Top 10 Smartphones That Caught Our Attention at MWC 2024

The Mobile World Congress (MWC) always showcases the most wild tech concepts and this year was no different. Talking about smartphones, from a Barbie-themed phone to a mobile packing an absurd 28,000mAh battery, many interesting ideas could very well see the light of day.

Here are our top picks from the event that caught our attention.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra commands attention due to its ultra-premium features. With a price tag of 1,499 euros, the device boasts a 6.73-inch OLED curved display, is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, and supports rapid charging with both 90W wired and 80W wireless options.

However, the phone's main highlight is its remarkable quad-camera arrangement on the rear, boasting four 50 MP sensors developed in collaboration with Leica experts. The primary camera utilizes a 1-inch type 50 MP Sony LYT-900 sensor equipped with Hyper OIS and a versatile f/1.63 - f/4.0 aperture. Paired with this, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra features a 50 MP Sony IMX858 ultrawide shooter boasting an f/1.8 aperture, and a 50 MP Sony IMX 858 telephoto unit with 3.2x optical zoom, an f/1.8 aperture, and OIS support.

Additionally, a 50 MP Sony IMX858 periscope sensor with 5x optical zoom, OIS, and an f/2.5 aperture completes the impressive camera setup. The camera system introduces a cutting-edge AI-powered 30x Ultra Zoom. Notably, the rear cameras are a result of collaboration with Leica experts. On the front, there's a 32 MP OmniVision OV32B40 selfie camera featuring an f/2.0 aperture, capable of recording 4K video at up to 60fps.

Tecno Phantom Ultimate Concept

Originally announced last August, the Tecno Phantom Ultimate Concept made its first appearance at MWC 2024. This rollable phone concept expands from 6.55 inches to 7.11 inches with a single-drive motor mechanism. The 7.11-inch LTPO AMOLED display offers a glimpse into the potential future of smartphones. While not confirmed for release, the Tecno Phantom Ultimate Concept showcases exciting possibilities for rollable phones.

Tecno Pova 6 Pro

The Tecno Pova 6 Pro stands out with its quirky design and unique features. Boasting a distinctive pattern on its back and a vibrant Comet Green color, this device incorporates mini-LED lights that flash for notifications or can sync with gaming experiences like PUBG. With a mammoth 6,000mAh battery and a 70-watt wired charger, the Tecno Pova 6 Pro promises an exceptional battery life and swift charging. The 6.78-inch AMOLED display, MediaTek 6080 processor, and 12GB RAM further enhance its appeal.

OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact Edition

The OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact Edition maintains the design elements of the standard 12R but introduces a distinctive finish inspired by Keqing, a character in the Genshin Impact game. This limited-edition smartphone showcases an Electric Violet hue achieved through an electro-etching process, providing the rear glass panel with a soft-touch finish.

The Lightning Stiletto, Keqing's signature, adds an edgy touch to the phone's appearance. The package includes exclusive Genshin Impact-themed accessories, such as a case, charging adapter, SIM ejector, and USB-C cable. Additionally, the box contains a Chibi acrylic phone stand, numerous magnets, and various other items. The OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact version features a fully customized UI with electrifying icons, along with game-inspired boot, charging, and unlock animations.

In terms of pricing, the OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact Edition is available in India at Rs 49,999 for the singular 16GB/256GB configuration. OnePlus is offering a Rs 1,000 discount for OneCard transactions or a Rs 3,000 exchange bonus for purchasers of the Genshin Impact version. The handset is open for pre-orders and will be officially released in India on March 19 through the OnePlus Store and other partner retail channels. For reference, the starting price of the OnePlus 12R in India is Rs 39,999.

Motorola Adaptive Display Concept

Motorola's adaptive display concept, first teased in October, unfolds as a bendable phone with versatile positions, even wearable as a smartwatch. The 6.9-inch OLED panel is backed by an orange fabric to enhance flexibility. Whether folded into a tent or worn on the wrist, this concept phone explores the future of foldables. While still in the concept phase, it offers a captivating vision for flexible smartphones.

Energizer Hard Case P28K

For those averse to frequent charging, the Energizer Hard Case P28K offers a solution with its massive 28,000mAh battery.

Avenir Telecom, the European company, asserts that the Energizer Hard Case P28K smartphone offers an impressive seven days of battery life on regular usage with just a single charge, thanks to its substantial 28,000 mAh battery. The device boasts a rugged design, a spacious 6.78-inch 1080p LCD display, and operates on the Android 14 OS.

