistance rating, coming along with Gorilla Glass Victus for durability.
• Galaxy A55 runs on Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6.1, ensuring a user-friendly experience.
• It supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3, all of which help provide optimized seamless connectivity.

Cons

• Gaming Performance: Samsung Galaxy A55 is not the best choice for high-end gaming, considering its low score on geek benchmarking.
• Slow Recharging: While it supports fast charging, it is slower compared to some rivals such as Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G which has 5,100mAh battery and 67W fast charging capabilities.
• No Wireless Charging support: Lacks wireless charging, which is becoming a standard feature in many smartphones which this price range.
• Price point: Rivals are offering slightly better value for the price, such as Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G, Vivo S18, Huawei Nova 10 SE, Tecno Camon 30 5G, and Vivo V30 5G.

Verdict

Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is an awesome mid-range device, stepping in quite well to replace the otherwise impressive and enigmatic Galaxy A54. The device offers accurate exposure and fairly high texture levels in bright light, with fairly good video stabilization when stationary.  Improved AI processing and Nightography tech provide clearer photos in poor lighting conditions. Moreover, the new Exynos 1480 chipset is a step up from the previous model, potentially offering better performance. However, you need to be wary of the highlighted video stabilization issues when recording videos, raising concerns about the handset 4K and image stabilization capabilities. Galaxy A55 also lacks a dedicated telephoto camera module, which limits the zoom image quality. Besides, the Bokeh Mode is less accurate than that on Samsung Galaxy A54. Before concluding, it makes sense to draw a comparison between Galaxy A54 and A55 models.

Comparison between Samsung Galaxy A54 and A55 Models

Similarities  Similar Battery and recharging specs (5000mAh, 25W) 5G Connectivity Network Technology: Both support GSM, HSPA, LTE, and 5G network technologies. Build Quality: Each model is IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min). Display: They both feature a Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and a peak brightness of 1000 nits. Operating System: Galaxy A54 comes with Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, while the A55 starts with Android 14. Both run on One UI. Memory Card Slot: Both have a microSDXC card slot with a shared SIM slot. Main Camera: The primary camera setup includes a 50 MP wide sensor with PDAF and OIS and a 12 MP ultrawide sensor.

Differences The A55 has a more robust build quality with Gorilla Glass Victus+ and an aluminum frame. A54 weighs 202g, A55 weighs 213g The A55 features a newer chipset, which may offer better performance. The camera systems differ, with the A55 potentially offering better performance due to newer technology. The A55 comes with the newer Android 14 and One UI 6.1 out of the box. A55 comes with better storage specs, up to 256GB and 12GB RAM which is lacking in Galaxy A54. Chipset: A54-Exynos 1380 (5 nm), A55-Exynos 1480 Galaxy A55 is a recent model, justifying its slightly higher price.

 Summary

In summary, Samsung Galaxy A55 5G offers incremental upgrades over the A54, particularly in terms of build quality, chipset, and software. The A55 offers a larger display, a more robust build quality with Gorilla Glass Victus+, a newer chipset, and potentially better camera capabilities and memory options. It is also the more recent model, which might justify its higher price point. The choice between the two models will narrow down whether these upgrades are worth the potential difference in terms of price for you. Whereas you may opt for Galaxy A55 for obvious reasons, the A54 stands its ground and is a fan favorite in terms of performance, and specs and offers the more budget-friendly option. Arguably, it is still a good performance package, far above many rival brands within the price range and specs.

Conclusion

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G seems to be a solid mid-range option, especially if you are interested in phone build, processing capabilities, storage capacity, and photography, and looking for a device with a good balance of features. However, it may not be the best choice if you prioritize video recording stability and zoom capabilities. Stand well advised to consider these critical aspects alongside your personal needs, preferences, and budget when making your decision.

Alternative Handsets

• Vivo S18
• Huawei Nova 10 SE
• OnePlus Nord CE 5G
• Vivo V30 5G