The TECNO Spark Go 2S has landed in South Africa, and for once, a budget phone doesn’t feel like a punishment.
Usually, phones under R2,000 exist to remind you what you can’t have: blurry cameras, anaemic batteries, and screens so sluggish they turn WhatsApp into a test of patience. The Spark Go 2S flips that script. At R1,399, it packs a 6.67-inch 120Hz display, a 5,000mAh battery, and even IP64 dust resistance — features still missing from Samsung’s entry-level A-series, which cost more.
Storage isn’t stingy either: 128GB, a 13MP dual camera, and an 8MP selfie shooter. Not award-winning, but a noticeable step up from the “good enough for selfies” mantra that usually defines budget hardware. And that 120Hz screen? Smooth scrolling is no longer a mid-range luxury — it’s here, for your WhatsApp scrolling pleasure.
Even the in-box experience is a sly dig at the industry. TECNO still ships a charger, case, and cable. In 2025, that reads like trolling Apple and Samsung for charging more while giving less — all under the guise of “sustainability.”
South Africa’s phone market is brutally price-sensitive. Most buyers are prepaid, and the sweet spot for mass adoption sits below R2,000. Historically, those devices were stripped-down lifeboats for WhatsApp and Facebook. TECNO seems to be asking: why is that the bar?
Our coverage shows that the real value of tech in South Africa lies in accessibility and relevance, ensuring innovations actually meet the aspirations of local users. That’s the lane TECNO wants: budget phones that don’t scream budget.
It’s not a free pass. TECNO is still building brand trust, and software updates won’t be a given. But the bigger question is why Samsung keeps selling weaker devices at higher prices.
The TECNO Spark Go 2S is available now at select TFG stores for R1,399, with wider rollout across South African retailers to follow.
Budget phones aren’t supposed to look this good. Maybe that’s the point.