Better of MWC 2025: Inexpensive Telephones and Cool Digicam Ideas

Cell World Congress 2025 has introduced the tech world to the busy streets of Barcelona to tout its newest, biggest improvements. And we have seen a lot in our time right here, from quirky ideas to merchandise you’ll be able to really purchase. (After all, we have additionally eaten our weight in tapas and possibly even tried a couple of native beers.) 

Because the present attracts to a detailed, we wished to present you an summary of the highest merchandise we noticed. Although not all of them are issues you should purchase, they’re all revolutionary in their very own manner, providing one thing that makes them stand out from the gang — a design, an concept and even only a value.

Right here, then, are CNET’s high picks from Cell World Congress 2025.

Nothing Telephone 3A and 3A Professional

London-based tech firm Nothing is greatest recognized for its reasonably priced Android telephones that gentle up on the again, and the new Telephone 3A and 3A Professional comply with that format. The 2 fashions share most of their key specs, together with an honest Snapdragon 7S Gen 3 processor, a vibrant 6.7-inch show and a 5,000-mAh battery. 

And whereas each have 50-megapixel important cameras, the 3A Professional has a extra superior autofocus system and a periscope digicam for better-looking zoom photographs. I put it to the take a look at round Barcelona and obtained some fairly cool photos. 

Watch this: Unboxing the Nothing Telephone 3a Professional Shot With a 3a Professional’s Digicam

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Crucially, each telephones are additionally reasonably priced, with the 3A beginning at $379, and the 3A Professional beginning at $459. Not dangerous for telephones that embrace Google’s Gemini AI instruments and provide six years of software program and safety assist. 

Learn extra: Samsung Show Wowed Us With Its Idea Units at MWC 2025

Samsung Galaxy A26, A36, A56 telephones 

We won’t discuss reasonably priced telephones with out mentioning Samsung’s new Galaxy A sequence. The corporate took the wraps off the newest additions to the vary, together with the $300 Galaxy A26, the $400 A36 and the $500 A56. (Why is not there an A46, I’m wondering.) 

All three have the identical 6.7-inch show and 5,000-mAh battery, however spending extra on one of many higher-end fashions will get you a more-powerful processor, extra RAM and a barely stronger digicam setup. AI options baked into Samsung’s One UI — in addition to Google Gemini and Circle to Search — can be found on all three. 

Xiaomi’s modular digicam idea

Xiaomi’s 15 Extremely, with its superior rear cameras, may actually be the greatest cellphone of the present, however it’s not that far faraway from final yr’s 14 Extremely, and I had my eye on one thing else from the corporate. 

Its “modular optical system” as Xiaomi calls it, is actually a digicam lens and enormous sensor that attaches to the cellphone, providing you with a pro-quality imaging setup that also makes use of your cellphone because the mind, to benefit from instantaneous enhancing and social sharing. It is not dissimilar to Sony’s QX10 from 2013, which was arguably forward of its time, however I actually appreciated it as an concept. 

Sadly, Xiaomi’s lens may be very a lot being proven off as an idea. I actually hope this one makes it so far as the store cabinets. As an expert photographer, I like the concept of getting one thing that lets me get higher-quality photos than my cellphone, with out the added bulk of carrying a full-size digicam and lens setup.

HMD Fusion X1 cellphone for teenagers

Although we usually discuss which smartphones have essentially the most energy or one of the best digicam or the longest battery life, HMD’s Fusion X1 serves a really totally different objective than most telephones. It is aimed squarely at younger teenagers and permits dad and mom to restrict entry — or display time — from their very own cellphone, to assist their youngsters develop a more healthy relationship with know-how and social media. 

“Whereas most telephones with parental controls both depend on an app that may be deleted or bypassed, the Fusion X1 combines app-based controls baked deep into its model of Android OS.” CNET’s Katie Collins explains in her hands-on with the system. “This creates a locked-down protected area the place youngsters can nonetheless have restricted entry to Snapchat, WhatsApp and TikTok — if their dad and mom agree.”

The HMD Fusion X1 can be obtainable in Could for £229 (about $290 transformed).

Learn extra: RedMagic 10 Professional’s $1,499 Golden Saga Telephone Involves MWC 2025

Aurzen Zip folding projector

Projectors are typically cumbersome objects you’d often mount to your ceiling and go away in place. The Aurzen Zip is a special beast altogether. Utilizing a folding mechanism that makes it look a bit like a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, the Zip can stand on a floor and venture your films as much as 80 inches in dimension, after which fold down into one thing sufficiently small to slot in your pocket. 

It really works over Apple AirPlay, permitting you to stream Netflix movies out of your iPhone, although an HDMI adapter may also be obtainable, if you wish to plug in your laptop computer to stream different content material. Its battery gives as much as 1.5 hours of use, so watching Dune 2 would require you to plug it in, however it options quick charging to get the juice again rapidly. 

Although its 720-pixel decision will not go well with cinephiles, its small dimension makes it nice for taking ‘spherical to your pal’s place for a film evening, touring, or just utilizing in a space-challenged condo. 

Following its profitable Kickstarter launch, the Zip will go on common sale later this month, beginning at $300.

Learn extra: RealMe’s Professional 14 Colour-Altering Telephone Takes a Bathtub at MWC 2025

Tecno Spark Slim

Although rumors recommend Samsung’s teased Galaxy S25 Edge could also be slightly below 6 millimeters thick, Tecno’s Spark Slim idea takes that even additional. At simply 5.75mm, it purports to be the world’s slimmest cellphone, and in individual it actually does look virtually bizarrely skinny. 

Usually, slim telephones compromise on battery life, just because there’s much less area to suit all these cells. However one way or the other Tecno has managed to squeeze in a whopping 5,200-mAh battery, together with 50-megapixel important and ultrawide cameras. 

It’s extremely a lot nonetheless an idea, so a few of these specs must be taken with a pinch of salt. Nonetheless, I would like to see a cellphone like this that focuses on being simpler to carry and sliding into the pocket of a pair of thin denims. The corporate says the system could be product of sturdy supplies, however I’m involved about how simply it’d bend, particularly if I had been to take a seat down with it in my again pocket. That will be a nasty manner for any cellphone to go. 

Honorable point out: Lenovo photo voltaic powered laptop computer

Lenovo has a host of idea gadgets on the present this yr, together with some neat-looking screens you’ll be able to connect to your laptop computer’s important one to increase your workspace. However our favourite is the solar-powered laptop computer, which options an array of photo voltaic cells on its lid. 

Lenovo says these cells are particularly environment friendly and that after simply 20 minutes of direct daylight they’ll present sufficient juice for an hour of video playback. Nonetheless, as CNET’s Josh Goldman factors out, it is much less about powering the laptop computer fully with photo voltaic, and extra about extending the battery life when you’ll be able to. 

Learn extra: Honor Teases Agentic AI Telephone That Will ‘Revolutionize’ Our Units

It is definitely a neat concept, although I am unable to think about it being particularly sensible for on a regular basis use. For one, who desires to work on their laptop computer in brilliant daylight? And crucially, once you’re working in your laptop computer, the again of the display will possible be angled down, away from the daylight, so it could solely actually recharge when it is closed and never in use. Nonetheless, we’re at all times tremendous eager to listen to about ways in which tech corporations are making use of renewable power, even when it is sticking photo voltaic panels on a poncho.