The Tecno Boom J8 review is one of those reviews that really connects my mind with the device, the smartphone is nearly perfect and for once I honestly cannot think of a single element that is missing from it.
You can’t help but feel sorry for users of Tecno Boom J7. One would expect a minor upgrade with the Boom J8, but it is created to capture a modern design language paired with frankly impressive specs that crushes other smartphones within the same price range.
The large, curved edged, sexy smartphone is undeniably beautiful, but there is still a lot to be said for the flat-screened device. Let’s find out what makes the smartphone a stealer device. Like other reviews, Tecno Boom J8 Review is segmented so you can really know where it has it strengths and weaknesses. We also have exclusive images of Tecno Boom J8; hardware and software to keep you busy. Before you read the Tecno Boom J8 review, you should consider taking a look at the top Tecno smartphones available in the market right now.
Alright, let get to the review properly.
Design & Display
Strangely, Tecno Boom J8 is characteristically thin, although not too thin to complete against the world’s slimmest smartphones. The device brings a new design language that mimics the iPhone 6S Plus. Except for the Apple logo and the antenna lining missing at the back of the device, it could easily be mistaken to be a pure breed Apple smartphone.
Picking up the device is easy and handling is exceptionally comfortable. Thanks to the slightly curved edges and the flat-back – it’s easier to hold, though still just as easy to drop. There is no rare camera bump, an attention to design detail that scores an extra point. The overall feel of the phone is one of class – the changes from the Boom J7 are ruthless, but totally worthwhile.
Tecno does an excellent job in its choice of the speaker’s placement and sound is powered by Max Audio technology which I found pretty cool. The headphone socket placement is at the top, like most smartphone currently available in Nigeria. The volume controls and power button are on the right, just like the previous incarnations.
On the front, the 5MP selfie shooter is easily spotted, and it’s paired with soft flash at the top right. The dual SIM and MicroSD card port are revealed when you remove the back cover. The Battery is sealed, can’t be removed and it is rated 3000mAh.
Display:
Visually the screen on the phone is stunning. While it is not Full HD, the HD IPS panel with 1280 x 720 resolution does a pretty nice job with multimedia and gaming. Being an upper-mid-range smartphone, there is absolutely nothing to complain about the screen aspect, although I would have appreciated a tinnier bezel.
Software And Performance
Frankly, I expected Android 6.0 Marshmallow right out of the box, but it’s the 5.1 Lollipop OS that rocks the phone. An update to the latest Android OS should start rolling any moment from now, however.
Tecno introduced its custom User Interface based on Android 5.1 Lollipop OS called HiOS. The Boom J8 looks like the iPhone and the new UX is pronounced like iOS, a coincidence?
The HiOS comes with a lot of tweaks that manages to add to user’s experience, rather than cause a distraction. It comes with a clean notification tray that gives you instant access to quick settings.
HiOS gives user’s ability to customize their devices in ways never imagined. You can change the theme, the font as well customize your power settings. The Boom Player V2.1 sits comfortably on the HiOS showing its raw power. There are enormous settings available to suit your music experience.
Also, creating folders on the HiOS take a dramatic twist; it is quite different from traditional methods but won’t take time to get used to it.
Performance:
In terms of performance, the MediaTek MT6735 produces some raw power paired with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of on-board storage. It is not one of the fastest phones out there, I mean; I don’t expect it to be, unless it is slammed with the latest processors rocking the industry, which will ultimately push the phone price off limit.
Interestingly, the Antutu benchmark test reveals the state of the phone and it’s just under 32,000.
Camera
One of the biggest practical changes with the Boom J8 from its predecessor has been with the camera, which has been dramatically increased to 13MP, against 8.0MP on the J7.
The Camera app doesn’t provide full manual mode but it still does a nice job with its predefined settings. I expect OEM’s to start riding on the success of smarpthones that offer manual camera mode feature; this could be a reality on the next Tecno Camon smartphone. I have my fingers crossed on this one.
Meanwhile, here are some shots taken with the primary camera.
The front-facing camera is 5MP, when used with the soft flash the images are stunning, but with the usual noise which should pose not too much of a problem.
Battery Life
Android is a battery drainer, over the last few years OEM’s have put in several effort in designing an efficient User Interface that uses less power. I think the HiOS succeeded in this aspect, despite the Boom J8 having what many will call a “small” 3000mAh battery. It doesn’t discharge like a waterfall.
