The best devices were selected at the exhibition, and many of them surprise with unexpected combinations of solutions, breakthrough ideas and bold experiments. The focus of most developers is on AI-integration of devices, revolution in photography and functionality.
How the “best of the best” were chosen
Among the most prestigious traditional media awards Stuff’s MWC Awards from the specialized publication Stuff.
As the publication emphasizes, review teams of experts evaluate products according to a number of criteria:
– Technological quality and real usefulness (not just a “cool feature”);
– design and innovation;
– industry impact;
– mass demand potential and price;
– AI capabilities and practical productivity.
Journalists and analysts chose only the top ten most interesting devices from hundreds of exhibits. But at Mobile World Congress 2026 there are much more worthy products that can surprise specialists and customers.
However, let’s pay attention to the choice of some devices from Stuff’s MWC Awards.
Devices that surprised
“The kings of mobile photography” at the show, experts named the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and the Leica Leitzphone.
One of the most discussed devices were the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and its “Leica-centric” version Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi.
The former is a top-of-the-line smartphone with a 6.9″ OLED screen (120Hz), Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, up to 1TB of storage and a massive 6,000 mAh battery. The cameras are impressive, with a main module with a 1″ sensor, a 50 MP ultra-wide and a 200 MP periscopic telephoto lens with 3.2-4.3× continuous optical zoom.
The Leica Leitzphone version is a remake of this flagship with completely redesigned camera controls, a metal body and a mechanical optics control ring – a rare smartphone solution inspired by classic Leica cameras. The estimated price of the premium version is around €2k or in the neighborhood of $2,350 in basic equipment.
Honor Robot Phone is considered by many exhibitors to be the most notable conceptual novelty. The device practically redefines the smartphone format, according to Forbes.
Its main feature is a rotating camera with 4-axis mechanics and 200 MP sensor, capable of tilting, following the object and even expressing “emotions” by movement. Such mechanics not only gives professional stabilization, but can become a platform for a new class of video functions and live interaction with the user.
For now, the device remains in the prototype stage, but the reaction from the audience at the booth was overwhelming. In the words of one Honor engineer, it’s “the first step towards physically AI-enabled devices.”
Standing out among the foldable smartphones was the Honor Magic V6 , the world’s first foldable at just 8.75mm thick, but with a huge 6600 mAh battery and advanced AI capabilities.
This combination was thought to be impossible: a thin profile in an “iPhone-level” almost always implies a compromise in battery life. The Magic V6 breaks this rule by offering long battery life and high performance, making it a serious competitor to Samsung and Motorola flagships.
AI is becoming the defining feature of gadgets
At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, experts once again received confirmation of an obvious trend of recent years: innovation intersects with and serves real needs. Users are not so much interested in the “feature” itself as in its usefulness and functionality.
The most noticeable trends of MWC-2026: artificial intelligence is becoming not an option, but an indispensable attribute of every device, improved cameras, new form factors, strong batteries with thin cases.
These are not just updates – they are steps towards the next generation of consumer electronics, where devices become not only more powerful, but also smarter, more adaptive to the user.
