Ahead of the 2026 Mobile World Congress (MWC), smartphone brand Tecno has unveiled two new concept smartphones, Tecno Atom and Tecno Moda. Based on the brand's Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology, the phones will be able to utilise magnetic attachments and wireless connectivity technology to physically expand their hardware capabilities.
Tecno Atom and Moda show off a modular future for smartphones
The official Tecno Mobile X handle has revealed that the brand has managed to develop an ultra-sleek 4.9mm smartphone, which is built to support a slew of add-on accessories. Dubbed as the world's thinnest modular smartphone, Atom and Moda are designed to fit extra pieces of hardware which do not usually fit inside a smartphone chassis.
As it is evident from the image below, from a full-fledged camera lens to additional accessories like a kick stand, magnetic wallet and powerbank, Tecno Atom is built to mould depending on the scenario. The same concept applies to Tecno Moda as well. However, both phones differ in design.
While Atom brings a minimal and clean look with a red accented camera lens and silver aluminium finish, Moda is more on the bolder side with a greyish black colourway and golden accented design elements.
Now, as part of the Modular Magnetic Interconnection ecosystem, Tecno has shown off five different magnetic attachments. First is an Action Camera that snaps below the iPhone Air-like camera bar and is designed to provide alternative shooting angles. It is unclear whether it works like a GoPro or more like an additional lens.
Next, with a dedicated Telephoto Lens attachment, Tecno Atom and Moda can magnetically support a full-fledged conventional camera lens and use the smartphone display as the viewfinder. There is also an ultra-slim 4.5mm power bank that can snap onto the back to provide extra juice to the smartphone. Tecno has not revealed the cell capacity of this ultra-sleek battery pack.
Image Credit: Tecno
Image Credit: Tecno
Image Credit: Tecno
Also, Tecno has shown off a wired magnetic power strip which can deliver power to Atom and Moda using physical pogo pin connectors at the back of the smartphone. It is said to maintain power delivery efficiency and reduce heat generation. This is an iteration of wireless charging technology.
Lastly, for enhanced network and connectivity, Tecno has designed a Wi-Fi router module which can snap at the back of the phones and use a combination of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and millimetre-wave (mmWave) technology for higher bandwidth and low latency.
That said, while the idea behind Tecno Atom and Moda is novel and exciting, it is very likely that they will never turn into actual consumer-grade products. Tecno's Product Head of Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology, Leo Li, has confirmed that the brand is looking to scale this technology for future use cases. While Atom and Moda remain a proof of concept, upcoming Tecno phones could utilise this tech somehow.
