(Eric Zeman)
BARCELONA—Tecno had a lot to show at MWC, particularly concept devices that bring a new element of fun to the mobile phone space—and it's not just about software tricks. I got a first look at some real innovation in hardware design, which is always welcome in a world full of near-identical slab phones (with recent foldables like the Motorola Razr Fold as a notable bright spot). Here's what I saw at Tecno's booth.
Adding a Spark
One of the devices on hand literally brought the lightning. The Pova Neon has a chamber on the rear panel with ionized inert gas. It creates a distinctive glowing effect that resembles lightning. When you touch the glass, the lightning follows your finger around. It's a great visual, but not exactly a practical design. Moreover, the device on hand was locked to a large base module that was surely providing some of the tech on display. Still, it was fun to look at.
Bringing Back the Mods
Motorola had a great modular phone system a generation ago, and Tecno might resurrect the idea with the Moda Edition. This modular concept relies on magnets and lets you slap a dozen or so mods onto the back of the phone. Tecno calls it Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology, and it includes an AI element that helps make everything work.
The most interesting mod was a full camera, complete with a large zoom lens, but the selection includes stackable battery modules, action cameras, and more. Tecno says the modularity of the system allows the phone to focus on being a phone first, with capabilities added via the mods.
(Credit: Eric Zeman)Tecno explains, "Rather than concentrating all capabilities within the device itself, the modular system serves as an open framework and allows selected functions and higher power demands to extend outward, keeping the phone lightweight in daily use while supporting moments of higher demand."
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I love the idea of modularity. Motorola explained a decade or more ago that its Moto Z devices gave carriers lots of accessories to sell, which pads the bottom line and makes them happy. Whether or not Tecno brings this concept to market, complete with all the mods, is a big question mark. Tecno's phones are most often available in the US only via Amazon.
This Phone Smiled at Me
The last thing I saw at Tecno's booth was the Slim 2, a (pretty shameful) iPhone Air lookalike. It measures 5.49mm thick in an ultra-thin unibody design. Like the iPhone Air, it has a large camera module on the rear that's crammed up against the top edge. Notably, the device has an ultra-thin 0.7mm bezel, making the front appear all-screen.
But unlike the iPhone Air, the Slim 2 has a small display on the camera module that can provide notifications in addition to simple animations. For example, in the photo above, you can see the facsimile of a face that's smiling at me.
Tecno didn't say if or when any of these concepts would come to market.