With our vaccine passports at the ready, we’re once again heading to Barcelona and the Fira Gran Via for MWC 2022 to catch the latest and greatest in mobile and business technology.
Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2020 was among the first to be cancelled following the initial COVID-19 outbreak, with organisers hosting only a streamlined edition last year. Some 20,000 people attended a later-than-scheduled summer event but this was again marred by the number of companies that pulled out in the months leading up to it.
While we should expect more attendees this year, there are some firms still keeping away, such as Lenovo, which will instead only hold a virtual product launch. Sony, too, is avoiding the conference like the plague. If participants needed any more reminding the pandemic very much isn’t over, there are requirements too for negative tests upon arrival. Beyond that, we expect a jam-packed event with plenty of new smartphones, PCs and tablets designed for the new world of hybrid work.
MWC 2022: PCs, laptops and tablets
For the last few years, Huawei has enjoyed being front and centre of MWC and it appears to be the case again this year, with a new range of laptops and tablets scheduled to launch just before MWC begins. While its smartphone revenues continue to decline, the Chinese firm still has a successful PC business, and this year we expect updates to the MateBook X Pro and its 2-in-1 MatePad, as well as relevant software tweaks. There are, however, also rumours of a new all-in-one desktop PC, which would be a first for the company.
The 2020 MateBook X Pro was beautifully designed and featured a stunning display
Samsung will also launch new products at the start of the event, but have so far only teased a new laptop range. There are no specific details or specifications around these devices, but it’s said to be a new Galaxy Book that might also hint at the South Korean giant’s plans for seamless integration between devices.
While Lenovo isn’t attending MWC physically, it’ll still host a virtual product launch towards the end MWC. This will could be a very large presentation, given the amount of hardware set to be unveiled, and will include tablets, monitors, Chromebooks as well as PC accessories for its ThinkPad and IdeaPad ranges.
MWC 2022: Smartphones and foldables
Despite being in Barcelona we expect most of the handsets on show to come from Chinese manufacturers, with Oppo, OnePlus, Honor and Realme all scheduled to present new devices.
OnePlus fans will have a chance to see its latest range – the OnePlus 10 and 10 Pro – which will launch in the UK in th spring. Both will again feature Hasselblad camera technology and upgrades to the display and design. What’s more, the Hasselblad partnership has slid across to OnePlus’ sister company Oppo, which will also debut a new handset at the event.
Realme is also set to launch a new flagship smartphone – the GT 2 and GT 2 Pro – which has already been released in China. When it finally makes it to the UK market, it’ll be among the first handsets to be powered by the Snapdragon 8th-Gen processor. The device will also feature a 150-degree ultrawide camera and a colour-changing back cover made from a biopolymer material. Rounding up the Chinese offerings is Honor, which will unveil its Magic 4 5G series on the first day of the event.
European offerings will primarily come from HMD Global which plans to show off its latest Nokia C-Series handsets. These are follow-ups to the G-Series devices the firm revealed at CES 2022, which we also expect to see at MWC. We also expect MWC regulars Motorola to have some kind of presence at the event, though no handsets are currently rumoured for unveiling.
Beyond devices in the works, participants will get a chance to see recently launched offerings from Samsung, such as the Galaxy S22, and Huawei’s P50 Pro. For foldable smartphones, we wouldn’t expect any new models to be revealed at MWC 2022, although Samsung will likely have its Galaxy Fold 3 and Flip handset on display, while Huawei is no doubt keen show off its P50 Pocket flip phone, fitted with a foldable 6.9in OLED display and Snapdragon 888 4G processor.
Stay tuned to IT Pro for all the latest hardware news from MWC 2022.
