The 2015 Show: Flagship Overhauls and New Form Factors
Mobile World Congress (MWC) has long been the stage where the biggest names in mobile technology reveal their flagship devices. The 2015 edition, held in Barcelona, was no exception. Samsung took the spotlight with the Galaxy S6 and its curved-display sibling, the Galaxy S6 edge, marking a dramatic shift from plastic to glass and metal. The S6 featured a 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display, the Exynos 7420 octa-core processor, and a 16-megapixel camera with OIS. The edge variant introduced a dual-curved screen that allowed quick access to contacts and notifications, a design that would influence future models.
HTC countered with the One M9, which retained the iconic all-metal design but upgraded the camera to a 20-megapixel sapphire lens and the processor to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810. Available in four colors, including a dual-tone finish, the M9 also introduced the configurable DotView cover, which allowed users to interact with the phone through a perforated case. The device launched with Android 5.0 Lollipop and HTC's Sense 7 UI, which offered more customization options than its predecessor.
LG teased its next flagship with a statement from mobile chief Cho Jun-ho that the LG G4 would be 'radically different.' The phone later debuted with a leather back and a curved display, but at MWC, LG only sent out invitations for a separate event in February. The company also hinted at a more powerful 'G series' device in development, signaling its intent to compete at the highest level.
Sony used MWC 2015 to announce the Xperia Z4 Tablet, a super-slim 10.1-inch tablet with a 2K display and the Snapdragon 810 chipset. It also unveiled the mid-range Xperia M4 Aqua, which offered waterproofing without compromising on specs. Huawei entered the Android Wear market with the Huawei Watch, a strikingly elegant smartwatch with a round AMOLED display and a stainless steel case. The watch seamlessly blended classic watch design with modern technology, earning praise for its aesthetics.
Google's presence at MWC 2015 was felt through a keynote interview with Sundar Pichai, who discussed Android Pay, the company's MVNO plans (Project Fi), and Project Titan, a drone-based internet initiative. Google also ran a 'Be together. Not the same.' campaign featuring Androidify characters, complete with a basketball-themed ad called 'Selfie Slam.' Alcatel launched its Idol 3 series, offering budget-friendly smartphones with solid specifications, including a reversible design that allowed the phone to be used upside down for calls.
Early Birds and Leaks: Building Anticipation
In the months leading up to MWC 2016, leaks and teasers kept the tech community buzzing. A system dump of the HTC One M9 revealed its color variants and software features, while T-Mobile accidentally posted the best picture yet of the Samsung Galaxy S6 on its microsite. HTC Ireland teased 'bigger boom' for the M9, hinting at improved front-facing speakers. Meanwhile, the HTC One M9 appeared on retailer B&H's website with a price of $649 and a March 25 release date, though the listing was quickly pulled.
LG sent out invites for its MWC 2016 event on February 21st, featuring the slogan 'Play begins' and a jack-in-the-box graphic. The invite fueled speculation about the LG G5, which would later introduce a modular design with expandable battery and camera modules. An opinion piece published before the event questioned whether such modularity could revive the smartphone market, pointing to previous attempts that failed to gain traction.
Sony's 'Xperia PP10' and 'Smart Ear' accessory leaked via Evan Blass just before the company's press conference. The Xperia PP10 was a mysterious smartphone that might not have been its final name, while the Smart Ear resembled the Moto Hint, a wearable Bluetooth earpiece. These leaks added to the excitement of what Sony would officially announce.
The 2016 Edition: Mid-Range Refinements and Modular Dreams
At MWC 2016, Acer announced the Liquid Jade 2, which stood out for its massive 1TB 'hybrid' storage capacity, allowing users to expand via microSD. The phone featured a 5.5-inch Full HD display, a 21-megapixel rear camera, and a sleek design. Lenovo unveiled its TAB3 series of inexpensive tablets, targeting budget-conscious consumers with models in 7-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch sizes. The TAB3 lineup ran Android 5.1 Lollipop and included optional Dolby Atmos audio and 4G LTE connectivity.
HTC focused on mid-range devices with the global launch of the One X9 and three new Desire models. The Desire line introduced a unique 'Micro Splash' design, offering water-repellent coatings that protected against splashes and light rain. The One X9, previously exclusive to Asia, came with a 5.5-inch Full HD display, a MediaTek Helio X10 processor, and a 13-megapixel camera.
The Blackphone 2, announced at MWC 2015, finally went on pre-order in August 2015. Targeting enterprise users, it ran Silent OS based on Android, with full encryption for calls and messages. Though no price was set for the general public, the company focused on bulk sales to businesses, continuing its niche appeal.
Huawei reported record profits at the end of March 2015, with a 33% rise to $46 billion in revenue. The company attributed its success to LTE expansion in China and expected 20% growth the following year. Its Huawei Watch, shown at MWC 2015, was a highlight of their push into wearables, though pricing remained undisclosed.
Video and Livestream Coverage
MWC was also a hub for real-time video content. Samsung's Unpacked event for the Galaxy S6 was livestreamed globally, attracting millions of viewers. HTC also offered a livestream for the One M9 launch under the tagline 'Utopia in Progress.' Google posted ads featuring Androidify characters, reinforcing its brand message of inclusion and diversity. The tech community eagerly followed these streams to get first looks at the devices.
The 2015 show set the stage for a year of innovation, with modular designs, metal unibodies, and smartwatches dominating the conversation. The 2016 event refined those trends, offering more storage, better mid-range options, and a deeper focus on security. MWC remains the epicenter of mobile announcements, and the 2015-2016 period will be remembered for the blockbuster reveals that reshaped the industry.
Source: 9to5Google News