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NY Product Design AwardsEnter Award

Digital, Electronic Devices & Accessories

TECNO Modular Phone

Entrant: TECNO

2026 · Season 2

Product Designer of the Year

CategoryDigital, Electronic Devices & Accessories
Class / SubcategoryMobile Phones & Tablets
Mobile Phones
Country / RegionChina

The project

Project description.

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In today’s increasingly homogenized mobile market, TECNO Modular Phone redefines human-device interaction through a novel “subtractive philosophy.” It is not just a smartphone, but an open personal mobile platform built upon a 4.9mm ultra-thin base, expandable via a magnetic array. This design precisely addresses the complex needs of modern creators and professionals. Although they frequently switch between professional photography, mobile productivity, and gaming in their daily lives, they are reluctant to carry the heavy, bulky forms typical of traditional all-in-one flagship phones during long commutes.

TECNO transforms components traditionally hardwired into devices—such as professional telephoto lenses, recording equipment, gamepads, or battery modules—into on-demand external modules. This allows the device to dynamically adapt and expand as tasks change. Utilizing a hybrid magnetic and pogo-pin architecture, the modules deliver a seamless plug-and-play experience. Upon connection, the system instantly identifies the components and dynamically switches between Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mmWave at the millisecond level to ensure low-latency, seamless operation.

This design reshapes the user experience and promotes a highly sustainable industry perspective on the lifecycle of consumer electronics. Powered by a standardized interconnection architecture, manufacturers only need to focus on targeted performance upgrades and design evolutions for specific modules. This lowers the cost of individual hardware upgrades, preserves the integrity of the base device, and extends the lifespan of the core platform through continuous technological and aesthetic innovation.

Project credits.

Tong Li

Jieren Sun

Jianting Lin

Shengming Li

Haitao Wang

Hong Li

Xiangyang Wei

Yuanfang Wu

Xiaoyong Rui

Yuejin Zhang

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