Mobile World Congress: 10 Products That Stole the Show

by Don Reisinger

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is arguably the star of MWC. The device is the latest flagship handset from the world’s top-selling mobile brand, and includes a 5.1-inch full-HD display, a fingerprint sensor and support for the most advanced wireless technologies on the market. The Galaxy S5 is the best smartphone Samsung has ever announced.

Nokia made a surprise announcement at MWC, saying that it will launch not one, but two Android phones aimed at budget-conscious shoppers. Although the devices don’t come with the high-end features one would find in the Lumia line, it should be interesting to see whether Microsoft keeps selling Android once Nokia comes under its umbrella.

Sony realized that it needed to make a difference with its mobile business, and the product that will help it do that is the Xperia Z2. The handset features a 5.2-inch HD display and a 20.7-megapixel camera, and is waterproof to boot. And with a beautiful design and support for Android 4.4 (KitKat), it might just be the device to give the Galaxy S5 a run for its money.

Huawei tossed the whole idea of the phablet on its head when it announced the MediaPad X1. The device, which features a 7-inch screen, might look like a tablet at first glance. However, the device also allows users to place calls. And at just 239g in weight and 103.9mm in width, it’s the lightest and thinnest product in the 7-inch category.

The iPro Lens System might be the perfect device for photographers who don’t mind snapping shots with their smartphones or tablets. The system comes with several lenses that can be attached to a mobile device to take different shots. The latest lens supports all the iPads, as well as the latest iPhones and Samsung Galaxy models. It’s a great little kit.

Lenovo’s Yoga tablet line has performed somewhat well for the company, so it’s perhaps no surprise that at MWC, the Yoga 10 HD+ was unveiled. The device comes with an enhanced 1,920 by 1,200 HD display, as well as up to 18 hours of battery life. The tablet is Android-based, however; so Windows users will need to look elsewhere in the Lenovo line if they want that software.

Although Hewlett-Packard has experienced its fair share of missteps in the tablet market, the company isn’t ready to give the market up just yet. HP showed off the ElitePad 1000, a Windows 8.1-based device that’s designed for enterprise users. The tablet is a bit expensive, starting at $739, but its enterprise-focused IT software, 64-bit Intel processor and security features should go a long way in attracting corporate customers.

Opera Max could be one of the most important advancements at MWC. The software works with other applications on the user’s device to compress the amount of data being sent and received over a wireless network. The aim, Opera says, is to help customers get cheaper data plans and stay within those limits. Oh, and here’s the best part: It’s free.

Plantronics made a surprisingly strong showing at MWC, showing off the Voyager Edge. The Bluetooth headset comes with noise-cancellation, as well as a “smart sensor” feature that knows when to direct calls to the headset and when to send them to the phone. It also comes with full voice support, allowing users to ignore calls and check battery levels. There’s just one problem: The headset will cost $130 when it launches in April.

It’s easy to point to the Galaxy Gear update as Samsung’s big wearable announcement, but that would be discounting too quickly the value of the Gear Fit. That device comes with a slim, attractive design and combines many of the Galaxy Gear’s features while adding fitness functionality. In fact, the device provides real-time workout recommendations, personalized advice and more. It appears to be a great option for those who love to work out.