MWC 2025: The 5 most impressive products we've seen so far

We’re just a day away from Mobile World Congress (MWC), but the news cycle is already churning. Off the heels of Samsung and OnePlus‘ recent smartphone launches, expect more announcements from industry leaders during this year’s trade show for all things cellular.

Also: This tri-foldable phone at MWC 2025 is the most bizarre thing I’ve seen yet

As always, global brands, including Xiaomi, Honor, and Huawei, will be present — and they’ll likely occupy a large part of the show floor. Google and Samsung are also expected to have a presence, but the chances of any major announcements are slim. And there’s almost always a showstopper that no one sees coming. 

We’re kicking things off with a roundup of the best products the ZDNET team has seen during MWC week so far, including several smartphone releases, Wi-Fi-powered wireless earbuds, and more. Stay tuned as we update this list, which is bulleted in no particular order, throughout the week.

1. Xiaomi’s 200-megapixel camera phone

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra was one of the best camera phones we tested last year, so expectations were high going into Barcelona. Somehow, Xiaomi managed to release a sequel that’s even more capable, with a new 200-megapixel periscope sensor that excels at capturing portrait photos, distant subjects, and retaining details in low-lit enrivonments. The new camera array is also treated with a more durable and glare-reducing lens cover.

Also: Finally, I found an Android phone that can replace my $3,500 Sony camera

The rest of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a flagship Android through and through, from the 6.7-inch AMOLED display that peaks at 3,200 nits of brightness to the 90W wired and 80W wireless charging rates. HyperOS, Xiaomi’s take on the Android operating system, has also been improved, with smoother animations and a series of AI features, including Gemini on tap.

2. Lenovo’s bright idea for concept laptops

Lenovo isn’t shy about concept devices, especially when a crowd of tech enthusiasts is expected. At this year’s MWC, the computer maker launched a series of in-development products, including a solar-powered Yoga laptop and a ThinkBook with an elongated, flip-out display.  They’re both ambitious, possibly unnecessary, and a whole lot of fun to test out, as ZDNET’s Kyle Kucharski and I discovered when demoing the devices ahead of the show.

Also: The 6 most exciting Lenovo laptops from MWC 2025

The key takeaways? The solar-powered Yoga laptop mainly leverages its passive charging capability to extend battery life and not necessarily to fully recharge. The ThinkBook, dubbed ‘Codename Flip,’ can be orientated in five different ways, including a presentation mode, a tall-display mode, and even tablet mode. You’ll just have to settle with its wobbly, glossy screen.

3. An ultraportable Android tablet puts Samsung on notice

The Honor Pad V9 is the latest tablet from the company to go global, and it packs a lot of utility for the price, as ZDNET’s Maria Diaz reviewed. At around $500 (after conversions), the Pad V9 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Elite chip that handles most work and gaming applications you throw at it. It’s also fitted with a generous 10,100mAh battery that, from our testing, lasts longer than recent iPad models.

Also: Is Samsung sweating yet? Honor just unveiled its ‘Alpha Plan’ at MWC 2025

The Pad V9’s unsung hero is its series of eye-protection features, says Diaz, including one that uses AI to defocus parts of the screen that you’re not staring at to reduce eye strain. This focused rendering technology reminds us of XR/VR headsets that rely on eye-tracking.

4. The first wireless earbuds to run on Wi-Fi

The new Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro are the latest earbuds to feature Qualcomm’s S7 Pro chip — and that’s a big deal. The enhanced silicon allows the earbuds to stream audio via Wi-Fi pairing instead of traditional Bluetooth, resulting in 96kHz or 24-bit lossless audio playback — as long as you’re within the network range of your connected router.

Also: Qualcomm’s new audio chips can make cheaper headphones sound more expensive

Theoretically, Wi-Fi-connected earbuds should be able to stream audio without much hiccuping or stuttering, even if your phone or connected device is a few rooms (or floors) away. The most impressive part is that Xiaomi claims the Buds 5 Pro aren’t consuming any more power when paired via Wi-Fi than if they were paired via Bluetooth.

5. Samsung shows off a true ‘budget’ phone

Samsung kicked off MWC weekend by announcing not one, not two, but three new Galaxy A-series phones, all of which are priced below $500. While not all iPhone users will convert to a Galaxy phone as swiftly as Samsung would hope, it’s not a coincidence that the company is unveiling its mid-range offerings on the same week that Apple is pitching its new $599 iPhone 16e to the masses.

Also: This $399 Samsung Galaxy is the mid-range phone most people should buy

The Galaxy A56, A36, and A26 5G phones sell for $499, $399, and $299, respectively, with the tier list determined by display quality, camera hardware, processor, and material choices. While the best-value phone of the three remains to be determined, it’s safe to say that Samsung has the most price points covered going into the rest of the year.

What else to expect at MWC 2025

1. Google

The Android maker typically doesn’t launch any new hardware at MWC. Instead, it often reserves the alleyways between show floors to demonstrate its latest software tools and partners — you could say it’s one big metaphor for how intertwined Google’s services are with everything else at MWC. 

Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025

This year’s demos will likely center around AI, cloud computing, and other productivity tools. With the Formula 1 season kicking off soon, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a McLaren F1 car, which bears Chrome branding, parked at the lot.

2. Samsung

Samsung made the biggest flex at MWC last year when it showcased the then-unreleased Galaxy Ring to the public. This year, the company has the opportunity to pull off something even bigger with the Galaxy S25 Edge, which was only teased during the January Unpacked event. 

While recent rumors point to an April launch date for Samsung’s slimmest phone yet, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of it making an early appearance. The mobile enthusiasts will be ready.

3. Nothing

London-based tech company Nothing hasn’t made much effort to keep its upcoming phone release, the 3a series, under wraps; it’s essentially unveiled the full design, camera capabilities, new AI features, and unboxing experience on social media ahead of the March 4 launch, leaving little to the imagination. 

Also: I’d ditch my Pixel 9 Pro for the next Nothing phone, so long as it prioritizes these features

That said, if our experiences testing Nothing products are any indication, the devil is in the details with the new Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro, especially when it comes to the software experience. We’ll learn more about the new phones very soon.

4. Motorola

When I was at MWC a year ago, I had the chance to wear Motorola’s ambitiously clumsy bendable smartphone. It was the most advanced slap bracelet that everyone in the room knew would never hit the market. But the experience of testing it — and the boldness of the company — made the concept device a memorable one. Here’s hoping Motorola has another trick up its sleeves for Barcelona this week.

5. TCL

While TCL has been a longstanding contender in the budget smartphone space, I’d argue that its Nxtpaper technology, which emphasizes vision health and reducing eye strain, is the best value proposition of the mobile lineup. The company unveiled the TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper and Tab 11 Nxtpaper at CES in January, and it’ll likely showcase similar models at MWC.

When is MWC 2025?

MWC 2025 will occur from March 3 to March 6, but manufacturers typically make announcements ahead of the show, leveraging open venues across Barcelona to spotlight their own products. While the trade show was built around members of the press, analysts, business partners, and brands, anyone can access the show floor by purchasing a ticket, which costs about $1,028.