The Tecno POVA Slim 5G, priced at ₹19,999, has entered India’s competitive budget smartphone market with a bold claim: it’s the slimmest phone in its segment, measuring just 5.9mm thick and weighing 157g. Launched in 2025, this device combines a sleek design with a hefty 5,160mAh battery, a 144Hz AMOLED display, and a MediaTek Dimensity 6400 processor tailored for casual gamers and style-conscious buyers. Tecno’s focus on value-for-money devices shines through, with features like a dynamic mood light and IP64 certification adding flair. But does it live up to the hype as the best slim budget phone of 2025? This detailed review, based on hands-on testing from a YouTube unboxing, explores its design, performance, camera, and more to help you decide if it’s worth your money.
Design & Build Quality
The Tecno POVA Slim redefines expectations for budget smartphones with its ultra-slim 5.9mm profile, making it the slimmest phone in its class. Weighing only 157g, it feels featherlight, offering a premium in-hand experience that rivals pricier devices. The phone sports a polycarbonate back and frame with a matte finish that resists fingerprints, ensuring a clean, classy look. Available in Sky Blue, Slim White, and Cool Black, its design stands out with a unique Dynamic Mood Light on the back, which illuminates for notifications, charging, or voice assistant triggers, customizable via settings.
Ergonomically, the POVA Slim is a delight for one-handed use, with thin bezels and a comfortable grip. Unlike bulky gaming phones like the Asus ROG Phone 9 or Redmagic 10, its sleek build doesn’t sacrifice portability. The IP64 rating and military-grade certification add durability against dust and splashes, though the plastic build feels less premium than glass-backed rivals like the CMF Phone 1. A bundled hard plastic case and pre-applied tempered glass enhance protection, making it practical for daily use.
Display
The POVA Slim boasts a 6.78-inch 3D curved AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution (likely 2436 x 1080) and a 144Hz refresh rate, delivering buttery-smooth visuals. With a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, it excels in outdoor visibility, performing well under direct sunlight during testing. The 92.6% screen-to-body ratio and slim bezels create an immersive experience, perfect for streaming YouTube at 1440p or watching movies. While it lacks HDR certification, colors are vibrant and punchy, with excellent contrast for a budget AMOLED panel.
Protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, the display withstands minor drops, as demonstrated in a drop test from a moderate height. For gamers, the 144Hz refresh rate ensures fluid animations in titles like BGMI or COD Mobile, though it’s not as sharp as 2K displays on pricier phones like the Poco F7 Pro. Overall, the POVA Slim’s display is a standout feature, offering a premium multimedia experience that competes with the Realme Narzo 80 or Redmi Note 14.
Performance & Hardware
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6400 (6nm, clocked at 2.5GHz), the POVA Slim is a decent performer for its ₹19,999 price. Paired with 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage, it handles daily tasks like browsing, social media, and multitasking with ease, though app launches take a few seconds. Its AnTuTu score of 449,000+ reflects solid mid-range performance, comparable to the Realme 15T or Infinix Note 40.
For gaming, the phone supports 60fps in titles like BGMI and Genshin Impact on Ultra HD settings, aided by a Hyper Boost Mode that optimizes performance. Testing showed stable 54.7–61fps averages, with minor frame drops during extended sessions—acceptable for casual gamers but not ideal for esports enthusiasts. A 30-minute throttle test yielded a 92% score, indicating excellent heat management despite the slim design, with no significant thermal issues during gameplay. However, the outdated UFS 2.2 and LPDDR4X tech lags behind UFS 3.1 rivals like the CMF Phone 1, limiting its appeal for power users.
Software & UI
The POVA Slim runs HiOS 15.1.2 based on Android 15, offering a smooth and customizable interface. Features like the Ella AI assistant, which supports regional languages like Hindi, enable tasks such as call assistance, translation, and AI note-taking. However, the software update policy is a weak point, with only one guaranteed Android OS update, lagging behind competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy A16 (4+4 years) or even Realme’s 2+3 years. Minimal bloatware is present, easily removable, ensuring a near-clean experience.
Animations are fluid, thanks to the 144Hz display, and multitasking is decent, with apps staying in memory. The UI supports extensive customization, including Dynamic Mood Light controls and gesture navigation. While HiOS is intuitive, it lacks the polish of OxygenOS or Samsung’s One UI, making it less refined for users seeking a premium software experience.
Camera Review
The POVA Slim features a dual rear camera setup: a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor, paired with a 13MP front camera. In daylight, the primary camera delivers vibrant, well-balanced photos with accurate white balance and decent sharpness, though 2x zoom introduces slight softness. Portrait mode offers good edge detection but applies mild beautification, with occasional over-sharpening at 2x. Indoor and outdoor shots are social media-ready, with strong colors and contrast, though not as refined as the Redmi Note 14’s output.
Low-light performance is a weak point, with photos lacking detail and appearing darker, even in Super Night Mode. The AI GC Portrait Mode is a highlight, allowing hairstyle and clothing changes for creative, unique shots. Video recording supports 2K 30fps (rear and front), with EIS at 1080p 30fps but not 4K, resulting in decent but not exceptional footage. The 13MP selfie camera produces detailed shots with slight beautification, suitable for casual use. Compared to rivals like the Moto G85, the camera is functional but falls short in versatility and low-light scenarios.
