Tecno Spark 50 Pro Review: Is It Really Better Than the Spark 40 Pro?
The Tecno Spark 50 Pro arrives with several upgrades that immediately look impressive on paper. It has stronger durability, a larger battery, faster charging, newer software and a Sony main camera.
But there's an interesting problem with this phone.
Compared with the Spark 40 Pro, Tecno has also removed or downgraded some of the features that made the previous model so appealing. The AMOLED display is gone, the fingerprint scanner has moved to the side, and the processor remains essentially unchanged.
With the Spark 50 Pro selling for around ₦345,000, the question isn't simply whether it is a good phone. It's whether the changes Tecno made actually make sense for the price.
Design and Build Quality
The Spark 50 Pro doesn't look like an inexpensive smartphone.
It features a flat frame, flat rear panel and a large camera module that gives the phone a more premium appearance. Tecno also offers several colour options, while a matching protective case and pre-installed screen protector are included in the box.
However, the most important part of the design isn't the appearance. It's durability.
The Spark 50 Pro comes with IP68 and IP69 protection, which is considerably more serious than what you'll find on many phones in this price range.
IP68 provides protection against dust and water immersion under specified conditions, while IP69 is designed to protect the device against high-pressure and high-temperature water jets.
Tecno also claims improved drop resistance.
Another practical feature is the wet and oily touch response, allowing the touchscreen to remain usable even when your fingers aren't completely dry.
These aren't features that necessarily make the phone more exciting in a showroom, but they can become extremely useful in everyday situations.
Display
The display is probably the most controversial part of the Spark 50 Pro. The phone comes with a 6.78-inch 720p IPS LCD panel with a 120Hz refresh rate.
A 120Hz refresh rate means scrolling and animations can still feel smooth, but the underlying panel is a significant change from the Spark 40 Pro.The Spark 40 Pro featured an AMOLED display with a much sharper resolution.
Moving from AMOLED to LCD means the Spark 50 Pro doesn't offer the same level of contrast, deep blacks and overall visual quality as its predecessor. The lower resolution is also noticeable, particularly when looking at text, images and other detailed content.
For watching YouTube, browsing social media and using everyday applications, the screen is perfectly usable. But display quality was one of the Spark 40 Pro's strongest selling points, so this feels less like an upgrade and more like a change in priorities.
Fingerprint Scanner
The fingerprint scanner has also changed.
Instead of the in-display fingerprint scanner found on the Spark 40 Pro, the Spark 50 Pro uses a side-mounted scanner.
The good news is that the side-mounted scanner is fast and conveniently positioned.
So there isn't necessarily a major problem with how it works.
The bigger issue is what the change represents. Once again, Tecno has chosen a different direction instead of simply improving the features that made the previous generation attractive.
Performance
The Spark 50 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Helio G100. This is essentially the same processor found in the previous generation, so there isn't a major performance upgrade here.
That doesn't mean the phone is slow. For everyday activities such as WhatsApp, Instagram, web browsing, YouTube, streaming and normal multitasking, the Helio G100 remains capable.
Gaming is also possible. Titles such as Call of Duty Mobile can run reasonably well, and the phone can handle extended gaming sessions without becoming excessively uncomfortable to hold.
However, this isn't a gaming-focused smartphone.
The Spark 50 Pro is better viewed as an everyday device that happens to handle gaming rather than a phone designed primarily for demanding games.
Storage and Connectivity
One useful feature is the dedicated microSD card slot.
This allows users to expand the phone's storage without having to sacrifice one of the SIM slots.
Dedicated storage expansion has become less common on modern smartphones, so its inclusion is a welcome addition, particularly for users who store a lot of photos, videos and other files.
The phone also includes NFC and Bluetooth 5.4.
Software and Features
The Spark 50 Pro runs Android 16 with HiOS 16.
The software offers the usual HiOS customisation options, widgets and various additional features.
Tecno has also included AI-powered tools for tasks such as writing, summarising and editing text, alongside the company's Ella AI assistant.
There are several other useful features as well, including an FM radio, IR blaster and stereo speakers.
The IR blaster is particularly useful if you frequently use your phone to control devices such as televisions and air conditioners.
The overall software package is therefore fairly feature-rich, even though some users may find HiOS a little busy.
