Tecno introduced a concept of a modular magnetic phone inspired by Google's Project Ara

Tecno introduces a new modular smartphone at MWC 2026

In preparation for Mobile World Congress 2026, Tecno announced the launch of its “modular magnetic interconnect technology” concept. It is an attempt to revive an idea that Google tried to implement almost ten years ago with Project Ara, which was later shut down.

What’s new?
1. Small and thin

- The base chassis measures just 4.9 mm thick.
- Adding a removable battery (4.5 mm thick) keeps the overall dimensions comparable to a typical flagship.

2. New mounting system

- Instead of traditional sliding connectors, Tecno uses magnetic holders that “snap” onto the phone.
- Modules communicate via Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth and mmWave, making them feel more like accessories than core components.

3. Two prototypes

- ATOM – a silver‑aluminum chassis with red accents.
- MODA – a more “geeky” design.
- The rear panel is divided into eight modular zones.

What can be attached?
Tecno offers roughly ten module options:

- An action camera for content creators
- A telephoto lens that uses the phone’s screen as a viewfinder
- Various autonomous communication tools

The idea is to let users bring only the equipment they need for a particular day, rather than being tied to factory specifications.

What does it look like in the long term?
Tecno says the project is based on “long‑term design” and has not yet specified commercialization dates. Whether a modular smartphone will actually hit the market remains to be seen.