3 reasons why I’m excited for Mobile World Congress 2024 (even if I shouldn’t be)

Cell World Congress, extra generally often known as MWC, is only a week away, and this yr’s Barcelona commerce present for all-things cellular know-how is poised to be one of many busiest ones but. 

With the convergence of AI and private computing gadgets, together with smartphones, headsets, and wearables, there can be loads of new and thrilling merchandise to dive into, even when the listing contains ideas that provide promise greater than real-world practicality, and devices which may by no means cross the Atlantic and enter the US market. What occurred to 5G? What’s 6G? We’ll have solutions to these questions, too.

Additionally: 5 top mobile trends in 2024: On-device AI, the ‘new’ smartphone, and more

As a precursor to MWC 2024, I’ve rounded up three huge causes to get enthusiastic about this yr’s cellular extravaganza, even should you’re not based mostly in Europe and/or do not think about your self a devotee to the bleeding edge.

1. Do not sleep on the ideas

Two issues are sure for each MWC: idea telephones and tapas. Whereas it is onerous to beat a plate of pan con tomate, I’ve a sense I will be extra drawn to the futuristic, mind-bending handsets that can be demoed on the present flooring this yr. Final February, Motorola unveiled its rollable telephone idea, which I nonetheless imagine ought to’ve been named “Moto-rolla”, whereas OnePlus showcased its glowing, icy-blue OnePlus 11 Concept. Each gadgets demonstrated the potential of our most private computing gadgets when producers push the envelope, even when the concepts take years to fully materialize.

Additionally: A smartphone without apps? This AI assistant aims to replace them all

This yr, we’ll see extra of that innovation:

• Whereas Motorola hasn’t confirmed something, the corporate’s Adaptive Display Concept (depicted above) may make one other public look since being unveiled at Lenovo Tech World again in October. I am excited to see if there really is a future the place our smartphones can substitute our smartwatches and wrist gadgets. 
• Deutsche Telekom, T-Cell’s majority stakeholder, additionally has plans to display an “AI phone” that replaces apps with generative AI assistants.
• Simply as weird, telephone maker Tecno can be demoing the Phantom Final subsequent week, its first rollable display screen idea that incorporates a “double-sided display screen that extends from 6.55 inches to 7.11 inches.” Are rollables the brand new foldables?
• Or are clear shows the brand new, greatest development? Latest rumors by Windows Report trace at a clear laptop computer unveiling from Lenovo at MWC. If true, this would not be the primary machine to characteristic a see-through show this yr — CES was filled with those — however it could be a primary for laptops.

2. Rising competitors within the East

Idea telephones apart, a number of cellular releases will truly hit the worldwide market following MWC, together with Xiaomi’s 14 Extremely, the corporate’s top-of-the-line handset with a rumored triple 50-megapixel digicam setup, a titanium construct, and the most recent Qualcomm processor. Xiaomi discovered itself in third place when it got here to international smartphone market share in This fall 2023, behind Apple and Samsung, as reported by Canalys. This is to hoping it could carry that momentum with its flagship launch of the yr, and presumably give the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra a run for his or her cash.

Honor, the previous sub-brand of Huawei, will even be launching a telephone in Barcelona on February 25. Whereas it will not be as flashy because the Magic V2 foldable that the corporate unveiled final month, the Magic 6 Professional carries a 180MP periscope digicam that ought to be able to capturing among the most detailed and vivid portrait images seen on a smartphone.

Additionally: The best phones to buy in 2024

Maybe essentially the most related MWC telephone launch to US readers would be the Nothing Cellphone 2a, a extra inexpensive choice to the model’s light-pulsing flagship from final yr. Whereas the official worth and specs have but to be revealed, Nothing has introduced that the Cellphone 2a will run on a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Professional chip, a processor that ought to yield above-average efficiency at an accessible worth level. If Nothing performs its playing cards proper, this would be the finances telephone to beat in 2024.

3. Wearables will steal the present

It is my daring prediction for MWC; if the standard of recent wearables over the previous few months is any indication, many of the buzz this yr may not revolve round smartphones however the devices that encompass them. 

Additionally: What we know about Samsung’s Galaxy Ring: Features, price, availability, more

From XR glasses and VR headsets to health trackers and sensible rings, corporations, small and huge, are doubling down on new methods to maintain us related, entertained, and all the time conscious of our well being.

Driving the momentum of Unpacked, there’s an opportunity that Samsung will converse extra in regards to the characteristic set and capabilities of its first-ever Galaxy Ring, although the official launch seemingly will not occur till July or August. Xreal and HTC will even have a presence on the present, each of which can be demoing their newest improvements in spatial computing. And the OnePlus Watch 2 could spherical out one of the best of wearable information, with a “100-hour battery life” and key enhancements which may simply be sufficient to resurrect a as soon as denounced smartwatch mannequin.