Featuring a triple rear camera setup, the phone includes a 60MP primary camera, a 20MP secondary sensor, and an additional 2MP sensor. For selfies and videos, there's an 8MP front-facing camera sensor. The smartphone supports 4K video recording and is equipped with the MediaTek MT6789 processor, 8GB RAM, and a storage option of 256GB.

Additionally, the Energizer Hard Case P28K is reported to provide an impressive 122 hours of talk time and a maximum standby time of 2252 hours (or 94 days) on a single charge. The device measures 27.8mm in thickness and weighs 570 grams.

According to The Verge, the smartphone is set to hit the market in October with a price tag of €249.99 (approximately Rs. 22,400), and the company is offering a three-year warranty for the device. However, it's worth noting that the phone does not support 5G connectivity.

Nubia Flip 5G

Breaking the notion that foldable smartphones are exclusively high-end, the Nubia Flip 5G stands out as one of the most affordable flip-style folding smartphones at $599.

The Nubia Flip 5G is equipped with a foldable 6.9-inch OLED display, boasting a resolution of 1,188 x 2,790 pixels and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It also features a convenient 1.43-inch cover screen with a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels, shaped in a circular design. This secondary screen allows users to access various applications without having to unfold the phone. Running on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC, the device offers options of 6GB or 8GB RAM and storage choices of 128GB or 256GB. The phone incorporates a robust dual-rail suspended hinge, claimed to withstand over 200,000 unfolds.

In the camera department, the Nubia Flip 5G boasts a 50-megapixel dual rear camera setup. For selfies and video calls, it is equipped with a 16-megapixel front-facing camera. Powering the device is a 4,310mAh battery, supported by 33W charging.

HMD's Barbie Phone

In an unexpected collaboration, HMD Global partnered with Mattel to create the Barbie Flip Phone. However, HMD and Mattel have designed this device to serve as a digital detox accessory for the summer.

It appears that the Barbie flip phone will forego many modern features commonly found in today's feature phones, opting for a more straightforward approach.

The device is anticipated to feature a well-organized T9 keypad, a spacious color TFT LCD display, a substantial battery, a USB-C charging port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack as part of its standard specifications. Additionally, support for 4G connectivity is expected.

HMD will trickle more information as the phone will launch sometime in the summer.

HMD Fusion

HMD Global also revealed HMD Fusion, a concept for a modular phone. The idea revolves around the utilization of a yet-to-be-revealed base phone, the HMD Fusion, which users can enhance with customizable Smart Outfits to boost its functionality. The unique aspect lies in HMD's decision to open up the toolkit for Smart Outfit development to the public, branding it as a "blank canvas for creativity."

Ferguson, providing insights into Fusion's nature, explains, "It will be an HMD device, essentially a sleek smartphone that functions perfectly well on its own. What sets it apart is the six-pin connectors allowing users to construct Smart Outfits around it, combined with straightforward integration with Android software."

HMD envisions a broad spectrum of possibilities for Fusion, suggesting that users can create anything from accessories like barcode scanners and directional microphones to extended batteries and even intricate medical devices. This move towards openness and innovation marks a distinctive approach in the realm of modular phone development.

Honor Magic 6 Pro

The Honor Magic 6 Pro pushes boundaries with AI capabilities and cutting-edge camera technology. The phone is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a capacious 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. Its display boasts a 6.8-inch 1.5K LTPO OLED screen with an adaptive 120Hz (1Hz - 120Hz) refresh rate and a pixel density of 453 PPI.

Offering exceptional brightness, the screen reaches a peak of 1,600 nits and a peak HDR brightness of 5,000 nits. Additionally, it supports Dolby Vision and HDR Vivid formats, incorporating a 4320Hz high-frequency PWM Dimming feature.

However, the standout feature of the Honor Magic 6 Pro is its impressive 180 MP Samsung ISOCELL HP3 periscope camera sensor, covering focal lengths from 68mm to 270mm, equipped with OIS, and offering 2.5x optical zoom. The triple-camera setup also includes a 50 MP OmniVision OVH9000 primary camera sensor with Laser AF and OIS, along with a 50 MP Samsung S5KJN1 ultrawide shooter. On the front, the device features a 50 MP selfie camera and a 3D depth sensor. Both front and rear cameras support 4K video recording.

Powering the device is a robust 5,600 mAh battery with support for 100W wired and 66W wireless fast charging. The Honor Magic 6 Pro operates on Android 14-based MagicOS 8.0 out of the box, with a commitment from Honor for four Android OS updates and five years of regular security updates. Notably, the phone holds an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.