Tecno Smartphone Naming System

It is not news any longer on how well Tecno phones are faring in the Nigerian market. 

One of the things that have helped in securing a strong footing is the price tag and of course the hard work of the marketing department.

One thing that have come to my notice is the naming system of their devices that Tecno is employing.

As of today, we know that Tecno now has High, Medium and Low end devices and have been clasified in a way that is easily placed by using numbers.

The classes of Tecno devices for now include the 7, 1 & 5, 3, and 9.

Class 7 : High End

This represents high end devices in the smartphone category. This we saw when Tecno N7 and F7 were released earlier this year. These devices were highly successful in market sales and were most expensive, with the N7 selling between 29 - 30,000 Naira, while the newest Tecno Phantom F7 is being sold for 34 - 36,000 Naira.

Class 1 & Class 5: Medium End

This class represents the medium end smartphone category. Even though touch screen is the order of the day now, some people still love their devices to have physical keyboards and I strongly believe that Tecno intends to keep devices in this category to have both physical keyboards and touchscreens. This you would notice in the Q1 and D5 smartphones. Example is in the Q1 smartphone with physical keyboard and Tecno D5 with just touchscreen design. 

Both devices are meant to serve the medium end market to meet both the physical keyboard persons and those that want full touchscreen devices.

Class 3: Low End

This class was the entry level smartphone that Tecno released into the market. It was widely accepted due to its pricing. Of course, its a low end device that is suppose to appeal to those with little budget. Examples are Tecno N3 andP.

Class 9

This is quite new and was debut by the first tablet released last month by Tecno. This tablet was called the Phantom N9 Pad. Its a 8" Pad with quad core processor running inside.

Going by the price of this pad, its around the high end range and there is possibility of another Pad coming out soon maybe to called F9 and would improve on the specs of the N9 Pad.

Whether this naming and categorizing system by Tecno as deduced by me is true or not, future product release would be the deciding factor.

How To Unbrick Tecno F7 Smartphone

About a week ago, a friend rooted his Tecno Phantom A smartphone. He was so excited about the endless possibilities to customize his device so he kept installing a lot of applications that caught his attention unaware of the dangers some apps can create on rooted smartphones.

Finally, he installed an application called Font Changer Lite and that was when it all happened.

After installing this app, his phone attempted to reboot and instead of booting normally, the phone froze at the Tecno logo. It wasn’t going passed that state. He couldn’t boot into his phone. Practically, his phone was bricked and had to look for a way to unbrick and use his phone again.

If you are presently in the same limbo state as described, please follow the instructions below step by step to fix your device. I recommend reading through first before actually starting the process.

Kudos to Seunpayne of Nairaland for uploading his files for download and also giving instructions on the usage. 

The instructions below have been modified by me, especially with images so that it would be easy to follow and achieve success.

Needed Items

11.   7zip : Download here

22.    SP Flash Tool v3.1224.0.sn85 : Download here

33.   Android drivers and flash MTK vcom drivers : Download here

44.   F7 preloader and flash files : Download here

55.  Tecno F7 image file : Download here

66.   msxml6.msi : Download here

   Difficulty: Not Difficult

  Note: Read before you begin. All images are F7 specific. If you want to restore another Android phone that is not Tecno F7, you would have to download its image files.

Procedures

11. Download all the files listed in the Needed Items section to your computer. They are all zipped files.

22. Create a new folder on your Desktop and name it Tecno F7 tools.

33. Unzip all the downloaded files to the Tecno F7 tools folder. Each of the downloaded files would now be in their own separate folders after unzipping. see the image below

44. Install all the drivers located in “ADB_usb_driver_120827_v3” folder and “MT6577 USB VCOM drivers” folder. Also install msxml6.msi driver too: very important!

55. After installing all your drivers (WHICH IS A VERY IMPORTANT STEP), cut the “MT6577_Android_scatter_emmc”file. which is marked red in the above image. It’s a .txt file and paste it in another location on your Desktop. Make sure it’s not in the same folder as the other files.

