Tecno Spark Slim represents what the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone 17 Air ought to be.

      Samsung revealed its much-anticipated slim phone at the Galaxy Unpacked event in January, and Apple is thought to be working on an iPhone 17 Air. However, Tecno has introduced a truly ready slim phone that does not sacrifice battery capacity. The Tecno Spark Slim embodies what I expect from a device with "Slim" in its name. It features a 5,000mAh+ battery, is less than 6mm thick, and offers multiple cameras.

      Tecno announced the launch of the "world’s thinnest smartphone" a few days before Mobile World Congress 2025. I had the opportunity to handle the working prototype, which is reportedly prepared for a "staggered launch." Here’s why I believe this phone represents what the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone 17 Air should aspire to be.

      A larger battery than the Galaxy S25 Ultra

      Prakhar Khanna / Digital Trends

      Rumors suggest that both Apple and Samsung might reduce the battery capacity of their slim models. For reference, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 5,000mAh battery, and the Galaxy S25 Edge is expected to have a smaller one.

      In contrast, the Tecno Spark Slim is equipped with a 5,200mAh battery, surpassing most mainstream flagship smartphones. It maintains a slimmer design than any other phone currently available. With this battery size, it is likely to provide all-day usage.

      Tecno Spark Slim versus iPhone 16 Pro

      Prakhar Khanna / Digital Trends

      The Tecno Spark Slim is 5.75mm thick. For comparison, the base model Galaxy S25 measures 7.2mm, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra is 8.25mm thick. The iPhone 16 measures 7.8mm, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is also 8.25mm. The Galaxy S25 Edge is expected to be around 6mm thick.

      Despite its slim profile, it accommodates the 5,200mAh battery without sacrificing fast charging capability. It offers the same 45W charging speed as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It’s impressive that they’ve integrated a large, fast-charging battery in a 5.75mm-thin device.

      Tecno Spark Slim provides everything one could desire from a thin phone

      Prakhar Khanna / Digital Trends

      During my hands-on experience, the Spark Slim felt like a device I would enjoy using. It features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with curved edges. Unlike the flat sides of the Galaxy S25 Edge, the curved design gives the Tecno phone a slimmer appearance than it truly is. The in-hand feel is exceptional—reminiscent of a 2015 phone but with a larger, sharper display.

      The screen was easily readable in bright indoor conditions, boasting a peak brightness of 4,500 nits for supported content. The Tecno Spark Slim also provided smooth scrolling, thanks to its 144Hz refresh rate. Additionally, it includes a 13MP front camera.

      Tecno has not disclosed the chipset details for this latest phone. All that is known is that it has an octa-core processor. I have some doubts regarding the heat management if a flagship processor is integrated into this design, but we will wait to see. For now, it is confirmed to support Google Gemini.

      Prakhar Khanna / Digital Trends

      The Tecno Spark Slim features a dual rear camera setup, with each camera having 50 megapixels to produce clear images. While I do not expect the camera quality to rival that of Samsung or Apple, a dual-camera setup is beneficial, especially considering the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature only a single rear camera.

      Although the Tecno Spark Slim appears to be a remarkable thin phone, it remains a concept for now. Although it is set for a staggered launch, a specific release date has yet to be announced. I am fully supportive of slim devices, provided they do not compromise on display quality and battery capacity.