MWC 2025: The 5 biggest tech trends that stole the show

Mobile World Congress (MWC) has just wrapped up in Barcelona, and it was a paradise for tech lovers. As expected, the event was packed with futuristic gadgets, wild concepts, and all sorts of innovations.

From AI-powered laptops that think for you to ultra-slim smartphones that push design boundaries, MWC 2025 had something for everyone. Here’s a look back at some of the top trends we noticed at the expo.

MWC 2025: Top trends

Among the top highlights this year was the rise of AI-powered PCs, with brands like Intel, Lenovo, and Qualcomm showcasing laptops that are smarter, faster, and more intuitive than ever.

Ultra-slim smartphones also turned heads, with devices like the Tecno Spark Slim and Samsung S25 Edge sparking interest amongst those who like ergonomic tech.

Meanwhile, attachable lenses for smartphones are bringing DSLR-level photography to mobile users, while foldable and rollable screens are proving that flexible displays are more than just a gimmick. And let’s not forget robotics, with AI-powered humanoid robots getting eerily smart.

AI PCs: Laptops that think for you

Laptops have officially entered the AI era. This year, MWC was flooded with AI-integrated PCs, proving that AI is no longer just a software feature – instead, it’s baked right into the hardware.

Intel made waves with its Lunar Lake processors, designed to bring AI capabilities directly to the CPU. These chips are built for real-time tasks like voice assistance, intelligent power management, and even predictive processing, making everyday computing smoother and more efficient.

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Lenovo followed suit with its futuristic ThinkBook Flip AI PC, a laptop with a flexible OLED display that can transform from a standard 13-inch laptop to an 18.1-inch screen. The concept laptop also comes with AI-features that can help supercharge multitasking.

And then there was Qualcomm, showcasing Snapdragon X Elite-powered laptops that focus on on-device AI, offering real-time language translation, voice commands, and AI-enhanced battery life. The message from MWC 2025 was clear – AI PCs aren’t just coming; they’re already here.

Slim Smartphones: Thinner, lighter, stronger

If you thought smartphones couldn’t get any thinner, think again. MWC 2025 was all about ultra-slim designs, with brands competing to push the limits of sleekness while still packing in high-end features.

Samsung entered the ultra-slim game with the Galaxy S25 Edge, a phone that features razor-thin bezels with a thickness of just 5.84mm. However, a recent leak has indicated that the battery capacity will take a major hit due to its narrow profile.

But the real showstopper was Tecno’s Spark Slim. It is the world’s slimmest smartphone at just 5.75mm thick, although it is still just a concept.

Despite its size, it packs a massive 5,200mAh battery and a curved AMOLED display, proving that you don’t need bulk for great performance. Here’s hoping that Tecno brings this one to the market soon.

Attachable Camera Lenses: Bringing DSLR power to phones

Smartphone photography could be getting a major upgrade, thanks to attachable lenses that turn your phone into a professional-grade camera. We saw not one, but two concept phones at MWC that could make this a reality.

ALSO READ: Realme’s ‘Ultra’ concept brings the goodness of mirrorless cameras to smartphones

Realme introduced the Ultra Concept, the first smartphone with interchangeable camera lenses. Unlike traditional phone zoom, which relies on digital cropping, this device allows users to physically swap between a 3x and a 10x zoom lens, giving them true DSLR-like versatility in their pocket.

Xiaomi also showcased its magnetic lens system, which allows users to attach different lenses to the back of a phone for varied photographic effects. This kind of modular system means smartphone photography is evolving beyond software enhancements, and letting users customise their shooting experience based on the type of shot they want to take.

Foldable and Rollable Screens: The future is flexible

MWC 2025 showed us that flexible, foldable, and rollable screens are here to stay. Samsung Display showcased a folding handheld gaming console, proving that flexible screens aren’t just for phones and tablets but could also change how we play games.

Meanwhile, Lenovo’s ThinkBook Flip AI PC impressed attendees with its ability to unfold into a super-tall, tablet-like screen, making multitasking easier.

The real excitement, though, came from rollable screens. Concept devices from Lenovo and Samsung demonstrated displays that expand with a single tap, turning a compact smartphone into a tablet-sized screen in seconds.

These innovations hint at a future where devices aren’t limited to a single screen size; instead, they’ll adjust dynamically based on what you’re doing.

AI Robotics: Smarter, more human-like than ever

Robots are getting smarter, faster, and eerily lifelike, and MWC 2025 gave us a glimpse of just how advanced they’re becoming.

One of the standout moments was Etisalat’s humanoid robot, which can observe and comment on its surroundings in real time. With built-in AI, it understands context, recognises faces, and even reacts naturally in conversations. It’s the kind of tech that makes you feel like we’re living in a sci-fi movie.

We also saw several robots at the Honor booth at MWC 2025. Some could play games with you, while others could mimic your hand movements. Really interesting stuff!

The future is exciting

MWC 2025 was a clear indicator of where the tech world is headed. AI is no longer just a buzzword; it’s now built directly into our PCs, smartphones, and even robots.

ALSO READ: How Agentic AI will transform everyday life

Smartphones are getting thinner, more powerful, and modular camera lenses are proving that phone photography is ready to take on professional cameras. Foldables and rollables are set to change how we use screens, while AI-powered robots are becoming more human-like than ever.

The best part? Most of these innovations aren’t just concepts; they’ll be hitting the market sooner than you think. For more interesting coverage about all things tech, stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma.