Summary
The Innos brand – manufactured by JSR Limited – is a relatively new player in the Smartphone arena, better known for their hot-swappable duo battery(2 batteries in one phone) flagship, the D6000.
The Innos M34T on the other hand is basically an entry level Smartphone. Not to be fooled by the pocket friendly price tag, the Innos is powered by a quad core Qualcomm processor delivering an enviable snappy and fluid user experience.
We spent sometime with the device and now bring you a review of our experience with it.
Unboxing
The Innos M34T comes with the usual accessories included in the box: A 5.0V USB Charger head and USB cable; 1800mAh Battery, Earphones, a User Manual and the device. The SsabaSimu is retrofitted with a Screen protector right out of the box.
Setting it Up
Removal of the back cover is relatively hustle-free thanks to the tiny depression on the bottom right of your device. Two carefully labeled slots accommodate micro SIM cards as shown in the image above. The slot on the right is reserved for a micro memory SD card. After you have properly inserted the battery you can now snap the back cover on and switch on your device.
When you switch on the Innos M34T for the first time, you are prompted to connect to the Internet only via Wi-Fi . Without an active Wi-Fi Internet connection, the option to skip is grayed out which means the startup process cannot continue any further. There was no option to use Mobile data. We found this to be unfriendly for the non geeks who want their smartphone to just work straight out of the box.
Luckily we had a Wi-Fi Internet connection on hand. As is the case with all Android Smartphones, one has to sign in to a Google account to personalise or restore backed up settings and contacts. After you are done signing up your email, you are well and truly done. Congratulations!
Pre-Installed Apps
Stock Android Apps come preinstalled in the M34T such as Browser, FM Radio, File Manager, Camera, Music, Videos, Gallery and the rest of the usual suspects. Also included are Google Apps: Chrome, Gmail, Drive, Google+ and Hangouts alongside Play Store, Play Games, Maps, YouTube, Photos, Play Music, etc…
Specifications
Announced: July 2015 Available: Available Colors Available: Black, White SIM: Dual SIM (Micro) Operating System: Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Network: GSM/WCDMA/LTE Band Band: GSM: 900/1800 WCDMA: 900/2100 LTE:Band3/7/20 CPU: 1.2GHz quad-core Processor (MSM Qualcomm) Memory: 8GB ROM, 1GB RAM, Micro SD Slot expandable up to 32GB Battery Capacity: – 1800mAh, Talk time – Not Verified, Standby time – Not Verified Data: GPRS, EDGE, 3G, 3.75G, 4G LTE Dimension: 137.569.38.6mm Weight: Not Verified Camera: 5 MP back Camera with flash, 2 MP front Camera without Flash. Display: 4.5 inches, Resolution:450 x 854 pixels (240 dpi)
Design
Some soul-searching evidently went into designing the Innos M34T. The 4.5 inch screen sits snug in the palm of your hand with the thumb retaining mobility to fiddle around with the device. The white back cover (in our piece) has a comfortable smooth, curving finish.
Your phone won’t dig into your flesh with its sharp edges. The Camera, Flash, Audio jack slot and USB port are conveniently placed at the top. The Volume and Power buttons are situated at opposite sides within easy reach of the thumb and forefinger.
A good chunk of space not occupied by the touch screen at the top and bottom of the M34T takes away points from the overall design. In our experience, smartphones look more aesthetically pleasing when the touch screen fills up most of the space at the front allowing you to immerse yourself fully into what the device has to offer.
Features and Functionality
The stock Android 5.1.1 Lollipop powering the Innos M34T has not been customised at all, leaving a fast bare bones OS unencumbered by the usual bloatware. Apart from the Vodafone Uganda animation at startup, the Ssabasimu is largely unchanged. Android Lollipop has obvious performance improvements over previous Android flavours.
Like we said earlier, we were able to run all installed apps in the background without any marked change in performance. You can set up more than one user account in Lollipop very much like personal computers and users on those accounts get to download and use their own apps (again, very much like personal computers).
The Camera
The 5 MP front camera with LED flash is nothing to write home about. The picture quality while not terrible remained low despite efforts to take that killer shot. The pictures appear bleached out and dull . The Innos camera takes sub par shots under poor light and only marginally better ones in full light.
Overall we are not wowed by both front and back cameras but keep in mind that the M34T is indeed a budget smartphone built with certain limitations to keep it competitive. For what it’s worth, the camera is fast and responsive and gets the job done.
Entertainment
The SsabaSimu comes with all the basic entertainment tools that you will need. The 4.5″ screen is enough for you to play Games and enjoy Videos. We enjoyed Temple Run mostly giving us a mostly fluid performance with only a few negligible glitches every once in a while.
The Innos also comes with SD card slot so you can upgrade your memory should you need to carry music and videos on the go. The FM Radio also comes in handy for radio lovers. The phone has an average sound quality using the inbuilt speaker while playing media at normal volume. At full volume though it spits out an unpleasant jarring dry stereo sound. The stereo earphones are decent enough.
Battery
Smartphones are notorious for having batteries whose endurance doesn’t quite match the ferocity of battery-intensive apps ever running in the background. The Innos M34T packs a 1800mAh battery which is quite good considering the phone price.
A full charge will last most of the day of medium device use with the battery saving feature turned on. You can get more juice out of your battery when you turn off power hungry apps like GPS and Facebook. A power bank will also come in handy if you want to stay online all day.
Performance
The general performance of the Innos M34T is impressive. It comes with a 1.2Ghz quad core qualcomm processor running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop on 1GB of RAM. The device is snappy and responsive . With all apps running in the background, the Innos showed no noticeable lag.
The stock browser is quite capable of satisfying your Internet surfing needs but Innos decided not to take any chances by including Google Chrome browser; the new standard for quality browsing experience. And that is only the icing on the cake. The Innos M34T is an LTE device which means faster download and upload speeds. Downloading apps in the Play Store took us an average of 3 to 4 seconds.
What we Like
- Unlocked Dual SIM device
- Pocket friendly price
- Fluid performance
- LTE Internet enabled
What we don’t Like
- Requires an active Wi-Fi Internet connection to set up
- Automatic Network-provided time not accurate
- Stock Android UI looks commonplace
- Lacks notification LED lights
To Wrap It Up
Even if it’s a relatively new brand, we loved the Innos. It is an amazing 4G LTE smartphone at a good price point. If you are looking for a first smartphone for yourself, or sibling, the Innos is a perfect fit. If you are looking for a replacement after you’ve lost your smartphone, the Innos would be perfect.
Sydney Mugerwa is a seasoned consumer tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with a passion for reviewing the latest gadgets and smart devices. From smartphones and wearables to smart home products and cameras, Sydney breaks down the complexities of consumer tech, making it easy to understand through detailed reviews and how-to guides. His mission is to simplify tech jargon and help readers make informed decisions in the ever-evolving world of technology.
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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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