If you’re interested in the upcoming wave of ultra-thin phones but don’t want to spend top-dollar for premium flagships, there’s already an interesting option to consider. Tecno’s new Pova Slim is absurdly thin, truly an all-day durable on a charge and runs about $200. It is the rare budget phone that nails the headline feature — thinness — without flubbing the fundamentals.
Tecno, a brand whose sales spread mostly across Africa, Asia and parts of Europe, fitted the Pova Slim around a 6mm chassis and yet, it managed to fit in a 5,160mAh battery. That’s larger than what many mid-range rivals have and even a bit more than some svelter flagships. The early availability had priced it at INR 19,999, so that’s much less than what many expected going into the $200-$230 range at launch.
A thinner profile with no battery trade-off
So how thin is 6mm in reality? Today’s flagships are typically between 7-8 mm thick, though, so this thing feels borderline bladelike in-hand. But Tecno didn’t stop short with a paltry 4,000mAh cell. The Pova Slim carries one with a 5,160mAh capacity, giving it a capacity equal to or better than most mainstream phones and another way to avoid the ultra-thin trap: regular top-ups.
On a daily basis, that capacity, combined with a frugal 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 6400, results in a reliable full day for even the most power-hungry users and a full day and a half for lighter usage, which includes messaging, social apps, maps, and streaming. MediaTek’s 6nm process is heavy on the power efficiency and it shows, with similarly competitive screen-on time for the class and relatively low standby drain.
Daily usage hits up the essentials
The Dimensity 6400 is a good choice at this price: fast enough for everyday apps, backed up by 8GB of RAM for easy multitasking and 128GB or 256GB of storage to ward off the “week three” storage crunch. You’re not going to buy this to play 3D games to the max, but it’s definitely powerful enough to handle the way most people actually use their phones.
Up front is a 6.78-inch display that works with the finest of the Pova Slim: a tall, immersive canvas you can still hold without feeling weighed down. The 13-megapixel selfie camera is perfectly OK for video calls and casual snaps, while the rear set-up focuses on a single 50-megapixel sensor. The design hints at a twin-module setup, but only one of them works; for notifications and flash, there’s an LED light strip that runs through the housings.
Design hints that may signal more expensive phones
The back visor is a clever touch — reminiscent of Google bar décor mixed with the playful lighting schemes Nothing made a trend of — and that provides instant visual identity. It also faintly reflects the whispers of Apple’s iPhone 17 Air featuring a narrow, visor-style shape. Highly collateralised sources from Apple-watchin’ crowd and supply chain scuttlebutt suggest they might be doing an even thinner “Air” model, perhaps getting down to around the 5mm thick mark, but that will carry an inflated price tag and be an eSIM-only offering in some regions.
So that’s what makes the Pova Slim interesting: it democratizes ultra-thin design for everyone before a wave of pricey ones comes along. We’ve been witnessing established players pursue the “thin-and-light without fear” playbook with devices like the Galaxy S25 Edge. Tecno’s entry suggests the concept can appeal to budget shoppers, not just luxury buyers.
The fine print: what you lose at $200
No surprises there: To reach this price, Tecno prioritizes look-and-battery over bleeding-edge extras. Anticipate one main camera, with no optical stabilization, probably mediocre low-light performance and no wireless charging. You may not get IP water resistance ratings or good stereo speakers in this price range.
Software support is another consideration. Brands in this tier usually pledge fewer Android version upgrades than their top-shelf rivals. Industry watchers have long observed that update policies differ wildly outside the premium segment, so your local commitment should be verified. The network support is region-specific too; as Tecno is aimed at markets outside the U.S., don’t expect 5G band coverage to be as good as on a Samsung device in the U.S.
Why this matters more than just price
Both Counterpoint Research and IDC have called out that it’s the budget and mid-tier models that are getting the shipments in emerging markets. If design leadership arrives at $200, it pushes the entire market along. The Pova Slim shows that “slim” need not mean “sacrificed battery,” and that’s something that will impact competitors in their respective price bands.
Bottom line
If it is ultra-thin hardware that’s attracting you to the next iPhone, stop and look here first. Tecno’s Pova Slim provides the stunning profile and the all-day stamina — without the premium tag. It’s not a spec monster, no, but as a $200 everyday phone that punches way above its weight in looks and longevity, it hits right where it matters.
