The POVA 8 Pro recently landed in India starting at Rs 49,999, making it one of the brand’s most expensive launches in recent years. Much like previous POVA releases, the phone’s design and appearance remain in the limelight, while elements like the Active Matrix Display give buyers something to talk about. Having reviewed the phone thoroughly, here are some reasons why the POVA 8 Pro is worth considering, as well as some reasons to avoid buying it.
Table of Contents
Reasons to buy POVA 8 Pro
Standout sci-fi-inspired design
One of the main reasons to consider purchasing the POVA 8 Pro is its design. Termed as Interstellar Spaceship Design by POVA, the smartphone sports a semi-transparent rear panel with multiple intricate elements beneath the plastic layer, including varied textured panels, screws, and numerous lines and geometric shapes. On top of this, if the uniquely shaped triangular camera module wasn’t enough to make the POVA 8 Pro stand out, there’s an Active Matrix display housed within the module that comprises multiple LEDs.
These LEDs send out call and notification alerts, and also light up when charging, playing games, or listening to music. Users can also create their own custom text or style to display at all times or only when the phone is flipped. While we reviewed the phone in the Arc White colourway, it also comes in Tundra Green and Graphite Black.
Rich, vibrant display experience
Moving to the front, the POVA 8 Pro features a 6.78-inch HyperLux 1.5K AMOLED display with up to 144Hz refresh rates, up to 4,500-nit peak brightness, and a high-brightness value of 1,600 nits. Since the panel is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, the display didn’t suffer any scratches or scuffs after a week of carrying the phone around in jeans pockets or a backpack.
Reliable primary camera
Even though the 50MP 1/1.57-inch Sony LYTIA 700C primary camera of the POVA 8 Pro doesn’t capture as sharp details as the similarly priced Motorola Edge 70 Pro+, which uses an identical sensor, it can produce usable, social media-ready results.
Indoor shots taken under good lighting conditions turn out quite well, with images that appear vibrant and finely detailed, without noticeable over-smoothing or excessive noise. In low-light conditions, the camera captures fine details, such as individual leaves on trees and plants, while maintaining a well-balanced exposure without making the scene look overly bright or too dark. That said, low-light images could benefit from better overall detail and sharpness.
Attention to detail in software
Despite being limited to just two OS upgrades (more on this later), the POVA 8 Pro impresses with its UI design. The Android 16-based HiOS 16.3 custom skin implements stunning real-time frosted-glass effects throughout the system. For instance, from the lock screen clock to bottom navigation bars to even small buttons, the majority of the elements adapt to the background colour, providing a sense of depth and immersiveness.
Apart from that, HiOS offers loads of customisation options, nifty features like WhatsApp call recording and screen masking for privacy, and a large suite of AI features.
Reasons to skip POVA 8 Pro
Limited to two OS upgrades
| Smartphone | Pre-Installed Apps | Software Support |
| Tecno Pova 8 Pro 5G | 57 | 2 Year OS Updates + 3 Year Security Updates |
| OnePlus Nord 6 | 53 | 4 Year OS Updates + 6 Year Security Updates |
| Motorola Edge 70 Pro + 5G | 46 | 3 Year OS Updates + 5 Year Security Updates |
If you wish to own a smartphone for the long term and stay updated with the latest features and software advancements, the POVA 8 Pro may not be for you. In a segment where brands are promising at least three OS upgrades, the POVA 8 Pro is limited to just two major Android updates, of which Android 17 should be just around the corner. As for the security updates, it’ll receive those for three years.
Therefore, phones like the OnePlus Nord 6 and Motorola Edge 70 Pro+ stand as better alternatives for users seeking software longevity. The OnePlus smartphone is set to get four OS upgrades, while the Edge 70 Pro+ will receive three Android updates.
Performance trails behind the competition
While the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultra chipset on the POVA 8 Pro performs reasonably well for everyday tasks and casual use, there are occasional lags and stutters when multiple apps are open. Such anomalies can be ironed out with a couple of software updates, but the raw performance of the Dimensity 7400 Ultra doesn’t keep up with rival phones featuring the Dimensity 8500 Ultra (found on the Moto Edge 70 Pro+) or Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (found on the Nord 6).
Since benchmark numbers speak for themselves, gamers and power users may want to consider alternatives to achieve higher performance, resulting in better graphics, efficiency, and faster load times in heavy titles.
Verdict
At Rs 49,999, the POVA 8 Pro is ideal for users seeking a standout sci-fi-inspired design and an experience-rich display that delivers punchy tones and sharp details. On the other hand, while the camera lacks the flexibility offered by rivals such as the Motorola Edge 70 Pro+ and Nothing Phone (4a) Pro by not offering a telephoto, the primary lens delivers finely detailed images in daylight and low light. The performance is also decent for regular users, and the software, while lacking long-term support, integrates lively-looking glass elements, making the overall experience fun to use.
