Gen Zs in South Africa are very particular about what they want in a smartphone.
As digital natives, the social connection and mobile video experience needs to be premium quality as many hours of the day are spent on their devices, mirroring the digital habits of their peers around the world.
A study by US entertainment company Whistle found that 81% of those born after 1996, not only watch videos in the evening, but also in the early morning while commuting and during breaks.
The same study found that 61% of those in the Gen Z category, found mobile video content just as good as watching television.
According to Semona Pillay, a lecturer in the department of marketing and management at the University of Johannesburg, using social media regularly also means that Gen Z values interaction and engagement, thereby forging relationships.
“Generation Z consumers also want to obtain as much information as possible, within the shortest amount of time and in a concise manner. Generation Z consumers appreciate and are more responsive to content shared and/or brands that pertain directly to their needs,” she says in an opinion piece published on Bizcommunity.
With Gen Z representing 27.5 million people in South Africa, the onus is on smartphone manufacturers to deliver devices that not only meet the expectations of this generation, but also keep them at prices they can afford.
Global premium mobile brand TECNO Mobile has found the answer in their latest offering, TECNO Spark 7 Pro, which was recently launched in South Africa on 16 September 2021.
Boasting the dynamic 48MP Clear Triple Camera and new Helio G80 chipset, the Spark 7 Pro delivers a captivating cinematic experience through a bigger and better 6.6-inch edge-to-edge display, complete with Super Night Mode.
Stephen Ha, General Manager of TECNO Mobile, says the company is highly focused on what younger generations want from their smartphones.
“We aim to provide them the best of contemporary technology in artistic designs and elegant taste. The TECNO Spark 7 series reflects our promise to Gen Z and tertiary students by offering advanced technology such as bigger and better displays and 48MP Clear Triple Cameras to bring an immersive cinema experience to their fingertips.
“With the Spark 7 Pro, you can connect to the world around you faster than ever before,” concludes Ha.
The 48MP Clear Triple Camera is exceptional for many reasons, among them, an AI lens that brightens dark environments and makes it easier for smiles to stand out.
The camera is complemented by the Spark 7 Pro’s exclusive “Smile Snapshot” photo function, which involves AI Portrait focusing on the face and capturing the photo when it sees a smile. The result is that the perfect selfie will never be missed.
Gen Zs with a passion for mobile video, will love the device’s Video Bokeh mode, which places focus on the subject and blurs the background, providing a professional cinematic touch.
The video quality is further enhanced by technology like Video Beautify that adapts to different skin effects and individual features.
The Spark 7 Pro’s 6.6inch clear screen boasts a 90Hz refresh rate, ensuring remarkably fast and smooth navigation experience as well as the edge-to-edge display which is also equipped with ample room to navigate through multiple applications with prompt accessibility to different functions.
Because the Spark 7 Pro is equipped with SoC Helio G80, an all-new 2.0GHz, Octa-core processor and dedicated 950MHz graphics unit, the device benchmarks at twice the speed of the previous generation.
The effect is that animations are smoother, apps load quicker and photos are sharper.
Other features packed into the competitively-priced smartphone include:
- Bluetooth Audio Share 2.0: With Bluetooth Audio Share 2.0, users can spread their love of music to even more people. Get the party started whenever, wherever and let friends and family join in;
- 3 variants 128+4GB/64+6GB/64+4GB, and 5000mAh battery: The Spark 7 Pro offers long-lasting storage and power which guarantees more storage space for photographs, limits freezing, lagging and prompts about storage capacity almost being reached.
The 5000mAh battery retains phone power for 14 days without any recharging.
- Built-on Android 11, HiOS7.5: This offers a rich and fun experience with an extensive and immersive collection of features such as the Custom Timing Dark Theme, Chat Bubbles, Video Assistant, App Twin and more.
HiOS 7.5’s Chat Bubbles help to minimise skipping apps and closing apps to respond to a message. It means users can keep relevant chat notifications at the forefront in bubbles that float on the screen. These can easily be tapped to read and respond to apps without users having to leave the current page.
*Spark 7 series will be available for sale in South Africa in October