Mobile World Congress 2018: Highlights and Low Points
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus were the standout devices at MWC 2018
- Vivo Apex introduced bezel-free design with a pop-up selfie camera
- Nokia 8110 4G offered classic slider design with modern features under $100
- The disappearance of the headphone jack and overused notch design were criticized
- AI was heavily marketed but lacked standout functional implementations
Mobile World Congress 2018: Highlights and Low Points
The Mobile World Congress 2018 served as a major platform for smartphone manufacturers to debut their latest models. While the event featured numerous new devices, it also highlighted both innovative advancements and repetitive design choices.
The Best of MWC 2018
Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus: Samsung's new flagships impressed with their refined design, variable aperture camera, premium bezel-less look, latest chipset, and enhanced stereo speakers that are louder than their predecessors.
Vivo Apex: This device amazed audiences with its bezel-free concept, integrating a fingerprint sensor into the display and using a vibrating screen for audio without an earpiece. The selfie camera is housed in a pop-up module that extends from the top of the phone.
Nokia 8110 4G: Nokia revived the classic slider phone design, offering advanced features such as LTE, Google Assistant, Google Maps, social media apps, and classic games like Snake, all under $100. Unlike older models, this version features a sliding cover instead of a flip mechanism.
Sony Xperia XZ2: Sony stepped up its game with a curved back design that reduces bezels, wireless charging capability, a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, improved 4K HDR video recording, and stereo speakers. The device boasts a 19MP camera and supports super slow motion recording at 960fps in Full HD.
The Worst of MWC 2018
The Decline of the Headphone Jack: The standard 3.5mm headphone jack is becoming rare, with both Nokia and Sony introducing flagships this year without this feature. Currently, the jack is mostly found on budget smartphones.
Overused Notch Design: Several manufacturers, including Asus, adopted the notch design popularized by Apple's iPhone X. While this design increases screen-to-body ratios, it lacks the innovative features like Face ID that make the original stand out.
Samsung AR Emoji: In an attempt to compete with Apple's Animoji, Samsung introduced AR Emoji. Despite impressive facial recognition, the emojis were criticized for appearing unnaturally realistic, deviating from the fun and playful spirit typically associated with such features.
Overhyped AI: The term “AI” was frequently used across many announcements. While AI capabilities such as scene detection for camera enhancements and faster language translation were present, dedicated AI chips in new phones did not deliver any remarkable functions. Many companies appear to have used AI as a marketing tool rather than delivering substantive innovations.
