Opinions expressed in this article are exclusively the views of the author and not necessarily those of TechRez as a publication.We have kept quiet, while the internet get fired-out with arguments to rubbish the so-called “expensive” price tag of Tecno Phantom 5. This is an emotional issue for some apologetic fanboys on the other side of the divide, but I don’t write based on emotions or assumptions but facts.
Before anyone screams to call me a rabid fanboy, I would like to point out that I have no sympathy for any mobile vendor. I have been one of the loudest critics against Tecno’s mobile philosophy, so anyone thinking I have been bought over is only doing so with his imagination figment.
Tecno shocked the Nigerian mobile market, not because it released its most expensive smartphone, but because it has taken a huge risk by going completely premium.
It is not out of place for companies to take risk at one point in their existence; the transition from feature phones to smartphones by Tecno was equally a risk.
It was hard to tell if the Nigeria mobile market was ready for smartphones, since a good number of users were comfortable with the dated phones released by the old-school Nokia.
Most Nigerians have not come to terms with the fact that Tecno, which was once known for down-market products could suddenly go premium in few years.
When Tecno unveiled the P3, they had no idea how the biggest market in Africa would react. The P3 went ahead to become one of Tecno most successful smartphones.
At that time, a lot of users were comfortable with Tecno’s mobile philosophy, but as competition stiffened, there was a need for a total overhaul and change in mobile philosophy.
In 2014, I identified some ridiculous Tecno blunders which appears to have been fixed, Tecno no longer has that trait of arrogance as it now draws closer to its user-base to have an idea of what they want, which is then interpreted in their engineering lab to actualize a device.
Should we feel outraged about the Tecno Phantom 5 price tag? Certainly not! It’s Tecno’s first genuine attempt to bring something premium to Africa.
The Phantom 5 isn’t for everyone, just as the Galaxy S6 and iPhone 6S isn’t meant for everyone. Tecno is only creating different class of smartphones for different classes of users. Not to insult anyone, but the world in its entirety has been divided according to class. I do not know who did it, but that’s how it is and there is no point to rant over it because it’s the reality we face.
Just the same way someone rated some countries First world, Second world and Third world, so also has smartphones been rated. We have high-end smartphones, mid-rage smartphones and down-market smartphones. It would be safe to say that the Phantom 5 is a high-smartphone at an insane “cheap” price tag.
Tecno Phantom 5 backlash which bothers on price and not entirely on its specifications is simply one of mere perception versus reality. Most Nigerians have not come to terms with the fact that Tecno, which was once known for down-market products could suddenly go premium in few years.
You know that feeling when someone you wrote off, comes and buy-off the estate you live in. Hehe. Apparently, some people have found it hard to change the constitution of their mind, into believing that Tecno can be successful as a premium smartphone manufacturer.
The market is changing, users are getting frustrated with purchasing the same smartphone month after month with different labels, they want something extra, they want value for money, they equally want to be proud showing off their smartphones in public and brag about it. This is what Tecno as an OEM has done with the Phantom 5.
For me, the biggest turning point that made me fall in love with the Phantom 5 is the metal case. I cannot stand holding a smartphone with cheap plastic casing as my personal phone. Each time I rode-rough against Tecno, I always chipped-in the frustration of seeing cheap plastic shell on a device. Of course, the Phantom 5 has addressed that, to my biggest surprise! I never anticipated such premium build in 2015.
I wouldn’t want to say much about the Phantom 5 in this article, a lot would be said on the hands-on-review next week. However, the biggest selling point I can assume, that’s if Tecno’s marketing team does a perfect job, is the Fingerprint scanner located just below the rare camera sensor. I expected Infinix Mobility to have that as their bragging rights with the Zero 2, but that wasn’t the case and I have my reservations about Zero 2, also.
Tecno’s Phantom 5 fingerprint sensor was the biggest news prior to launch, it’s the first time we really see Tecno pushing itself to the extreme, and some persons jaw dropped upon hearing the news. Did I also say that the Phantom 5 has 4G LTE radio?
Ouch..
Anyone thinking that Nigeria’s mobile market is going to remain an emerging market with ridiculous degraded smartphones in cheap plastic casing will have to think again. Tecno’s market researchers have done a good job on this one; they have put themselves ahead of the rest and have taken a huge risk.
At one time in Nigeria did people purchase mid-rage smartphones from Samsung with watered-down specs and a bloated price tag. Someone needed to take that risk and change the extortion; thanks to Tecno, we could afford 16GB of internal memory smartphones at a cheap price when Sony was pushing 8GB smartphones down the throat of Nigerians at unbelievable price spots with its Xperia mobile outfit.
Tecno is again taking a giant step, to snap-up a sizeable amount of market-share from Samsung who has the high-end range of smartphones in Nigeria locked in their pocket.
The Chinese OEM is attempting to offer a “powerful” premium smartphone with incredible features, at more than half the price of Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. I would say it’s unfair for mobile users in Nigeria to backlash it, like the device was made from inferior components.
Users who have value for money will embrace the Phantom 5, because it literally does everything!
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23 Comments
Mark
These are solid points you raised Nosa, Tecno is trying something new, let’s see how the market will react in the next few months.
Jide
You are yet to use the phone and you already claiming it does everything? Eh eh.
