The POVA 7 Ultra represents a significant leap for Tecno’s gaming centric . Traditionally known for budget-friendly endurance,
the 2025 “Ultra” variant pivots toward a more premium, high-performance territory. It aims to bridge the gap between a mid-range daily driver and a dedicated gaming machine.
Below is a comprehensive review covering design, performance, battery life, and overall value.
Design and Build
Tecno has doubled down on its futuristic design language. The POVA 7 Ultra features what the brand calls an Interstellar Spaceship Design.
Mini-LED Interactive Strip: Unlike the RGB overload of some gaming phones, the POVA 7 Ultra uses a refined triangular Mini-LED strip on the back. This isn’t just for show; it acts as a functional notification light for calls, messages, and charging status.
Build Quality: Despite the sleek, metallic look of the “Geek White” and “Geek Black” finishes, the back and frame are high-quality plastic. However, the front is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, providing better scratch resistance than previous generations.
Durability: The device holds an IP64 rating, meaning it is fully protected against dust and can handle splashes of water—a welcome inclusion for a mid-range device.
Display
The display is arguably the most significant “Ultra” upgrade. Tecno has moved away from the standard LCDs of yesteryear to a flagship-grade 1.5K AMOLED panel.
High Refresh Rate: At 144Hz, scrolling and gaming are incredibly fluid. The phone also supports 2592Hz high-frequency PWM dimming to reduce eye strain in low-light conditions.
Brightness: With a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, this screen remains perfectly legible even under direct midday sun.
Resolution: The 1260 x 2800 resolution provides a pixel density of roughly 460 ppi, making icons and text look razor-sharp.
Performance
Under the hood, the POVA 7 Ultra is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultimate chipset. Built on a 4nm process, this chip is designed specifically for sustained high-load gaming.
Gaming Prowess: In real-world testing, the phone handles PUBG Mobile and Free Fire at a stable 120 FPS. For more demanding titles like Genshin Impact, it maintains a respectable 50–60 FPS on high settings.
Thermal Management: One of the standout features is the 12-layer cooling system featuring a massive 5,300mm² vapor chamber. Even after an hour of gaming, the device stays warm rather than hot, avoiding the thermal throttling that plagues many slim phones.
Memory: It comes with 12GB of physical RAM, which can be virtually expanded by another 12GB (Total 24GB). This ensures that heavy apps remain open in the background without refreshing.
Battery and Charging
The POVA series has always been about “big battery,” but the Ultra adds “smart charging” to the mix.
The inclusion of 30W Magnetic Wireless Charging is a game-changer at this price point. Tecno even bundles a dedicated magnetic power bank in some regions, allowing you to “snap” extra power onto the back of the phone while gaming or commuting.
Camera
While POVA phones aren’t usually marketed as camera phones, the 108MP Samsung HM6 sensor here is a solid performer.
Daylight Photography: Photos are sharp with a wide dynamic range. The colors are slightly “poppy” (saturated), which looks great for social media but might lack the clinical accuracy professional photographers seek.
Ultrawide: The 8MP ultrawide lens is a major improvement over the 2MP depth sensors found on cheaper models, though it does show some softness at the edges.
Selfies: The 13MP front camera is tucked into a tiny punch-hole and delivers clean, AI-enhanced portraits with decent skin tone accuracy.
Software and AI
Running on Android 15, the new HiOS 15 is significantly cleaner than previous versions. It introduces several “TECNO AI” features:
Ella Assistant: A voice assistant capable of summarizing web pages and rewriting emails.
Circle to Search: Similar to flagship Android devices, you can circle any object on your screen to instantly find it on Google.
FreeLink: A proprietary tech that allows users to send messages or make calls within a 1km range in areas with absolutely no cellular signal (point-to-point).
Verdict
The Tecno POVA 7 Ultra 5G is a beast of a mid-ranger. It successfully combines a top-tier AMOLED display, a massive battery, and genuine gaming performance into a package that costs significantly less than a traditional “gaming phone.”
