The Mobile World Congress is currently taking place in Barcelona, providing manufacturers with an opportunity to showcase their latest products without the need for separate launch events. So far, several notable announcements have been made, including new laptops, smartphones, AI updates for Android, and an internet connectivity initiative from Meta.

For a comprehensive overview of all the key announcements from the Mobile World Congress, you can visit this page. We will be updating this article throughout the week as more news emerges.

Lenovo

Lenovo has been one of the most active manufacturers at MWC, unveiling a range of new laptops, including upgraded ThinkPads and several concept models. The ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 features a design more akin to the Yoga lineup, with a 14-inch machine that can be equipped with a 400-nit WUXGA touch display.

Other ThinkPads are receiving spec upgrades, with the new ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 boasting “one of the lightest ThinkPad designs ever.” Additionally, Lenovo has introduced a new range of laptops with generative AI capabilities.

Lenovo has also showcased some intriguing concept models, including the Yoga Solar PC Concept, which features solar cells on its casing, allowing it to charge in just 20 minutes of sunlight. Although Lenovo does not currently plan to release this concept as a commercial device, it is an interesting idea that may see development in the future.

Furthermore, Lenovo has demonstrated some conceptual display accessories for a ThinkBook laptop, including an eight-inch screen that attaches magnetically to the side and a 13.3-inch panel that can be added to either side of the main display.

Lenovo has also showcased a new prototype laptop with a flexible display, building on the technology used in the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable. The ThinkBook codename Flip AI PC Proof of concept features a fold-out screen, allowing the panel to double in size from 13 inches to 18.1 inches.

Samsung

The main news from Samsung at MWC is the launch of its latest midrange and budget phones, including the Galaxy A56. The device features a larger 6.7-inch screen, but is thinner at 7.44mm, and has a redesigned camera array with a lower-res 12MP front lens and an upgraded 12MP ultrawide, 50MP main sensor, and 5MP macro lens.

The Galaxy A56 also features AI-powered camera and image editing capabilities, including enhanced subject detection in portrait mode and an object eraser. Pre-orders are now open in the UK, with the device priced at $499/£499, and it will be available in the US later this year.

Samsung has also announced the Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G, both of which feature a 120Hz, 6.7-inch display with up to 1,200 nits of brightness, an IP67 rating, and a 5,000mAh battery with 50W fast charging.

Xiaomi

Xiaomi has unveiled the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, a smartphone that focuses heavily on photography, featuring a 1-inch 50-megapixel Sony main sensor, an f/2.2 50MP ultrawide cam, a 50MP midrange lens, and a 200MP periscope array. The device also includes a separate Photography kit with an add-on camera grip and a standard 67mm filter adapter.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra has a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3,200 nits of brightness, and runs on HyperOS 2, an Android skin that supports Google services. The device is priced at around €1,499 (approximately $1,572), but unfortunately, Xiaomi does not plan to release it in the US.

Android

Google has announced two new AI-powered features for Android at MWC, including Live Video and screensharing. These features, which will be available to Gemini Advanced subscribers later this month, allow users to share their phone’s camera view or screen with the Gemini chatbot, which can then provide information and answers about what it sees.

These features have the potential to be particularly useful for accessibility, and will be available to those with a $20 per month Google One AI Premium membership, which is included with some Verizon plans.

Nothing

Nothing has launched the Phone 3a Pro and Phone 3a at MWC, despite not having released the Phone 3 yet. The 3a Pro features a more substantial camera module, with a 50MP telephoto sensor, a 50MP primary sensor, and an ultrawide 8MP sensor, as well as a telemacro mode.

Both phones have a 6.77-inch AMOLED LTPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1,300 nits of brightness, a 5,000mAh battery with 50W fast charging, and run on a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. The devices also feature Nothing’s multipurpose Essential Key and some generative AI features, such as voice note transcription and screenshot description.

The Phone 3a is available for pre-order now, priced at $379, and will ship on March 11, while the Phone 3a Pro will be available for pre-order on March 11 and will ship on March 25.

Beyond new devices and OS updates, Meta and the Internet Society have announced a partnership to improve internet connectivity worldwide, with a $30 million investment over the next five years. The initiative aims to build out infrastructure in underserved areas and support locally owned networks, with the goal of expanding affordable internet access globally.