Tecno Phantom 8 is Tecno Flagship for the year 2017. The Phantom 8 was launched in Dubai on the 22nd of October 2017.
Believe it or not, TECNO Mobile is no longer what we knew them to be. In the past, they were known for dirty cheap devices. As the years roll by, they were able to upgrade their software and hardware. As a serious brand that knows what is doing with a concrete plan for the future, it gradually penetrated the Africa Mobile phone segment and now it is the leading mobile brand. In 2016, TECNO chose Dubai as the venue for the launch of the Phantom 6 and Phantom 6 Plus.
A year later TECNO is back in Dubai for the launch of the Phantom 8. TECNO decided to skip the Phantom 7 to keep pace with the likes of Samsung and Apple who have already launched their flagships-Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy Note 8, the iPhone 8, and 8 Plus.
Tecno Phantom 8 Key Specs
- 5.7 inches full HD display
- 2.5D Front panel
- Android 7.0 Nougat with HiOS V3.0
- Global 4G LTE
- Glossy Glass finish
- 6GB RAM
- 64GB storage
- Up to 2000GB Storage via MicroSD card
- Dual 12MP main camera + 13MP Telephoto
- 20MP front camera with dual-LED flash
- Helio P25 Octa-core 2.6GHz MediaTek Processor
- 3500 mAh battery with fast charge
- USB Type C
TECNO Phantom Series Pioneered TECNO Foray into Global Market
The launch of the Phantom device from TECNO last year was the spike needed by the brand to foray into the Middle East, North America, and South East Asia. It is no surprise that the latest Phantom 8 was also unveiled in Dubai.
The TECNO Phantom 8 is a highly specced smartphone boasting 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage space. With that huge RAM size paired with a MediaTek Helio P25, an octa-core processor, running high task demanding apps wouldn’t pose a problem.
The MediaTek Helio X20 Deca-core Soc clocked at 2.1GHz has tri-cluster processors with each designed to handle tasks differently.
There is two high-power ARM-A72 processors clock @ 2.1GHz, four medium power ARM-A53 processor clock @ 1.85GHz, and four low power consuming ARM-A53 processors clock @ 1.3GHz.
It can delegate simple tasks to one cluster of cores while directing more complex (and more power-hungry) tasks to the other clusters.
Looking at the above specs sheet, the Phantom 6 Plus is a powerful device that might stand the test of time.
However, inside the Phantom 8 is a more modern Octa-core MediaTek Helio P25 processor running at a maximum clock speed of 2.6GHz. It consists of 4-high power A53 cores with 2.6GHz capabilities and another 4 low-energy consuming A53 cores running at 1.6GHz.
Below are the features and specs review of the upcoming Phantom 8.
Tecno Phantom 8 Design
From what we have seen lately from TECNO, we could sense the direction the company is going in terms of design. Tecno engineers have stepped up their game big time.
The Tecno Phantom 8 raised the bar in design innovation and form factor compared to previous devices from the brand. It measures just 159.95*79.5*7.9mm in dimension and weighs
Adorning the back of the device is a 3D diamond lighting design that is premium looking. However, it is glossy and at the same time a fingerprint magnet.
The body of the phone is made of entire metal with rounded Edges. At the front, you have a 2.5D glass coating giving the device a premium feel and easy to hold in the hands.
It is slimmer and lighter compared to what was obtained on the Phantom 6 Plus.
Tecno Phantom 8 Display
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus have shown how awesome a brilliant display on smartphones could be.
No doubt, they have the best display on any smartphone right now. If we look at previous flagships from TECNO, Phantom Z, Phantom 5, and Phantom 6, they all have full HD display with 1080 *1920pixels resolution.
We thought TECNO will up their game here, but they have decided to stick with the 1080P display on the Phantom 8. The Tecno Phantom 8 sports a 5.7-inch screen with about 75.1% screen to body ratio compared to the Phantom 6 Plus has a 6-inch screen and 74.5% screen to body ratio.
We love what we saw on the Camon CX, the 2.5D glass display at the front panel was great for the price and TECNO decided to use the same 2.5D front panel on the Phantom 8.
The Screen of the Phantom 8 is an IPS screen that is protected with Corny Gorilla glass to prevent accidental scratches.
Software and Performance
TECNO Phantom 8 comes with Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box with HiOS V3.0 on top instead of Android 8.0. Android 8.0 Oreo is the latest Android operating system, So we want to believe that the Phantom 8 will be getting an Android 8.0 update soon.
