Tecno Spark Slim concept phone is less than 6 millimeters thick

[Shawn Knight]

In brief: A slim and light version of the iPhone is expected later this year but a rival handset maker out of China could beat Apple to the punch. Tecno Mobile has announced its Spark Slim, an ultra-thin concept smartphone set to debut at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week.

The Spark Slim features a 6.78-inch 3D curved AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness rating of 4500 nits. Tecno said it will be powered by an upcoming (yet unnamed) high-performance octa-core processor, but we do not know how much memory or storage it will ship with. We do know the phone features a 5,200mAh battery with 45W fast charging, dual 50-megapixel rear-facing cameras, and a 13-megapixel front-facing shooter for selfies and video calls.

The handset's standout feature, however, is its thin profile which measures just 5.75mm at its thinnest. For comparison, Apple's latest iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e are significantly thicker at 7.8mm. A standard No. 2 pencil is around 7mm thick. Tecno did not say how much the phone weighs, but noted it is crafted of recycled aluminum with a stainless steel unibody.

For years, smartphones trended toward increasingly thinner designs, but most manufacturers eventually shifted focus to other features like camera modules. While aesthetically pleasing to some, a thinner chassis leaves less room for key internal hardware like the battery. Slim handsets with large screens are also more prone to physical damage like bending in a pocket. Hopefully the Spark Slim is rigid enough to withstand daily use without bending, as we don't need another "bendgate" controversy like Apple had with its iPhone 6 Plus years ago.

Mobile World Congress, the mobile industry's premiere trade show, kicks off on March 3 and runs through the 6th in Barcelona, Spain. Tecno Mobile will have the Spark Slim on display at booth 6B11. The show is open to the general public and with any luck, we will learn more about this intriguing ultra-slim come next week.

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Tecno Spark Slim concept phone is less than 6 millimeters thick

 

[VariableSpike]

How are we still not over this slim phone idiocy? We lost the headphone jack and all for unnecessary thinning, and now the fad seems to be creeping back...

 

[toooooot]

Looks very cool. It would be interesting to see what sacrifices they will need to make for battery to fit in it.

 

[p51d007]

Oh yeah, THAT won't be bent after being in your back pocket! /sarcasm

 

[trieste1s]

How thin is too thin?
JerryRigEverything / Zack will be able to give us a conclusive answer.

 

[Underdog]

Oh yeah, THAT won't be bent after being in your back pocket! /sarcasm

Excellent point.
I am one of the dinosaurs that manages to live life without being near a mobile phone 24/7. I don't even own one, and often wonder how people manage to leave the house (or car) wearing T-shirt and jeans. Phone in back pocket seems like an expensive mistake. How do you guys manage? Carry a handbag?

 

[p51d007]

Excellent point.
I am one of the dinosaurs that manages to live life without being near a mobile phone 24/7. I don't even own one, and often wonder how people manage to leave the house (or car) wearing T-shirt and jeans. Phone in back pocket seems like an expensive mistake. How do you guys manage? Carry a handbag?

When I get home after work, other than taking my phone off the charger, it never gets touched. Work email is automatically turned off at 5:01pm and the weekend and not turned on until 7:59am. (You want me to answer an email on MY time, PAY me). I use a turtleback case that clips onto my belt. Never had a phone in my pocket. Unless humanity changes, I think they need to genetically alter the human species to have a THIRD arm. I rarely see (mostly women) walking outdoors without the PIH syndrome. (Phone In Hand).

Turtleback Case

 

[Underdog]

It sounds like you use a mobile as a tool, rather than it using you. Respect!