Pova 8

Price tags for smartphones have only been going up since the AI-driven memory crisis began. Not only are smartphone manufacturers launching devices at ridiculous price points, but those prices also get revised a few months after launch. This has left many buyers confused and debating whether it's even worth upgrading to a new smartphone in 2026. The new Pova 8 (from Tecno) is now attempting to do the impossible, which is to sell a device which was launched as a budget smartphone last year (Rs. 12,999 for the 8GB + 128GB option) at a staggering Rs. 29,999, which is basically mid-range territory.

The brand believes it is justifying this higher price by adding a dot-matrix display to the back and adopting a new design. But as with every new non-premium smartphone launched this year, companies have trimmed things elsewhere. While the Pova 8 gets a bolder design and an extra display, its core hardware remains the same. But can it compete with the new devices from OnePlus and Motorola this year? Read on to find out!