Mobile World Congress 2015: 10 Rumored Releases On Tap
Groundbreaking Mobility Show
From March 2-5, more than 1,900 tech exhibitors will stream through the Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, Spain, offering a look at the industry's newest cutting-edge mobility products for the upcoming year.
This year, analysts and solution providers expect to see an array of new smartphones, wearables and other devices unleashed by popular vendors such as Samsung, HTC, Huawei and Microsoft. The four-day conference will feature product exhibits, networking sessions, Global Mobile Awards, and other tech-focused events.
Following are 10 rumored releases of new devices that the technology industry expects to see during Mobile World Congress.
10. Huawei Tablet, Wearables
Shenzen, China-based Huawei, a smartphone company known for its low-end mobile devices, recently confirmed to news company TechRadar it would unveil several products this year, and analysts expect these new product releases will likely occur during next week's Mobile World Congress.
The company reportedly will release a series of Android-based wearables and fitness bands. Huawei also will release a new tablet, according to reports.
During last year's conference, the company's focus was on NFV solutions such as CloudEdge, designed for mobile broadband networks, and FusionSphere, an open-source cloud computing platform. The telecom equipment maker will hold a conference March 1 at which it is expected to launch the new products.
9. HTC One Latest Model
Last year, HTC unveiled the Desire 816, a midrange affordable handset, but this year HTC will focus on its more high-end HTC One family of handsets.
The Taiwanese company will unveil its latest flagship smartphone, the HTC One M9, at Mobile World Congress during its March 1 debut event, it confirmed in a Twitter post. The new phone will reportedly sport improved 20-megapixel rear cameras and audio features, al though it will resemble 2014's M8 in size and design, according to Bloomberg.
8. HTC Smartwatch
At last year's Mobile World Congress, HTC unveiled its Desire 816, a midtier handset that offers a more affordable option to its HTC One family. But this year, HTC is expected to expand to the wearables space.
HTC reportedly will unveil its first smartwatch alongside the HTC One M9 smartphone, according to Bloomberg.
The new smartwatch reportedly will link with Under Armour's fitness service; the two companies revealed a partnership earlier this month. According to Bloomberg, the smartwatch represents HTC's effort to boost its slowing devices market.
7. Sony Xperia Z4
Japanese electronics company Sony reportedly will unveil its newest smartphone in the Z-series, the Sony Xperia Z4 Ultra. The new phone will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 processor and run on Android's 5.0.2 Lollipop, according to reports. Also reportedly on tap is the Xperia Z4 Compact, another Android-powered phone.
Sony last year unleashed its second-generation Z-series phone, the Sony Xperia Z2, which featured a 20.7-megapixel camera able to record in 4K format. The Xperia Z3 was released last year as well, and despite earning praise from analysts, did not give Sony the revenue boost it wanted.
6. Google's Project Ara
Google has been working for the past year on its newest project, Project Ara, a modular smartphone that can be upgraded through swapping in components to tailor the device to the end user's specific needs. Analysts expect the Mountain View, Calif.-based company to present further details about this project during Mobile World Congress.
According to Project Ara's website, it will run on the Android operating system, and a limited market pilot is aimed to be released in 2015. The modular phone allows users to upgrade certain parts of the device.
5. Nokia Mobile 5G Connectivity
Nokia will showcase products promoting mobile connectivity involving the Internet of Things, according to the company. Nokia reportedly stated that it would roll out plans for the Internet of Things using 5G connectivity, which includes demonstrations of 5G radio equipment on new millimeter and centimeter wavebands.
The company will switch gears from last year's Mobile World Congress presentation, where it unleashed its Nokia X series "Windroid" phones, which are smartphones running on a custom version of Android.
4. More Information On Windows 10 Mobile
When Microsoft unveiled its new operating system in January, Windows 10, the Redmond, Wash.-based company didn't reveal much about the operating system's presence on mobile.
However, with the Windows Phone 10 technical preview recently out and Microsoft's increased focus on its app development platform, analysts expect to see the company reveal new ways for the OS platform to operate on mobile devices.
3. Midrange Phones From LG
Analysts expect to see a range of new phones from LG, the South Korean tech company, including new devices in the company's L-series. While LG has unleashed several high-end products recently, such as the LG G3 and G Flex 2, at Mobile World Congress it reportedly will reveal more information about newmidrange and low-end affordable phones LG Magna, 4-inch LG Joy, 4.7-inch LG Spirit and 4.5-inch LG Leon.
At last year's Mobile World Congress, LG unveiled the LG G Pro 2 and G2 mini, dipping into the phablet and small-form-factor device market. The LG G Pro 2 is a 5.9-inch lightweight phablet while the G2 Mini has a 4.7-inch display.
2. Samsung Smartwatch
South Korean smartphone company Samsung reportedly will challenge smartwatch makers such as Motorola with its own new smartwatch product, dubbed "Orbis," which is rounded, unlike many other tech-based watches.
Analysts also expect Samsung, which focused on smart TVs and connected devices as opposed to mobile devices at CES this year, to unveil a line of products including a new tablet and smartphone. The company at last year's Mobile World Congress made a ripple in the smartphone device market when it unveiled the Galaxy S5.
1. Galaxy S6
Samsung has been hinting at the newest rendition of its Galaxy S series that it will release during Mobile World Congress with cryptic clues like a picture with a single, curved line entitled "what's next."
Thecompany is set to host an event March 1, where it is expected to launch the new Galaxy S6. Analysts speculate that the curved line in the ad means that the newest phone will be a curved device, and will reportedly feature new materials, such as metal, to distinguish it from other popular smartphones by vendors like Apple. In the past, the company has utilized plastic to cut down on the cost of devices.