Fast charging technology ensures the Boom J8 gets quickly charged to 50% then normalizes to 100% without causing damage to the battery cells.
A larger battery would have been superb, but this minor issue is nothing compared to the overall greatness of the Tecno Boom J8.
Tecno has been called the leader of the Android pack in Africa. It is indeed a fair call: After reading our robust Tecno Boom J8 review, if you can afford the smartphone, then I can say that the Boom J8 is the Android phone you have been waiting for.
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67 Comments
Mark
An in-dept review. Can you compare it against the Gionee M5 and do a camera test against maybe the Zero 3.
Oladipupo22
Most def, it beats both phones camera oooo
Nosagie Nosa-Ero
Hello Mark,
We will completely your request soon.
Adeoluwatomiwa
The m5 isn’t bad tho I have seen pictures from it but this j8 isn’t a bad one too…The himanager isn’t even as fake as clean master..lol
LOVEJAYBOY LOVE
Isn’t bad does that mean great??
Chinonso
31,000 Antutu benchmark,? Not too bad. I think I would consider this. Thanks
Pepple
Waow! 31,000?!! I’ve heard people talk about this benchmark ish, but I really don’t know how to go about it. Mind helping?
Oladipupo22
Amtutu Benchmark is just an app used to test phones!
CPU, RAM, Display and other tests are carried on the phone to show good it is! The higher the phone’s scores, the better it is!
Teefeh
Did he say he rates 31k antutu benchmark??OMG
adeoluwatomiwa
How can a 410000 smartphone rate 31000 antutu benchmark
i refuse to believe this
Oginineme L
Buy the phone and see for yourself.
Tunde Lawal
I’ve even seen a 32000 benchmark on the boom J8 sef.
Ferdie
Nice review
Nosagie Nosa-Ero
Thanks buddy 🙂
OnyeAraNdiIgbo
Nosa is always killing reviews na
Good job bra
Jayboy
Every phone Nosa reviewed was a hit back to back!!
Jide
You didn’t talk about the headset? How is the sound quality compared to beat by dre?
Charles
Una no go kill person, no be only beat by dre
Oladipupo22
Don’t mind them jare
They are novices
Beats by Dre ke???
Jayboy
2016 and you’re talking about beat by Dre?
Teefeh
I tested the phone at the launching, the headset isn’t a bad one
Pepple
Beats by dre?
Naaaa. The headset sound quality is good. Very optimal for a mid range device.
comparing it to beats by dre is a litte above board, I think…
tohkunboh
Does it even have to be like beats by Dre???
What if this is better?
Kwame
Comment:Yh de device is cool but de width are slightly wider if compare to de C8, and dat don’t makes it feel comfortable in hand as to compare to de C8 despite all de slim body but i like de device (paa) 10x to TECNO and we need another series which should be Amoled display
Aguster
Tecno Camon C8. That one na phone?
oyindebrah
I use a Camon c8 and I never had a problem with it,na phone ohhhh I love the camera diiie…
OnyeAraNdiIgbo
LOL
na just the 1G RAM spoil that phone oooo I swear
MrPrezident007
Lol. Take it easy nah. You don’t a man that is down
Oladipupo22
I think the phone is phone is easier to handle than even the Iphone6splus ooo
Pepple
Iphone ke? Easy o o o. No go spoil market for tecno. Comparing both brands especially considering specs and target market no healthy bros. Boom J8 is in a class of its own, I admit. But so is iPhone. anyone wey your money reach, buy.
Oginineme L
IPhone is iPhone and TECNO is TECNO!!
adeoluwatomiwa
iphone is a very vry large brand..they dont even need advert to tell us that iphone 7 has arrived..lol
tho tecno is a great brand too
i love the fact that they really wanna put smiles on their customers face with this boom j8
its nice
Nosagie Nosa-Ero
Thanks for your feedback
Dims95
Hi Nosa,
I love the way you write, but you too praise the phone. I don’t want to believe anything but try to balanced.
Oladipupo22
Forget it
I actually think that you can see for yourself as regards the phone!
The phone is in itself sellable na
With allt these qualities
tohkunboh
Lol I thought I was the only one that noticed sha but I dotn think techpoint would be lieing sha
Charles
The screen resolution is a let down for 41k.. Guys are doing FHD, QUD and 2k… We stucked with a mere HD phone for 41k.. This is the change we voted for.
