The Mobile World Congress, commonly referred to as MWC, has commenced in Barcelona, Spain, featuring a wide range of intriguing announcements across various devices including phones, laptops, and tablets. Notably, Samsung, specifically its display division, showcased several concept models that provide insight into the future of folding displays. Meanwhile, Lenovo unveiled its concept for a Yoga Solar PC, which is powered by sunlight. Furthermore, TCL continues to promote its Nxtpaper handheld displays, and there have been glimpses of the highly anticipated Nothing Phone 3(a) and Phone (3a) Pro, characterized by their unique, transparent, and illuminated chassis. Additionally, new phone releases are expected from brands that no longer distribute devices in the U.S., prompting feelings of exclusion, while Qualcomm is highlighting the forthcoming faster 5G speeds.

Samsung Displays Its R&D Capabilities

Samsung is known for its flair for showcasing its research and development achievements, particularly in the context of innovative displays. According to CNET, one notable concept device resembles a Switch-like gaming console with a foldable display for more compact storage. Samsung also emphasized its commitment to delivering a seamless OLED experience across its ecosystem, aiming for consistency in color representation across all its screens. These advanced display panels boast an impressive brightness of 5,000 nits, potentially requiring the use of indoor sunglasses.

Samsung transported a plethora of concept devices to Spain for the conference, including those featuring folding displays and its Project Moohan Android XR headset. Although attendees were able to closely examine the external battery and switch packs, live demonstrations were not provided. The expected launch date for the XR headset is rumored to be April 2025.

Samsung’s Updated A-Series

Samsung’s budget-friendly smartphone line, the Galaxy A-series, has been updated during the conference’s opening weekend. The Galaxy A56, A36, and A26 are slated for a global launch, with the latter two models set to debut at the end of March. These phones feature 120Hz screens and incorporate Galaxy AI features referred to as “Awesome Intelligence,” which includes Google’s Circle to Search.

Lenovo’s Concept for a Sun-Powered Laptop

Lenovo is known for showcasing its innovative concept hardware, and at MWC, it presented a Yoga Solar PC concept that boasts an extended battery life, provided it is exposed to sunlight. As previously reported, this device was initially viewed behind closed doors before its debut at the conference.

TCL Expands Its Nxtpaper Product Line

TCL, a company recognized in the U.S. for its affordable smart TVs, also manufactures smartphones and tablets. The company has gained momentum with its Nxtpaper technology, offering a colorful e-Ink-like experience that is easier on the eyes compared to traditional OLED screens. At MWC, TCL announced a new tablet and three smartphones, including the successor to the TCL 50 XE. Only the TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper will be available in the U.S.-adjacent market, launching first in Canada with a price tag of approximately $230.

A Glimpse of Nothing’s Upcoming Release

Although Nothing has not made an official announcement, rumors surrounding the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro have been circulating. Despite sharing a name, the two phones have distinct designs, with the Phone (3a) featuring a Pixel-like camera bar and the Phone (3a) Pro resembling smartphones from OnePlus and Oppo. According to 9to5Google, both phones have a transparent design. Detailed specifications are expected to be released this week, as Nothing is utilizing the conference to unveil the phones.

Honor Seeks a Comeback

Honor, a subsidiary of Huawei, is not a brand commonly discussed in the U.S. due to its devices being banned, along with those of its parent company. However, Honor has been performing well in China, despite not having access to the Google Play Store on its devices.

At MWC 2025, Honor announced a new Android-compatible smartwatch, the Honor Watch 5 Ultra, and a highly affordable $250 tablet with a 10,100 mAh battery, promising multiple days of use on a single charge. Honor also revealed its intention to collaborate with Google and Qualcomm to develop an “intelligent ecosystem,” similar to Apple’s, but for Android devices. This ecosystem aims to support software updates for up to six years, similar to Google and Samsung’s current practices. Honor has also committed to integrating AI with its own set of algorithms for enhanced camera performance.

Qualcomm Unveils Its New 5G Chip

Qualcomm aims to demonstrate its continued relevance in the smartphone world, despite some partners, such as Apple, moving away from its chips and cellular modems. At MWC 2025, the company announced the X85 5G Modem-RF for Android devices. This new chip promises download speeds of up to 12.5 Gbps and upload speeds of up to 3.7 Gbps, surpassing the 10 Gbps limit of its predecessor.