Update: MWC 2018 is over, drawing to a close another huge show for the smartphone world.
MWC (or Mobile World Congress to give it its full name) is one of the biggest events on the mobile calendar.
This year it gave us a whole host of exciting, intriguing and expensive devices, inlcuding the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact, LG V30S ThinQ, Nokia 8 Sirocco and 8110 4G, and the Vivo Apex Concept.
That's not all though, with Huawei, ZTE, Alcatel, Lenovo and more all unveiling new products too, including laptops and tablets alongside the slew of mobile handsets.
You can find out everything that launched below, with links to our fabulous hands on reviews, giving you an insight into every product that showed up in Barcelona.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? The biggest phone show of 2018
- When is it? It ran from February 26 to March 1 2018
MWC 2018 news
As well as all the new device launches at MWC 2018, the show also kicked up a load of other news, giving us insights to future product launches, the direction of 5G and some of the more left-field activities going on.
Samsung at MWC 2018
- Hands on: Samsung Galaxy S9 review
- Hands on: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus review
- Versus: Samsung Galaxy S9 vs Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus
- Versus: Samsung Galaxy S9 vs iPhone X
- Versus: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8
- Versus: Samsung Galaxy S9 vs Samsung Galaxy S8
- A brief look at the new Samsung Galaxy S9 AR emoji
Samsung Galaxy S9
It's the one we've been waiting for - the Samsung Galaxy S9. It's got a camera that's out to impress, and certainly succeeds, and its fingerprint sensor is definitely in a better place. But it's hard not to notice the similarities to last year's now cheaper S8.
The Samsung Galaxy S9 will launch globally on March 16 for £739 ($719.99, around AU$1,300). Pre-orders in Europe are open now and US pre-orders will open March 2.
- Everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S9
- These are the best Samsung Galaxy S9 pre-order deals
Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus
The bigger and better sibling of the Galaxy S9, you won't want more than the Galaxy S9 Plus. It has a 6.2-inch curved screen and low-light-defeating dual-lens camera and although it looks exactly like last year's S8 Plus, it does at least fix the fingerprint sensor (now center-aligned on the back) and speakers (now in a stereo).
The official Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus release date is March 16, and it’s coming out on the same day worldwide. S9 and S9 Plus pre-orders are available in Europe right now but you’ll have to wait until March 2 for US pre-orders to open.
The Galaxy S9 Plus price is more expensive than is was last year in the US and UK: In the US, it'll cost $839.99 for the S9 Plus unlocked through Samsung's official website. In the UK, the Galaxy S9 Plus is even more expensive at £869.
- Everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus
- These are the very best Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus pre-order deals
Huawei at MWC 2018
- Hands on: Huawei MateBook X Pro review
- Hands on: Huawei MediaPad M5 review
Huawei MateBook X Pro
The MateBook X Pro may only be Huawei's second ever laptop but we're impressed by what we've seen so far.
This is a machine that's geared to compete with the best offerings from Apple and Microsoft and though we think that's pretty ambitious, we're not inclined to dismiss it from what we've seen so far. An excellent screen, powerful innards and sleek design have left us keen to see more.
- Hands on review: Huawei MateBook X Pro
- Huawei MateBook X Pro has an awesome pop-up camera, so why copy Apple?
Huawei MediaPad M5
It sounds like one thing, but Huawei's MediaPad M5 is actually a range of three tablets. Two by the name of MediaPad M5, and one with a Pro fixed to the end.
These are premium entries into the tablet market with design and specs that reflect this. We liked what we experienced in our hands-on time, but a lot is going to depend on pricing when it's revealed.
Sony at MWC 2018
- Hands on: Sony Xperia XZ2 review
- Hands on: Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact review
- Hands on: Sony Xperia Ear Duo review
- Versus: Sony Xperia XZ2 vs Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
- Versus: Sony Xperia XZ2 vs iPhone X
- Versus: Sony Xperia XZ2 vs Samsung Galaxy S9
Sony Xperia XZ2
The Sony Xperia XZ2 is the company's latest flagship and it's packed full of new features, including an 18:9 display, a whole new look with smaller bezels, and an unusual new Dynamic Vibration System which adds vibrations to media.
In our hands on time we weren't thrilled by the fingerprint scanner location and the bezels are still bigger than we'd like, but we were otherwise impressed with the design and performance. How impressed we are will largely depend on the price though.
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact packs flagship specs (including a Snapdragon 845 chipset and 4GB of RAM) into a 5.0-inch shell, which is a rare combination.