Battery Life & Charging
The POVA Slim’s 5,160mAh battery is a standout, especially in a 5.9mm body, making it the slimmest phone with this capacity. Real-world tests suggest 8–10 hours of screen-on time for mixed use (browsing, streaming, gaming), with 1.5–2 days of light usage. Heavy gaming reduces this to about a day, still impressive for a budget device. The included 45W charger (Type-C to Type-C) takes around 60–70 minutes for a full charge, competitive but slower than the 80W charging on some rivals like the Infinix Note 40.
The slim design doesn’t compromise battery performance, and minimal drain in standby mode ensures longevity. This makes the POVA Slim ideal for users needing reliable endurance without the bulk of phones like the Poco M7 Pro.
Audio & Multimedia
The POVA Slim features a single Dolby Atmos-certified speaker, delivering loud and clear audio for its class. While it lacks stereo sound, unlike the CMF Phone 1, the speaker handles YouTube, music, and gaming adequately, with decent clarity but limited bass. There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, relying on Bluetooth 5.4 or USB-C audio. Widevine L1 certification ensures HD streaming on Netflix and Prime Video, though the lack of HDR support limits 4K playback quality.
For multimedia, the vibrant AMOLED display compensates for audio shortcomings, offering an immersive experience for videos and casual gaming. However, users prioritizing rich audio may prefer dual-speaker phones like the Moto G85.
Connectivity & Extra Features
The POVA Slim supports 5G with 4×4 MIMO for high network performance, certified by TUV RL. It includes Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 5, and USB 2.0, but lacks NFC, limiting contactless payments. The in-display fingerprint scanner is fast and reliable, complemented by quick face unlock. Gaming-specific features include Hyper Boost Mode for optimized frame rates and brightness, though it lacks advanced cooling tech like vapor chambers found in gaming phones.
The Dynamic Mood Light adds a unique touch, customizable for notifications or aesthetics, setting it apart from rivals. IP64 certification enhances durability, making it suitable for outdoor use.
Gaming Experience
The POVA Slim targets casual gamers, delivering smooth 60fps gameplay in BGMI and Genshin Impact on Ultra HD settings with Hyper Boost Mode. Testing showed stable 54.7–61fps averages, with occasional frame drops after extended sessions, typical for this price point. The slim body doesn’t overheat, thanks to effective thermal management (92% throttle test score). However, it’s not built for flagship-level gaming, lagging behind devices like the Poco X7 Pro with Snapdragon chips for esports.
Compared to rivals like the Realme Narzo 80 or Infinix GT 20 Pro, the POVA Slim offers a better grip for long sessions due to its lightweight design, but its single speaker and lack of advanced cooling limit immersion for hardcore gamers.
Price & Availability
Priced at ₹19,999 for the 8GB/128GB variant, the POVA Slim is available online via platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, with offline availability at Tecno stores in India. Pre-booking offers include assured gifts, enhancing value. In global markets (USA/Australia), pricing may vary (estimated $250–$300), but availability is limited to select regions. Compared to the Realme 15T (₹18,000–₹20,000) or Redmi Note 14 (₹19,999), it stands out for its slimness but faces stiff competition from better-performing alternatives.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- ✅ Ultra-slim 5.9mm design and lightweight 157g build
- ✅ 5,160mAh battery, unmatched in slim phones
- ✅ Smooth 144Hz 1.5K AMOLED display
- ✅ Decent gaming performance for casual titles
- ✅ Unique Dynamic Mood Light feature
Cons:
- ❌ Weak low-light camera performance
- ❌ Limited software updates (one OS update)
- ❌ Single speaker lacks stereo immersion
- ❌ No NFC or HDR support
Top 10 Reasons to Buy Tecno POVA Slim
Top 5 Reasons to Avoid Tecno POVA Slim
Final Verdict
The Tecno POVA Slim 5G is a game-changer in the sub-₹20,000 segment, offering an unmatched combination of a 5.9mm slim design, a 5,160mAh battery, and a vibrant 144Hz AMOLED display. It’s ideal for students, casual gamers, and budget buyers seeking a stylish, lightweight phone with solid battery life and multimedia performance. The Dynamic Mood Light and IP64 rating add flair, while the MediaTek Dimensity 6400 ensures smooth daily use and casual gaming. However, its single OS update, average low-light camera, and single speaker disappoint, and power users or camera enthusiasts may prefer alternatives like the CMF Phone 1 or Redmi Note 14. If you value slimness and style over flagship power, the POVA Slim is a compelling choice, but weigh its limitations before buying.
Yes, it handles casual games like BGMI and Genshin Impact at 60fps with minimal lag, but it’s not suited for esports due to occasional frame drops.
The 5,160mAh battery lasts 1.5–2 days for light use or 8–10 hours of screen-on time with mixed usage, including gaming and streaming.
It excels in slimness and battery life but lags in software updates and camera versatility compared to the Realme 15T or Redmi Note 14.
Author: Technology Gyan
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