From mobile phone without apps to the best of the year: the 10 most important news of the MWC 2024 phone fair

The 2024 edition of the Mobile World Congress (MWC), fair of cell phones and mobile technology most important in the world, closed its doors this Thursday in Barcelona and marked the definitive entry of the telephone sector into the era of artificial intelligence (TO THE).

The conference occupied the eight pavilions of the FIRA Gran Via and brought together – in four days – more than 95,000 participants from all over the world, some 2,400 companies exhibitors and more 750 operators and producers of the telecommunications sector, thus recovering pre-pandemic numbers.

Even though the MWC has changed its spirit for years now (brands prefer to launch their smartphone lines in own events), 2024 was highlighted by the presentation of prototypes with disruptive technologies and various devices that promise to change the landscape of the industry.

Without major news in the field of virtual and augmented reality (Apple is not participating in the congress), the Generative AI it seemed to be this year big bet industry to boost cell phone sales, which have been declining for several months.

From the cell phone without applications to the surprise for the election of the “best smartphone of the year”, these are the 10 noteworthy innovations of MWC 2024.

AI telephone from Deutsche Telekom

It is a futuristic phone concept with a single application: a AI assistant that takes care of everything.

Examples of what the cell phone could do include responding to requests and generating messages personalized recommendations for travel destinations, purchase a product for its owner, generate images with artificial intelligence or send photos and videos to contacts.

Still It’s unclear whether it will ever hit the market..

Motorola adaptive display

It stands out for Motorola’s “Adaptive Display” concept, one of the most requested devices at the fair flexible POLED screen 6.9 inches that can be folded into multiple positions, folding in half and even becoming a smart bracelet.

The manufacturer has integrated an artificial intelligence assistant called Motorcycle AI which allows, among other functions, to generate a background with the same color patterns as the clothes you wear.

It is worth clarifying that this is a prototype: it does not yet have a name and It is not even clear whether it will go on the market.

Human AI pin

Developed by former Apple executives, it promises AI Pin replace cell phones hand in hand with artificial intelligence: it is a small portable device that It attaches to clothes with magnets as if it were a pin.

It is used in two ways: voice commands (such as Alexa or Siri) or via a laser which projects a screen in the palm of your hand.

Despite being a first generation, among his own functionality highlights the ability to make calls, send emails and text messages, ask questions (like ChatGPT), take photos, play songs, take notes, translate and more. It will begin to be sold in the United States in the next few months, starting 700 dollars.

Lenovo ThinkBook transparent display

It’s a concept of laptop with transparent screen– A PC with a seemingly floating bottom bracket design that promises to revolutionize the experience of interacting and creating with a 17.3-inch borderless microLED panel which allows you to look through it and superimpose virtual images on the real world you see behind the screen.

With a commercial interest yet to be defined, the laptop It doesn’t have a keyboardbut a touch surface where the keys can be projected.

At the moment this product is only one prototypebut “shows a futuristic perspective on artificially intelligent computing, combining digital and physical environments that can enhance the user experience in ways never imagined.”

Samsung Galaxy Ring

The South Korean company presented its Galaxy Ring to the public for the first time in Barcelona smart ring. Adaptable to all sizes and available in three colors (gold, silver and black), the ring will be sold in second half of 2024.

For the moment Samsung has not provided further details on the scope of its applications, but anticipates it could be useful in the healthcare field: may collect precise information about the user such as sleep status or heart rateusing discrete sensors.

Xiaomi 14Ultra

A few days after the launch in China, Xiaomi brought its most advanced smartphone to Barcelona for 2024, which stands out for its four lenses developed with Leica 50 megapixels and 30x digital zoom: they are capable of it record videos in 8K.

As for the rest of the technical features, the 14 Ultra has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor; WiFi 7 and 5G like its biggest competitors. It also offers a new operating system, the Hyper operating system.

The price? $1,300.

Honor Magic6 Pro

It has a number of premium features, among which the new chip stands out Snapdragon 8 generation 3 from Qualcomm, a 180 megapixel telephoto lens and a nature-inspired aesthetic.

The front part, without edges and curved on the sides, is crowned with a pill-shaped cutout called “Magic Capsule” in which the front camera and a sensor with 3D facial recognition technology and that allows it control some applications simply by moving your eyes .

In the back, the main protagonist is a huge circular camera module which houses the three photographic sensors and the LED flash.

P28K Energizer

Made by Avvenir Telecom. includes a 28,000 mAh battery which in addition to powering the smartphone on which it is mounted, allows it to be used as energy accumulator to charge other devices.

The brand explains that this phone is designed to be used in countries where constant electricity supply is a problem, since it is present the battery can last up to a week.

It is worth highlighting its weight: approx 570 grams which places it well above the larger folding ones. The Energizer P28K is expected to go on sale in October for approx 250 eurosalthough it is not known in which markets.

Huawei5.5G

During the event, Huawei took the opportunity to introduce the network-cloud-artificial intelligence synergy with the aim of accelerating the 5G business and preparing for a new era: that of 5.5G.

This technology, the company assures, will bring everyone closer to an intelligent digital world complete connectivity integrated into all aspects of life, industry and society.

With tests in several cities around the world, this new standard, which could see the commercial light during 2024, brings advantages such as ten times faster than 5G and a minimum latency that allows for centimeter-level localization, as well as the use of virtual and augmented reality.

Google Pixel 8, the best smartphone of the year

The Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO), which took place as part of the MWC, crowned the GooglePixel8 AS best smartphone of the yeara category in which it competed with several industry heavyweights such as the iPhone 15 Pro (the 14 Pro won last year), the OnePlus Open/OPPO Find N3, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 and the Samsung Galaxy S23.

Presented at the end of last year, Pixel 8 Pro has one of the best screens on the marketa refined design, an excellent camera system and new features with artificial intelligence thanks to the Google Tensor G3 chip.

Yes, OK It is not officially sold in Argentina, can be obtained through importers. THE prices They range from 700 to 1,000 dollars, depending on the model.