Tecno Unveils Neon and Color-Changing E Ink Phone Concepts at MWC 2026

Tecno showcased innovative phone designs at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona, including a concept phone illuminated with genuine neon lighting and another featuring a color-changing E Ink rear panel. These concepts demonstrate Tecno’s exploration of novel smartphone aesthetics and user customization options.

Pova Neon: A Glowing Concept

The Pova Neon stands out with its use of “ionized inert gas lighting technology,” essentially incorporating neon lighting into the rear of the phone. As reported by The Verge, this creates a distinct glowing effect, differentiating it from phones that simply use bright colors to mimic neon. Yanko Design describes the lighting as resembling a lightning bolt or screensaver.

AI EInk: Customizable Color-Changing Rear Panel

In contrast to the Pova Neon, the AI EInk concept utilizes color electronic ink on the rear panel, allowing users to change the phone’s color dynamically. Tecno highlights a particularly innovative feature: the ability to match the phone’s color to an outfit simply by taking a photo with the device’s camera.

Modular Designs and Gaming Focus

Alongside these color-focused concepts, Tecno also presented modular smartphone technology with magnetic snap-on modules, allowing users to add functionality like telephoto lenses or extra battery packs. Abit.ee notes a 4.9mm modular smartphone was also showcased. The company also unveiled the POVA Ecosystem, geared towards mobile gamers, featuring a full-metal unibody 5G phone (POVA Metal) and a slide-out controller (POVA Controller Slide) with wireless charging. A gaming earphone with dot-matrix lighting completes the ecosystem.

Future Outlook

While these designs are currently concepts, Tecno acknowledges that there’s no guarantee they will reach the market. Analysts suggest the color-changing E Ink technology is more likely to appear in a future Tecno phone than the neon-lit design, given the technical challenges associated with integrating and maintaining neon lighting in a mobile device.