We're not sure how long the 2,870mAh battery will last and pricing remains unknown, but in our hands on we were impressed by the design and specs.
Sony Xperia Ear Duo
A slightly odd one this. The Sony Xperia Ear Duo are a newly announced pair of wireless earbuds designed to let you hear music and the outside world at the same time, so you can hear approaching vehicles and even carry on a conversation. In our hands on review we found them a bit bulky, but liked the general idea.
LG at MWC 2018
- Hands on: LG V30S ThinQ review
- Hands on: LG K8 (2018) review
- Hands on: LG K10 (2018) review
LG V30S ThinQ
We've already had our first taste of LG at this year's show with the V30S ThinQ. This handset takes a lot of what we loved about the original V30 when it was unleashed on the world just six months ago, but brings more RAM, new internal storage configurations and a new blue color to the table.
We like what we've seen so far but its specs are behind the competition now, so a lot depends on what price LG decides to set.
Nokia at MWC 2018
- Hands on: Nokia 8110 4G review
- Hands on: Nokia 8 Sirocco
- Hands on: Nokia 7 Plus review
- Hands on: Nokia 6 (2018) review
- Hands on: Nokia 1 review
Nokia 8110 4G
Nokia hit a winner with the trip down nostalgia lane that was the 3310. Now, it's going for it again with the return of the Matrix banana phone: the Nokia 8110.
But this time with 4G. This is a low cost phone with a killer battery life, and it's a great blast to the past. But its limited functionalities might not appeal to everyone.
- Hands on review: Nokia 8110 4G
- Nokia 8110 vs Nokia 8110 4G: retro meets the reboot
- Everything you need to know about the new Nokia 8110 4G
- Nokia 8110 4G was so nearly a true spring-loaded Matrix phone
Nokia 8 Sirocco
Nokia 8 Sirocco is Nokia's flagship offering at MWC and its a big step forward for HMD Global. Here you'll find a premium design, wireless charging and the kind of flagship feeling fans of the brand have been asking for since the Nokia 8.
And as proof it's really keeping up with the latest flagships, there's not headphone jack. Last year's chipset is disappointing considering the price but this is a solid foundation for HMD.
- Hands on: Nokia 8 Sirocco
Nokia 7 Plus
The Nokia 7 Plus is a big-screen mid-ranger with a stellar battery life. Here you'll find a reasonably premium design with a high-end dual camera all bolstered by a reasonable price tag. It's just a shame it's not out until April.
- Hands on review: Nokia 7 Plus
Nokia 6 (2018)
The 2018 iteration of the Nokia 6 is a thoughtful upgrade from HMD. It has more power, fast-charging and it actually looks a little more interesting. It's more expensive too but it still falls firmly into the mid-range category.
Overall, this is shaping up to be a phone that doesn't drastically revamp the Nokia 6 brand, but it does make some needed improvements.
- Hands on review: Nokia 6 (2018)
Nokia 1
Nokia 1 is the super cheap member of the MWC 2018 Nokia family. Its design definitely won't blow your mind and its load times err on the side of slow but at $85 (around £60, AU$110), it's extremely affordable.
In fact, this is the first Nokia branded smartphone to come in at under $100 yet it's still a solid Android experience thanks to the less demanding Android Go OS.
- Hands on review: Nokia 1
Lenovo at MWC 2018
Lenovo Smart Display
We might just have a genuine competitor for the Amazon Echo Show with Lenovo's Smart Display. A big bright display, a powerful speaker and all the benefits of Google Assistant technology make it an interesting prospect.
If you wish your Google Home had a screen and you're not put off by the price, it could be one to watch this year.
- Hands on review: Lenovo Smart Display
Lenovo Yoga 730
Lenovo has revealed another 2-in-1 device with the Yoga 730. This is a limited upgrade on last year's model but it has a nice premium design, Alexa integration and some appealing new fast-charging features that make it worthwhile if you're running an older device and you're looking for an upgrade.
- Hands on review: Lenovo Yoga 730
Lenovo Flex 14 (or Yoga 530)
Another 2-in-1 offering from Lenovo is the Flex 14 (or Yoga 530 as it's known outside the US). If you're in the market for a 2-in-1 laptop but you can't quite stretch your budget to the larger Yoga 730, this 14-inch device is a good choice for you.
From what we've experienced so far, this is a dependable option that will offer a solid performance.