66. Locate the SP Flash Tool folder and double click on the blue Flash_Tool icon. This would open the flash tool.

77.  From the flash tool, click on File top left and click on Open Scatter-Loading File.

88. Navigate to the MT6577_Android_scatter_emmc”file location and select the file.

99. Now check the boxes, BOOTIMG, RECOVERY and ANDROID as shown in the image below.

110. Double click on names BOOTIMG and select boot.img you downloaded. Also double click on          RECOVERY and select the recovery.img you downloaded. Finally, double click on ANDROID and select the System.img file you downloaded. Once you have selected these files, the path would be displayed like in the image below.

111.  Connect your F7 phone to your PC and remove the battery. Click on Download as seen in the image below. After Download is complete within 10mins, you will see a green circle on your desktop.

 

112.   Remove USB cord from PC and insert the battery back into the phone.

113.  Press Power button and Volume Up key button together. It will show you 3 options. Use the Volume Up ONLY key to navigate to Recovery Mode option and use the Volume Down key to select.

114.  The phone will show you list of things to do. Use the Volume Up key to scroll to Backup User Data and use the Volume Down key to select it.

115.  Now, put on your F7. Language would be Chinese which you can easily change from Settings.

116.  To change language, just navigate to Settings (the wheel icon) and scroll to where you have the Language & Input (A is written beside it) and select your language of choice.

 

After you have done all this, your Tecno Phantom F7 should be back on and functioning well.

Please try to read reviews before you download any app, especially when you have root access installed on your phone. Also, Chainfire 3D could brick your phone.

This procedure may be applied to other Android phones too. Only download their roms and recovery files.

This was experienced and put together by Awolola Anuoluwapo. Kudos to him! Follow him on twitter @anu5599 for more information.

Also, images and editing done was done by me. Follow on twitter @me also like our Facebook page Phonegist for timely info.

How To Root Tecno Phantom A (Tecno F7)

There are no limit to the possibilities one can achieve on a rooted Android device compared to one that isn't rooted. As you know, Rooting is to Androin as Jailbreak is to iOS.

For those that don't know what rooting means, a little definition will suffice. Rooting basically means that you install a set of programs on your phone that gives you total control over your device. Total control means that you have the right to install any applications or even delete core applications that you don't want.

 Simply put, you have administrative rights over your device, giving  you super user access, and of course, you can use DroidVPN to have free unlimited internet.

The guide below shows how you can root Tecno Phantom A also known as Tecno F7 and its super easy to achieve. Don't forget to like us on Facebook.

Requirements

1. Computer with internet connection

2. PdaNet+ V4.12 zipped file

3. eroot_v1.3.3 zipped file

4. USB to connect your device to the computer
5. Backup your phone data just in case. 
6. For some that couldn't get drivers for their Tecno F7, you can install Mobilego

Notes

1. Rooting your phone voids your warranty

2. Anything that happens while rooting your device is on you. You are doing it at your own risk

3. There are softwares to unroot your phone if you don't want the rooting option again.

Procedures 

1. Connect your Tecno F7 to the computer

2. Download PdaNet+ V4.12 and eroot_v1.3.3 to your desktop and unpack in a folder called Rooting.

3. Install the PdaNet+ V4.12 as shown in the image below.

 

4. If you have already installed the driver of your F7 in the computer before at one time, you can choose No in the dialogue box shown to you otherwise, select Yes. 

A box would show up asking you to either Skip or Cancel Installation. Leave it and move to the next step

5. Next you need to enable debugging mode on your phone. To do this, go to Settings, scroll to Developer Option, tap on it and then select USB debugging, click OK at the prompt and then exit.

6.  Once your device is detected by the computer and its in USB debug mode, a pop-up would show up to install a software from June Fabrics Technology. Click Install and let it finish its installation which would take place on your device too.

 

7. Run the eroot you downloaded earlier, it would display in Chinese, don't worry.

8. It would detect your device and then you will see the big bold Root menu. Click on Root and you would be rooted in no time.

9. Disconnect the USB connection,now locate you Phone menu, You will be able to Find a New Application Installed on your Phone with name ‘Superuser'.

