Under the slogan ‘Converge. Connect. Create.’ Mobile World Congress 2025 achieved an all-time record of 109,000 visitors from 205 countries and 2,700 exhibitors this year.
Among the 1,200 speakers were Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak, and former world chess champion turned AI expert, Garry Kasparov. Telefónica’s new CEO took to the stage too, advocating for greater integration between European operators, and the GSMA also excitedly announced a Mobile World Congress for Doha.
Here’s a wrap of things which captured our hearts and minds for 2025.
Thinner, solar, and biological devices
As usual, MWC 2025 saw a host of new devices revealed in an array of novel formats.
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Flex Ultra, which has a self-repairing screen, while Xiaomi showcased the thinnest phone on the market with the Mi Fold X. And the CL1 from Australian firm Cortical Labs deserves a mention as well, as the first ‘commercial biocomputer’ using cultured neurons to process information.
AI and robotics for 2025
Focusing on the ‘practical’ applications of AI, Huawei demonstrated software that enhances mobile photos automatically for 2025, and Google showcased new Gemini virtual assistants capable of adapting to users.
The Unitree G1, a humanoid robot designed for household tasks, and Pepper 2.0 robots, also gave visitors the opportunity to consider how Generative AI could support with customer service and maintenance tasks as well.
A new impetus for electric mobility
As Tesla sees sales plummet across Europe, Chinese manufacturers were busy taking up position with tech-packed vehicles on display. Xiaomi showcased what it has to offer the space with the SU7 Ultra, while BYD will open a factory in Hungary now, with plans to launch six new hybrid and plug-in car models in Europe in this year alone.
The search was on to make mobility more sustainable too, with a focus on initiatives such as EIT Urban Mobility, an interactive map of Barcelona showing the impact of different delivery options in real-time to support efficiency and logistics.
The maturity of 5G, and a 6G teaser
Widely regarded a tech showcase, MWC is simultaneously a global forum where the development of telecommunications tech is also planned and discussed.
Ericsson and Nokia presented new advances in 5G, with solutions that provide energy efficiency and connectivity to help the generalisation of high-speed mobile networks. Meanwhile, manufacturers such as Qualcomm unveiled their first steps in 6G tech to help accelerate AR and VR applications, connected vehicles, and AI-enabled robotics.
Tech for a diverse, sustainable society
It was clear at MWC 2025 that many tech brands are continuing to commit to making a positive societal impact. The thematic axis ‘Our Digital DNA’ focused on how companies can align themselves with values such as sustainability, gender equality, and social responsibility.
A new edition of the Diversity4Tech (D4T) forum was also held, highlighting that organisations with greater ethnic and gender diversity are up to 21% more profitable. It also proposed extending ESG policies to address ageism and disability too.
So here’s to an exciting 12 months, and seeing which of the above best enable businesses to ‘Converge. Connect. Create.’ this year, and well beyond. Thanks to Deborah Gray of Canela for her take on this year’s MWC!
