When the first Mobile World Congress (MWC) took place in 1987, the mobile phone was still a concept device and the term smartphone wasn't even coined. The MWC that takes place in the first quarter of every year at Barcelona has come a long way to become the premier event of the mobile industry. It has not just become one of the most popular platforms to unveil flagship smartphones but offers a sneak peek on what to expect for the rest of the year. The industry’s hot themes – AI, shrinking bezels and improved mobile cameras, came to the fore at MWC 2018 that concluded this week. We put the spotlight on some of the best smartphones that were unveiled this year, devices that could all make their way to Indian shores over the next few weeks and months.
Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+
Samsung made it clear that the S9 would debut at the MWC and it kept its date with its ‘Galaxy Unpacked 2018’ event. The S9 and S9+ were among the showstoppers this year. In terms of form factor, the S9 and its taller sibling don't represent a major overhaul from 2017’s S8 twins. It builds on the same gorgeous infinity display, that Samsung also calls the ‘uninterrupted’ display and packs a whopping 529 Pixels per inch (PPI). The big change is in the camera, the S9 becomes the first device with a ‘variable aperture’ that fits between a f/1.5 and f/2.4 aperture ensuring great results irrespective of the lighting scenario. The S9+ employs the same dual camera (12MP + 12MP) strategy we saw with the Note 8. Bixby, Samsung’s digital assistant has become smarter while a new Emoji feature should keep you and your friends entertained.
ASUS ZenFone 5 and 5Z
The jury might still not be out on the iPhone X’s notch but that hasn't stopped ASUS from mimicking the tiny strip on top of the display. It’s not as wide as the notch on the iPhoneX and yet it might help this device break the clutter in a market full of similar looking Android devices with infinity displays. The 5Z and the 5 look identical, the 5Z is the pricier of the two and features the all-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor under the hood. Both these phones feature a 6.2-inch screen with a vibrant LCD display and despite the extra screen real estate, it is still 20 gms lighter than the iPhoneX. Thankfully ASUS’s iPhoneX clone hasn't done away with the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Sony Xperia XZ2
Sony’s 2018 flagship features some of the same cool things we liked about its 2017 XZ Premium. It is kitted with a capable 19MP primary shooter that can shoot slow-mo videos at an impressive 960 fps (frames per second). It’s the same feature that the Samsung S9 has been touting as one of its highlights. The form makes a clear departure from the XZ Premium with a curved back. The bezels have shrunk slightly and yet the device is still not in the same league as some of the competition. It is powered by the Qualcomm 845 processor with a 3180 mAh battery under the hood.
Nokia 8 Sirocco
HMD Global certainly knows how to play up Nokia nostalgia. The Sirocco conjures images of the Nokia 8800 with its shiny stainless-steel chassis. At a time when aluminium and glass are the preferred choice for flagship smartphones, the 2018 Sirocco is embellished with stainless steel. It might be a fingerprint magnet, but it certainly sets this device apart. With a dual camera, IPS 67 protection from the elements, an always-on display and Android 8.0 out of the box, the Nokia 8 Sirocco has what it takes to take on the competition.
Vivo Apex
The race to shrink the bezels has reached new heights. Vivo’s concept phone is positioned as the smartphone with the highest screen to body ratio. At 98 per cent, it is clearly in a league of its own – the bezels around the 5.99-inch screen are only 1.8mm thick (thin might be a more accurate description) while the chin protrudes just 4.3 mm. The periscope-like selfie cam pops up every time you need to snap a selfie while the fingerprint sensor is embedded under the glass. The Apex features a half-screen sensor, you can unlock your phone from multiple points on the display.