MWC 2026 has kicked off! As one of the most significant events in the mobile phone industry, MWC traditionally showcases a vast array of new handsets, all vying for the title of best camera phone.
We already previewed several new devices featured at this year's exhibition, held in the vibrant city of Barcelona (and a few that might be launched at competing events). However, with the show doors now open, there are plenty more surprises as manufacturers offer peeks of their latest innovations.
What is MWC 2026?
MWC stands for Mobile World Congress, and is the world's largest expo on the mobile industry. It's also where a lot of big-name phone brands debut their latest products, as well as teasing concept devices for the future.
MWC was first held in 1987 in Brussels, switching cities every year, before settling in Barcelona's Fira de Barcelona since 2008. The event is organized by the GSMA, the global industry association, first formed in 1995 to promote the first 2G GSM digital phones. In 2025, MWC attracted over 109,500 visitors to its exhibition halls from all around the globe. There have also been additional MWC spin-off shows in Shanghai, Kigali, and Las Vegas.
When is MWC 2026?
MWC 2026 takes place in Barcelona from Monday, March 2, to Thursday, March 5. The halls are open to visitors from 8.30am to 7pm on the first three days, and from 8.30am to 4pm on the final day.
But there will be lots of speeches from leading industry figures. Many of the sessions will be centered on the themes of the 5G and 6G, eSIM, mobile security, the Internet of Things, and, of course, Gen AI. As ever, the keynotes and industry sessions will discuss how cellular technology can be used in much, much more than just our phones.
What to expect at MWC 2026
Thanks to the ever-churning rumor mill and the inevitable teasers from the key manufacturers, we already had a pretty good idea what the highlights will be at this year's expo.
Most of the biggest names in the industry will be there, although Apple and Samsung are the two notable handset manufacturers who do not reveal new products at MWC – but this year, both have their own rival events to steal the MWC spotlight.
Apple at MWC 2026
Like every other year, Apple has no plans to directly take part in MWC 2026 – but – that doesn't mean it doesn't have plans to hijack the entire event with its own events throughout the week.
Apple has unveiled its first devices of the week with a new iPhone 17e – Apple's cheapest way into the iPhone ecosystem – which brings a new processor, MagSafe support, and double the base storage. Full details below.
However, Apple isn't done yet, with at least one more reveal due later this week. Not much is known about what exactly Apple has up its sleeve, but there are rumors abound that it has been gestating its first foldable iPhone for some time now, and might finally be ready to show the world. Apple's entry into the foldable market would certainly be monumental for the industry and surely catapult the foldable category into the mainstream.
Honor at MWC 2026
Fresh off becoming the fastest-growing smartphone brand in 2025, Honor has plenty of big announcements at MWC to keep the momentum going.
Honor has replaced its flagship folding phone a little earlier than expected. The Honor Magic V6 is set to take over from the Honor Magic V5, which was only launched around six months ago. Honor clearly sees foldables as a category it can stake a claim in. There is a new 200MP camera system borrowed from the Honor Magic 8 Pro, an improved 7,000mAh+ battery, and the latest Qualcomm chip.
Honor has also been teasing its Honor Robot concept gimbal camera device for the last few months, and we've now seen it up close at MWC. With Insta360 and Vivo set to enter the gimbal camera market that is currently dominated by DJI's Osmo Pocket 3, Honor's concept device comes at an exciting time, although it's still unclear if it become a mass-market reality.
Leica at MWC 2026
Leica is a suprise addition to this years MWC. We might be used to co-designing Xiaomi cameras, but this year it has a phone all of it's own. Leica is bringing it's previous Japanese exclusive Leitzphone line of phones to more markets.
The new 'Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi' is Leica's interpretation of the 'Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica', with a more Leica-centric design in line with thier cameras, a rotatable lens ring, and some classic Leica camera and lens emulation in the camera app. Read the full story below.
Nothing at MWC 2026
Nothing has its press conference booked in for March 5 at 10.30am GMT (05.30am EST / 02.30am PST) – although it is skipping the halls of MWC and heading to Nothing's home city of London for the announcement.
Nothing has already teased the Phone (4a) with Nothing's unique signature transparent design and brand new pink and blue colors. This will be the sequel to Nothing's budget-friendly Phone (3a), and from the early teases, it will include three cameras and Nothing's hallmark glyph lighting. The full announcement will be on March 5.
Last year, Nothing also announced a (3a) Pro version alongside the more vanilla option. While we don't have any official teasers yet, rumors point to Nothing launching sequels to both devices again this year, so watch this space!
Built different.Phone (4a). 5 March, 10:30 GMT. pic.twitter.com/n3ZtbTmYIvFebruary 23, 2026
Oppo at MWC 2026
Oppo is coming off one of its strongest years yet, with the Find X9 Pro being DCW's top phone of 2025.
Oppo has revealed that the next generation of Ultra phone is coming soon, following in the footsteps of last year's sensationally good, but Chinese-exclusive, Oppo Find X8 Ultra – but this time, it will be launched more internationally, with a European launch confirmed. These devices tend to come out a little later in spring; perhaps we might see a few more teasers before the show is over.
Otherwise, Oppo is not showing anything at MWC, but it was around MWC last year that Oppo released the Oppo Find N5 – at the time, the thinnest book-style foldable. We haven't yet got any conclusive leaks, but could MWC 2026 bring the next generation of Oppo's foldable phone – and will it finally be available in more markets?
Samsung at MWC 2026
Like most years, Samsung is forgoing any large-scale announcements at MWC 2026 and is instead grabbing its own spotlight before the show kicks off.
Samsung has just hosted its own Galaxy Unpacked event, where it debuted its latest 2026 flagships – the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, as well as the Galaxy S26 and Plus models.
The phones have all-around camera updates, but the headline feature is a very cool-looking privacy screen mode for hiding sensitive information, and of course, there is lots and lots of new AI. Check out more in our hands-on below.
Vivo at MWC 2026
Vivo has confirmed the first details of its upcoming flagship X300 Ultra – and Vivo is bringing the phone to more markets, with a European launch confirmed for later in the year.
The Vivo X300 Ultra will come with a brand new 400mm Zeiss lens attachment that combined with the 200MP telephoto sensor, Vivo claims can shoot up to a lossless 1600mm! The design is still under wraps at MWC, with the phone appearing only behind it's newly announced pro camera cage. We're expecting more details soon.
Xiaomi at MWC 2026
Xiaomi has already unveiled both its Xiaomi 17 Series and Xiaomi 17 Ultra phones in its Chinese home market, but now it has launched both phones globally.
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra utilizes another huge 1-inch sensor, but this model is updated with LOFIC technology, which increases how much light the sensor can hold for improved night photography and HDR. That's not all, the phone also comes with a newly designed mechanical optical zoom – just like a proper camera zoom lens – which can physically move between 75mm and 100m. Check out the full story and my review of the phone below.
Xiaomi has also launched it's latest iPad challengers – the Pad 8 and Pad 8 Pro bringing new chips, a larger battery, and an updated workstation mode – alongside a new floating keyboard – to make the tablet experience more like a laptop.
Read more:
• Best camera phone
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• Best iPhone for photography
