The Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona has long been the preeminent stage for the mobile industry's biggest unveilings. The events from 2015 to 2016 were no exception, with a flurry of announcements spanning smartphones, tablets, wearables, and software innovations. This roundup covers the key stories from that period, highlighting the most significant products and trends.

Acer Liquid Jade 2: Hybrid Storage and Flagship Ambitions

At MWC 2016, Acer introduced the Liquid Jade 2, its latest flagship smartphone. The device was notable for its 'hybrid' storage solution, which allowed for up to 1TB of expandable memory via a microSD card slot that could also house a second SIM. The phone featured a 5.5-inch Full HD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB of RAM, and a 21-megapixel rear camera. Acer positioned the Liquid Jade 2 as a versatile multimedia device, with dual front-facing speakers and support for LTE Connectivity.

Lenovo TAB3 Series: Affordable Tablets for the Masses

Lenovo used MWC 2016 to unveil its new TAB3 lineup of tablets, targeting budget-conscious consumers. The series included three models: the TAB3 7, TAB3 8, and TAB3 10, with screen sizes ranging from 7 to 10 inches. All ran Android 6.0 Marshmallow and were powered by MediaTek processors. Key features included optional 4G LTE, Dolby Atmos audio, and a durable design with a metal frame. The tablets were designed for families and media consumption, with prices starting under $150.

HTC One X9 and Desire Series: Mid-Range Refresh

HTC announced a global version of the One X9 and three new Desire models at MWC 2016. The One X9 featured a 5.5-inch Full HD display, a MediaTek Helio X10 processor, and a 13-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization. The Desire 530, 630, and 825 introduced HTC's 'Micro Splash' design, offering a unique textured finish for improved grip. All ran Android 6.0 with HTC Sense, and included BoomSound speakers. HTC focused on providing premium design elements at mid-range price points.

Sony Xperia PP10 Leak and Smart Ear Accessory

Before Sony's official event at MWC 2016, a leak by Evan Blass revealed the Xperia PP10 smartphone and the Smart Ear accessory. The Xperia PP10 was rumored to be a high-end device with a 5.2-inch 4K display and a fingerprint sensor. The Smart Ear was a Bluetooth earpiece similar to the Moto Hint, designed for hands-free calls and voice commands. Sony's eventual announcements at the show included the Xperia X series, but the leaked devices hinted at the company's continued push for innovation in both phones and wearables.

LG G5: Modular Design and the 'Play Begins' Slogan

LG's MWC 2016 event was centered around the G5, a flagship smartphone with a modular design. The phone allowed users to attach various 'Friends' modules, such as a camera grip with extra battery, a Hi-Fi audio player, and a 360-degree VR camera. The G5 featured a 5.3-inch Quad HD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a unique dual-camera setup (16MP standard and 8MP wide-angle). LG's slogan 'Play Begins' emphasized the phone's versatility and gaming capabilities. The modular approach was a bold attempt to differentiate in a crowded market.

Huawei Watch and Profit Growth

Huawei made headlines at MWC 2015 with the announcement of its first Android Wear smartwatch, the Huawei Watch. It featured a round 1.4-inch AMOLED display, a stainless steel body, and a sapphire crystal face, making it one of the most elegant wearables of its time. The watch ran Android Wear and was compatible with both Android and iOS. Separately, Huawei reported a 33% profit increase for 2014, reaching $46.5 billion in revenue, driven by LTE expansion in China. The company's success in the telecom infrastructure business complemented its growing consumer electronics division.

HTC One M9: Refined Design and 20MP Camera

At MWC 2015, HTC unveiled the One M9, featuring a polished aluminum unibody design and a 20-megapixel rear camera with sapphire lens cover. The phone was powered by the Snapdragon 810 processor and ran Android 5.0 Lollipop with HTC Sense 7. Available in four colors, including a two-tone silver and gold option, the M9 also introduced a customizable Dot View case. Despite criticism for its incremental changes, the M9 solidified HTC's reputation for premium build quality. Pricing started at $649, with availability in late March.

Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge: Glass and Metal Redesign

Samsung's Galaxy S6 and S6 edge were arguably the biggest announcements of MWC 2015. The devices marked a departure from plastic construction, adopting a glass back and metal frame. The S6 edge featured a dual-curved display, adding a futuristic aesthetic. Both phones boasted a 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display, the Exynos 7420 processor, 3GB of RAM, and a 16-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization. The design overhaul was well-received, and the phones went on sale April 10, 2015. Samsung also introduced wireless charging and Samsung Pay compatibility.

LG G4 Teased as 'Radically Different'

In the run-up to MWC 2015, LG's mobile chief Cho Jun-ho hinted that the upcoming LG G4 would be 'radically different' from its predecessor. Reports suggested a metal-injected body and the new LG UX 4.0 interface. LG also revealed it was working on a more powerful device series beyond the G line. While the G4 itself was not launched at MWC, the teasers built anticipation for its eventual unveiling in April 2015.

Google's MWC Presence: 'Be Together. Not the Same.'

Google made a strong push at MWC 2015 with its 'Be together. Not the same.' campaign, emphasizing Android's diversity. Sundar Pichai, then SVP of Android and Chrome, participated in a fireside chat where he discussed topics like the company's MVNO plans, Android Pay, and Project Titan (a satellite-based internet initiative). Google also released a series of Androidify ads, including 'Young Together' and 'Selfie Slam', featuring basketball-themed animations that highlighted Android's customizable nature.

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet and Xperia M4 Aqua

Sony introduced the Xperia Z4 Tablet at MWC 2015, claiming it was the world's slimmest 10-inch tablet at 6.1mm. It featured a 2K resolution display, the Snapdragon 810 processor, and a 6000mAh battery. The tablet was waterproof and came with a magnetic charging dock. Alongside it, Sony launched the Xperia M4 Aqua, a mid-range smartphone with IP68 water resistance, a 5-inch HD display, and a 13-megapixel camera. Both devices ran Android 5.0 Lollipop.

Alcatel Idol 3 and Hero 2+: Budget-Friendly Innovations

Alcatel announced its Idol 3 series at MWC 2015, targeting the budget segment without compromising on features. The series included a 4.7-inch model with a 720p display and a 5.5-inch model with a 1080p display. Both ran Android 5.0 Lollipop and featured 13-megapixel cameras. The Hero 2+ served as a larger phablet with a 6-inch display and stylus support. Alcatel emphasized value for money, with prices under $250.

Blackphone 2: Security-Focused Device Comes to Pre-Order

First announced at MWC in March 2015, the Blackphone 2 became available for pre-order in August of the same year. Running Silent OS on top of Android, the device focused on privacy and security, with encrypted communications and a secure app store. The phone featured a 5.5-inch 1080p display, a 2GHz octa-core processor, and 3GB of RAM. Priced for enterprise customers, the Blackphone 2 aimed to provide peace of mind for users concerned about data breaches.

These announcements reflected the broader trends of the mobile industry in 2015-2016: a move toward premium materials, modular accessories, enhanced security, and affordable devices with flagship-like features. MWC remained the epicenter for these developments, setting the stage for the years to come.

Source: 9to5Google News