The TECNO will showcase its modular smartphone concept at Mobile World Congress 2026. The company’s “Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology” aims to enable thin modular smartphones with magnetic hardware expansion add-ons.
This idea is not new. Motorola’s Project Ara open-source hardware platform attempted that in 2013, and Google (ATAP) took over the project in 2015, before the modular phone project died in 2016. The Fairphone is the closest we have to a modular smartphone nowadays, but while it’s repairable, its modularity is more limited. But maybe time was not just right for a full modular smartphone, and TECNO is giving it another try.
Ten magnetic modules have been designed so far. Those include camera modules (ACTION CAMERA and TELEPHOTO LENS), a game pad module, an off-grid communication module (mmWave is mentioned, but maybe a LoRa/Meshtastic will also be provided), and a 4.5mm thick “POWER BANK” battery module to double usable power for the smartphone and accessories. The full list is not provided, but the company mentions that the smartphone features eight modular zones and pogo pins to attach the magnetic add-ons.
TECNO says its “Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology” is designed as a scalable platform and may gain AI-powered tools, storage expansion, lifestyle-focused accessories, and other modules. The company also states that the interface is proprietary, meaning third-party modules may not be feasible right now, but also adds that it “envisions the potential for future solutions that extend beyond its ecosystem”. I read that as “there’s still a chance the ecosystem opens up in the future”.
Two editions of the TECNO modular phone have been worked on, and appear to only differ in terms of aesthetics:
- The MODA edition offers what the company calls “a bold, geek-inspired aesthetic”.
- The ATOM edition features a silver-aluminum body and red accents.
Both are just 4.9mm thick, so for instance, the smartphone with the POWER BANK module is still under 1cm thick, and the thickness is comparable to that of traditional smartphones.
TECNO has not provided a product page and pricing information, just published a press release, because it’s just a concept at this point, and it’s unclear whether it will ever be commercialized. People attending MWC 2026 should be able to see a demo or at least mock-ups.
Via Liliputing
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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