Here we are, fresh from the launch of the TECNO POVA 7 Ultra 5G in the Philippines. TECNO really did accomplish something with the POVA 7 Ultra, what that ‘something’ is, we’ll know more as we put the POVA 7 Ultra 5G through its paces in our full review.
Strap on your spacesuits and put on your helmet, because this rocket is about to take off in T-minus 3… 2… 1…
Unboxing Experience
And we have liftoff! Just like a rocket shedding its thrusters, we’ll start off this journey by unboxing the TECNO POVA 7 Ultra 5G. TECNO actually sent us two boxes for the POVA 7 Ultra 5G, we’ll technically the other’s a crate and the other one is the usual packaging.
Just so we’re clear, the crate isn’t what you would usually get when you buy a TECNO POVA 7 Ultra 5G, it’s sort of like a limousine for the phone, something to up the ante when it comes to presentation.
Let’s start with the box you’d usually receive when buying your very own TECNO POVA 7 Ultra 5G. Inside you’ll find the following:
- The TECNO POVA 7 Ultra 5G itself
- Phone case with wireless charging support
- SIM ejector tool
- USB Type-C Cable
- 70W fast charging brick
- Documentation including quick start guide and warranty information
While the crate contains a few additional goodies, including:
- DITO SIM
- Three trendy magnetic plates
- A TECNO POVA 7 Ultra 5G jersey
Although you may not receive the same contents as the one we did with the crate, TECNO was still generous enough with the inclusions.
Design
We’ve already talked about the TECNO POVA 7 Ultra 5G’s aesthetic language in our feature article, but if you haven’t read that, here’s a TLDR of it.
For the POVA 7 series, TECNO veered slightly away from the flashy futuristic theme that the previous iterations had, instead, we have a more minimalist take but still maintaining that signature futuristic design language that the POVA series has been known for. TECNO calls it the “Interstellar Spaceship Design” language.
You’ll find the triangular geometric shape all over the back panel, not just the camera island. And speaking of the camera island, there you’ll find the Delta Light Interface, a strip of 104 Mini-LED lights around the camera module. These LEDs aren’t just for show; they also serve a purpose.
It’s to provide customizable visual feedback to the user. You can customize it to your heart’s desire, whether it’s calls, notifications, music, or gaming, you’ll always have a cool, interactive element that makes you stand out.
Despite the plastic frame and rear, the build quality feels solid and premium in the hand. We were almost fooled that the rear panel wasn’t glass due to the frosted finish it had. There’s only two colors to choose from: Geek Black and the one that we have, Geek White.
And, as an added bonus, the TECNO POVA 7 Ultra 5G also boasts an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance, making the phone protected from everyday challenges.
Display
Now that we lost our thrusters and are now entering space, let’s look at the vast emptiness of space through our window, except this window is a stunning 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display. The experience is further elevated by the 144Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 4500 nits. Making every detail stand out even in direct sunlight.
And since this is meant for gamers, the 2160Hz instant touch sampling rate ensures that every swipe and click registers faster than a blink of an eye, making it a beast in competitive gaming.
Performance
So how did TECNO manage to propel the POVA 7 Ultra 5G into space? Simple. With the tried and tested MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultimate chipset. This bad boy can reach a top speed, or rather an AnTuTu benchmark score 1.53 million plus. All thanks to the 12GB of RAM (can be extended to 24GB via the extended RAM) and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
But TECNO didn’t just stop there, they went the extra mile by embedding a 12-layer Hyper Cooling System with a 5,300mm² vapor chamber, reducing temperatures by up to 3°C during intense gaming sessions. There’s also a 4D Gaming Vibration and dual speakers with Dolby Atmos.
Camera
Although not advertised as a photography-centric device, the POVA 7 Ultra 5G still manages to produce quality shots with its 108MP main camera alongside an 8MP ultrawide sensor. Daylight shots are decent with good clarity and detail, slaying day-to-day social media updates.
Let the sun go down and the results tell a different story. In low-light scenarios, the POVA 7 Ultra still puts up a fight but at the cost of a softer image.
For the selfie lovers out there, the 13MP wide-angle front camera should be more than enough for the occasional selfie with friends or just by yourself. Both the front and rear cameras support up to 4K video recording at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps.
And as with any phone in recent years, AI features are also present in the camera to make those shots even better. These features include AI Eraser 2.0 and AIGC Portrait 2.0, offering endless possibilities.
Battery
As a gaming phone, having a huge battery is not only a luxury, it’s a necessity. I mean, who would game on a phone only for it to run out after just a few sessions? Hassle ‘yun men! Thankfully, the POVA 7 Ultra 5G is equipped with a colossal 6000 mAh battery, taking away any battery anxiety you might have.
Of course, having a big battery also has its own disadvantages, one being that it takes quite a while to charge, especially if your phone doesn’t support fast charging. Not to worry, the POVA 7 Ultra 5G supports 70W wired fast charging and 30W wireless fast charging. Plus, there’s also a 10W reverse wireless charging to help a brother/sister out in times of trouble. After all, sharing IS caring!
And it’s not just for short term gains, TECNO also equipped the POVA 7 Ultra 5G with features that would help users prolong their battery health. These features include Low-Temp Charge, Smart Charge, and Hyper Charge to help optimize charging.
Software and AI
Out of the box, the POVA 7 Ultra 5G runs TECNO’s custom HiOS 15 on top of Android 15. But unlike the HiOS 15 you’ll find in TECNO’s other devices, this one is even more special because of new icons, new animations, new wallpapers, and TECNO’s first custom typography. It’s clear that TECNO isn’t just putting out new hardware, they’re also improving the software side which not all manufacturers do.
Every aircraft, even a spaceship needs a co-pilot, and who better to be a co-pilot than Ella, TECNO’s AI-powered assistant. You can access Ella through the AI Anywhere Portal which sort of serves like your command center.
Through the portal, you can use these AI features:
- AI Full-Link Call Assistant: Features AI Call Translation, Noise Cancellation, Auto Answer, and Call Summary for clearer, multilingual conversations.
- AI Writing: Built-in tools for generating text, proofreading emails, and summarizing articles.
- Circle to Search: A convenient feature for instantly searching information by drawing a circle around an image.
Price and Availability
You can get your very own spaceship… este… TECNO POVA 7 Ultra 5G for just ₱16,999. That already comes with 12GB of RAM (expandable up to 24GB via extended RAM) and 256GB of internal storage. But be on the lookout for special promotions like payday sales or double digit sales and you might just cop one at a lower price.
The TECNO POVA 7 Ultra 5G is already available for purchase on TECNO”s official Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
Final Thoughts
From liftoff to landing, the TECNO POVA 7 Ultra 5G proves it’s not just a phone — it’s a fully loaded spacecraft built for gamers, multitaskers, and anyone who wants speed, style, and stamina in one package.
With its stellar performance, interstellar design, and battery that feels like it could orbit the Earth twice, it’s clear TECNO’s mission was a success. Whether you’re gaming in high orbit or just cruising through daily tasks, the POVA 7 Ultra 5G is ready to take you further than you thought possible.