Thousands of telecom industry teams have arrived in Barcelona for the anticipated Mobile World Congress 2025. Many will be keen to see what the world’s smartphone manufacturers have to offer as they launch new devices, show off new features, and talk everything AI. The show officially starts today. March 3rd and runs to March 6th 2025.
Mobile World Congress will expect some major mobile players to unveil new hardware next week — including Xiaomi bringing its flagship 15 series to Europe. Nothing and HMD. It’s already been confirmed that Xiaomi is launching the 15 series on March 2nd. The base model is already available in China, while the 15 Ultra was only revealed on February 27th. In other news, the brand ‘Nothing’ has been busy teasing its 3A series, which will release on March 4th. The company has confirmed that it’s introducing its first triple camera, with a 3x optical zoom periscope lens, and it’s confident enough to have predicted results similar to an iPhone 16 Pro Max.
In the Samsung HQ, this manufacturer continues to draw in a good crowd and loyal customers with their fantastic, well-loved brand. For loyal Android users, it’s been a good few years since Samsung regularly launched its S-series flagships at Mobile World Congress, and we’re not expecting any announcements on that scale this year.
In fact, we’re not expecting any announcements at all, but there may be one big tease: the Galaxy S25 Edge. Samsung’s vision to deliver a true AI companion through advanced mobile AI innovation will be on full display at Mobile World Congress, from the Galaxy S25 series to the new Galaxy A series and its first XR headset, Project Moohan.
This includes an exclusive look at Galaxy S25 Edge, the slimmest Galaxy S series device ever, which advances Samsung’s legacy of pioneering cutting-edge hardware innovation. Visitors will also be able to explore how AI is shaping the future of health and home life, setting a new standard for intelligent, connected living. These transformative AI advancements are backed by Samsung’s core promise of uncompromising security and privacy at every level for its users.
One of the most eye-catching sections of the booth is the private 5G network zone. Samsung recently collaborated with Hyundai to complete the industry’s first end-to-end Reduced Capability (RedCap) trial over a private 5G network. Using Samsung’s advanced private 5G solutions, the companies proved the potential of next-generation industrial private 5G connectivity by improving the battery life and energy efficiency of 5G IoT devices.
Google is unlikely to make any major hardware announcements at the show — it never really does at Mobile World Congress. Still, it likes to start the show with a slew of Android updates — last year’s big one was the integration of Gemini into the Messages app. We’d expect some similar small announcements this year, likely still centred around the Gemini AI assistant. In other news, HMD is one of a few companies that has confirmed a press conference for March 2nd, using teasers that promise “Two icons. One device,” and show off both the iconic Nokia game Snake and HMD’s sponsorship of FC Barcelona.
In other news from HMD, whereas most phones with parental controls either rely on an app that can be deleted or bypassed, or a proprietary operating system that doesn’t give kids access to the same apps their friends are using, HMD’s Fusion X1 combines app-based controls baked deep into its version of Android OS. This creates a locked-down safe space, where kids can still have limited access to Snapchat, WhatsApp and TikTok — if their parents agree.
The flexibility provided by Fusion X1 is to create options for families who know their children will need access to technology, but may want to do that at their own pace and according to their own rules. “The idea is to provide a device which is a stepping stone,” HMD’s Global Head of Product Adam Ferguson tells CNET. “Eventually a parent could cede control of this management to the device itself, so it’s part of a gradual growing up.”
It’s an idea that’s already making waves and catching the attention of many people, not least actor and talk show host Drew Barrymore. She commented, “what is right for me may not be right for you,” said Barrymore on parenting her two daughters who at 11 and 13 currently don’t have smartphones.
