10 News Makers to Look for at Mobile World Congress 2016

At this year’s Mobile World Congress, expect the latest smartphones and tablets to share the stage with virtual reality devices and wearables.

Samsung will unveil its Galaxy S7 line at its Unpacked event just ahead of Mobile World Congress. In fact, Samsung has been dropping hints about that launch for the past several days to help jump-start the hype. Expect the Galaxy S7 line to mimic last year’s models, complete with one version featuring a screen that spills over the edges. The Galaxy S7 is expected to feature higher-end specs than its predecessor and, according to reports, run Android Marshmallow.

LG is another company that has intentionally leaked key details about its upcoming high-end smartphone, the LG G5. According to the latest rumors, the device will come with a big, “always on” display, as well as a refined design that ditches plastic, leather and curves for a straight-backed metal look.

HTC may have a rough showing at Mobile World Congress. Initially, rumors were circulating that it would unveil its own high-end smartphone, the One M10, at the event, but now reports say it’s waiting until March to showcase the device. In its place, HTC is expected to talk up its virtual reality headset, the HTC Vive, as well as its midrange smartphones. This lower-key approach may make HTC nearly invisible at this year’s show.

The exhibitor list on the Mobile World Congress Website shows clearly that Chinese companies will come out in full force at this year’s event. Expect to see Xiaomi make a few major announcements, including a brand-new smartphone. Huawei is also expected to be in attendance, along with Lenovo. Chinese companies are betting big on mobile, and that will be abundantly clear at this year’s show.

Each year, Mobile World Congress keynote speeches provide a glimpse into what the future will hold for the industry. This year, expect to hear a lot about 5G wireless technology, how the Internet of things will impact wireless networks, and other future-tech topics. As more devices connect to cellular networks, the entire industry will need to be prepared. And preparing for a future in which many more devices will be connected to mobile networks will be on the top of everyone’s mind.

According to several reports, battery technology will be another important theme at this year’s Mobile World Congress. Companies are realizing that they can’t necessarily boost screen sizes much more, and talk of cameras no longer seems to excite smartphone buyers. The next frontier for many companies is the ability to deliver extra-long battery lives. A look at the Mobile World Congress exhibitor list shows a surprisingly large number of companies that focus on products that maximize battery life.

A new year means it’s time to talk about the mobile processing power of the latest smartphones and tablets. Several devices on the showroom floor are expected to run on Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 820 processor, but there are other chipmakers that will be in attendance showcasing their own technologies. Intel, Samsung, Qualcomm and more will be showing mobile processors on the show floor.

Modularity has largely been living under Google’s roof with Project Ara, but several rumors say this year could be different. In fact, the rumored LG G5 is expected to come with a port that allows users to quickly swap peripherals in and out as needed. Some industry analysts have suggested that Project Ara could make a showing, and some startups are expected to unveil some new modular designs. Modularity could be the topic that steals the show.

MWC has expanded to include devices far beyond smartphones, tablets and mobile PCs. So it shouldn’t surprise anyone if several vendors unveil new smartwatches and other wearables at the event. In fact, some industry analysts say that a slew of smartwatches from both big and small companies will appear.

Apple will feature prominently at MWC, even though it will be absent from the show as usual. Any number of exhibitors will talk about how their products or services can integrate with the iPhone, iOS or iPad. Chances are the next time we hear from Apple will be in March, when it may unveil a new, midrange iPhone, as well as an update to its Apple Watch and MacBooks.