8'

We’re at MWC from today

AndiFebruary 22, 2016

We’ll be heading to the Mobile World Congress today to bring you the latest from the show.

The first day of the MWC is today and we are just getting ready to set off and get to work (as long as the subway strike does not affect…). We’ll be attempting to cover as much Chinese tech as we can today and tomorrow, while the rest of the days will be used picking up other hands on and stories.

Gizchina News of the week

Join GizChina on Telegram

If you see me walking around the show, then come and say ‘Hi’.

Keep posted for updates through the day.

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

About the author
Andi

Good morning andy！
Darevintage
February 22, 2016
Hello Andy. I’d keep refreshing my gizchina webpage over and over again for updates from you. If you don’t mind, have a look at the new HP windows phone. Pairing that with the Vivo Xplay 5 won’t be a bad idea huh? Goodluck to anyone who buys the two and lets his wife know how much they cost together lol

Reggie
February 22, 2016
Hello Andy… Have fun today in España… Now you have to speak Spanish
2 cervezas por favor, agua, hotel, amigo, si, no, esa chica esta bonita, etc, etc, ???
Adam Irvine
February 22, 2016
YESSSSS It’s finally here!!! 😀
realjjj
February 22, 2016
- Marco Lancaster
  February 22, 2016
  P20 has no A72 unfortunately, in my opinion it’s barely an upgrade. Should be quite good indeed, but Qualcomm should take the leap this year with 650, 652, after a whole 2015 behind MTK in mid-range department.

coolio68
February 22, 2016
princetom
February 22, 2016
Am here too
MattD
February 22, 2016
Have fun! ?
Now, if you have 5 minutes of spare time, may I suggest a quick visit to lg? I know it’s not the usual news we look for on here, but that magic slot of their is quite a revolution in the industry, so I would definitely love to see an hands on or something (keep in mind I don’t know how it works, so I know I might just saying something stupid xD)
- realjjj
  February 22, 2016
  It’s marketing garbage, they don’t use it for anything useful that can’t be done in a much less intrusive way.
  - MattD
    February 22, 2016
    Samsung’s edges are marketing garbage: this is the first modular phone in the market, and its potential is huge (you can potentially plug a dlsr on your phone… There is not a single way to make it “less intrusive” for now)
    - realjjj
      February 22, 2016
      Removable batteries ,swappable back covers and microSD slots have been the most basic form of modularity and around for a long long time.
      Here they have a camera grip and a DAC while the slot makes the device bulky and reduces the battery size. A camera grip is much much easier and cheaper to do with a case and it’s pointless anyway. A DAC can be internal, instead of charging you extra for it and making the device even bulkier , or external in a number of possible implementations. The so called slot is not only proprietary but basically cuts the entire bottom of the device, it’s ridiculously intrusive.
      Today, you have tiny standard connectors, numerous wireless standards and a few other relevant tools in creating accessories.
      This is a play to create more revenue and better margins by implementing a proprietary so called slot. It is very very intrusive because they wanted to be able to remove the battery. it’s something Apple’s greed would create,just a dumber implementation.
      The fact that they couldn’t come up with a few viable ideas for modules, shows you how ridiculously useless the slot is. They launched with 2 modules and both are pointless.
      I assume you wanted to say DSLR and there are already a number of smartphone attachable lens cameras that don’t ruin the phone. Not that users care much about such a product.
      Yes a slot can enable some functionality but you already have a number of connectors, a microSD slot and wireless and those are far more practical. The intrusiveness and the placement are also way way wrong here.
      They even had a VR cam as an accessory, NOT as a module, that’s how useless that slot is.
      - MattD
        February 22, 2016
        I just don’t see it that way, then it all goes by opinion: you called “greed” such an idea, I praise them for the very first modular smartphone with a metal body AND a removable battery… And please, don’t say that a fisheye lens is at the same level of the camera module…
        You don’t like it, I do: we both can say pros and cons, neither of us is totally right or wrong… The only thing for sure here is the fact that they tried to make something different, never seen before.

tauerman
February 22, 2016
New ZTE devices http://www.gizmochina.com/2016/02/22/zte-unveils-two-new-mid-rangers-zte-blade-v7-and-v7-lite-at-mwc-2016/
balcobomber25
February 22, 2016
Balco is reporting live from Barcelona! This is my first MWC and since arriving in Barcelona last night it has been a crazy whirlwind. Today I haven’t stopped moving (or talking) since 5am. This is the first time I had to sit down and have a cup of coffee. I had some hands on with a few devices here are my initial thoughts:
Galaxy S7 – still not a fan of the design but the camera has the potential to be the best one on Android since the Xshot.
Sony – I am not surprised they launched something but I am surprised by the X Performance which is going to completely cannibalize sales of the Z line. Unless this is the end of the Z line and Z6 isn’t coming out this is just weird. This company is in dire need of leadership and direction.
Acer – A company which has always stumbled to find its way with phones. The Liquid Jade 2 looks great but the specs are MWC 2015 worthy. This one is going to depend on pricing. If it’s under $250 it is a good deal.
Gionee – I am promised some hands on time with the S8! Anyone who follows me knows that while I am a huge Xiaomi fanboy, it’s Gionee that interests me the most. A rep I know from Blu Phones is getting me some behind the scenes access with it. I may wee myself.
- Fábio
  February 22, 2016
  - balcobomber25
    February 22, 2016
    This is my first time in Spain and so far it has been excellent. The people have been very warm and friendly, the weather has been great and there has been so much excitement of MWC. I’ll be in meetings the rest of the day but I’ll be back later updating on what I saw.
- mark
  February 22, 2016
  Hey Balco and Andy if you guys would be good, can you please check is there company called u1labs on MWC, they would supposedly “launch” or maybe show phone thats capable 480fps at 1080.
  I lurk gizchina and comments every day, but this time I have to ask you this.
  Because company u1labs promised their people (and me) who preordered phone will get this cool device by March, and they even told they will try to be on MWC.
  It passed long time of waiting for us who ordered phone so any info would be great.
  If you want to check this device google
  U1labs facebook, there are some photos of prototype and info on the phone.
  Thanks guys 🙂
  - balcobomber25
    February 22, 2016
    I can look for them tomorrow, I have some free time. I don’t see them listed on the list of exhibitors but I will ask around.
    - mark
      February 22, 2016