MWC 2024 Preview: What to Expect from the Biggest Mobile Tech Show

The Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona is back in full force for 2024 after four years of disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As the world's largest mobile industry trade show, MWC has long been the premier event for major product launches and announcements in the mobile technology sphere. 

This year promises to deliver the same, with over 80,000 attendees expected and major companies such as Xiaomi and Honor ready to unveil their latest flagship devices. While phones do still dominate the headlines, innovations across AI, IoT, quantum computing, and more will also be unveiled. 

With themes like "5G and Beyond," "Humanizing AI," and "Our Digital DNA," the event is set to showcase the cutting-edge technologies that will drive advancements across industries in 2024 and beyond. From foldable displays to smart wearables to autonomous vehicles, MWC 2024 is gearing up for big reveals that will shape consumer tech and here is a lowdown of everything you should be on the lookout for.

Xiaomi 14 Series

Xiaomi will formally launch its 14 series flagships for the global market on February 25th. The premium Xiaomi 14 Ultra may also make an appearance as it was only just unveiled in China with Leica optics and a flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. 

Xiaomi SU7

MWC 2024 could see Xiaomi unveil its first electric vehicle, the Xiaomi SU7 sedan, globally. Unveiled in China late last year, the SU7 EV is expected to compete with models like the Tesla Model S. MWC would offer Xiaomi a prime opportunity to showcase its 'Human x Car x Home' connected ecosystem and EV ambitions, so MWC 2024 seems an ideal event to showcase the Xiaomi SU7.

Motorola Concept Phone

Motorola could show off its adaptive display concept, which can be curled up to worn on the wrist, after its debut at the Lenovo Tech World 2023. This futuristic device offers a 6.9-inch display that can be adjusted to a 4.6-inch compact size or worn like a bracelet.

Honor Magic 6 Pro

On February 25th, Honor will reveal the Magic 6 Pro, which is focused on portrait photography with its 180MP periscope camera. The company may also announce a Porsche collaboration phone.  

Nothing Phone 2a

Nothing has confirmed a February 27th event at which it will finally unveil the budget-friendly Phone 2a. This would be a more affordable alternative to Nothing's transparent Phone 2.

OnePlus Watch 2

OnePlus will likely announce its first Wear OS smartwatch, designed to rival products like the Google Pixel Watch 2 and Samsung Watch, with its round AMOLED display and "market-beating" battery life of up to 100 hours.

Samsung Smart Ring

While not expected to announce new phones so soon after the Galaxy S24 launch, Samsung may preview its upcoming Galaxy Smart Ring wearable that could track health data and enable contactless payments.

Lenovo Transparent Laptop

Lenovo is rumoured to showcase a transparent laptop concept featuring dual touchscreens and stylus support. 

Energizer P28K

Battery giant Energizer is pushing the limits of phone power with its upcoming P28K, which boasts a massive 28,000mAh battery - the largest ever put into a smartphone. While the huge battery will add considerable bulk, it promises several days of use without charging.

TCL Concept Devices

This year, TCL could showcase something like a dual-display phone or an expandable display that grows on command. The RayNeo X2 AR glasses, unveiled during CES 2024, could also make an appearance during MWC 2024.

Tecno Phantom Ultimate

Tecno will make its foray into rollable display tech with the Phantom Ultimate. This concept phone can unroll its OLED screen, transforming from a 6.55-inch smartphone into a 7.11-inch tablet. With rollable displays predicted to be the next big thing after foldables, Tecno's Phantom Ultimate offers portability and larger screen space in one.

HMD-branded phones

HMD Global is expected to unveil its first smartphones under its own brand at MWC 2024. HMD-branded phones will be separate from the company's Nokia-branded devices, as announced by HMD's CEO last month. The company's new HMD phones will coexist alongside its existing lineup of Nokia smartphones. The differences between the HMD and Nokia brands remain unclear, but we'll know more about it in the coming days.

Oppo

Oppo could make some AI or AR announcements during the MWC 2024. It has also teased the Oppo Air Glass 3 on social media handles, hinting at an imminent launch.

In addition to the major product announcements above, MWC 2024 will showcase the latest in 5G, AI, AR/VR, and other emerging mobile technologies that will shape our connected future.