Tecno unveils Freeform Continuum Telephoto and Dual-Mirror Reflect Telephoto lens for smartphones

Tecno has unveiled its new Freeform Continuum Telephoto and Dual-Mirror Reflect Telephoto lens assemblies for smartphones.

Tecno used its 5th annual Future Lens event to showcase two major mobile camera innovations: Freeform Continuum Telephoto and Dual-Mirror Reflect Telephoto. The company says both technologies aim to push smartphone zoom capabilities far beyond today’s fixed-focal-length telephoto systems.

The Freeform Continuum Telephoto module is designed as a single periscope camera that delivers smooth, continuous optical zoom from 1x to 9x. Because it serves as both the main camera and the telephoto lens, it eliminates the typical jump and color shift that occur when phones switch between multiple rear cameras. Tecno claims this approach also delivers higher image quality at mid-range zoom levels than traditional digital zoom.

Tecno also unveiled the Dual-Mirror Reflect Telephoto, a compact module that is 50% smaller than standard lens-based telephoto designs. Instead of stacking lenses, it relies on two mirrors — similar to classic mirror lenses or miniature catadioptric telescopes. This system produces a distinctive donut-shaped “iris blur” bokeh effect, which some users may see as a creative advantage. The trade-off is a one-stop loss of light, though Tecno says the technology is production-ready and could appear in phones as early as next year.

The more advanced Freeform Continuum system is still under development and at least a year away from commercial release. Tecno has already secured Samsung and Largan as manufacturing partners, signaling that both technologies could soon make their way into future high-end smartphones.