The recently concluded Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, was a mixed bag of surprises and predictability. While the phone releases themselves were largely expected, the show stole the spotlight with its array of unusual concepts, impressive camera upgrades, and innovative phone-adjacent screens.

One of the main attractions was the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, which addressed a long-standing issue in mobile photography – middling telephoto cameras. The phone features a 200-megapixel periscope camera, a significant upgrade from its predecessors. This addition has sparked excitement among tech enthusiasts and journalists alike, with many hailing it as one of the most impressive practical achievements at the show.

The Nothing Phone 3A and 3A Pro also made a strong impression, despite being announced mid-way through the event. The phones come equipped with an AI-powered feature called the Essential Space, which allows users to organize voice memos, screenshots, and digital information in a single, easily accessible hub. This feature, combined with the brand's sharp vision and style, has generated optimism about future releases from the company.

However, it was the oddities and innovations on the periphery of the show that truly stole the spotlight. Concepts like phones with color-changing back panels, E Ink displays, and solar panels that can charge devices sparked curiosity and excitement. Tecno's sustainable concept, which incorporated coffee grounds in an innovative way, even smelled like coffee, adding a unique sensory experience to the show.

Other notable exhibits included Realme and Xiaomi's concepts for attachable camera lenses, Infinix's solar-powered phone case, and HMD's wireless earbuds with a magnetic power bank case. These unusual ideas and innovations served as a reminder that, despite the predictability of phone releases, there is still room for creativity and experimentation in the mobile tech industry.

Samsung Display's folding handheld gaming concept and Lenovo's new laptop folding ideas also generated buzz, showcasing the potential for innovation in phone-adjacent screens and devices. The show ultimately demonstrated that even in a year of predictable phone releases, there is still much to be excited about in the world of mobile tech.

In conclusion, MWC 2025 was a show that defied expectations, offering a mix of the unusual, the innovative, and the practical. While the phones themselves may not have been revolutionary, the surrounding concepts and ideas have set the stage for an exciting year in mobile technology.