We’re on day 2 of Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, and the news cycle is still churning. Within the very first day at the Barcelona trade convention, we saw ultra-slim phonesdistinct laptop computer kind elements, and surprise looks from Samsung and Nothing.
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As is typically the case with multi-day occasions, we’ll likely see and hear more about what’s brand-new in the mobile area. To keep you upgraded, here’s our roundup of the very best items the ZDNET group has actually seen at MWC. Stay tuned as we revitalize this list, bulleted in no specific order, throughout the week.
1. Samsung made a Nintendo Switch that folds
Samsung Display, the Korean giant’s production arm, frequently shows principles at trade convention like CES and MWC. This year, in addition to numerous tri-fold screens and rollable display screens, the business flaunted what seemed a video gaming portable that can fold in half. If the idea’s pocketability wasn’t whimsy enough, Samsung Display plainly hopes that its color options offset it.
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We weren’t enabled to hold the principle gadget, however a representative did reveal us the folding system in actionBy clicking the left and ideal joysticks into the holes on each opposite end, the center of the screen bent, and the 2 ends snapped together. You’ll need to think me when I state viewing it fold together was really pleasing.
2. Absolutely nothing Phone 3a goes Pro– however is still economical
The Nothing Phone 3a series consists of the 3a (left) and 3a Pro (right).
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
It’s formally mid-range phone season, with Apple releasing the iPhone 16eSamsung reacting with the Galaxy A-seriesGoogle anticipated to reveal the Pixel 9a quickly, and Nothing pulling the drapes off its 3a series at MWC.
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While both the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro have almost similar measurements– consisting of the exact same 6.77-inch screen size, 5,000 mAh battery capability, and Qualcomm Snapdragon sevens Gen 3 processor– it’s the video cameras that make these phones shine, particularly on the Pro. The higher-end design, which costs $70 more at $459, includes a brand-new 50-megapixel periscope lens that must yield much better far-distance and low-light shots.
3. Xiaomi’s 200-megapixel cam can change a DSLR
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra was among the best cam phones we checked in 2015, so expectations were high entering into Barcelona. In some way, Xiaomi handled to launch a follow up that’s a lot more capable, with a brand-new 200-megapixel periscope sensing unit that stands out at recording picture images, far-off topics, and maintaining information in low-light environments. The brand-new video camera variety is likewise treated with a more resilient and glare-reducing lens cover.
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The remainder of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a flagship Android through and through, from the 6.7-inch AMOLED display screen that peaks at 3,200 nits of brightness to the 90W wired and 80W cordless charging rates. HyperOS, Xiaomi’s take on the Android os, has actually likewise been enhanced, with smoother animations and a series of AI functions, consisting of Gemini on tap.
4. Lenovo’s intense concept for principle laptop computers
Lenovo isn’t shy about idea gadgets, particularly when a crowd of tech lovers is anticipated. At this year’s MWC, the computer system maker released a series of in-development items, consisting of a solar-powered Yoga laptop computer and a ThinkBook with an extended, flip-out display screenThey’re both enthusiastic, potentially unneeded, and a great deal of enjoyable to check out, as ZDNET’s Kyle Kucharski and I found when demoing the gadgets ahead of the program.
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The essential takeaways? The solar-powered Yoga laptop computer primarily leverages its passive charging ability to extend battery life and not always to totally charge. The ThinkBook, called ‘Codename Flip,’ can be oriented in 5 various methods, consisting of a discussion mode, a tall-display mode, and even tablet mode. You’ll simply have to settle for its unsteady, shiny screen.
5. A MagSafe-like cam lens device
Xiaomi displayed its brand-new Modular Optical System on the Xiaomi 15 mobile phone, and as a video camera enthusiast, I was interested. The phone had a metal ring on the smart device to which you might connect a customized video camera module and zoom lens, and it linked to the gadget through what Xiaomi calls “laser link innovation.”
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Without any wires or connective ports, it merely snaps onto the phone to allow a modular setup. The system utilizes a Micro Four Thirds sensing unit or 4/3 image sensing unit utilized in mirrorless video cameras with a 35mm comparable focal length. It permits the user to switch out various electronic camera modules rapidly and quickly without fretting about Bluetooth pairing or Wi-Fi.
6. The slimmest phone on the program flooring
Tecno’s latest phone made an impression for its ultrathin body– we’re talking thinner than the upcoming Galaxy S25 Edgewhile loading a lot more effective battery. The Tecno Spark Slim is just 5.75 mm thick, however it has a 5,200 mAh battery, removing the normal doubts for ultrathin phones: that their batteries are too little.
: I saw Samsung’s thinnest Galaxy phone ever at MWC– and it made my gadgets feel out-of-date
The Spark Slim likewise has a 13MP front-facing video camera, 2 50MP rear cams, and a 6.78-inch AMOLED display screen with streamlined curved edges and a 144Hz revitalize rate. With the upcoming launch of the reported iPhone 17 Air, the market for ultrathin mobile phones is about to warm up.
7. An ultraportable Android tablet that looks excellent
The Honor Pad V9 is the current tablet from the business to go worldwide, and it loads a great deal of energy for the rate, as ZDNET’s Maria Diaz examined. At around $500 (after conversions), the Pad V9 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Elite chip that deals with most work and video gaming applications you toss at it. The gadget is likewise fitted with a generous 10,100 mAh battery that, from our screening, lasts longer than current iPad designs
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The Pad V9’s unrecognized hero is its series of eye-protection functions, states Diaz, consisting of one that utilizes AI to defocus parts of the screen that you’re not gazing at to lower eye pressure. This focused rendering innovation advises us of XR/VR headsets that count on eye-tracking.
8. The very first cordless earbuds to operate on Wi-Fi
The brand-new Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro are the current earbuds to include Qualcomm’s S7 Pro chip — which’s a huge offer. The boosted silicon enables the earbuds to stream audio by means of Wi-Fi pairing rather of standard Bluetooth, leading to 96kHz or 24-bit lossless audio playback– as long as you’re within the network series of your linked router.
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In theory, Wi-Fi-connected earbuds need to have the ability to stream audio without much hiccuping or stuttering, even if your phone or linked gadget is a couple of spaces (or floorings) away. The most excellent part is that Xiaomi declares the Buds 5 Pro aren’t taking in anymore power when combined by means of Wi-Fi than if they were paired through Bluetooth.
9. Samsung flaunts a real ‘budget plan’ phone
Samsung began MWC weekend by revealing not one, not 2, however 3 brand-new Galaxy A-series phonesall of which are priced listed below $500. While not all iPhone users will transform to a Galaxy phone as promptly as Samsung would hope, it’s not a coincidence that the business is revealing its mid-range offerings on the exact same week that Apple is pitching its brand-new $599 iPhone 16e to the masses.
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The Galaxy A56, A36, and A26 5G phones cost $499, $399, and $299, respectively, with the tier list figured out by screen quality, electronic camera hardware, processor, and product options. While the best-value phone of the 3 stays to be identified, it’s safe to state that Samsung has one of the most rate points covered entering into the remainder of the year.
When is MWC 2025?
MWC 2025 will happen from March 3 to March 6, however producers usually make statements ahead of the program, leveraging open places throughout Barcelona to highlight their items. While the trade convention was constructed around members of journalism, experts, service partners, and brand names, anybody can access the program flooring by buying a ticketwhich costs about $1,028.
