On Friday, October 4, 2024, TECNO launched its TECNO AI & Ecosystem at a grand event in Lagos, Nigeria. The company introduced its new AI vision, aimed at integrating “practical AI” into smartphones globally.
TECNO showcased upcoming features that will allow users to summarize, translate, and create content, along with teasing its soon-to-be-released foldable phones—the Phantom V Fold 2 and Phantom V Flip 2, which are expected to offer more affordable alternatives to foldables like Samsung’s Galaxy Z series.
TECNO is no stranger to AI, having previously launched its AI assistant, Ella, which is powered by ChatGPT and available on devices like the Camon 30 Premier 5G. With this new AI vision, Ella has been enhanced with Gemini, enabling new capabilities such as AI search, real-time data analysis, and problem-solving. “After integrating Gemini, Ella can now provide the best responses, conduct AI searches, and offer real-time solutions.
Beyond conversational AI, Ella has expanded functionality with over 600 system controls, including toggling Bluetooth, enabling power-saving mode, and more. A key advantage of Ella, is its support for local languages, aligning with TECNO’s mission to bridge the technology gap between developed and developing countries.
There is a clear technology gap, especially with AI being highly advanced in places like the U.S., while consumers in emerging markets are still behind. TECNO focuses on accessibility, particularly through language, ensuring that its AI supports various dialects and accents across regions like Nigeria, Kenya, and India.
TECNO’s AI vision emphasizes both efficiency and creativity. The company revealed features like real-time translation for calls and texts, AI-powered text summarization and generation, and AI Search, which provides context-based results. On the creative side, TECNO introduced tools like Smart Eraser for image editing and AI Artboard, which generates images from text.
This commitment to accessible AI ties into TECNO’s hardware strategy, offering feature-rich devices at competitive prices, including foldable phones like the Phantom V Flip, which are significantly less expensive than competitors. According to Bai, TECNO aims to design products that cater to local market needs, avoiding unnecessary high-end specs. The original Phantom V Fold, for example, boasts a 7.85-inch folding OLED display, a 50MP triple camera system, and is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus, while the V Flip features a circular cover screen, a 4,000mAh battery with 45W charging, and a MediaTek Dimensity 8050.
Looking ahead, TECNO’s foldable devices will incorporate the new AI features. The Phantom V Fold 2 will emphasize productivity with a larger screen, while the Phantom V Flip 2 targets fashion-forward consumers.
TECNO also unveil other devices like Dynamic 1 (which is a robot) and other devices.
SEE PHOTOS OF THE EVENTS BELOW