As at the time of publishing this, i can bet you’ve not seen the phone. So, why not calm down till then before defending a 70k phone that can’t guarantee you of an update?
You even talked about class. So, you mean people will see you as a bigger boy if you flaunt this phone where am also flaunting a LONDON used iPhone 6 purchased for less than 70k? Oh K ooo.
Fingerprint scanner at the back of a phone is even funny sha.
Anyway they have tried. They should rebrand and build devices whose OS can be upgraded if they really mean business Imo.
I await a new post from you, listing the EVERYTHING the phone does….lol
Nosagie Nosa-Ero
Hi Jide,
For the avoidance of doubt, the Phantom 5 arrived our test lab on Thursday.
We are not known to rush things, when we unbox we have to equally have our first impression. First impression isn’t just 5 mins of usage, it takes a lil bit of time, then we conclude the review on the premise of the unboxing & impression. That’s the model we use on this blog.
You know me very well that I don’t accept mediocrity for anything and I do not merge or bend because of money. TechRez is not a money mindset blog, but excellence driven.
We take what we do here very seriously because a lot of people buy stuffs based on our judgement.
If you use an iPhone, that’s fantastic, but you called it used and I don’t use or encourage people to use “used” products.
The iPhone is grossly overpriced, the Americans are aware, the reason why they get these devices on contract. If you know what I mean.
Thanks for taking out time to expresses yourself. Please enjoy the rest of the day.
Jide
lol…I only mentioned the “Used” iPhone 5 in that comment so as to compare it to the 70k Phantom 5 in terms of “Class”. Not saying am using it nor encouraging people to use “used” products.
So, a USED iPhone can never be in same class with a 70k Tecno imo. wink**
Don Saroos
Let me said it again….. Do you think most nigerians will spend 70k for this phone will they are sure other brand will perform the same functions as the 5
Nosagie Nosa-Ero
Hi Don,
If you can name one of such brand with such features as the Phantom 5, we ‘d like to hear it.
Best Regards
Don Saroos
Despite the RAM that Infinix also will perform similar operation
Nosagie Nosa-Ero
Hi Don
Please stick with us, the hands-on review would live before the end of the week.
Don Saroos
Okay i’ll be and always be
Caprio
It’s unfortunate people condemn what they’ve never held or used.
Edi Dominic
LOL, they’re speaking from current and past experiences bro, I really can’t say if anybody is Wrong here, there’s a good Point in each opinion everyone had raised about the Price of this device, they have some reason for reacting about the Price, you too, and myself have some good reasons why they should go ahead to buy and use the device if they want to.
Nosagie Nosa-Ero
I believe words from users with first time experience will sway a lot of people from the negative to actually see the positives.
zino
Well, I have heard all the comments, and the points raised are well noted. I have used tecno phantom A, i’v used tecno phantom Z,but I will Neva use another tecno product again. If we are talking about other Chinese OEM, we have numerous with far more better specs and a reasonable price tag. Right now am using HTC One m8. HTC has bought me all over. Tecno phantom 5,I believe is a good phone, but tecno shud not 4get why Nigerians loved them, why they patronize them. It was the price n not even the quality.
JujuEars
It’s really funny, one time we are for quality, another time we are for price. We can be confused sometimes, at other times, we are for price and specs. I haven’t used the phone before though. I don’t really know what to say, but Nosa’s points are quite convincing. It doesn’t look like a bad start for a new vision. Like the P3 let’s see how this goes.
Elroy
I said this same thing and people quarreled all over social media. I appeased to see someone appreciating the renewed effort from TECNO
Charles
If I tell you most of the points rendered here are NULL and VOID, you’d term me a hater… So, no comments 🙂
Just one question… Why is this ‘renowned’ brand Tecno mobile not known in their home country of China? Why don’t any ‘big’ mobile site acknowledge the existence of such brand Tecno? If their products are of genuine quality, I believe they should already be heard about over at China their own country of origin. Making a ‘premium’ device isn’t the problem, giving Premium after sales and quality for the premium cash is the issue.
Have a great day.
Nosagie Nosa-Ero
Hi Charles,
I have to quickly point out that I do not do PR for Tecno, I write freely like I have done with many of my articles.
What you failed to understand however, is that Tecno’s target market is Africa and not China, though they come from China.
According to International Data Corporation (IDC), Samsung, Tecno and Apple were the biggest mobile vendors in Africa from Q1 of 2015.
In Kenya, Tecno Camon C8 is the best selling smartphone. The mobile vendor saw a market in Africa, pushed itself through and its responsible for the transition from feature phones to smartphones.
There is no word on OTA update at the moment, I believe that’s where most of your issue has its foundation on. We will get information on it.
Bella
Tecno stopped selling their phones in China in 2008. That is when they decided that Africa would be their market. Thats why you can’t hear of some phones here in Nigeria but they exist in other countries
benjamin
Yes thats true
Bella
I completely agree with you. Tecno has stepped it up. They have gone premium. The phantom 5 is a good phone, I have read reviews, I have also got the chance to go through the phone in real life and it is sleek. Like you said, it is not for everyone. If you have the cash, go for it because premium is not CHEAP
benjamin
Its about time someone addressed this issue. Nice one
Chidinma
I see tecno taking over Nigeria’s mobile market
John I
Please tell them o.