Adeoluwatomiwa
Lol no fuel,,there ain’t no change yet
Tho nice phone sha
LOVEJAYBOY LOVE
Right? This change have changed.
Nosagie Nosa-Ero
The next Phantom phone could be 2k.. Tecno is showing no sign of stopping, fingers crossed.
Oginineme L
They are really aggressively making great devices!!
Adeoluwatomiwa
The phone is nice I might consider getting one this April
MrPrezident007
You might consider??
byamugisha Imerio
Comment:how much is the cost of the phone in Ugandan shillings
MrPrezident007
Uganda what?? Lol.
ty
The phone’s cool……i’ve not had the opportunity to touch it though!
Adeoluwatomiwa
Only if you came for the phone launch or better still goto the TECNO forum,they are looking for elite club members for life bbs.tecno-mobile.com is their link..
Goodluck..I was chosen
LOVEJAYBOY LOVE
What are the benefits?
Salim
Hey man, nice review I like how you stayed nearly completely unbiased with the phone.
For the price I guess yeah you can say the phone is a real deal , it’s a bit sad they didn’t bump it up to 32gb internal storage like on the competition like the xiaomi redmi note 3 or the vivo x5 series. In 2016 at least 32gb … Plus though tecno used a 720p screen to cut costs, I’d like to see them try 1080p . you made no mention of NFC though. It’s a good shot but not without its shortcomings, please don’t forget to mention them Looking forward to your future reviews
Nosagie Nosa-Ero
Hey Salim,
Thanks for your feedback. Of course you raised very vital points, but if Tecno bumps all the specs into the Boom J8, it would no longer be an upper-mid-range smartphone and there won’t be any need for the Phantom Series, Tecno high-end smartphone.
All of these missing features would be available on the next Phantom smartphone, it is safe to even predict a 2k display and NFC which will blow my mind.
On the size of the on-board storage, I totally agree with you. It’s time for 16GB smartphones to die.
Salim
Nosagie, Here’s my say, in a sense I would love to give my own review to these devices for the reason that I’m rarely pleased with how tech reviewers analyse these devices. I haven’t used the j8 nor have I had access to it yet so I will judge by the camera samples and benchmarks… Luckily you didn’t leave those out, but then again even as a midrange smartphone, or in fact maybe even budget midrange, there’s a taste of innovative solution that tecno should know to start dishing by now. For example, Nigerians, Mostly buy phones with the foresight of using them for quite a while (usually 1-2 years). Now if you’re going to use a device that long you should be concerned as to how upgradeable it is and how future proof it is. Elements like USB type C, or NFC for android pay, or at least promise of updates should be made mention of. How does it handle intense gaming for instance? What are the download speeds? How long does the battery last on a looping video playback? Screen on times? How durable does the device feel? Android lollipop is a battery killer, how does tecno plan to start with updates? Does it support USB OTG? It’s affordable but it shouldn’t be compared to being cheap. At the end of the day it’s value for money that wins the argument. Will a few months pass and you’d have to hide your phone when someone pulls out a similarly priced Samsung? How does it compare to the competition? If I reviewed this device I’m sure tecno will run back to the drawing board to kick things up a notch. I hope you get what I mean. The vivo v5 is slimmer, arguably more good looking, plus comes with a fingerprint scanner… At this price point section. Now it seems the only reason people will rush it is because the restrictions on how much they’re exposed to and the scare of conversion rates.
Nosagie Nosa-Ero
Hi Salim,
I love your input. The smartphones you listed are equally great but will sell much higher if they come to Nigeria.
A simple example is Huawei G Plus which sells around 50-55k. That’s a solid smartphone but limited by price. If you bring those smartphones down to Nigeria, they won’t sell for 40k I can assure you. Although a normal conversion with dollar against the naira would give you something within that range, but there are other factors that needs to be considered.
I appreciate how passionate you are about reviews. There are certain limits though, you don’t have to go too extreme either good or bad to a point where it looks like you were bought by the company to praise the product or by a competitor to lambast it. The point is to give a fairly unbiased review of products because your readers’ wallet are on the line and of course, your reputation.
