- As the MWC 2023 is about to close its doors, let’s take a look at the major trends that marked the Barcelona show
- Chinese brands were particularly aggressive this year, especially in photography and video
- But there have also been many for VR, among others
What a living room! The Keleops teams (Presse-citron, Journal du Geek and 01Net) were out in force at MWC 2023 in Barcelona – and we weren’t disappointed with the trip. The industry is changing, innovations (and upgrades) were there. Here’s what to take away from it all.
1. Chinese manufacturers put pressure on Samsung and Apple
From Sunday February 2, Xiaomi opens hostilities by launching the Xiaomi 13 Pro in Europe. We already knew a little about the smartphone for a week, since it had already been launched in China. Where Xiaomi stands out is in the photo and video – points on which the brand has not always shone in the past.
The manufacturer signs a very successful smartphone here, especially on this point thanks to a triple 50 Mp main sensor designed (and calibrated) by Leica, for a simply breathtaking result.
Honor rubs shoulders with Apple and Samsung with the Magic 5 Pro ???? #honor #honormagic5pro #smartphone #apple #samsung #android #mwc #mwc23 #pressecitron pic.twitter.com/vrI0mUKj2z
— Presse-citron (@pressecitron) February 28, 2023
The next day, Honor puts it back on with its Magic5 Pro. Again, we are entitled to the top of the basket: again 50 Mp generalized on the three sensors, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, 512 GB of UFS 4.0 memory, a 5,100 mAh battery and a fast charging system of 66W wired and 50W by induction…
2. VR/AR/MR glasses (Xiaomi, Oppo AirGlass 2, Huawei…)
While we are still waiting for Apple on the subject, big names have shown several products and concepts around virtual, mixed or augmented reality. In this regard, we have seen, for example, the AirGlass 2 from Oppo, the NEOVISION Glass from ZTE, or even the VIVE XR ELITE from HTC which made us stir a lot…
But the product that undoubtedly made people dream the most was called Xiaomi Wireless AR Smart Glass Discovery Edition. Agree, the mark would have found shorter. However, between the electrochromic glass, the light guides and other futuristic technologies gathered in this concept, everything seemed to say that Xiaomi wants to double Apple on the subject… at least on what the brand imagines of the next category of products that could (or might not launch) the Cupertino company.
What do you think of this innovation from Xiaomi?
— Presse-citron (@pressecitron) February 27, 2023
3. The smartphone of the future unfolds
We had already seen smartphones, tablets and TVs with drop-down screens – the kind of flexible panel that makes it possible to deliver a device that can change the physical size of its screen, via a mechanism. However, we then seemed far from commercialization as the industrial part seemed complex.
Isn’t that crazy? The drop-down smartphone of @MotorolaFR is the star of this first day of #MWC23
We had the chance to try it. A little preview while waiting for a full article ???? pic.twitter.com/I341EnDnI6
— Presse-citron (@pressecitron) February 27, 2023
The latest concepts of the genre on the show are however convincing us that this type of device is finally about to land. Like Motorola’s amazing drop-down “Rizer”.
4. Foldable smartphones, again
In any case, if this MWC has shown one thing, it’s that Samsung is less and less alone in foldable smartphones. Like Honor, which continues to move upmarket by launching the Magic Vs. Like the Z Fold4 from Samsung, the Magic Vs has two screens, one of which is 6.45″ OLED Full HD 120 Hz supported by a flexible 7.9″ internal screen with a refresh rate of 90 Hz and a QHD definition.
And you, what are the products that have you the most on the sidelines of MWC 2023? Tell us everything in the comments, and don’t forget to follow us on TwitterInstagram and TikTok so you don’t miss any videos on the show!