It’s the biggest event in the mobile industry’s calendar, the annual Mobile World Congress takes place again in Barcelona this year in just over a week. The world of technology trade shows has dipped in recent years, with major manufacturers shunning them in favour of their own big product launch events. At Mobile World Congress however, all of the biggest players in the industry appear to be present and correct, taking the opportunity to show off the best new devices they have to offer. Although nothing can be 100% certain in the run up to an event like this, here’s a look at what we might be seeing from the 24th of February.
Samsung
Despite launching the S3 in London 2012, then the S4 in New York last year at their own specific events, a launch of the S5 looks all but certain in Barcelona this year. Tech journalists have been receiving their invitations to Samsung’s ongoing “Unpacked” events, which looks set to reveal details of new phones, tablets, phablets and updates to Galaxy Gear. The latter of these is badly needed if Samsung is to be taken seriously in the wearable tech marketplace in the future. More details on Samsung’s own Tizen operating system look to be pretty likely as well.
Nokia
Even though they sold their phone and tablet making business at the end of 2013 to Microsoft, Nokia are still holding a press conference at this years Mobile World Congress. We can expect to see announcements about the Lumia 1820 – a flagship ‘phablet’ with a 5.2in display – alongside the Lumia 1525 and its enormous 6in screen blurring the lines between phone and tablet more than ever.
Information is also expected to be revealed about Normandy, the Windows – Android mix budget device.
HTC
Presumably just hoping to announce a device that will stop them from having their 29th consecutive quarter of falling sales. The rumor mill is spreading word of the (awfully named) HTC One 2 or HTC M8 (Which depending on your background will either make you think of your instant messaging friend or a size of screw thread).
Big things are also expected from Sony and LG who both started to gain a bit of ground back in the mobile market last year.
Mobile World Congress kicks off on the 24th of February with an opening speech from Mark Zuckerburg.
Photo via: Hollie Morton