MWC 2025: The Coolest Things We’ve Seen So Far

It’s nearing the end of the first official day at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Our analysts are exploring the show’s 2.5 million+ square feet to bring you news of what to expect on the mobile market in the year ahead. 

As expected, there’s AI everywhere. But there are also some surprises, like solar-powered laptops and walkie-talkie glasses. Here are some of the most intriguing things we’ve spotted on the trade show floor so far—with more to come.

Concept Computers

Lenovo’s ThinkBook presents as the most basic office-issued laptop there is and yet the company delivers innovation inside time and again. 

The Lenovo ThinkBook 16p with an attached auxiliary screen (Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

The Lenovo ThinkBook 16p is a good business laptop but it’s now an innovative one with new accessories that attach through Magic Bay, a proprietary connector built into the lid. You can add a small auxiliary vertical screen, two full side screens, or glasses-free 3D that works through a snap-on 3D camera that tracks the user’s position.

Lenovo ThinkBook Flip AI PC (Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

The Lenovo ThinkBook Flip AI PC converts from a two-sided screen to a skyscraper of a screen. It was a little delicate when our lead hardware analyst Matthew Buzzi checked it out but it’s a prototype, not a product that’s ready to ship.

Lenovo Yoga Solar PC (Credit: Weston Almond)

Also still a concept is the Lenovo Yoga Solar PC, which turns sunlight into battery life. The sleek-looking lid is made up of 84 small solar cells. There’s a solar tracking system designed to not just measure current and voltage, but also to maximize the efficiency of the gathered energy.

First Look: Lenovo’s ThinkBook Flip AI Concept PC Folds Out to One Super-Tall Screen

Phones

Samsung introduced AI into some of its most affordable phones: the Galaxy A26 ($299.99) and the Galaxy A36 ($399.99). AI adds features like Circle to Search, a gesture-based way to search anything on your screen from Google, and Best Face, a way to make sure everyone looks good in group shots. The A26 will be available on March 26 and the A36 on March 28.

Samsung Galaxy A56 (Credit: Eric Zeman)

For a bit more, the Galaxy A56 ($499.99) is a more powerful, feature-rich phone that is primed to go up against Apple’s iPhone 16e. It will be released later this year.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra (Credit: Eric Zeman)

Xiaomi used MWC to show off its newest flagship phone, the 15 Ultra. It makes a play for photographers with a four-camera system co-developed by Leica that has a 200MP periscope lens for extreme zooming. Like pretty much everything else at MWC, it has AI; specifically a writing assistant, translation, voice search, and all of Google’s photo features. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra will be on sale for about $1,300 in China soon, but its availability in other markets is still up in the air.

TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper Phone (Credit: Eric Zeman)

As useful as screens are, paper is easier on the eyes. It’s with that in mind that TCL created the 60 XE Nxtpaper Phone. Nxtpaper technology makes for a paper-like experience, and a special monochrome mode is meant for when you want to give your eyes even more rest. The screen is matte but colors still look good on it. The 60 XE Nxtpaper Phone will go on sale in Canada first, followed by the US, for about $225.

The fusion of the HMD Fusion X1 is that it’s a phone for both parents and kids. It lets tweens and teens have their own phone but offers peace of mind for parents with continuous location tracking, app limitations, low-battery warnings, and parental access for $5 a month. Pricing has not been announced but the phone will be released next month.

First Look: HMD’s Fusion X1 Phone Designed Specifically for Teens

Smart Glasses

TCL RayNeo X3 Pro Smart Glasses (Credit: Eric Zeman)

Smart glasses have not caught on in any real way with the public, but that has not stopped their proliferation as a product. One of the latest entries is the TCL RayNeo X3 Pro Smart Glasses. Aside from the rather wide arms of the glasses, they look like pretty much any ordinary pair, though they take photos or videos, play music, and help with navigation.

The BleeqUp Ranger Glasses (Credit: PCMag)

The BleeqUp Ranger Glasses, by contrast, are a lot more conspicuous on the street though they look perfectly average for cycling (their intended purpose). They take pictures, record video, and play audio, as well as act as a walkie-talkie. The BleeqUp Ranger is available for $500 on Kickstarter and is expected to ship in May.

Headsets

Samsung Project Moohan Android XR Headset (Credit: Eric Zeman)

What would a consumer electronics show be without another attempt to get us to strap on a headset? The Samsung Project Moohan XR Headset is set to compete with the Apple Vision Pro. In Samsung’s words, this “ground-breaking device marks a significant step toward more context-aware and personalized experiences that enhance everyday life in incredibly immersive ways.” In practical terms, you’ll feel like you’re on the field while you watch football. How it works and when you’ll actually be able to buy it are mysteries. PCMag was not allowed to interact with the device in any way and Samsung did not share any specs, details, pricing, or availability.

Robots

(Credit: Eric Zeman/PCMag)

One of the many issues with AI is that we don’t always know when it’s in use, but that is not the case with Etisalat’s humanoid robot. It made its debut at last year’s MWC in a very skeletal form, but this year it took on a slightly more lifelike form; it can now observe and comment on its surroundings.

PCMag’s Eric Zeman also spotted the Ducati AI Robot, which speeds up autonomous robots to over 200mph as they race around tracks to gather track data for the Ducati Lenovo superbike team.

(Credit: Eric Zeman)

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About Chandra Steele

Senior Features Writer

My title is Senior Features Writer, which is a license to write about absolutely anything if I can connect it to technology (I can). I’ve been at PCMag since 2011 and have covered the surveillance state, vaccination cards, ghost guns, voting, ISIS, art, fashion, film, design, gender bias, and more. You might have seen me on TV talking about these topics or heard me on your commute home on the radio or a podcast. Or maybe you’ve just seen my Bernie meme. 

I strive to explain topics that you might come across in the news but not fully understand, such as NFTs and meme stocks. I’ve had the pleasure of talking tech with Jeff Goldblum, Ang Lee, and other celebrities who have brought a different perspective to it. I put great care into writing gift guides and am always touched by the notes I get from people who’ve used them to choose presents that have been well-received. Though I love that I get to write about the tech industry every day, it’s touched by gender, racial, and socioeconomic inequality and I try to bring these topics to light. 

Outside of PCMag, I write fiction, poetry, humor, and essays on culture.

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