Tecno Spark Go

Tecno Spark Go (2019) Review: The Budget Smartphone That Packed a Punch

When Tecno Mobile launched the Tecno Spark Go in August 2019, the budget smartphone segment was rapidly evolving. Buyers were no longer satisfied with basic voice and SMS functionality, they wanted big screens, solid cameras, dependable battery life, and social media-ready performance, all at an affordable price. The Spark Go entered this market at just that right moment, bringing together features that felt notable in its price class and reshaping what entry-level Android phones could offer.

In this deep, comprehensive review, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this device: design, display, performance, cameras, battery, pricing across key markets, comparisons with the Tecno Spark 3 Pro, and who this phone is truly for. By the end, you’ll understand why the Tecno Spark Go became one of the most talked-about budget Android phones in 2019.

Design & Build: Big Feel on a Budget

The Spark Go made a strong first impression with its modern, tall-screen design. It was built around a 6.1-inch IPS LCD display with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, delivering expansive screen space for browsing, videos, and apps.

What It Looks Like

The phone features a slightly rounded plastic body with a glossy finish, a common choice for phones at this price point. What stood out most was how well-proportioned it felt despite its large display. At a time when many entry-level phones were stuck with 16:9 screens, this taller and narrower panel gave the Spark Go a more contemporary visual appeal and improved ergonomics for one-handed use.

Comparison: Tecno Spark Go vs Tecno Spark 3 Pro (Design & Build)

It’s worth comparing the Spark Go to the Tecno Spark 3 Pro, another budget phone released in 2019.

• Spark Go: Sleek 6.1-inch high-aspect display that maximised screen space.
• Spark 3 Pro: Slightly larger 6.2-inch display with a more conventional 18:9-ish ratio.
• Build materials: Both phones used plastic bodies and frames, but the Spark Go’s taller screen made it appear more modern.
• Ergonomics: The Spark Go’s narrower width made it slightly easier to handle despite the near-equal screen size.

In short, while both devices shared similar build materials and manufacturing quality typical of budget phones, the Spark Go edged ahead with a more modern screen layout and better one-hand usability.

Display: Big, Bright, and More Immersive

One of the most compelling aspects of the Spark Go was its 6.1-inch IPS LCD display, a generous size at this price point that made watching videos, reading text and navigating apps more comfortable. With an HD+ resolution (720 × 1560 pixels), the screen offered reasonably sharp visuals for everyday content consumption.

While it wasn’t a Full HD panel, the display’s tall aspect ratio and decent brightness levels helped deliver an immersive experience that stood out among rivals selling for similar price tags.

Performance: Efficient and Everyday Ready

Inside, the Tecno Spark Go was powered by the MediaTek Helio A22 chipset, coupled with either 1GB or 2GB of RAM depending on configuration. The processor is a quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 unit, not a performance powerhouse, but adept at handling core smartphone tasks in 2019.

Everyday Use

• Messaging & communication: WhatsApp, Messenger, and SMS worked smoothly.
• Social media: Browsing apps like Facebook and Instagram felt acceptable.
• Video streaming: YouTube and similar services ran without major issues.
• Light multitasking: Switching between a couple of apps was generally fine, but heavier multitasking could slow things down.

Because Android 9 Pie was paired with Tecno’s HiOS interface, resource optimisation helped keep experiences responsive even on lower RAM models. Overall, this setup made the Spark Go a reliable choice for first-time smartphone users or anyone needing a dependable secondary device.

Cameras: Simple, Solid, and Social Media-Ready

Camera performance is one of the places where budget phones often struggle, but the Spark Go delivered respectable results for its price.

Rear Camera

• 8 MP main sensor with autofocus.
• Capable of capturing bright daylight photos with decent detail.
• LED flash helped in low-light situations, though noise levels increased.

Front Camera

• 5 MP selfie shooter, ideal for video calls and casual social media selfies.

You won’t find flagship-level image quality here, but for everyday snapshots and sharing moments on social platforms, this camera setup was more than adequate.

Battery: All-Day Power

Battery life on the Tecno Spark Go came from a 3000 mAh removable battery, a practical choice for flexibility and replacement.

In real-world use, this capacity translated to all-day endurance under moderate usage, messaging, browsing, calls and some video streaming, without needing a midday charge. Performance was solid considering the modest hardware and display resolution, both of which helped preserve battery life through light-to-moderate days.

Price at Release: Global & Local

One of the biggest selling points of the Spark Go was its wallet-friendly price. When it launched in August 2019, it was priced aggressively to attract first-time buyers and budget-conscious shoppers.

Here’s how the release price looked across key regions:

• Nigeria: Approximately ₦30,000 – ₦35,000 ✨ (typical retail range at launch)
• United States: Roughly $82 USD 💵 (approximate launch MSRP)
• United Kingdom: About £65 GBP 💷 (estimated conversion based on USD pricing)
• India: Around ₹6,000 – ₹6,500 INR 🇮🇳 (approximate local equivalent)

These prices made the Spark Go a serious contender in the budget smartphone market, giving users more bang for their buck than many competitors at the time.

Pros & Cons: The Real Breakdown

Let’s break down the key strengths and weaknesses of the Tecno Spark Go so you know exactly what to expect:

Pros

Budget-Friendly Price: Very accessible for entry-level buyers.
Large Display: 6.1-inch IPS screen for immersive viewing.
Simple Daily Performance: Handles basic tasks and apps well.
Android 9 Pie with HiOS: Modern OS experience at launch.
Removable Battery: Easy replacement and extended device life.
Expandable Storage: microSD support up to 128 GB.

Cons

Limited RAM Options: 1–2 GB can feel restrictive for heavier use.
Basic Camera Performance: Good for snapshots, weak under low light.
Plastic Build: Feels less premium than higher-end phones.
No Fast Charging: Charging times are standard/slow with the included charger.

Conclusion: Who Should Buy the Tecno Spark Go?

In 2019, the Tecno Spark Go stood out as a top-value budget smartphone, especially for:

• First-time smartphone users
• Students needing reliable messaging and social apps
• Users migrating from feature phones
• Anyone seeking a cheap but capable second phone

Its big screen, dependable battery life, and competitive pricing made it a smart choice for its segment. While it didn’t compete with mid-range or flagship devices, in the entry-level space it delivered genuinely useful performance and features.

Specs