In a world of dull, similar-looking smartphone slabs, TECNO dares to be different.

The TECNO SPARK 30 Series TRANSFORMERS Edition, priced starting at P6,999 (or roughly $120 converted) in the Philippines, isn’t just another Android phone lineup; it’s a nostalgic love letter to the iconic ’80s franchise, wrapped in an unexpectedly capable package. With its bold design, unique software customizations, and robust feature set, the special series promises an experience that goes beyond mere branding.

But can it truly transform the local budget landscape? Roll out, and let’s find out.

More than meets the eye

As children of the late ’70s and ’80s, we grew up with Transformers, so naturally, we were curious to see how TECNO would translate this franchise into a smartphone experience.

The SPARK 30 Series TRANSFORMERS Edition comes in two distinct flavors — a classic Optimus Prime variant (TECNO SPARK 30 Pro), decked out in the Autobot leader’s signature red and blue, and a vibrant Bumblebee edition (TECNO SPARK 30), sporting a striking yellow-and-black design. We have the latter for this review, and its bold colorway definitely turns heads.

Each version even gets its own unique box design, further emphasizing the distinct personalities of these iconic characters. Whether you prefer the classic cool of Optimus Prime or the energetic vibe of Bumblebee, both offer a refreshing departure from the sea of generic smartphone designs. Ultimately, the choice is yours. Do you prefer a blue-and-red phone or one draped in yellow and black at the back?

Of course, the SPARK 30 Series TRANSFORMERS Edition goes beyond superficial aesthetics. Each variant boasts an eye-catching color scheme and corresponding box design, reflecting the distinct personalities of these beloved Transformers protagonists.

@revuphilippines Autobots, roll out! 🚖 Our review of the #TECNOSPARK30 #Bumblebee Edition is up at www.revu.com.ph / #RevuDotComDotPH. #SPARK30 #TECNOSPARK30Series #SPARK30Series #rollout #TRANSFORMWithSPARK #TECNOxTransformers #Transformers #TECNOPH #TECNOPhilippines #TECNO #TECNOMobile @Tecno Mobile Philippine Store @monch @Alora Uy Guerrero ♬ original sound – Revu Philippines

Our preview video of the TECNO SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition

The box for the TECNO SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition is a themed affair, matching the handset’s unique yellow-and-black colorway. It features the Transformers insignia prominently displayed in silver. Inside, you’ll find the device itself, along with an exclusive clear plastic case that complements the backplate. The only downside is that the case can be a bit tricky to put on and remove. If you’re careful, you might want to skip the case altogether to show off your phone’s one-of-a-kind style.

Inside, the usual suspects are all here: charger, cable, and SIM-eject tool. While we wouldn’t have minded seeing some Transformers-themed accessories, we can’t really complain considering the TECNO SPARK 30’s budget-friendly price point.

But the Transformers love doesn’t stop at the hardware. The company has loaded the SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition with exclusive software goodies, including themed wallpapers, lock screens, icons, and ringtones. Even the model’s startup animation has been given a Transformers makeover.

It’s clear that TECNO has gone the extra mile to deliver an immersive experience for fans of the beloved Hasbro franchise. Both editions capture the spirit of Transformers, delivering a nostalgic and engaging user experience that goes beyond mere branding. This device proves that even in the saturated smartphone market, innovation is possible through creative collaborations and careful attention to detail.

Packed with hardware features

The TECNO SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition doesn’t just look the part; the hardware is pretty good, too. This sleek device, measuring a mere 7.7mm thin, boasts a surprising number of features for its price point.

Those who are serious about audio quality will appreciate the inclusion of stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos tuning and the brand’s Volume Plus 2.0 enhancement, capable of cranking the volume up to 300%, enough to fill a small room. Hi-Res Audio support, both wired and wireless, further sweetens the deal, delivering a rich audio experience that punches above its weight class. And yes, there’s even a headphone jack next to the bottom-mounted USB-C port for those who prefer a wired connection.

TECNO has even thrown in an IR blaster, allowing you to control your TV and other compatible appliances directly from the SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition. Interestingly, the IR blaster is located within the circular camera module on the back, a rather unconventional design choice. Another surprise is the inclusion of NFC, a feature rarely seen in the bargain basement. It’s clear that the company has prioritized functionality and versatility with this budget model.

Durability also takes center stage with the TECNO SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition, thanks to an impressive IP64 rating. This means the unit is fully protected from dust ingress and can withstand low-pressure water splashes from any direction. A step up from the IP54 rating commonly found in budget phones, this added protection makes the SPARK 30 a reliable companion for outdoor adventures or everyday use in less-than-ideal conditions. And for those who are constantly tethered to their smartphones, TECNO has improved the touchscreen’s algorithms, allowing for seamless operation even with wet or oily fingers.

Notably, the SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition also packs a more durable screen than what we’re normally used to. The power and volume buttons have an estimated lifespan of 1,000,000 and 500,000 presses, respectively, while the display is protected by LumiShield Glass, boasting a 7H hardness rating. This means it’s more resistant to scratches and dents, and should even survive drops from up to 1.5 meters. While we didn’t put this claim to the test — we’re not in the business of intentionally destroying review units just to prove a point — it’s reassuring to know that the SPARK 30 can handle a bit of rough and tumble. Of course, we still advise treating your phone with care, but this added durability definitely provides some welcome peace of mind.

The SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition sports a pretty generous 6.78-inch FHD+ LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, which seems to be the bare minimum for smartphones these days. While its 800 nits peak brightness is decent for outdoor use in most conditions, direct sunlight might pose a challenge. A relatively small punch hole for the selfie camera and slim bezels contribute to an impressive 91.95% screen-to-body ratio, maximizing the viewing experience. As for picture quality, the mobile delivers what you’d expect from a low-cost offering. It’s not going to blow you away, but it’s perfectly adequate for everyday tasks like streaming videos and casual gaming.