10. Reboot your Tecno F7 and you will be good to go with a rooted Tecno Phantom A smartphone.

Guys, I hope you find this information useful. I have tried it and my Tecno F7 is rooted. Give it a try and enjoy the limitless possibilities of rooting. 

Don't forget to share your success stories for others to read and learn from your mistakes if you had one.

Also, give full info if its not working for you. Don't just say "its not working". Give details. 

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Tecno Mobile Running After Samsung

It is no news by now the grip that Tecno - Mobile have on the Nigerian smartphone market.

While many may think that Tecno isn't pulling weight yet,  you would be surprised by how much other vendors see them as a threat especially Samsung and  Nokia. 

Of course,  Tecno was once after Nokia's fans which they have won a large portion already,  but what they are now after is Samsung's fans.

While Samsung is highly rated and have good followers, Samsung recognize the threat that Tecno poses and are actively taking steps to combat Tecno especially with the release of their Samsung Mega, Grand and some other highly but very affordable devices being launched.
Apparently, the war is now on and its between Tecno and Samsung.

 

While Tecno is leveraging on Android operating system, good and affordable devices with a little above average build (Tecno F7)  which is what is attracting customers, Samsung is leveraging on its name, reputation and high end devices with huge specifications. Samsung have started actively making such moves on price and affordability of device too. 

 

Although, Samsung still has the upper hand in terms of devices,  apps,  specifications and loyal followers, it won't be surprising to see the field level up between Samsung and Tecno in the near future in Nigeria.

The question is How Near is this "Near Future"?

Infinix Race Max Q or X530 smartphone

Infinix have come forward with thier latest design in the works and of course you saw it here first.

The battle ground in the smartphone industry is filled with soldiers like Samsung, Apple, Nokia, HTC and Blackberry especially in Europe and America. However, in Africa and Nigeria especially, the new sets of soldiers alongside Samsung, Blackberry and Nokia are TECNO - Mobile and Infinix.

Speaking of Tecno - mobile, their latest flagship phone known as Tecno Phantom A or Tecno F7 as received huge accolades from users and carriers alike to the point that Etisalat Nigeria as keyed in.

However, Infinix haven't gotten that much of a recommendation and they are doing everything in their power to get to that level with the near introduction of Infinix RACE Max Q to the Nigerian market.

To combat how Tecno Phantom A is out shinning their brand, Infinix have decided to release their next flagship smartphone known as Infinix X530 also called Infinix Race Max Q which is first seen in this blog.

Infinix Race Max Q

Infinix X530 Back Case

The Infinix X530 or Race Max Q is a 5.3 inch smartphone with high definition resolution coupled with 8mp back camera and 1.2mp front camera. 

Also, RAM is 1GHz and internal memory is 4GB. Furthermore, processor is 1.2GHz which is quad core by the way and its running on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean which is higher than what Tecno Phantom A is running (4.1.1)  although on the same Jelly Bean.

Proximity, light and gyro-meter sensor are embedded in this smartphone including FM Radio, WiFi, Bluetooth, Network 2G/3G and dual SIM functionality.

This Infinix RACE Max Q is in stores and selling between N30k - N33k. it in stores yet and as such some information are still missing as regards its specifications and features. However, the device would be released first week in July in selected stores like Slot ikeja and Divine stores ikeja Lagos as said by a top manager in charge of distribution and later rolled out to other states and areas for purchase.

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Comparison: Tecno Phantom A, Infinix RACE Eagle and Samsung Galaxy S3

It is no new news when it comes to smartphones company trying to out do themselves, bullying one another. sometimes its as if smaller companies are not even allowed in the competition. Well,some may be feeble in some countries, while some are strong in other countries.

TECNO _ Mobille is one of those smartphones that is strong in Africa and especially Nigeria and their smartphones are getting better to the point that it can be compared against some giant smartphones like Samsung Galaxy S3 and Infinix RACE Eagle.

Tecno Phantom A

If it were before, it would have been easy to spot the winner, but with the recent releases of TECNO and Infinix, it could become tricky to identify the boss especially when they are all Android devices. 

Anyway, I would leave you guys to decide who the boss is with the specification  comparison among these devices.

 Who is the winner now with all these comparison?