Camera
The main camera is one area where the Spark 50 Pro appears to have received more attention.
Tecno uses a 50MP Sony main camera with a relatively large sensor.
In good lighting, the camera can produce photos with good colour and a reasonable amount of detail.
The larger sensor also helps in more challenging lighting conditions, where the camera can deliver respectable results for a phone in this category.
It's still important to keep expectations realistic. This isn't going to compete with a flagship iPhone or Galaxy, particularly in difficult scenes.
But for everyday photography, social media and casual photos, the main camera is one of the more convincing aspects of the Spark 50 Pro.
The front camera is an 8MP sensor, and its performance is more ordinary. Good lighting is important if you want the best results.
Video recording also tops out at 2K at 30fps, meaning there is no 4K recording option.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is another major strength of the Spark 50 Pro.
Depending on the market, the phone comes with either a 5,600mAh or 6,000mAh battery.
Either capacity provides plenty of room for long daily usage.
With moderate use, a full day should be easily achievable, while lighter users may be able to stretch the phone beyond two days.
Charging is also significantly faster than what you would typically expect from a budget or mid-range smartphone, thanks to 60W fast charging.
Even better, Tecno includes the appropriate charger in the box, so you don't need to purchase another charger just to take advantage of the advertised charging speed.
The phone also supports bypass charging, which is useful for gaming. Instead of continually charging and discharging the battery while playing, power can be supplied more directly to the phone.
For people who prioritise battery life and charging speed, this is one of the Spark 50 Pro's biggest advantages.
Spark 50 Pro vs Spark 40 Pro
The biggest challenge with the Spark 50 Pro is that it isn't a straightforward upgrade over the Spark 40 Pro.
The newer model improves durability considerably, adds faster charging, offers a larger battery, brings newer software and introduces a Sony main camera.
But several features have gone backwards.
The Spark 50 Pro loses the AMOLED display, replaces the in-display fingerprint scanner with a side-mounted unit, removes the headphone jack and continues to use essentially the same processor.
This means the two phones are built around different priorities.
The Spark 40 Pro focused more heavily on delivering features such as an AMOLED display that made the phone feel more premium.
The Spark 50 Pro puts more emphasis on durability, battery life and practical features.
Price and Value
The Tecno Spark 50 Pro is priced at around ₦345,000 in Nigeria.
At this price, the competition becomes important.
The phone offers some features that are genuinely useful, particularly IP68/IP69 protection, the large battery, 60W charging, the Sony main camera, NFC and the IR blaster.
However, buyers who place greater importance on display quality may be disappointed by the move from AMOLED to 720p LCD.
The unchanged processor also means you're not getting a major performance improvement over the previous generation.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- IP68 and IP69 protection
- Improved drop resistance
- 5,600mAh/6,000mAh battery depending on region
- 60W fast charging
- Bypass charging
- 50MP Sony main camera
- Android 16 with HiOS 16
- NFC
- IR blaster
- Stereo speakers
- Dedicated microSD card slot
- Wet and oily touch support
- Case and screen protector included
Cons
- 720p IPS LCD instead of AMOLED
- Lower display quality than the Spark 40 Pro
- No in-display fingerprint scanner
- Same Helio G100-class performance as the previous generation
- No headphone jack
- Selfie camera is average
- No 4K video recording
- ₦345,000 puts it against strong competition
Final Verdict
The Tecno Spark 50 Pro is an unusual successor because it doesn't try to improve everything that came before it.
Instead, Tecno has clearly changed its priorities.
You lose the AMOLED display, the in-display fingerprint scanner and headphone jack, while performance remains largely unchanged.
In return, you get significantly stronger durability, a larger battery, 60W charging, bypass charging, a Sony main camera, newer software and several useful extras such as NFC and an IR blaster.
That makes the Spark 50 Pro a more specialised proposition.
If durability, battery life, fast charging and everyday reliability are your biggest priorities, the phone has a lot going for it.
But if the reason you liked the Spark 40 Pro was its AMOLED display and the more premium experience it offered, the Spark 50 Pro may feel like a step in the wrong direction.
At around ₦345,000, this isn't a phone to buy simply because it's the newer Spark Pro model.
The important thing is understanding what Tecno changed and deciding whether those changes actually match the features you care about most.