Tecno Pop 9 5G – If you’re hunting for a budget smartphone that packs the essentials and throws in a bit of 5G magic without burning a hole in your pocket, say hello to the Tecno Pop 9. Priced under ₹9,500, this phone tries to offer a well-rounded package for everyday users – especially those switching to a smartphone for the first time or anyone just needing a reliable backup device. Let’s break it down and see what the Pop 9 brings to the table.

Looks and Feel

The Tecno Pop 9 doesn’t go over the top with flashy design, but it does come in three nice-looking colors that give it a fresh vibe. It has a pretty standard build – don’t expect a glass back or super slim bezels here – but for this price, it’s totally acceptable. It even has IP54 rating, which means it’s safe from a little dust and splash. Not bad at all!

Performance That Gets the Job Done

Running on Android 14, the phone is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 6300 chipset, which is based on 6nm architecture. Now, that may sound technical, but here’s the simple version: it’s got decent power under the hood. With two Cortex-A76 cores running at 2.4GHz, basic tasks like scrolling through social media, using WhatsApp, watching videos, and even a bit of gaming won’t be a problem.

It comes with 4GB RAM (plus virtual RAM support if needed) and either 64GB or 128GB storage, so you can choose what suits your needs. Apps load reasonably well, and you won’t feel the phone lagging unless you’re trying to multitask like crazy.

The Mali-G57 GPU also supports casual gaming. So yeah, don’t expect ultra-high frame rates in heavy games like BGMI or COD, but for things like Subway Surfers or Free Fire, you’re good to go.

Display – Smooth, But Not the Sharpest

Here’s a mixed bag. The Tecno Pop 9 comes with a 120Hz refresh rate screen, which makes everything feel super smooth when scrolling. That’s a great feature, especially in this price range. However, the screen resolution is just 720p, so it’s not the sharpest display out there. If you’re used to Full HD displays, you might notice the difference. But for most users, it’s perfectly fine for YouTube, Instagram, and browsing.

Camera – Okay for Basic Shots

The phone features a 48MP rear camera with autofocus and a dual LED flash. Photos in daylight come out decent – nothing mind-blowing, but they do the job. Don’t expect features like OIS or EIS (optical or electronic image stabilization), so videos can be a bit shaky. It maxes out at 1080p 30fps for video recording, which is fairly standard.

On the front, there’s an 8MP selfie camera, also supported by a dual LED flash – which is great if you’re snapping selfies in low light. Again, don’t expect DSLR-like results, but it’s definitely usable for casual selfies or video calls.

Battery Life – The Real Hero

Now this is where the Tecno Pop 9 truly shines. With a massive 5000mAh battery, it can easily last you a full day – or even more – depending on how much you use it. Whether it’s calls, social media, video watching, or light gaming, this phone will keep going.

Plus, it comes with 18W fast charging, which is really handy when you need a quick top-up. It doesn’t have reverse charging (so you can’t use it to charge other devices), but that’s forgivable given the price tag.

Extra Features That Matter

Some unexpected bonuses? The phone includes NFC support, which is great if you like using Google Pay or other tap-to-pay services. It also has an infrared blaster, which you can use to control devices like your TV or AC – old school but super useful!

What’s Not So Great?

Let’s be real, at this price, some corners had to be cut. The 720p display might feel a bit soft for some users. There’s no ultra-wide or macro camera, so you’re stuck with just the main lens. Also, there’s no Gorilla Glass protection, which means it’s better to use a case and screen protector. Lastly, there’s no custom UI experience or brightness rating shared, which makes it feel pretty basic in terms of software.

Price and Final Verdict

The Tecno Pop 9 is available in India for ₹9,499 for the 5G version, and there’s also a 4G variant at ₹7,499, if you’re really tight on budget or don’t care much about 5G. For this price, it’s honestly hard to complain.

If you want a simple phone that gives you 5G support, strong battery life, modern software, and doesn’t lag on daily use – the Tecno Pop 9 is a solid option. It’s not a camera champ or a gaming beast, but for basic use, it’s more than capable. Perfect for students, first-time users, or anyone needing a reliable secondary phone.