Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, the annual mobile device trade show held in Barcelona, unveiled some exciting gadgets and innovations. From AI-powered smartphones to surprising display concepts to first looks at devices expected to arrive later this year, there was no shortage of announcements at his MWC this year.
The Tom’s Guide team was at MWC 2024 to bring you the biggest product news from brands like Lenovo, Samsung, Motorola, Xiaomi, Honor, and more. So we got a glimpse of what to expect from mobile devices in the coming months. However, some devices stood out more than others, resulting in the Best of MWC 2024 list shown below.
Check out our editors’ favorites on mobile phones, wearables, software, and more to be showcased at MWC 2024. Also see why we think they will change significantly throughout his year.
Best mobile phone: Xiaomi 14
Xiaomi announced many products during MWC besides phones, but as is standard for device makers, the Xiaomi 14 is one of the biggest in the way it compresses the flagship phone experience into a smaller, pocket-friendly frame. It left an impression.
Yes, 6.36 inches is still quite large for a compact phone, but Xiaomi has packed a top-of-the-line chipset into the Xiaomi 14 with three 50MP cameras, 90W charging, and 12GB RAM. Full fat ultra phone. If you have the money to buy a device that costs 1,499 euros, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is even better.
It may lack trendy AI features, but there’s not much to ask for from the Xiaomi 14 other than its availability in the US market. And Xiaomi could show Apple, Samsung, and Google a few things about how to properly spec a flagship phone without increasing the size even further, so this phone could be released more widely. I really hope so. — Richard Priday
Best value smartphone: Nubia Flip 5G
I thought we’d still be waiting for years for an affordable flip phone, but ZTE surprised me this year with the Nubia Flip 5G. This is a $600 flip phone in a world where most products cost over $10,000. And the cheapest and best foldable still costs $700.
Even at this bargain price, the Flip 5G has a 6.9-inch display, dual 50MP rear cameras, a fun circular outer display with plenty of widgets that can be used when the phone is closed, and a surprising amount for a flexible device. It has a large capacity battery. . Perhaps best of all, ZTE ships its phones all over the world. This means that it will hopefully be available in both Europe and the US, giving all types of users a cheaper way to become part of the folding device. — Richard Priday
Best Design: Lenovo ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop Concept
When the chatter among the Barcelona press turned to the following topic: Lenovo ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop Concept, I laughed at first. Surely, I thought, this was purely a gimmick on a grand scale. But when I laid my eyes on the 17.3-inch mini LED transparent display, my inner geek exploded. With all the corporate announcements at MWC, this was the sci-fi heat I was looking for.
Is the ThinkBook transparent display laptop concept useful? This is a vexing question, as are privacy issues that raise red flags regarding this prototype. But when viewed through the lens of the concept, there’s no denying that just using it makes him feel like he’s living in a sci-fi movie. This is a true laptop industry first and raises the first big questions about what changes AI can bring to portable computer design. — jason england
Best smartwatch: OnePlus Watch 2
after the original one plus watch It was such a huge failure that I didn’t know when (or if) the company would try a second time. Still, the OnePlus Watch 2 made its debut at his MWC, and I had the opportunity to write the following article. OnePlus Watch 2 review Ahead of the announcement, I think this might be the best redemption story the smartwatch industry has ever seen.
The $299 device is virtually unmatched by its predecessor, as the OnePlus Watch 2 finally gives users of the company’s smartphones the companion smartwatch they deserve. The combination of elegant design and durability makes for a great-looking watch, and Wear OS 4 software puts it on par with popular flagship models such as: google pixel watch and samsung galaxy watch 6. Although the OnePlus Watch 2 lacks some modern smartwatch features. best smartwatch In many ways, it marks a new start for the OnePlus Watch story. — Kate Kozuch
Best tablet: Honor Pad 9
Android tablets — We all have a love-hate relationship with these boards. There’s no getting away from the fact that the iPad has decisively won the tablet wars. So the best course of action for OEMs is the classic “If you can’t beat them, join them!” that is, honor pad 9 I’d say it’s the most iPad-like Android tablet I’ve ever used.
