What to Expect from MWC 2022

Mobile World Congress begins today, February 28th, in Barcelona and runs through Thursday, March 3rd. It’s typically the world’s largest mobile technology show, where some of the biggest smartphone brands announce their latest devices and new technologies.

As The Verge reported, in recent years, the show’s big focus has been on the transition to 5G as well as the emergence of foldable smartphones. But there’s always space for a handful of non-smartphone announcements, whether it’s new laptops or smartwatch updates. Then, in 2020, the show was canceled due to COVID-19, and in 2021, it was a very scaled back, subdued affair.

But here we are in 2022 with mask mandates being rolled back and people feeling more confident, so this year’s MWC could be very different, with major announcements expected from several phonemakers. Samsung, which launched its new Galaxy S22 line earlier this month, also has an event planned. So let’s look at what we can expect from Europe’s biggest mobile show.

Samsung Galaxy Book Laptop

Samsung is set to kick off its livestream event ahead of MWC on February 27th. The company has traditionally used MWC as a launch point for its flagship mobile devices, but in the last few years, it’s launched those phones weeks in advance. This year’s Galaxy S22 is already available in stores. This means we’ll likely see a new Galaxy Book laptop instead, and the company is considered one of the most interesting companies in laptop design right now.

And Even More Laptops

The “mobile” in Mobile World Congress doesn’t just stand for smartphones, as laptops also have a presence at the show. While many manufacturers tend to show off their laptops at CES, experts say we will see even more at MWC. For example, Acer has already revealed its new Swift 5 laptop with a 16:10 display, and it’s likely there will other new notebooks from companies like Lenovo. or even a new MateBook from Huawei.

More New Smartphones from Big Chinese Manufacturers

This year, we can still expect new smartphone entries from big Chinese manufacturers, including TCL and Oppo, which just unveiled its flagship Find X5 Pro. Huawei is also extremely likely to show off a new batch of phones with its OS, HarmonyOS. In previous years, it’s used MWC as a launch platform for its folding phones, so it wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility to see a Mate X2 successor this year.

A Google Pixel 6A?

The Verge reports that designs for what looks like a Google Pixel 6 successor leaked just last week – and while that’s not likely to surface at MWC, a leak last year suggested that a Pixel 6A might be incoming. Either way, expect the search giant to reveal something.

O-RAN AI on 5G Networks

Finally, expect some updates in the cellular communications space. As Business Wire reports, the O-RAN Alliance is planning a series of demonstrations to show how AI can efficiently run 5G networks. O-RAN or Open Radio Access Network, is the same tech Dish is working on in the US. Thus far, it’s been a technology that makes big promises but massively under-delivers. But things could be different this time!

Could, gulp, 6G be Coming Soon?

And if you’re already tired of 5G, get ready… Nokia has plans to start talking about “6G.”

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