It’s about time we get to recapping the best of MWC 2025. Tech conventions can be a blast because not only do we get to see some cool upcoming products, but we also get to test out conceptual products that may be impossible to manufacture for a wide-scale release for now. Despite being just concept devices, these gadgets showcase how creatively a company can perform and they allude to future directions for technology to evolve.
The top tech from MWC 2025 was no different. We saw some great smartphone releases that were immediately ready for purchase, while other, more wacky and bendy gadgets remained concepts. The Xiaomi MWC 2025 launch was one example of a release that has gained significant mainstream attention, but it wasn’t the only one to do so.
Image: Xiaomi 15 Ultra
Best of MWC 2025—Top 5 Picks For Most Interesting Announcements
The Mobile World Congress 2025 was held between March 3-6 in Barcelona, and it saw many brands, both big and small, showing off the things they have been working on. The event was initially launched 38 years ago in 1987 and was referred to as the GSM World Congress back then.
Ever since, the event has slowly grown into something far bigger and better, and each year we’re treated to some truly innovative product lineups. We had some interesting releases last year at MWC as well, but it is time to set our sights on what comes next and round up the best smartphones at MWC 2025.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra
Changing the form or UI of the smartphone is fun but a company really shines best when it makes changes that build on the capabilities of the smartphone to give us something we can actually use. AI is not what customers are looking for, it is better value for their money, and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is exactly that with its new camera setup.
At MWC 2025, the camera tech debuted on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra included a 200MP periscope camera. Smartphone makers have struggled to build on the telephoto lens capabilities but the new offering with this device showed everyone that it wasn’t impossible.
The flagship phone built on the capabilities of the standard Xiaomi 15, and it did so in style, even if its appearance has been criticized by many as being unappealing. Xiaomi also showed off a “modular optical system” concept that would allow for an additional lens to be attached to the phone for even better-quality photos.
Realme Interchangeable Lens Concept Phone
Realme also works extensively with camera technology, and its MWC 2025 showcase highlighted how it has evolved that concept. The company’s main showcase featured the Realme 14 Pro and 14 Pro+ as they were introduced into European markets, and we were also treated to the 14 Pro Lite. All three are interesting, but the real focus was on the concept phone with an interchangeable camera lens that could turn your smartphone into a heavy-duty DSLR.
We’ve seen the concept showcased before by Xiaomi, but it was interesting nonetheless. The ability to mount Leica M lenses directly onto your smartphone may not be technology that everyone would use but for those into photography, this could be a big deal if ever released.
Image: Nothing Phone 3a Pro
Nothing Phone 3a Pro
The eagerly awaited Nothing Phone 3a series was revealed a few days before the MWC 2025 so we knew what to expect to a degree, however, we were still surprised to see how the company utilized the glyph systems this time. While the general smartphone specs aren’t extremely unique, the Pro model also featured standout camera tech at MWC 2025 with its 50MP periscope lens on a smartphone that only costs $459.
Nothing also introduced us to a new button on the smartphone that allows users to store notes and voice recordings in the Extended Space. This adds a touch of organization to an already clean and minimalistic smartphone UI.
Ulefone Armor 34 Pro
The best smartphones at MWC 2025 were not just built around the cameras. The Ulefone Armor 34 Pro is a ridiculously rugged smartphone that has a 25,500mAh battery. Yes, the Dimensity 7300X 5G chip and 12GB RAM are great, and the basic triple-camera setup gets the job done, but the real champion of the device is its battery.
It would be nearly impossible to condense such a high-capacity battery into a small smartphone form factor, so the Armor 34 Pro is a huge beast of a phone. It isn’t meant for someone who wants something dainty to fit into pockets and purses. The massive phone also has a built-in 150 lm projector and 1,200 lm LED flash to really step up your camping experience. The device is built to last and survive any outdoor conditions you want it to accompany you through, making it one of the best MWC 2025 gadgets.
