Tecno, part of China's Transsion Holdings, has a large presence in emerging markets in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America, and holds around 4% of the global smartphone market.
The brand offers a wide range of products, from budget-friendly phones to the premium Phantom series and a new foldable phone, the Phantom V Fold.
In an interview with Fanyi Zhou, Tecno's Director of Image Quality Testing, the brand's Universal Tone technology was discussed, which aims to cater for diverse skin tones in emerging markets.
Universal Tone technology was created to accurately represent the colour and texture of every skin tone in smartphone photography. This arose because of a common complaint among users about the inability of existing technologies to accurately capture their diverse skin tones.
Universal Tone's approach incorporates a comprehensive skin tone database, AI-driven algorithms and regional insights, and is targeted at meeting local needs and overcoming biases in the technology industry.
Tecno has partnered with academic institutions like the University of Leeds and NTU Singapore for the development of Universal Tone technology.
Tecno's Universal Tone technology has the potential to significantly influence the broader smartphone industry by promoting social change, driving innovation and setting new standards for inclusivity.
Tecno's commitment to technological advancements while keeping affordability in mind, combined with their 'glocalization' approach, has allowed them to cater to the unique needs of global consumers.
The Universal Tone technology sets a new benchmark for skin tone representation in mobile photography, challenging traditional imaging biases and offering a more accurate, culturally sensitive portrayal of skin tones.
Tecno's products, innovations and dedication to inclusivity make it a brand that understands and addresses the unique needs of emerging markets globally.