Tecno Spark CM

Tecno Spark CM Review: A Budget Powerhouse for Everyday Users

In early 2018, Tecno Mobile broke into the ultra-affordable smartphone market with the release of the Tecno Spark CM, a device designed to bring modern smartphone features to users without breaking the bank. With its sleek design, large display, and reliable performance, the Spark CM has become one of the standout contenders in the entry-level segment and a perfect companion for first-time smartphone buyers and budget-conscious consumers.

Released in March 2018, the Tecno Spark CM boasts decent specs for its price point, a thoughtful design, and a battery life that can easily get you through a busy day. In this review, we’ll take a deep dive into everything you need to know: design, performance, display, camera, battery life, advantages and disadvantages, and how it stacks against another popular budget model, the Tecno Spark Pro.

Design & Build Quality

When you first hold the Tecno Spark CM, you’ll notice its solid build and ergonomic shape. It’s lightweight and comfortable to hold, even with prolonged use. The body dimensions are compact enough to fit in one hand with ease, while the plastic construction keeps costs down without making the device feel cheap.

Comparison: Tecno Spark CM vs Tecno Spark Pro

Although both models fall into the budget category, a look at Tecno Spark Pro reveals a few design differences:

• Spark CM features a taller 5.7-inch screen with an 18:9 aspect ratio, a more modern design choice that gives you extra screen real estate without increasing the device’s footprint.
• The Spark Pro retains a more classic 5.5-inch panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio and slightly thicker bezels.

In terms of thickness and weight, both devices feel similar in hand, but the CM’s taller screen and slightly slimmer profile give it a more contemporary look compared to the Pro’s traditional form factor. The rear fingerprint sensor on both helps with quick unlocking and adds a premium touch to phones in this price bracket.

Display: Big and Bright for the Price

The Spark CM boasts a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels, which makes onscreen content crisp and well-defined, especially impressive considering the price segment.

The 18:9 aspect ratio is excellent for media consumption and web browsing, offering more vertical space and a better multimedia experience compared to older 16:9 screens.

Performance That Gets the Job Done

Under the hood, the Tecno Spark CM is powered by a MediaTek MT6737 chipset paired with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage.

While these specs won’t win any benchmarks, they perform admirably for everyday tasks:

• Social media apps
• Web browsing
• Light gaming
• Messaging and calls

There’s enough memory to keep a few apps open at once, and the storage can be expanded via microSD, which is crucial for budget users who need extra space for photos and videos.

Camera Capabilities: Surprising Value

For its price, the camera setup on the Spark CM punches above its weight:

• Rear Camera: 13MP sensor with Quad-LED flash and HDR support, which captures respectable photos in good lighting.
• Front Camera: 8MP shooter with LED flash, great for selfies, especially in low-light scenarios.

Photo quality is surprisingly good for a phone in this bracket, especially outdoors or under bright lights, and the LED flashes help when lighting isn’t ideal. Video recording tops out at 1080p, which is more than adequate for casual creators.

Battery Life: All-Day Power

One of the major strengths of the Spark CM is its 3050mAh battery, a solid capacity for an entry-level device.

With moderate use, social media, calls, messaging, and occasional video watching — you can easily reach the end of the day without needing to charge. It’s one of those phones where battery anxiety takes a back seat.

Software Experience

Out of the box, the Spark CM runs Android 7.0 Nougat with Tecno’s custom HiOS skin. While not the latest Android version even in 2018, the software is tuned for low-end hardware and runs smoothly with minimal lag.

HiOS also adds useful features like gesture controls, customizable themes, and battery saving modes that help extend usability.

Pros and Cons

Here’s a quick breakdown of what we love about the Tecno Spark CM, and where it falls short.

Pros

•  Affordable price point: excellent value for money.
•  Modern 18:9 display: great for media and browsing.
•  Decent battery life: gets most users through a full day.
•  Expandable storage: microSD support means more space.
•  Good camera performance for its class.

 Cons

• Android 7.0 Nougat is dated: even at launch, it wasn’t the newest version.
• Limited RAM & storage: multitasking and heavy apps can slow it down.
• No fast charging: battery refills take longer.
• Build is primarily plastic: though functional, it’s not premium.

Release Price: Multi-Currency Breakdown

At launch (March 2018), the Tecno Spark CM was priced competitively worldwide. Approximate retail pricing included:

• Nigeria: ₦77,605 – ₦112,200 (typical range depending on retailer)
• United States: ~$129.99 USD
• United Kingdom: ~£95-£105 (approximate given exchange rates at the time)
• India: ~₹9,000-₹10,500 (estimated based on regional pricing patterns)

These prices made the Spark CM one of the most competitive entry-level smartphones on the market.

Conclusion

The Tecno Spark CM is a smart choice for first-time smartphone owners, students, and anyone on a tight budget who still wants a capable device. With a large display, reliable performance, and all-day battery life, it delivers more than you’d expect for the money.

Whether you’re upgrading from a feature phone or seeking your first Android experience, the Spark CM represents a balanced package of design, functionality, and affordability.

Specs