10 Mobile Devices Likely to Debut at MWC 2014 in Barcelona

by Don Reisinger

This one might not come as a shocker, but Nokia will be showing off both new smartphones and tablets at Mobile World Congress. According to some reports, the company’s slate will feature Windows 8.1 Blue. A new smartphone, believed to be named the Lumia 1820, could be the company’s flagship handset for 2014.

Several credible rumors have hinted that Nokia, despite the fact that it will soon be owned by Microsoft, is planning to launch a cheap Android-based device. The handset will reportedly come with a Windows Phone 8 look, but in fact be running Android. It’s currently known as the Nokia Normandy or Nokia X, and might turn out to be a no-show. But the sheer number of rumors suggests that such a device could actually appear.

Samsung is planning to hold its own special event before Mobile World Congress to show off its Galaxy S 5. Still, the company is planning on allowing reporters to get their hands on the device at the show. Samsung is also reportedly working on some tablets to show off at MWC.

It’s no surprise that HTC will use MWC as the venue to unveil its next flagship handset, the HTC One 2. Rumors have suggested that the device will come with a 5-inch-plus screen, high-end specs and run Android. All that seems plausible and could be a make-or-break device for the ailing HTC.

Samsung has already confirmed that a new Galaxy Note, known as the Galaxy Note 3 Neo, will be coming soon to store shelves. And although the company hasn’t shared exact details on the device, it’s believed that the company will bring it to MWC. As one might expect, the Galaxy Note 3 Neo will come with support for Samsung’s digital pen technology.

One of the key components in Sony’s “One Sony” initiative is mobile. And over the last several months, the rumor mill has churned out report after report saying that Sony is working on a flagship handset that will come with a big screen, high-end components and Android. The device, the reports say, will finally put Sony back on track in mobile. After a long, long wait, it’ll finally show up at MWC.

Samsung will be all over the place at Mobile World Congress. The company is expected to announce a new version of its Galaxy Gear smartwatch that not only works better, but also comes with a slicker design, according to several reports. Since the Galaxy Gear plays so nicely with the Galaxy Note, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Samsung might show off a new smartwatch.

Exact details aren’t available on any BlackBerry product that might appear at MWC, but the company will be there and is expected to show off something. Hopes abound that BlackBerry will unveil a groundbreaking smartphone or tablet, but judging by the company’s recent product launches, that’s not likely to happen.

China-based ZTE will be at Mobile World Congress to show off its own flagship handset, according to reports. The company is reportedly planning to unveil a 6.4-inch ZTE Nubia Z7 unit that could prove to be one of the biggest “phablets” at the show. That device follows a few other devices that ZTE has introduced for those on a budget.

Tizen, the open-source operating system Samsung is trying to push this year, could be making quite a splash at MWC. The operating system is expected to find its way to some Samsung handsets as well as those from ZTE and others. This might just be the year for Tizen.