Tecno

Advancements in both battery tech and processors, along with good software optimisation, have ensured that high-capacity batteries aren't necessarily the need of the hour. Lithium-ion batteries with silicon-carbon technology have also ensured faster charging and allowed squeezing in higher capacities into compact devices. And yet, we witnessed the launch of a big-battery smartphone like Realme P4 Power in 2026, which shockingly managed to squeeze in a powerbank-sized 10,001mAh battery into a regular-sized smartphone.

In the ever-evolving landscape of smartphone design, the latest trend is on shaving a few millimetres off to achieve an ultra-slim profile. However, this myopic fixation is seldom practical and usually results in a trade-off or two. While an ultra-slim phone may feel exquisite for a couple of minutes, a constant anxiety of a battery that can't reliably survive a full day accompanies it, forcing us to accept it with resignation. Another good example is the Bendgate controversy, which serves as a reminder that experimentation with a device even as high-end as an iPhone can turn disastrous, if not done correctly. Enter Tecno, a brand that typically focuses on bringing value-for-money, mass-market devices.

Tecno and its sibling brand Infinix, under the banner of Transsion Holdings, are among only a handful of OEMs trying to maintain a mass-market appeal while also offering phones that break the mould and stand out in the overcrowded sea of generic-looking offerings. Aiding its cause is the Tecno Pova Curve 5G, which was recently launched in India, and this one is no exception. Featuring a starship-inspired design and promising on-paper specifications, the handset seeks to impress at first glance. However, do these additions really justify its price tag?