The TECNO SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition features a circular camera module housing a 64-megapixel main sensor at the back. This camera uses the Sony IMX682, a sensor that was a popular choice in midrange devices a few years ago, and boasts an f/1.75 lens with phase-detection auto-focus. Alongside the main sensor, you’ll find a light sensor and a quad-LED flash ring to help illuminate your subjects. However, there’s no ultrawide or telephoto lens to be found here, leaving you with one working rear camera, which is a bit of a disappointment.

Sample shots

For selfies and video calls, you’ll have to make do with a 13-megapixel front-facing camera. It does come with a dual-color flash, though, which should help capture more natural skin tones, especially in low-light conditions.

The Sony IMX682, like the higher-end IMX686, uses 4-in-1 pixel binning to enhance low-light performance. In our experience, it does a respectable job in dimly lit scenes. Portrait mode is also available, complete with an AI-enhanced Beauty mode for achieving more natural-looking skin tones and effects. In fact, accurate skin-tone capture seems to be a priority for the SPARK 30. The front-facing camera is equipped with both cool and warm LEDs, ensuring your selfies look natural regardless of the lighting in your environment.

Efficiency over raw power

Under the hood, the TECNO SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition might not be as powerful as its outward appearance suggests. It’s powered by the MediaTek Helio G91, a 12nm 4G chipset commonly found in entry-level smartphones. This chip, which shares much of its architecture with the Helio G88 and Helio G85, features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0GHz, six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8GHz, and a dual-core Mali-G52 GPU for graphics processing.

While the Helio G91 isn’t exactly a powerhouse, it’s a decent performer for everyday tasks and light gaming. If you crave more power without sacrificing the Transformers aesthetic, we highly recommend checking out the TECNO Spark 30 Pro Optimus Prime Edition. It packs the MediaTek Helio G100, a more powerful and efficient chipset built on a 6nm process from TSMC. Yes, it’ll cost you a bit more — it’s priced at P7,999 ($137) — though the boost in performance and efficiency is well worth the price of admission.

In terms of gaming performance, the SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition handles casual games with ease, but obviously struggles with more demanding titles. Visually intensive games like LEGO Star Wars and Genshin Impact managed to hit a playable 30 FPS, although only at the lowest graphical settings and in Performance mode. Less demanding titles like Dead Cells and SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake, a well-optimized Android port of the popular platformer, fared a bit better, achieving around 40 FPS with the graphics toned down. For a truly smooth 60 FPS experience, we had to turn to a casual game like Alto’s Adventure.

On a more positive note, TECNO claims the SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition boasts a 60-month fluency rating. This means the phone should remain relatively lag-free for up to five years, thanks to a combination of hardware, software, and firmware optimizations. While real-world performance can vary depending on usage and network conditions, it’s encouraging to see the brand focusing on long-term usability.

And here’s a pleasant surprise: thanks to its modest Helio G91 chipset, the smartphone delivers good battery life. In our testing, the 5,000mAh cell, which is rated for an above-average 1,000 cycles, easily lasted for two full days on a single charge.

The SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition supports 18-watt fast charging using the included power brick and cable. TECNO has also implemented some clever battery-saving features, such as AI Charging Protection. This feature learns your charging habits and temporarily delays charging beyond 80% during long charging sessions, helping to prolong the battery’s lifespan. Another handy feature is Bypass Charging, which directly powers the unit during gaming sessions while plugged in, reducing heat generation.

Final thoughts

The TECNO SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition is a curious offering. It’s an entry-level model masquerading as a premium handset, with a striking design and a surprisingly robust feature set. While its performance won’t rival the higher-end devices on the market, its impressive battery life, durable construction, and one-off aesthetic make it a compelling option for fans of the Transformers franchise and budget-conscious consumers alike.

Ultimately, the SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition proves that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to own a smartphone that’s both stylish and functional. It’s a testament to TECNO’s commitment to delivering innovative and accessible technology, and a nostalgic reminder that more than meets the eye.

Get Ready to Roll Out! Grab the TECNO Spark 30 at an exclusive price of ₱5,599 on TikTok Shop from Nov 5-11.

Don’t miss out! Catch all the action at https://t.co/MVuKhrA85Q#SPARK30Series #Rollout #TECNOPhilippines #TRANSFORMWithSPARK #TECNOxTransformers pic.twitter.com/SAGbJzSW1o

— TECNOMobilePH (@Tecnomobileph) November 4, 2024

Here’s where you can purchase the TECNO SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition (and regular variant) for only P5,599 ($96) until November 11. Thinking of getting the TECNO SPARK 30 Pro Optimus Prime Edition or its less flashy version instead? You can grab that particular SPARK 30 Series TRANSFORMERS Edition model on Shopee Philippines with a discounted price of P6,299 ($108) from November 7 to the 10th and P5,999 ($103) on November 11

TECNO SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition specs

• 6.78-inch LCD display, FHD+ resolution, 90Hz refresh rate, 800 nits peak brightness
• 12nm MediaTek Helio G91 4G processor
• Mali-G52 MC2 GPU
• 8GB LPDDR4X RAM
• 256GB storage
• 64-megapixel main camera with light sensor
• 13-megapixel front camera
• Side fingerprint reader
• 5,000mAh battery with 18-watt charging
• IP64 rating
• XOS based on Android 14
• Colors: Bumblebee Edition, Astral Ice, Stellar Shadow

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