Beyond dreamy content consumption with a gorgeous 12.1-inch 2.5K display, impressive premium design, and excellent battery life, Honor’s exclusive MagicOS on Android 13 (paired with Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset) provides a smooth and agile user interface with all the features. Multi-finger gestures perfect for browsing like a pro. All this combined at an affordable price (£200 cheaper than its predecessor) iPad 10th generation), and you’re a winner. — Jason England
Best Innovation: Honor Magic6 Pro Eye Tracking
How will our interactions with gadgets change in the future? Honor bets on it Eye tracking powered by AI It will play a big role in that, Honor Magic6 Pro This is the first mobile phone to use this technology. Honor is so confident in their phone’s eye-tracking capabilities that they’ve added eye-only controls to a real car.
The feature, expected to arrive later this year, will allow users to control their phone’s “Magic Capsule,” a camera and notification pill similar to Apple’s Dynamic Island. Just look at the camera pill to check notifications and related apps without using your hands. Honor’s eye-tracking feature essentially turns your gaze into a mouse, so you don’t have to touch your phone or perform any arm-waving gestures. — Tom Pritchard
Best Concept Device: Motorola Adaptive Display Concept
Of all the foldable and rollable smartphone concepts we’ve seen over the years, very few actually seemed practical.that’s what’s so exciting Motorola’s adaptive display concept — It’s a smartphone that can be bent into almost anything you want.
I made fun of the cell phone bending backwards. Lenovo Tech World late last year, MWC gave me my first chance to actually interact with the device. This as-yet-unnamed Android smartphone with a 6.9-inch FHD+ pOLED display can bend from flat to several different configurations. The most notable of these configurations is converting the device into a smartwatch that straps to your wrist using a magnetic bracelet accessory. A product that promises to combine two devices I use every day into one? You’ve got my attention. — Kate Kozuch
Best AI Device: Humane AI Pin
had to see humane AI pin To be honest, when you actually run it, Rabbit R1 I’m a little nervous. This is all thanks to the multimodal AI that makes this one of the smartest devices you can strap to your shirt.
Controlling the Humane AI Pin feels really easy, with a combination of voice control and a totally futuristic Laser Ink display visual UI projected onto your hand to centralize its suite of functions. I could see myself making phone calls and fulfilling my daily life. -One day using this device.
Just to be clear. In my opinion, Humane AI Pin is not a replacement for a smartphone. I know that’s what the company is marketing, but I believe the world is more used to AI assistance as an accessory than this $700 device replacing a cell phone. That being said, the AI assistance available through Humane AI Pin is simply amazing. — Jason England
Featured product: Samsung Galaxy Ring
of samsung galaxy ring It was unveiled to the public at MWC 2024, and I didn’t have a chance to try it on. I took a closer look at the ring design.. It doesn’t look much different from comparable devices, but a big selling point for smart rings is discretion, so the slim size and sleek finish are a must. Galaxy Ring has both.
we know that. Galaxy Ring has big ambitions in health, Hong Park, Samsung’s vice president of digital health, confirmed major partnership plans. But what we’re looking forward to most of all is how much the device will cost. If Galaxy Ring can defeat such a thing, Oura ring, Samsung could unveil one of the most attractive products this year. Needless to say, this is one to watch. — Kate Kozuch
Best AR Glasses: TCL RayNeo X2 and RayNeo X2 Lite
TCL is Big leap forward with augmented reality glasses technology at MWC 2024, two pairs of standalone AR glasses will be available later this year. RayNeo X2 and X2 Lite are AI-powered microLED augmented reality glasses with full-color images on both lenses. This is a world first, according to TCL.
Even better, they weigh just 4.23 ounces and 2.1 ounces, respectively. It’s still bulkier than a standard frame, but much more comfortable than a full-size AR headset. The onboard AI assistant is designed to be a true companion with Chat GPT-powered conversations, object recognition, real-time translation, and on-glasses navigation. And there’s no need to link it to your phone. If this is a taste of what’s to come, we’re all for it. — Tom Pritchard