Tecno Spark Slim Phone
If Ulefone brought a giant hulk of a phone to the table, Techno hinted that it was playing around with the possibility of releasing an extremely thin smartphone. The device is still at the conceptualization stage in terms of its full specs, but Techo was still able to showcase the Spark Slim phone form factor and it really was just that thin.
Apple has been working on something similar for a while now and we aren’t sure if the device will ever see a release, but this could be a good alternative if it goes into mass production. Despite the sleek size, the smartphone doesn’t compromise on battery size, still offering a 5,200mAh battery on this one along with its two 50MP cameras. Techno also revealed it had a tri-fold phone concept under development.
Image: Infinix
Infinix Zero Series Tri-Fold Concept
The top tech of MWC 2025 can also include device concepts that we’re excited about in the future. Infinix showcased its Note 50 series at the event in Barcelona but they weren’t particularly thrilling or interesting. What we learned was that Infinix was working on a tri-fold phone development in a more novel way than we’ve seen so far.
Instead of folding down the vertical hinge as we’ve seen with book-type fold phones and the Huawei Mate XT, this Zero series device will fold like a clamshell-fold device and fold along the horizontal plane. This would give users three different sizes of use, with the smallest folded version being sized like a pager. This could be a great device event it extremely hard to put a case over to keep it safe.
Infinix Solar Charging Concept Phone and Lenovo Solar Powered Laptop
Infinix appears twice on the Best of MWC 2025 list for good reason. Apart from the tri-fold concept, Infix also showcased a phone that could charge itself up through ambient lighting using SolarEnergy-Reserving Technology to turn light into power. An AI system further enhances this transfer, making the device worthy of acknowledgment.
The company also stated it was working on a phone case that could do the same thing for a regular smartphone. This would eventually allow us to ditch cables and wires and just rely on the environment to do the charging for us. This isn’t going to happen as it will still take a while to perfect and spread this tech, but we like where Infinix is headed with its ideas.
Lenovo also showed off a similar technology concept, but for charging a laptop through the solar cells on its lid. The company said that 20 minutes of direct sunlight could charge it up for an hour’s worth of content playback, which is an unbelievable claim but one we’d love to test out.
Samsung Galaxy A56
MWC 2025’s top devices also include the Galaxy A56, purely for being a mid-range phone that makes Samsung accessible to its fans. The device doesn’t do anything particularly special, but at $500, the A56 has managed to be one of the best budget phones at MWC 2025. Two cheaper variants were also released for someone who doesn’t mind going lower on the specs—A26 and A36—so there’s something for everyone’s budget.
HMD Fusion X1
Not everyone is going to be a fan of this one, especially not the teens, but the HMD Fusion X1 is a great phone for parents who want to start allowing their kids to have their own smartphone but with limited access to all its features. The HMD Fusion X1 through its partnership with Xplora, “combines app-based controls baked deep into its version of Android OS” to make it easier for parents to control and monitor what their kids get up to on these devices.
Image: Mudita Kompakt
Mudita Kompakt
The minimalist E Ink phone by Mudita is designed to eliminate distractions and create a healthier relationship with smartphones. The device gets rid of all the distractions we’re typically overwhelmed by on a regular smartphone, pairing them down to leave us with a device that serves us and not the other way around.
The growing popularity of dumbphones cannot be denied and the Mudita Kompakt is a shining example of how we can still stay connected without the bright colors and flashing ads you typically encounter with a smartphone. It also looks extremely unique and stylish so if you want to support something new, go read up about the device.
Apple also made some interesting product announcements like the iPad Air M3 and the MacBook Air M4, but this was done separately from any MWC events as the company did not attend the event.
From the Xiaomi MWC 2025 launch to the Nothing Phone 3a Pro, this year’s event was filled with some interesting products overall. The innovation from smartphone brands, particularly the smaller ones that don’t get as much credit, is heartening to see. Did we miss out on your top pick for the best MWC 2025 releases? Let us know.
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