TECNO Slim is beyond its form factor
When I first spotted the TECNO Slim at MWC 2025 in Barcelona, I figured it was one of those future-forward concept phones that wouldn’t reach stores until the following year, or maybe not at all. To my surprise, just several months later, TECNO Slim is finally here in the Philippines. The real kicker is the price: you can actually buy this phone for only PhP7,599. That number almost doesn’t make sense for a device with this much ambition and personality. It honestly feels like TECNO pulled off a magic trick.
At just 5.93 millimeters thin and weighing about 155 grams, it doesn’t just look slim because it really is. Stack it up beside things like a few coins or an ID card case and you’ll realize just how little space it takes. It’s lightweight, easy to carry in tight jeans, and doesn’t feel like a burden after hours of use.
Build quality is impressive for something this thin. TECNO equipped this device with an aerospace-grade fiberglass back for durability, plus Corning Gorilla Glass 7i to protect the curved display. The phone’s vibe is undeniably premium, especially with how the curved design sits in your hand. With the Tecno (Spark) Slim, you get US military-grade shock and drop resistance. That’s a comfort most thin phones simply don’t offer. On top of that, the phone is rated IP64 for splash resistance, so accidental spills are no big deal.
Hardware and Performance
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. Most slim phones can barely handle a busy day because they usually have poor performance, get too hot too quickly, and run out of juice before dinner. Not the TECNO Slim. This phone proves that being thin doesn’t mean compromising the essentials.
Performance-wise, this device covers more ground than expected. Powered by a MediaTek Helio G200 chip and 16GB RAM (with up to 8GB virtual RAM extension), the Slim can handle nearly everything you throw at it. You’re not getting high-end flagship performance, but for the price, it genuinely exceeds expectations. In my everyday gaming tests, I was able to run Genshin Impact at 30fps on low settings—fully playable and much better than I thought a super slim phone could manage. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang was smooth at 60fps. For most other titles, you can expect playable frame rates at low to medium settings.
Mood Light
Now, the Mood Light feature deserves its own mention. It’s not just for show or some basic notification light. The rear module lights up in real-time based on what you’re doing—calls, charging, even voice assistant triggers. It brings personality to the TECNO Slim and is genuinely helpful for keeping track of interactions at a glance. At first, this seemed like a gimmick. After a few days of use, I ended up appreciating the extra touch of convenience and style it provides.
Benchmarks
If you need numbers, here’s something even more surprising. In Antutu benchmarks, the TECNO Slim outperformed pricier models like the TECNO Pova6 Pro 5G, OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite, and OPPO Reno12 5G. These are all more expensive than the Slim and yet, TECNO’s ultra-thin offering managed to pull ahead in pure performance numbers. That’s a statement in itself and completely unexpected from a device whose main selling point is its size. Now, if you want benchmark comparison compared to similarly priced units, check out below:
Before we go further, I need to clarify that there are two variants: Pova Slim and Spark Slim. The model I reviewed, and the only Slim variant you’ll find in the Philippines, is the TECNO Spark Slim. If you’re watching or reading from outside PH, just know that the Spark Slim is your point of reference for the local market.
Software
Software is another area where TECNO didn’t take shortcuts. The Slim runs HIOS 15 built on Android 15, giving you access to features like Circle to Search, which lets you quickly google anything on your screen. AI Writing helps with emails and captions, while features like dual-system mode make it easy to separate work and personal life, locked down with your fingerprint or password. Even privacy is easier to manage, with screenshot blur for hiding sensitive info before you send.
Camera
Now, let’s talk about the camera. Usually, cameras are where thin phones finish last. Not here. The 50 megapixel main camera actually takes good photos, better than what you’d associate with most entry-level or even midrange thin smartphones.
Portrait mode is particularly impressive, producing images with separated backgrounds and lively skin tones. For selfies, you have a 13-megapixel front camera with smart enhancements, ensuring your shots are social-media ready straight out of the gallery. The camera app even comes with an AI eraser feature, letting you clean up pesky photo bombers or background distractions with a single tap.
Battery Life
Battery life is probably where the Slim shocked me most. My medium usage—lots of browsing, some gaming, plenty of social media, messaging, and a bit of video—clocked in at 15 hours and 33 minutes on a single charge. For context, that’s all-day power from a phone barely thicker than a handful of coins. This level of battery optimization isn’t normal in the slim segment. And when you eventually need to charge, the device supports 45W fast charging. Forget waiting hours for a battery top-up—a full charge is quick and painless.
The phone uses a honeycomb space stacking structure inside, optimizing how the big 5160mAh battery, speaker, and board fit together. This tight engineering means you don’t lose durability or key features for the sake of thinness. You even get a customized speaker and a more compact USB-C port squeezed into the frame.
Audio
On the audio side, the dual stereo speakers tuned by Dolby Atmos perform really well. Sound is loud, clear, and what I’d call “above expectations” for something so slim. Watching videos, streaming music, or having a speakerphone call all sound good enough that you won’t be reaching for a Bluetooth speaker every time. Sure, you have to say goodbye to the 3.5mm headphone jack, but with the ultra-slim profile, compromises like this are expected and understandable.
Connectivity
The TECNO Slim Spark Slim prioritizes solid connectivity features, even though it doesn’t have 5G support. You get reliable 4G LTE for calls, data, and streaming. The dual Nano SIM slot means you can use two numbers at once.
Wireless options are current, with Bluetooth 5.4 for fast pairing and stable connection, plus WiFi 4/5/6 support covering the latest routers and faster internet at home or on the go. NFC is built in, which means you can tap to pay with GCash and use instant share features for file transfer, similar to AirDrop.
TECNO’s FreeLink technology allows for direct device-to-device communication even in areas with weak or no network signal. You can transfer files, send voice notes, and share images via Bluetooth with a range of up to one kilometer. Wild.
The phone also comes with an IR blaster, letting you control up to 15 kinds of home appliances right from the device. This makes the Spark Slim extra useful at home, turning your phone into a universal remote.
As mentioned earlier, while it skips the 3.5mm headphone jack to stay ultra-slim, TECNO Slim is still loaded with all the essential connectivity features you need. Whether you’re transferring files, making payments, pairing accessories, or managing smart devices at home, you won’t feel limited by its slim profile.
Verdict
It’s easy to focus on the form factor; everyone will, and that’s valid. But my impression after living with the TECNO Slim is that this thing is far more than a design piece. It actually works better than some so-called “midrange” or even “budget flagship” phones that cost twice or even three times as much. That wild PhP7,599 price only highlights how much value you’re getting. You’re not just buying a slim phone. You’re getting good battery life, solid cameras, reliable performance, and features you don’t see combined at this price point.
If you’re thinking of picking one up, remember: slim phones used to be about compromise. With the TECNO Slim, the real surprise is that you’re getting an everyday-ready device that doesn’t cut corners. For those who live in the Philippines, the Spark Slim is the model to get. It breaks expectations and makes a strong case for innovation on a real-world budget. It’s the very definition of “wild price, wild value.”
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
