MWC 2019 Showcases 5G Phones, Foldable Screens, and Mixed Reality
Mobile World Congress 2019 highlights the arrival of the first 5G smartphones and premium foldable displays. Microsoft also uses the event to unveil its business-focused HoloLens 2 headset.
Mobile World Congress 2019 finally brings the long-promised era of 5G smartphones to Barcelona, with major brands like Huawei, Samsung, and Xiaomi showcasing their first compatible handsets. While these devices mark a significant milestone, actual 5G network availability remains limited and inconsistent. OnePlus skips a full announcement but steps into the arena by demoing a prototype and launching a developer initiative for 5G applications.
Foldable displays step out of the concept phase and into reality, though consumers face an astonishing average price tag of around $2,000. Devices like the Huawei Mate X and Samsung Galaxy Fold sit behind glass as premium offerings, leaving buyers to wonder if the novel form factor justifies the massive cost. TCL and Oppo offer a glimpse into the future by showcasing their own prototypes, with TCL promising a more affordable option next year.
Beyond traditional smartphones, Microsoft steals some of the spotlight by unveiling the HoloLens 2, a second-generation mixed reality headset designed specifically for enterprise users. The show also features notable advancements in mobile security, a bizarre 18,000 mAh smartphone from Energizer, and a new microSD format that promises significantly faster transfer speeds and improved battery life for mobile devices.