Underneath the Phantom 8 is a MediaTek Helio P25 processor which assisted with plenty of 6GB of RAM for butter-smooth multitasking. There is 64GB dedicated internal storage for storing your files and media and is expandable to 2TB via MicroSD card. This is massive if you ask me.
Camera Features
2017 is a year many OEMs upped their game in smartphone camera Innovation. With the Samsung S8, LG V30, HTC U11, and Google Pixel 2 contending for the best Camera smartphone, it won’t be long before many of us drop our DSLR camera in favor of a smartphone camera.
Many may argue if this could be possible, but judging from what smartphone cameras are capable of these days, the number of people depending on DSLR for photography may dip in the nearest future.
Coming back to the camera on Phantom 8, it sports a dual back camera consisting of 12MP and 13MP configurations.
The main camera which is the 12MP is A SONY IMX386 sensor with an f/1.8 lens with a 4K capability and improved low light photography. Some of the features of the camera include a TRI LED flash, 10X Zoom, Autofocus, portrait mode [refocus], Auto HDR, Night mode, Superpixel, and smart filters.
However, on the Phantom 8, the highest video recording quality you can get is 1080P, this means TECNO didn’t fully utilize the whole potential of the 12MP Sony IMX386 sensor. This is the same 12MP camera lens found on the Xiaomi Mi 6. The SONY IMX386 sensor has a pixel size of 1.25 μm which means it will let it lighter. The bigger the pixel size, the more light it takes in.
The camera was not one of the strongest strengths of the Phantom 6 Plus, though it has a 21MP camera at the back, the Camon CX was significantly better.
On paper, the Tecno Phantom 8 has the best camera on any Tecno phone. For selfies lovers, the device is blessed with a whopping 20MP camera which is assisted with a dual-LED flash system.
Dual Back Camera, 2017’s flagship feature
One trend that is popular on flagship smartphones in 2017, is the dual-camera bandwagon of a thing. Even the likes of Innjoo, Gionee, and other Chinese brands have all followed suit. The iPhone 8 Plus was just released with a dual rear camera similar to what the iPhone 7 Plus has.
The Phantom 6 was Tecno’s first dual back camera device with 13MP and 5MP camera configuration at the back. So considering what is expected from a flagship device in 2017, the Phantom 8 dual camera is on point.
Connectivity options
We are in the era of visual reality, and smartphone now comes fully ready with sensors and hardware for an immersive visual experience. A gyroscope is needed for a VR headset to work seamlessly coupled with other functionalities. During the launch, TECNO claimed the Phantom 8 is VR ready which is commendable.
Previous devices from TECNO Mobile have not been great in this regard. I like that the TECNO Phantom 8 is gyroscope enabled. Other sensors on the phone include gravity sensors, light sensors, proximity sensors, accelerometers, magnetometers, compass, etc.
Connectivity options are GPS with GLONASS, USB type C 3.0, Bluetooth 4.2, 3.5mm audio jack, Wi-Fi hotspot, 4G Internet connection [ Global band].
Tecno Phantom 8 Battery
One great feature smartphone users consider before making a buying decision is battery life. The Phantom 8 packs 3500mAh of battery juice with a Quick charging system which was excellent if you ask me considering how slim the device is.
TECNO Phantom 8 Release Date
It is no longer new that TECNO flagships are usually released around September of every year and this year’s own won’t be different. The Phantom 8 was launched in Dubai to a global audience on the 22nd of October and is expected to be available in other markets soon.
