Let’s talk about the Tecno Spark 40, a phone that I honestly didn’t expect to take seriously, but here we are. If you’ve been following Tecno’s Spark series for a while now, then you’ll know they’re typically the “bare minimum, big battery, big price” type of phones.
But the Tecno Spark 40 is different. For the first time in a long time, I can confidently say Tecno actually tried. No, seriously—they sat down, thought, and implemented. Because this phone might just be the best value Spark phone in years.
The Spark 40 is a budget level phone from Tecno. It is the successor to last year’s Spark 30. It was announced in June of 2025 and is available in most of Africa, India and Southeast Asia.
Let’s review the Tecno Spark 40 and see whether this ₦142,700/₱5,299 phone is truly worth your money—or just another shiny refresh with little substance underneath.
Tecno Spark 40 Specs
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| SIM | Dual Nano-SIM (dual standby) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| OS | Android 14 |
| SoC | MediaTek Helio G81 |
| Display | 6.78″ IPS LCD, FHD+ (1080 × 2460), 90Hz refresh rate, 800 nits brightness |
| Pixel Density | ~396 ppi |
| Rear Camera | 64MP (wide) + auxiliary lens, Quad-LED flash |
| Front Camera | 13MP, Dual-LED flash |
| Video | 1440p@30fps (rear), 1080p@30fps (front) |
| RAM / Storage | 4GB RAM + 128GB / 256GB storage (expandable via microSDXC) |
| Battery | 5,000mAh, non-removable Li-Po |
| Charging / USB | USB Type-C, fast charging supported |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Comms | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint scanner |
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📦 Unboxing
Inside the box, you get:
- The phone (obviously)
- USB Type-C cable
- 18W charger (not the full 45W they advertised, let’s be real)
- Silicone case
- SIM ejector tool
- Paperwork you’ll never read
All the usual suspects. Nothing fancy, but nothing missing either.
📱 Body & Build
Tecno’s budget phones have come a long way in terms of design polish, and the Spark 40 continues the trend. It comes in black, silver, and blue, with a matte plastic back that doesn’t attract too many fingerprints. It’s IP64-rated, meaning it can take a light splash or dust exposure, and there’s a side-mounted fingerprint scanner that works reliably enough. No complaints there.
📺 Display
This is the first time I’ve said this about a Spark: the display is actually good.
- 6.78″ IPS LCD
- 1080 × 2460 (FHD+)
- 90Hz refresh rate
- 800nits brightness
Can we clap for Tecno? Because this is the first Spark in forever that isn’t cursed with a pixelated 720p panel. The 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling smoother, and you can actually watch YouTube in Full HD without crying. Colors are decent, though, and brightness is okay for indoor use. If you’re outdoors, then you better find some shade.
⚙️ Performance
Now to the most confusing part: the MediaTek Helio G81. This chip is basically a slightly refreshed Helio G85, with 2 Cortex-A75 cores and 6 Cortex-A55 cores, clocked at 2.0GHz and 1.8GHz respectively. It’s still paired with the Mali-G52 MP2 GPU. Mind you, last year’s Tecno Spark 30 used the MediaTek Helio G91.
Here’s the honest truth: the performance is barely acceptable, nothing more.
- AnTuTu score: Around 250K
- Geekbench: ~390 single-core, ~1350 multi-core
For daily tasks like social media, streaming, and light gaming? You’re covered. But throw in heavy multitasking or demanding games, and you’ll hit the limits quickly.
🧠 RAM & Storage
Now Tecno is pulling out all the tricks: You get options for 4GB of physical RAM, with virtual RAM up to 8GB more. That’s 16GB on paper. But let’s be honest, virtual RAM is just marketing.
For actual storage, it comes in 128GB or 256GB eMMC 5.1 which today is quite slow. You can also expand it via microSD. This is one of the strongest suits of the Spark 40.
📸 Camera
On paper:
- 64MP f/1.8 main sensor
- Depth sensor (filler)
- 13MP selfie
In practice:
The rear camera takes decent shots in daylight. Dynamic range is okay, colours pop a bit, and detail is acceptable. In low-light, you get what’s expected at this price: noisy and soft. The selfies are usable, with decent skin tone reproduction.
For videos, please note that there’s no 4K video here—you’re capped at 1440p@24fps.
🔋 Battery Life
The 5,000mAh battery is one of the major wins here. You’ll easily get through a full day with moderate use, even with 90Hz turned on. What’s more impressive is the 45W fast charging. In this price range, that’s unheard of. Charging from 0–100% takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, which is excellent.
🔊 Audio & Extras
The Spark 40 has dual stereo speakers, and they sound surprisingly loud. Not super crisp, but serviceable for Netflix or YouTube.
You also get:
- USB-C port
- IR Blaster
- FreeLink support for connecting other Tecno devices
- Bluetooth 5.2, WiFi 5 (dual-band)
- GPS, OTG, and Dual SIM support
For a sub-₦150K phone, this is a lot of functionality.
💸 Price & Value
How much does the Tecno Spark 40 cost in Nigeria and the Philippines? In Nigeria, the Tecno Spark 40 sells for ₦142,700. In the Philippines, the Tecno Spark 40 sells for ₱5,299.
- 🇳🇬 ₦142,700 in Nigeria
- 🇵🇭 ₱5,299 in the Philippines
At this price, you’re getting:
- A large 120Hz screen (albeit 720p)
- 5,200mAh battery + 45W fast charge
- UFS 2.1 storage
- Android 15 out of the box
- Lots of modern connectivity features
The biggest compromise? Performance.
The Helio G81 is just barely average for 2025. If you’re looking for a gaming phone, this isn’t it. This is a device for regular users who value charging speed, battery life, and multitasking.
🟩 Verdict
The Tecno Spark 40 is not a revolutionary budget phone. It is a casual package for casual users. It’s perfect for someone who wants:
- Long battery life
- Smooth scrolling
- Fast charging
- Android 15
- A modern-looking phone with plenty of features
But if you’re expecting next-level performance or crisp 1080p visuals, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
TL;DR – Should You Buy the Tecno Spark 40?
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| FHD+ 1080p Display | Weak GPU |
| Stereo speakers | Same old A75 CPU |
| NFC support | No 5G |
| Android 14 | Charging not really 45W |
| 64MP rear & 13MP selfie cam | eMMC storage |
If all you need is a reliable daily phone with great battery life and solid features, the Spark 40 is worth it. Just don’t expect it to game like a Dimensity 6080 or Snapdragon 695.
Would you like a comparison next? Maybe Spark 40 vs Spark 20 Pro or Spark 40 vs Redmi 13? Let me know.
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