Believe me, Nigerians are exposed but it won’t make sense if a company create an “very” awesome device that no one is willing to buy because of the price tag. Ever heard of Orbra Eve 2? That was a decent smartphone that was dead on arrival because of it’s price tag. The Phantom 5 was a fantastic experiment into the high-end range of smartphones. I believe Tecno has learned a lot and the price of the next one should be competitive enough to attract more users.
Also, most of the guys who get the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy in the U.S or Europe do so with contract. They could pay for the smartphone in one year, exchange an older model with a newer model and so on. The terrain is different and only those who have guts will cough out 280k to get the iPhone 6S Plus in Nigeria.
Salim
Nosagie, Here’s my say, in a sense I would love to give my own review to these devices for the reason that I’m rarely pleased with how tech reviewers analyse these devices. I haven’t used the j8 nor have I had access to it yet so I will judge by the camera samples and benchmarks… Luckily you didn’t leave those out, but then again even as a midrange smartphone, or in fact maybe even budget midrange, there’s a taste of innovative solution that tecno should know to start dishing by now. For example, Nigerians, Mostly buy phones with the foresight of using them for quite a while (usually 1-2 years). Now if you’re going to use a device that long you should be concerned as to how upgradeable it is and how future proof it is. Elements like USB type C, or NFC for android pay, or at least promise of updates should be made mention of. How does it handle intense gaming for instance? What are the download speeds? How long does the battery last on a looping video playback? Screen on times? How durable does the device feel? Android lollipop is a battery killer, how does tecno plan to start with updates? Does it support USB OTG? It’s affordable but it shouldn’t be compared to being cheap. At the end of the day it’s value for money that wins the argument. Will a few months pass and you’d have to hide your phone when someone pulls out a similarly priced Samsung? How does it compare to the competition? If I reviewed this device I’m sure tecno will run back to the drawing board to kick things up a notch. I hope you get what I mean. The vivo v5 is slimmer, arguably more good looking, plus comes with a fingerprint scanner… At this price point section. Now it seems the only reason people will rush it is because the restrictions on how much they’re exposed to and the scare of conversion rates. P.S the tecno phantom 5 for the price is to me a failed experiment. The only thing that keeps it looking good is the absence of good competition in the local stores. Lenovo zuk z1, lenovo vibe x3, xiaomi redmi note 3, the oneplus one, oneplus x, the Motorola moto x play, Alcatel idol 3 , the Asus zenfone 2 deluxe or the 551ML variants, … Need I go on?
Salim
Duly appreciate the discuss man, nice going, I fresh just these factors though and that’s why I expect tecno to do so much better with all the space they have in the market. Glad to chat tech anytime. Feel free to check my blog though. Hope you find my posts inspiring and enjoyable.
http://www.thefizzyspeaks.WordPress.com
Nosagie Nosa-Er
It was nice having an objective discussion with you. BTW, you have a fantastic blog. Will find time to consume what’s in it this week. The topics are exactly what I love, see you there.
Best,
ben
Comment:please when compared (boom j8) to gionee m5 , which is better?
OnyeAraNdiIgbo
Still waiting for that comparison but I think the j8 is…
BABY BOY
The Boom with all it’s awesome isn’t as heavy as the Gionee M5. I prefer the Boom J8 sha
LOVEJAYBOY LOVE
We all waiting.
Jayboy
41k? Very pocket friendly I must say.
Barakat O.
Considering the increase in dollar affecting the price of everything, for a 2GB smartphone with as many qualities as the boom J8 to be sold for 41k, is considerable.
ANNA CHI
Pretty interesting comments. The BOOM is indeed a boom
Kenshi
The user interface doesn’t look as terrible as it used to. Thank God dey got something right small.
Abdul
Nice review Bros.
I am currently using the J8 and I must say it is awesome.
my only problem has to do with the sensitivity of the screen. it is not responsive at all. sometimes it takes more than 3 taps to respond. it is that I am not doing something right or it is a home fault.
I will appreciate a response
dousey
yes abdoul me also my screen not responsive at all time
Hart
I think this screen sensitivity issue is a general challenge with all j8 users. It seems a major issue but u can simply go to the settings panel to increase the sensitivity. See if that helps
aduke
Comment:pls I wanna drop my Phantom A4 for tecno j8 or camon which one shuld I go for cos I had j8 is a nice fone nd ow sure is dat