Summary The Tecno H5 is the best entry level smartphone we’ve reviewed from Tecno so far. Its user interface has been tweaked to become user-friendly enough for the first-time smartphone user and a delight for a multi-media fan. The H5 is your lego blocks for consuming and creating content on the mobile phone thanks to useful pre-installed multimedia Apps. The downside to the H5 is that the low price point introduces a couple of trade offs like the display among others.
Unboxing Neatly packed in a sealed white box with good branding, the Tecno H5 comes with an 1800mAh battery, a travel charger, ear phones, a phone cover that fits to the back of the phone, a manual and a 13 month warranty. Unboxing is always exciting as one breaks the seal that Tecno uses to guard against counterfeits revealing the 4.0 Inch Tecno H5 and the accessories provided.
Specs Overview The H5 comes with Android Jellybean 4.2, A snappy 1.3 Ghz Dual Core Processor and a 4.0 WVGA display. The H5 has 4GB ROM 512MB RAM with a micro SD expandable to 32GB. It also features 3G speeds, Dual SIM feature, A 5MP rear and 0.3MP front Camera.
Dual Sim & Android Jellybean Tecno has maintained the dual SIM feature on almost all its smartphones except the Phantom Pad mini. Tecno retained this feature on the H5 and this has been one of its biggest selling points seeing that Dual SIM is still an essential feature in Africa that many phone users here still benefit from.
The H5 comes with Android’s 4.2 Jellybean OS and unlike the Tecno Phantom, this phone can actually be upgraded to say KitKat (over-the-air, if Tecno wishes to) which isn’t available on the Phantom. This means that Phantom users are stuck on 4.2 Jellybean and should purchase a new phone if they want to upgrade to the latest unless Tecno provides an Over The Air (OTA) update which up until now hasn’t arrived.
Tecno has also tweaked the OS to look and function a little differently. The User Interface looks the same till you try access settings from the home screen which then reveals a colorful side menu compared to the menu that used to appear from the bottom in ICS and Gingerbread
Design & Display: Not So Good Viewing Angles The H5 is 11.65mm thin at a height of 124mm and a width of 65.8mm. Making it easy to hold and to fit in the hand unlike very huge devices. The all plastic back cover isn’t anti-scratch and that is probably why Tecno offers a Phone cover.
The placement of the power button to the left and Volume keys to the right doesn’t feel right as I find myself pressing both buttons just to turn on the phone. I believe they should have kept the power key on the right or on the top than on the left but that once again is a question of adaptability .
The 4.0 WVGA display is big enough to play and work but disappointing because of the limited viewing angles when it comes to images and Video. It was however big enough for games and work. Even though the screen looked sharp when we were watching the famous “Big Bang Theory”. we experienced limited viewing angles when viewing an image. We also had to put the display at its brightest while outside in the sun but still had issues viewing. Tecno can do better with the display especially with the viewing angles .
User Interface: Tweaked For First-time Smartphone Users Tecno doesn’t have a name for its User Interface (UI) like how Samsung has SmartWiz UI and Huawei has Emotion UI but we are sure its not pure/stock Android as experienced on say the Nexus devices. With the H5,Tecno tweaked the UI changing the feel, look and functionality a little bit. They started with the settings menu which now loads as a side bar and not as horizontal menu as seen in previous versions. Tecno also added swiping across the menu bar to the left or right to provide quick access to music and radio or settings. The rest of the UI feel and functionality are the same Jellybean experience we have always known.
Performance: The H5, Gives The Best Performance For Mid-range Device The 1.3Ghz Dual Core processor is probably one of the best things about the H5, It keeps it speedy even when multi tasking. We opened over 15 apps and let them run in the background while switching from one app to another and yet the H5 still performed fast and fluid enough. Although the phone occasional froze for a few seconds at a time, it’s not as much as we expected for an entry level- midrange device. We opened an office app to edit a spreadsheet and document while playing Temple Run and rendering an edited Video in the background. We occasionally facebooked and read the bible but the H5 hardly froze which we found impressive.
Made For Entertainment Looking at the way the H5 was designed, it was certainly built for entertainment. Starting with the 8GB SD card that comes pre-installed and upgradable up-to 32GB gives you enough space to load movies, music, images and more.
