As the world convergences in Barcelona for the biggest mobile event of the year, mobile brands big and small will be trying hard to get your attention when they launch devices that will define their performance for 2014. So among the plethora of manufacturers present at this year’s Mobile World Congress which ones should you look out for? We break down what we think are the highlights brands at MWC 2014.
Nokia
By far the biggest headline grabbing news at MWC will be coming from the Nokia with the unveiling of the brand’s first ever Android smartphone — right now simply known as “X” (codename “normandy“). This is a big deal because: first, Nokia — which is technically owned by Microsoft, which has Windows Phone — is making a phone based on a competing operating system. How will this affect Windows Phone in the short and long term?
With mediocre specs — rumoured dual-core CPU, 512MB RAM, 4GB on board storage and a price point that’s expected to be below US$100 — the Android Nokia will be replacing the Asha OS which resides in the budget end of the smartphone market, and this is where the hardest, toughest and bloodiest battles of smartphone domination will take place.
Entry-level smartphones is a growing market segments as the demand for high-end devices lose steam, and remember Windows Phone devices compete in the entry lever segment as well. How will this affect the sale of Windows Phone devices? What if Nokia’s Android phones do better than their Windows Phone devices? Will Nokia make high-end Android phones as well? We’ll need to ask Nokia at the launch event to find out the answer.
Related Nokia X posts
Nokia X gets leaked in detailed hands-on photo
Nokia’s new entry level Android smart phone to be called Nokia X
Nokia to launch low-cost Android device. Google Play not included
Samsung
Samsung is the world’s most prolific mobile device manufacturer and have the distinction of being the only Android manufacture that can stick it to Apple when it comes to sales figures and sales volume, so when they tell the world that they are ready to announce their latest flagship Android smartphone, the world pays attention.
There is a great deal of interest for the Galaxy S5. Many will be keen to see what improvements and enhancements Samsung will include in its next big thing. Already we’ve seen clue. The user interface will be completely new. TouchWiz 5 promises to be lighter and cleaner than ever before and the Galaxy S5 will be packed to its circuits with software and hardware features like waterproof capabilities and a camera slow-mo feature that is not unlike the one available with the iPhone 5S but with competitors now coming up with equally capable and attractive devices — especially with Chinese manufacturers like Oppo and Xiaomi coming up with devices with top-rate specs, quality and value — can Samsung truly differentiate itself in a crowded market? We’ll find out soon enough.
Related Galaxy S5 posts
Latest video suggests new features for Galaxy S5
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Samsung to feature finger print scanner on Galaxy S5 home button
Galaxy S5 Design Reference Render appears
2 different specs of Galaxy S5 surfaced
Sony
Sony is enjoying a good run with its current line up of devices that stand out from the crowd with features like full waterproof capabilities and distinctive product design. Sony tells us that the brand is doing strong in Malaysia and they are seeing a healthy growth in sales. Naturally Sony would want to improve on this and the two new devices that the brand plans to unveil at MWC this year will be their most important devices yet.
First up, we have the Xperia Z2, the rumoured specs looks mighty impressive with a 5.2-inch 2k display (2560×1440 with a whopping 506ppi), the latest top-of-the-line Snapdragon 805 qua-core processor with 3GB of RAM and a 3,500mAh battery, the device is also rumoured to have a 20.7MP camera. Next, there’s the Xperia Tablet Z2 which boasts all the headline specs of the Z2 smartphone with a 10-inch display in what is rumoured to be the thinnest and lightest full-sized tablet in the world.
If what Sony is cooking has not pique your interest, we’re not sure what will. And naturally, we’ll be at the Sony launch event to bring you the latest as it happens. So stay tuned for that.
Related Sony Xperia Z2 / Tablet Z2 Posts
12 minute hands-on video gives detailed look of Sony D6503 smart phone
Official press image of Xperia Tablet Z2 gets leaked
Xperia Tablet Z2 rumoured to run on 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 with 3GB of RAM
Sony D6503 interface gets previewed in hands-on
New Xperia to feature 4K Video Recording and dual-front stereo speakers
So that sums up among the key highlights at this year’s MWC. Obviously there will be plenty to look at across the four days and we will definitely bring you the many interesting, quirky and offbeat stories from Barcelona as well. Make sure you follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and keep it locked on SoyaCincau.com for the most up to date news.
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