It isn’t hard to ignore the fact that the world’s most significant mobile event is gradually losing its smartphone lustre. Apple has mostly avoided third-party shows, and many vendors hold their keynotes before the MWC event to ensure the spotlight is only on them.
Samsung once again will steal the headlines the day before the show opens, with the new Galaxy S9 models. As is usually the case, the entire world has seen every detail of these devices so there will be little “new” news.
To compound things, other Android vendors move their launches further into the year to avoid clashing with Samsung. Huawei might delay revealing the P11 or P20 if you believe the gossip. That leaves MWC with little for journalists and phone fans to get excited about. Perhaps that’s the reason that Nokia’s revamped dumbphones attracted so much attention.
That said, with MWC running from 26 February to 1st March, there will still be plenty of technology to view and enjoy. With a greater focus on software and services as the devices have matured, it might not be the phones that are the stars of the show anymore. Still, there will be enough hardware on the show to keep most happy.
- Huawei will undoubtedly be at the show with a new MediaPad M5 on display along with Watch 3 as the company attempts to grab more market share from its rivals.
- The Nokia 8 Sirocco might also make an appearance as the HMD Global company tries to reignite the Nokia brand.
- The ASUS ZenFone 5 is apparently confirmed for launch.
- Among the more niche devices is Land Rover’s Explore tough model built by Bullitt just like the Caterpillar phone
Talking Business at MWC
The telecoms industry as a whole will focus on the arrival of 5G services and the Internet of Things as they mesh into the show’s theme of “Build a Better Future.” Keynotes around “Future Networks and Content Optimisation” and “Beyond voice, text, and data: disruptive services to grow ARPU” might sound dull to users, but the decisions made and issued discussed will affect all our futures.
Photo credit: MWC
Source: Rei Padla (Android Community) / Business Wire press release by Strategy Analytics
Editorial notice: Photos have been taken at MWC in 2017.