TECNO Phantom 8 Price and Availability
Tecno Phantom 8 is available in Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Below you will find the prices of Phantom 8 in Nigeria and other countries
- Tecno Phantom 8 price in Nigeria will cost between N128, 000-N130, 000 Naira
- Tecno Phantom 8 price in Dubai will cost between 1300 AED- 1400 AED
- Tecno Phantom 8 price in Tanzania will cost between 800, 000 Tanzanian Shilling-850, 000 Tanzanian Shilling
- Tecno Phantom 8 price in Kenya will cost between Ksh 39,000- 40,000 Ksh
- Tecno Phantom 8 price in Ghana will cost between GH₵ 1600- GH₵ 1,670
- Tecno Phantom 8 price in Indonesia will cost between IDR 5,105, 000-IDR 5,135, 320
Tecno Phantom 8 Specifications
Network Details
- Brand Name: Phantom 8
- GSM: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
- WCDMA:B1/B2/B3/B5/B8
- 4G: Yes
- 4G Band: FDD-LTE:B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28A;
- TDD-LTE:B38/B40
- SIM Type: Hybrid Dual SIM
- OS: Android 7.0 Nougat with HiOS V3.0
Design
- Dimensions: 159.95*79.5*7.9mm
- Weight: N/A
- Screen Size: 5.7-inch IPS LCD Display with Corny Gorilla Glass
- Display: Full HD 2.5D Display with 1920*1080pixel resolution
- Sensors: G-sensor, Light Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Geo-magnetic, Gyroscope, Compass
- Build: 3D Diamond Lightning
- Colours: Gold, Matte Black, Blue
Hardware
- Processor Type: Octa-Core Processor
- Processor Name: MediaTek MT6557CD
- Graphics Processor: Mali 880
- RAM: 6GB
- Internal Storage: 64GB
- External Storage: MicroSD card up to 2000GB
Camera
- Rear: 12MP + 13MP dual camera with autofocus and TRI-LED flash
- Video recording: 1080P, 720P
- Front-facing: 20MP megapixel
Multimedia
- Music Support: mp3, aac, aac+, eaac+, amr
- Audio:
- Loudspeaker: Mono
- Video Support: mpeg4, h.263, h.264
- FM Radio: Yes
Connectivity
- Bluetooth: v4.2
- WiFi: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot
- GPS: Yes GLONASS
- USB: USB Type C v3.0; USB-OTG
Sensors
- Gravity sensors
- Light sensor
- Proximity sensor
- Accelerometer
- Magnetometers
- Compass
Miscellaneous
- Charging: Fast charging
- Battery: Non-Removable 3500mAh Battery
- Availability: Coming soon
Where to buy TECNO PHANTOM 8
The TECNO PHANTOM 8 will be sold in all Tecno retail outlets in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Indonesia, UAE, Uganda, Ethiopia, Iran, India etc.
Wow ,according to the features above, I think this phone is a nice phone
How much is the price of tecno phantom 8 without fingerprint?
The phone is rubbish. How can a phone of 6GB RAM be using a 3500amh battery?
when will Pantom 8 be released in ethiopia ? i can t wait to have this phone!!!
sorry it hasnt, is it not possible to order from another country maybe from an online store
if we are beeing honest, there has never been a phone with 6GB RAM, I love tecno
wont be bad to get this lovely device as a christmass gift, no phone will be better to be honest
capture your legend, love the trend, fits the camera, thats a beast camera, you dont see 20mp front anywhere
meets all the mainstream specs and the there is extra, really good for them
the processor is octa-core ( 8 cores) consuming less power thus u need not have bigger battery..
think of it like this… doing the samething with the 8plus and the 6plus, the 8plus will consume less energy
so 6plus need the 4500 and 8plus needs 3500
oh,perfect… i think i understand you now, ALMOST SEEM LIKE TECNO know what they doing at all time
It seems Tecno is trying to build one phone that fits all. Wondering if there will be a Phantom 8 Lite or Air given that this one seems to be replacing the 6 Plus
nope, not sure there will we should be lokking at the phantom 9 or see if they go the iphone way
This is simply a downgrade not an upgrade. Seriously, look at it deeply.. AMOLED to ips, ba3 level too, 6 inches to 5.7inch etc.
It’s obvious tecno is now relaxing ń want to be complacent abii bcos of our patronage. I mean wats this… They jumped 7 to 8 ń we’re expecting a super g8 device but this simply a LETDOWN.
Get it right tecno bf you lose ur hold in the Nigerian market!
The just keep increasing the mega pixels numbers without any changes ,,,,3500batt? Dat means your working wid the charger everywhere ,,nad up to my expectations
3500mAh battery capacity should enough unless you want a heavy phone
much more than enough, an it will last, the main thing that drains battery is the phone brigtness
This TECNO phantom 8 is a disgrace. How do they pair 6gb ram with a 3500mAh battery. Can’t work like that.
@John, the battery is quite ok for the specs, smartphones don’t work the way you think. It is a great phone I must confess and we will be doing the real life review soon
Disappointed tecno decided to go for ips screen instead of the amoled the phantom used to have.
The device is great.
This is massive
6gb ram
This is really nice