Mobile World Congress is once again emerging as a high mass for smartphone enthusiasts this year, although robots are also stealing the show.
The global tech world gathered in Barcelona again this past week for Mobile World Congress 2026. Every year, the largest tech fair in Europe attracts tens of thousands of people from all corners of the globe with the latest technological gadgets. Show often takes precedence over substance on the exhibition floor, although there was certainly some news to be found this year. In this overview, we bundle the most interesting announcements from the event so you’re back up to speed in one go.
Smartphones galore
In the past, anyone wanting to discover the latest smartphones of the moment had to book a ticket for Mobile World Congress. The fair was the ideal time for manufacturers to show their latest models to the world, and you had to sprint from one hall to another to avoid missing an announcement.
That has been somewhat different in recent years. Since the forced COVID-19 hiatus, manufacturers have begun to focus more on their own, often virtual, launch events. Those who traveled to MWC for news were often left wanting more.
This year, smartphones are back in the spotlight. Motorola, Xiaomi, and Honor packed the first day of the fair with new smartphone announcements. Motorola provided the biggest surprise by packing the Razr Fold, a competitor to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, in its suitcase. Samsung kicked off MWC ‘unofficially’ a week earlier with the launch of its S26 series, which could also be admired at the fair.
Those more interested in laptops than smartphones were well-served by Lenovo. In honor of MWC, the company, which shares its exhibition stand with Motorola, unveiled a fresh batch of ThinkPad and ThinkBook laptops. Every year, Lenovo comes up with something original for the fair: this year, the ThinkPad Modular AI PC with its extra screen and modular components drew attention. Though nothing will likely surpass last year’s Magic Bay Tiko.
Dancing robots
You don’t win the battle on the exhibition floor with smartphones and laptops alone. Robots literally stole the show at times this year. The Chinese company Honor had a robot dancing on stage, and the Agibot X2 from the eponymous company Agibot, also from China, even proved to be a gifted breakdancer. The practical application of a breakdancing robot completely escapes us.
Why not combine robots and smartphones? Honor is making a bid for the title of ‘most pointless gadget at MWC’ with the Robot Phone. It looks like an ordinary smartphone, but with a robotic arm featuring an integrated 200 MP camera mounted on it. However, a pair of virtual eyes lives inside the device, staring at passers-by, giving a friendly nod, and occasionally taking a nap.
Sour apple
Unfortunately for MWC and its exhibitors, Apple also had plans this year. Apple usually stays as far away as possible from events like MWC, but this year it went into full competition for media attention with the fair. While the circus was in full swing in Barcelona, Apple showcased new M5 chips, laptops, and even new displays from its home base on the other side of the world. With the MacBook Neo, a laptop with an iPhone processor, it is launching what is, by its standards, an affordable entry-level model.
When Apple announces something, the IT world watches and listens, even if it is gathered in Barcelona. As a result, MWC has faded somewhat into the background this year.