- Hands on review: Lenovo Flex 14
Moto G6 not at MWC but it is "coming soon"
After recent leaks we had hoped that Lenovo might unveil the upcoming Moto G6, G6 Plus and G6 Play at this year's MWC but that's not been the case. Instead, Lenovo took the chance to dedicate a wall of its booth to the line and tease that it will be "coming soon."
ZTE at MWC 2018
ZTE Blade V9
ZTE's Blade smartphones usually give you a lot of spec for your simoleons and it doesn't look like this has changed with the Blade V9.
This is a premium-looking mid-ranger that has some impressive features and a covetable microSD card slot. It's still early days but if the price point of this device is just right we could have an early contender for the best cheap phone of the year.
- Hands on review: ZTE Blade V9
ZTE Blade 9 Vita
The Blade 9 Vita is probably the cheapest way to get yourself an all-screen phone right now. It's the lite version of the Blade V9 above, offering a more compact design and specs that likely to be more in line with a lower price point.
- Hands on review: ZTE Blade V9 Vita
Alcatel at MWC 2018
- Hands on: Alcatel 5 review
- Hands on: Alcatel 3 review
- Hands on: Alcatel 3V review
- Hands on: Alcatel 3X review
- Hands on: Alcatel 1X
- Hands on: Alcatel 1T review
Alcatel 5
The Alcatel 5 is a phone with a lot of promise - an almost bezel-free display, premium specs and a nice low price point. Oh, and it doesn't look too bad either.
It's missing a few of the features of higher-end phones (like a dual-rear camera and super high resolution display) but it has a good quality 18:9 ratio display, secure facial recognition technology and a dual selfie camera. You won't find that for €229.99 (about $280, £200, AU$360) anywhere else right now.
- Hands on review: Alcatel 5
Alcatel 3
The Alcatel 3 is the latest affordable handset from Alcatel and it sits slap bang in the middle of the 1X and the 5. It has a high quality 18:9 display and facial revognition unlock (which is impressive for the price) as well a compact, attractive design.
But it also has some storage problems and we can't help but feel that Alcatel has made some other impressively affordable handsets that are far more interesting phones in the form of the Alcatel 5, Alcatel 3V and Alcatel 3X.
- Hands on review: Alcatel 3
Alcatel 1X
This is it - the world's first Android Go smartphone. For those on a super low smartphone budget, the Alcatel 1X offers a big screen and pretty decent cameras for the price.
Prices start from just €99 (around £90, $120, AU$150) and although it's not quite as cheap as its rival the Nokia 1, it does offer a bigger screen, bigger battery and more storage.
- Hands on review: Alcatel 1X
Alcatel 1T
Alcatel is keeping the tablet form going with two brand new offerings that will be available to buy before June this year. The Alcatel 10 inch 1T 10 and 7 inch 1T 7 won't exactly leave iPads struggling in a spec war, but with price points starting from €70 price tag (around £60 / $85 / AU$60) it's hard to complain.
These are the kind of tablets we think will be perfect for throwing around the house and handing to the kids without fear.
Asus at MWC 2018
Asus Zenfone 5 (2018)
The Asus Zenfone 5 takes its design inspiration from one phone, and one phone only. The iPhone X. There's a distinctive notch at the top of the display, while the rear features a vertical dual camera stack.
It does have a fingerprint scanner, something the iPhone X misses, and its screen is also larger at 6.2 inches. It'll also be cheaper than Apple's flagship, so if you love the design but hate the price of the iPhone X, this could be the phone for you.
- Hands on review: Asus Zenfone 5
- Everything you need to know about the Asus Zenfone 5
Asus Zenfone Max Plus M1
We love nothing more than flagship-quality style for an affordable price and that's what Asus' new ZenFone Max Plus M1 is promising to bring to the table.
Available in the US for $229 (about £164, AU$291) it's a strong mid-ranger with a 5.7-inch 18:9 aspect ratio display and a large 4,130mAh battery. We'll be reviewing the phone soon to see if it lives up to its promise so keep an eye out.
Google at MWC 2018
Android Go is making us hyped for a hyper-cheap handset
Google didn't have any hardware of its own to show off at MWC 2018, but the arrival of the Nokia 1 and Alcatel 1X mark an important milestone in the search giant's Android ecosystem.
Both handsets come running Android Go Edition, a lighter version of the operating system that's designed specifically to work on lower powered, budget devices with an aim of providing a smartphone experience to those with very little to spend.
The Nokia and Alcatel devices are just the first of a number that we expect to hit the market in the coming months, and we expect Google to really push its new service in emerging markets.