Another hard to believe fact is that he H5 has about 34 Codecs meaning it will play most of the formats you throw at it for both audio and Video including those you probably have not heard of yet. These include Mp3, MPEG4, DivX, AVI, AMR, AAC, among others. The version of Jellybean that runs on the H5 was tweaked to provide quick access to Music and radio at just a few swipes. Further, the H5 packs a radio that can play without earphones with a speaker that is also pretty loud. We tested the earphones and found them to be average in terms of the quality of sound they produce. Overall, the H5 is made for entertainment
Camera: Shoots Videos Better Than It Takes Images The H5 features a 5MP rear camera with a flash and a 0.3MP front Camera, It can shoot both pictures and Video with multiple modes like HDR, Panorama, Auto Capture when smile is detected. It also gives option of varying the Exposure, ISO, White Balance, Color Effects, Saturation, Contrast, Brightness among others.It can also shoot in Sunset, Portrait, Landscape, Night, Normal or Auto mode. The H5 Camera also features an inbuilt photo editor with various photo filters and the ability to adjust Exposure, Contrast, Vibrance, Curves Hue etc which is pretty amazing.
We took a couple of photos and Videos with it and the images were average. The Videos we shot with the camera were much better than the images.
Battery Life The H5 packs an 1800 mAh battery, We didn’t have enough time to do benchmark tests with it but like all smartphone batteries, It was an average performer for the time that we had it. We were unable to establish how long the battery can last on 3G, or if you start gaming constantly, decide to watch a movie/video or how long the standby and talk times were but we spent time with it and the battery lasted about 8-10 hours on 3G while making a couple of calls and keeping the phone busy. Our Verdict — It’s a good enough battery for the H5 since it doesn’t have the large displays that guzzle battery
Pre Installed Apps Tecno packs in all of its smartphones a host of pre installed apps some of which you can uninstall if you don’t need them while others cannot be uninstalled but disabled. Some of the apps that come pre loaded are the Torch, Recorder, a new Wireless inputs App, palmchat, Palm Play, Gameloft, Flash Share, the APK Assistant and the Notes app. The H5 features some new useful apps like the “Backup and Restore App that helps you backup all data on your phone. The all new “Movie Studio” is another fun app that is actually important. We were able to shoot some short videos and edit them using the app.
Tecno also pre loads a pro version of the “Du battery Saver” App which had a bit of extra functionality and was helpful in preserving battery. The rest of the apps are Facebook, WhatsApp, UC browser, Google Plus, Hangouts, YouTube, Gmail, Maps among others. We loved the fact that some apps could be uninstalled or disabled and we also found some apps very vital like the APK assistant, Flash Share, CarlCare, Du battery among others
Gaming The H5 comes with 4 pre installed games. These are Danger Dash, Fashion Icon, Modern Combat and Green farm 3. This time Tecno did their very best to put some really interesting games that people would actually love to play inclusive of a Fashion game that many ladies would love to play.
“Danger Dash” is more like temple run but this time its tigers not monkeys, Its tigers chasing you; its quite interesting. Modern Combat is another interesting game where you take on the character of a military expert who is given different missions including saving his colleagues who have been captured in a mission gone wrong. The graphics in this game were quite impressive though the controls were quite tough to get used to
Warranty & Customer Care One of the things we love the most about Tecno and the phones we reviewed, is that the 13 Month warranty is real and comes in handy when your phone misbehaves. When we reviewed the Phantom F7 , we got an issue or two which were fixed under the warranty at the CarlCare center. We like this because it reduces the actual costs of the phone. You do not want to buy a phone and spend the same amount trying to fix it should it break down (for whatever reason) and with CarlCare centers spread around the country, one can get their phones worked even when they are up country. That’s good customer care.
Availability & Cost This is one area where Tecno has excelled at — distribution. When in Kampala Uganda, You will find a Tecno distribution point in all major towns of the country and with all major vendors like MTN, Airtel and other Dealer Shops not to mention the Tecno Retail store. The H5 is being sold at a retail price of 260,000 Ugx which is about $105 at the Tecno Store
What We Didn’t Like The poor viewing angles
What We Liked The 1.3Ghz Processor, Thoughtful Games & Apps, 13 month Functional Warranty plus availability and cost
Conclusion Tecno has now proved that they are here to stay and that they are the African Smartphone manufacturer of choice giving lots of choice to fit all budgets. If you are looking for your first budget smartphone that is big on entertainment, this would be a perfect fit. Whatever else it falls short of is not worth complaining about considering the low price point. If you are looking to replace your existent entry level or mid range smartphone, you would consider the Phantom A+ or something like that
About Onyait Odeke
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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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