TECNO’s SPARK Slim Proves Why the Smartphone Industry Is Copying the Wrong Things

TECNO has unveiled the SPARK Slim, ‘the world’s thinnest curved screen smartphone’, it is clearly reaching for the same design prestige championed by the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and the iPhone Air. At only 5.93mm thick, it is an impressive engineering achievement. Yet, it also raises an uncomfortable truth: Smartphone manufacturers are copying the wrong things from the global giants.

The Wrong Kind of Inspiration

Sales and leaks show Samsung and Apple are both learning the hard way that chasing ultra-thin designs often means sacrificing practicality. Over the past few months, both companies have quietly shifted focus away from thinness and toward features that truly matter, such as battery endurance, cooling efficiency, and camera performance after a dismal performance in sales

By contrast, newer flagship models like the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra are thicker and heavier, but far more capable. They deliver stronger performance, improved thermal systems, and significantly longer battery life because consumers demanded functionality over form.

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TECNO’s SPARK Slim seems to ignore that lesson.

A Beautiful Device That Risks Being Outdated Before It Starts

The SPARK Slim’s design is undeniably sleek, combining an aerospace-grade fiberglass back cover with an ultra-light 156 gram body and a playful Mood Light design on the back. It is beautiful and futuristic. However, beauty alone does not drive the rapidly growing smartphone market.

TECNO’s decision to lead with slimness as the selling point feels like a step backward in a market that is rapidly maturing. Consumers are not looking for stylish phones. They want durability, performance, and value that lasts.

Copying Is Not the Problem. Copying the Wrong Things Is

There is nothing wrong with borrowing ideas from industry leaders. In fact, copying innovation has always fueled progress. The problem is what gets copied. Instead of replicating Apple and Samsung’s past mistakes, TECNO could emulate what they do best today: software optimization, ecosystem integration, long-term software updates, and genuine innovation in areas such as AI and sustainability.

I have stated many a times that smartphones have peaked, consumers need a lot more to be convinced to purchase devices, and not these recycled design philosophies. The TECNO SPARK Slim shows that the company has the capability to compete with global brands, but now it needs to focus on substance over style.

The future of smartphones will not be decided by who makes the thinnest phone but by who makes the smartest one.