At the 5th Tecno Future Lens event, Tecno unveiled two groundbreaking imaging technologies: the Freeform Continuum Telephoto and the Dual-Mirror Reflect Telephoto modules.
The Freeform Continuum Telephoto is a periscope camera offering smooth, continuous zoom from 1x to 9x. This design eliminates the need for a separate telephoto camera by serving as the main camera at 1x and providing extended zoom capabilities beyond traditional fixed-focal-length telephoto lenses.
This approach avoids the common issues seen when phones switch between multiple cameras, such as abrupt zoom jumps or inconsistent color rendering, ensuring smoother zoom transitions and higher-quality images at intermediate zoom levels compared to digital zoom.
In addition, Tecno introduced the Dual-Mirror Reflect Telephoto, a compact telephoto module that is 50% smaller than traditional lens-based designs. Utilizing two mirrors to focus light, this innovative module creates distinctive donut-shaped bokeh effects, known as iris blur, which some photographers appreciate for its unique character.
This design is reminiscent of mirror lenses commonly used in DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, offering extensive focal length in a compact, lightweight form. It functions essentially as a small catadioptric telescope.
A potential drawback of the Dual-Mirror Reflect Telephoto is a one-stop light loss. Tecno plans to include this technology in smartphones as early as next year, pending focus group approval.
The Freeform Continuum Telephoto, being a more complex design, remains under development and is expected to be commercialized in at least a year. Tecno has partnered with Samsung and Largan for manufacturing these lenses.
Additionally, Tecno is advancing its Tecno Image Matrix (TIM), a comprehensive imaging technology stack composed of four layers with unique components. This system moves beyond simple light capture to intelligent scene understanding, analyzing composition, subjects, and emotional tone to produce both technically precise and emotionally engaging images.
“We’re transitioning from simply capturing light to intelligently understanding scenes. Our systems now analyze composition intent, subject characteristics, and even emotional tone to deliver images that are both technically precise and emotionally resonant. This represents the next frontier where computational photography meets creative empowerment,” said Xiaohan Huang, Director of Tecno’s Image R&D Center.
Below are videos providing in-depth looks at the Freeform Continuum Telephoto and Dual-Mirror Reflect Telephoto technologies.
