Mobile World Congress arrived , and just as quickly as it came, it's gone (well, almost). The mobile phone trade show is now preparing to close, and it's time to review which new products stole the show. If you're still wondering who garnered the most attention, you probably haven't been paying close attention these past few days. But don't worry, we'll tell you.
Phones with folding screens are untouchable
Although we already knew all the details of Samsung's proposal, we were still waiting to see Huawei's offering to further expand the flexible phone universe. The Mate X was unveiled at the manufacturer's conference last Sunday, and while it features a different design than Samsung's, at this mobile phone trade show they shared one common characteristic: they couldn't touch each other.
On one hand, Samsung set up a large display case at its booth to showcase its foldable phone to the public. It was a completely inaccessible exhibit, more akin to a prototype than a real product. As if it were a concept model, as has happened on other occasions, the Galaxy Fold displayed its curves behind the glass, seemingly unafraid to be touched.
Huawei, for its part, opted to display its sole Mate X in an open display case guarded by a security guard. Like the Galaxy Fold , the Huawei unit was exhibited in complete secrecy, preventing the media from getting a first look at the device. Its early stage of development is evident, so we'll see if the manufacturer meets the deadlines and manages to get the first units to market on the promised date.
Oppo joined the party, and through its vice president Brian Shen, showcased a prototype they're working on via social media. Its design is quite reminiscent of the Huawei Mate X, and although it wasn't present at MWC , the manufacturer assures us they're working to ensure the product meets the standards they believe it needs to be ready for market. At least they've been honest.
But if the protagonists of this Mobile seemed few to you, at the TCL stand we could also see some folding models, this time, with a greater prototype appearance, since they were limited to showing the classic still or slide images, rather than a fully functioning operating system.
5G, the ethereal component
The other element that we cannot miss along with folding screens is 5G. Cristiano Amon was in charge of confirming in more than one conference that 5G networks are already here, and beyond simplifying their benefits with an increase in transmission speed, 5G will serve to interconnect different services that allow work to be transferred directly to the cloud.
The hardware that will make this leap possible will be the Snapdragon 855 and Qualcomm's new X50 model, a couple present in devices such as the Mi MIX 3 5G, the LG V50 5G, the Huawei Mate X, the ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G or itself. Oppo foldable phone.
The new LG G8 ThinQ is not touched either
Another launch that caught everyone's attention at the fair was the new G8 ThinQ , as LG decided to include a ToF sensor on the front to allow users to perform gestures in front of the camera, enabling them to control the device without touching it. The manufacturer explained that for now, a limited number of features will be offered, as the idea is to allow users to become familiar with the system without too much difficulty. Additional features will arrive with future system updates. Interestingly, LG also managed to showcase another untouchable device at MWC without resorting to a foldable screen.
A MWC without strength
It is not the first time that an MWC feels so watered down. Leaving aside the folding terminals, the fair has not been filled with large launches, since the brands continue to bet on organizing their own private events. Samsung and Xiaomi did it days before the MWC, Huawei is preparing its own in Paris for the new P30, and the only one that seems to continue betting on the fair is Sony, which with the new Xperia 1, Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 Plus raises a completely different format true to its principles.
More next year.