We’re not even by means of day one at Cellular World Congress (MWC), however the information cycle is already churning. Scorching on the heels of Samsung and OnePlus’ latest smartphone launches, anticipate extra bulletins from trade leaders throughout this yr’s commerce present for all-things mobile.
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As at all times, world manufacturers, together with Xiaomi, Honor, and Huawei, are current — they usually’re occupying a big a part of the present flooring. Google and Samsung even have a presence, however the possibilities of any main bulletins are slim. And there is nearly at all times a showstopper that nobody sees coming.
We’re kicking issues off with a roundup of the perfect merchandise the ZDNET workforce has seen throughout MWC week up to now, together with a number of smartphone releases, Wi-Fi-powered wi-fi earbuds, and extra. Keep tuned as we replace this listing, which is bulleted in no specific order, all through the week.
1. Xiaomi’s 200-megapixel digital camera telephone
The Xiaomi 14 Extremely was among the best digital camera telephones we examined final yr, so expectations have been excessive going into Barcelona. Someway, Xiaomi managed to launch a sequel that is much more succesful, with a brand new 200-megapixel periscope sensor that excels at capturing portrait images, distant topics, and retaining particulars in low-lit environments. The brand new digital camera array can also be handled with a extra sturdy and glare-reducing lens cowl.
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The remainder of the Xiaomi 15 Extremely is a flagship Android by means of and thru, from the 6.7-inch AMOLED show that peaks at 3,200 nits of brightness to the 90W wired and 80W wi-fi charging charges. HyperOS, Xiaomi’s tackle the Android working system, has additionally been improved, with smoother animations and a collection of AI options, together with Gemini on faucet.
2. Lenovo’s shiny concept for idea laptops
Lenovo is not shy about idea units, particularly when a crowd of tech lovers is predicted. At this yr’s MWC, the pc maker launched a collection of in-development merchandise, together with a solar-powered Yoga laptop computer and a ThinkBook with an elongated, flip-out show. They’re each formidable, presumably pointless, and a complete lot of enjoyable to check out, as ZDNET’s Kyle Kucharski and I found when demoing the units forward of the present.
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The important thing takeaways? The solar-powered Yoga laptop computer primarily leverages its passive charging functionality to increase battery life and never essentially to totally recharge. The ThinkBook, dubbed ‘Codename Flip’, could be oriented in 5 alternative ways, together with a presentation mode, a tall-display mode, and even pill mode. However you will simply should accept its wobbly, shiny display screen.
3. A MagSafe-like digital camera lens accent
Xiaomi confirmed off its new Modular Optical System on the Xiaomi 15 smartphone, and as a digital camera buff, I used to be intrigued. The telephone had a steel ring on the smartphone to which you possibly can connect a customized digital camera module and zoom lens, and it related to the machine by means of what Xiaomi calls “laser hyperlink know-how.”
With no wires or connective ports, it merely snaps onto the telephone to allow a modular setup. The system makes use of a Micro 4 Thirds sensor or 4/3 picture sensor utilized in mirrorless cameras with a 35mm equal focal size. It permits the person to swap out totally different digital camera modules shortly and simply with out having to fret about Bluetooth pairing or Wi-Fi.
4. The slimmest telephone on the showfloor
Tecno’s latest telephone made an impression for its ultrathin physique — we’re speaking thinner than the upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge, whereas packing an much more highly effective battery. The Tecno Spark Slim is just 5.75mm thick, but it surely has a 5200mAh battery, eliminating the same old doubts for ultrathin telephones: that their batteries are too small.
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The Spark Slim additionally has a 13MP front-facing digital camera, two 50MP rear cameras, and a 6.78-inch AMOLED show with smooth curved edges and a 144Hz refresh charge. With the upcoming launch of the rumored iPhone 17 Air, the marketplace for ultrathin smartphones is about to warmth up, certainly.
5. An ultraportable Android pill places Samsung on discover
The Honor Pad V9 is the most recent pill from the corporate to go world, and it packs loads of utility for the worth, as ZDNET’s Maria Diaz reviewed. At round $500 (after conversions), the Pad V9 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Elite chip that handles most work and gaming purposes you throw at it. The machine can also be fitted with a beneficiant 10,100mAh battery that, from our testing, lasts longer than latest iPad fashions.
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The Pad V9’s unsung hero is its collection of eye-protection options, says Diaz, together with one which makes use of AI to defocus components of the display screen that you just’re not observing to scale back eye pressure. This targeted rendering know-how reminds us of XR/VR headsets that depend on eye-tracking.
6. The primary wi-fi earbuds to run on Wi-Fi
The brand new Xiaomi Buds 5 Professional are the most recent earbuds to characteristic Qualcomm’s S7 Professional chip — and that is a giant deal. The improved silicon permits the earbuds to stream audio through Wi-Fi pairing as an alternative of conventional Bluetooth, leading to 96kHz or 24-bit lossless audio playback — so long as you are inside the community vary of your related router.
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Theoretically, Wi-Fi-connected earbuds ought to have the ability to stream audio with out a lot hiccuping or stuttering, even when your telephone or related machine is just a few rooms (or flooring) away. Essentially the most spectacular half is that Xiaomi claims the Buds 5 Professional aren’t consuming any extra energy when paired through Wi-Fi than in the event that they have been paired through Bluetooth.
7. Samsung exhibits off a real ‘funds’ telephone
Samsung kicked off MWC weekend by saying not one, not two, however three new Galaxy A-series telephones, all of that are priced under $500. Whereas not all iPhone customers will convert to a Galaxy telephone as swiftly as Samsung would hope, it is not a coincidence that the corporate is unveiling its mid-range choices on the identical week that Apple is pitching its new $599 iPhone 16e to the plenty.
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The Galaxy A56, A36, and A26 5G telephones promote for $499, $399, and $299, respectively, with the tier listing decided by show high quality, digital camera {hardware}, processor, and materials decisions. Whereas the best-value telephone of the three stays to be decided, it is secure to say that Samsung has probably the most worth factors coated going into the remainder of the yr.
When is MWC 2025?
MWC 2025 will happen from March 3 to March 6, however producers usually make bulletins forward of the present, leveraging open venues throughout Barcelona to highlight their merchandise. Whereas the commerce present was constructed round members of the press, analysts, enterprise companions, and types, anybody can entry the present flooring by buying a ticket, which prices about $1,028.
