Tecno just unveiled a ridiculously thin modular smartphone concept design

Source: Engadget

Tecno introduced a modular smartphone concept design at MWC 2026. The most striking aspect is its size: the base phone measures just 4.9 mm thick, thinner than a pencil and slimmer than the iPhone Air (source).

Design and thickness

• The base device is 4.9 mm thin.
• Adding modules increases the overall thickness; for example, attaching the power‑bank module brings the phone to a thickness comparable with typical modern smartphones.

Modular system

• Tecno developed a new interconnection system that combines magnets (for attachment) with pin connectors (for power delivery).
• Data between the phone and modules is transmitted wirelessly, switching among Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and mmWave depending on the environment.
• Ten modules are planned, including various camera lenses and a dedicated gaming controller.

Colorways

• Two finishes are offered for both the phone and its accessory ecosystem: a silver‑aluminum edition and a grey version.
• As a concept, the design is not intended for immediate consumer release, but the magnetic attachment technology could appear in future products.

Tecno’s track record with unconventional designs

• Affordable foldable phone – Engadget coverage
• Pop‑out portrait lens – Engadget coverage
• Foldable with circular exterior display – Engadget coverage

Industry context for modular smartphones

• Early modular attempts include Google’s Project Ara prototype from over a decade ago (Engadget video).
• Other concept designs have been explored but never reached market (Designboom article).

Real‑world modular phones

• LG G5 (2016) – a semi‑modular phone that saw limited sales (Engadget review; The Verge report).
• Moto Z series – a couple of semi‑modular smartphones that did not achieve widespread adoption (Engadget review).

While modular smartphones have yet to gain mainstream traction, Tecno’s ultra‑thin concept demonstrates a fresh approach to hardware expandability that could influence future designs.