TECNO really wants to make phones less boring

TECNO had quite the showing at MWC 2025. The company launched its new Camon 40 series with a ton of new AI features, unveiled new AI glasses set to take on the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, and even has a new lightweight Snapdragon-powered PC. However, the company also has a number of concepts to show off that make our current phones look outright boring by comparison.

Of course, the most interesting concepts we saw from TECNO are devices like the multi-fold Phantom Ultimate 2 and the ultra-thin Spark Slim. These aren’t what I’m referring to, although they do give us a good idea of where TECNO wants to go. It’s the other concepts that got me excited about what our phones could look and feel like in the near future.

Alternative materials

A concept TECNO phone with a coconut coir back

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

On display were several dummy models made using various materials, with the idea being to use sustainable or renewable options for phone designs. Among them was a model with a back made using coconut core. This is the outer shell of a coconut that is usually used to make various products like floor mats, mattresses, and other things. It won’t smell like coconut, but it’s a firm alternative to glass that looks very clean and feels great in hand.

On the opposite end, TECNO had a model made with used coffee grounds. This actually makes sense because Transsion, TECNO’s parent company, has a coffee business in China, and what better way to bring the two together?

A concept TECNO phone with a back made of coffee grounds

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Design-wise, it’s perhaps not as attractive as the coconut coir, but it does look quite unique and could appeal to anyone who likes the more raw look. Furthermore, it actually smells quite good, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t like coffee. Imagine how nice it would be to get a bit of a pick-me-up from a quick whiff of your phone!

A concept TECNO phone with glass fiber

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

In addition, TECNO had a phone made with an industry-first multi-colored glass fiber. For this, TECNO used a Jacquard weaving technique, with the end result being a phone that looks like it’s studded out in diamonds. In fact, the company used what looks like a jewel in place of the red indicator light next to the cameras and the “o” in “Camon.” It’s a rather stunning design that can make any phone look premium.

Switching things up

Concept TECNO phones with different colors activated with a UV light

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

TECNO’s concepts aren’t only about using alternative materials. The company also wants to give us the freedom to change the look of our phones. These proofs-of-concept were probably my favorite of the bunch, as they added a bit of a dynamic nature to the designs.

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