Even with CES 2014 not yet a distant memory, we’re already looking ahead to MWC 2014 in February.
The Barcelona-based technology show is used as a platform to launch new flagship smartphones for the next year by pretty much every major manufacturer.
Last year, during the MWC 2013 period, announcements included the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, Huawei Ascend P2 and the Asus PadFone Infinity.
In 2014, expect just as big a launch line-up, with rumours already suggesting we’ll see the Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One Two (M8) next month.
We also expect to see some innovative new smartphone and tablet technology, given the intrigue surrounding devices like the LG G Flex and Samsung Galaxy Round. There should also be (even) more smartwatches to see, especially after the focus on wearable tech at CES 2014 in January.
Sony at MWC 2014
The Sony Xperia Z1 was launched in September at IFA, so it wouldn’t be out of the question for Sony to skip a flagship MWC unveiling this year. However, it did launch the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact at CES 2014, so technically there’s room for another flagship.
Earlier this year, it was rumoured that Sony would launch its next flagship, codenamed "Sirius" and expected to be called the Sony Xperia Z2, in Barcelona next month.
According to the leak, the Sony Sirius smartphone will have a 5.2-inch display, but that’s all we know for now.
There have also been a few hints of a next-gen tablet launch at MWC from the Japanese electronics giant. Apparently, the tablet is currently codenamed "Castor", but should be an updated version of the Sony Xperia Tablet Z launched at last year’s MWC.
Rumours suggest it will come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity.
LG at MWC 2014
LG launched the flagship LG G2 in time for IFA 2013 in September, so it may not launch a new flagship at MWC. However, it may well follow in the footsteps of its rivals with a LG G2 mini, competing with the likes of the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact and HTC One mini.
Specs for the G2 mini were leaked online in December 2013, supporting such a claim, but we’ll have to wait until February to see if there’s any truth to the rumours.
However, the LG Optimus Pro and a range of affordable LG L Series models were unveiled, so we could see a smattering of launches from the South Korean electronics manufacturer in February.
In fact, the latest rumours tip a series of mid-range Android 4.4 KitKat smartphone will be part of LG’s MWC announcements, with several already spotted on HTML5Test earlier this month.
There’s also been rumours of an LG-made Google Nexus 10 2014 tablet, plus it registered a Google Glass rival called the "Glasstic" so that could also make an appearance.
Although LG launched the LG Lifeband Touch fitness tracker at CES, the company is expected to unveil a fully-fledged smartwatch at MWC. Currently known as the LG G Arch, there are rumours it’ll only be compatible with LG smartphones, similar to the rather flawed Samsung Galaxy Gear.
Samsung at MWC 2014
Last year, Samsung held an event separate to MWC for the Samsung Galaxy S4 launch. It hosted a special event post-MWC in March, and is supposedly going to do the same this year.
Technically, this means Samsung won’t have a strong presence at MWC, but its special launch is usually bundled with the Barcelona conference anyway.
Samsung has already confirmed the Samsung Galaxy S5 will launch post-MWC and will be coupled with the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2, which will be a redesigned (and hopefully more functional) version of the existing Galaxy Gear.
Another smartphone that could make an MWC appearance is the heavily rumoured Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Lite, a smaller, lower-res version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
There’s also the rumoured Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite to consider for an MWC launch, which is expected to have a 7-inch screen.
Nokia at MWC 2014
Nokia is tipped to launch a pair of new devices at MWC, building on the successes of the camera-centric Nokia Lumia 1020 and the Nokia Lumia 2520 tablet.
The Nokia Lumia 2020 is supposedly the name of the 8-inch tablet that will launch at MWC 2014, alongside the new flagship Nokia Lumia 1820.
We could also see some new Windows Phone 8.1 software demoed at MWC by Nokia.
HTC at MWC 2014
Once upon a time HTC could always be counted on to launch its new flagship smartphone at MWC. Last year that all changed, as the Taiwanese manufacturer unveiled the HTC One at an event just before the Barcelona tech show even started.
This year, HTC is tipped to launch its new flagship that’s currently codenamed the HTC M8, but has been given the (rather silly) moniker of the HTC One Two. It’s not clear whether HTC will have a separate event, or use MWC as a launch platform as before.
The HTC M8 is said to feature a 5-inch 1080p full HD display, a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor and run Android 4.4 KitKat with the new HTC Sense 6.0 UI.
Google at MWC 2014
We doubt Google will actually launch anything at MWC, but it will still have a presence there to tout its Android ethos.
It is possible an updated Google Nexus 10 could make an appearance, especially as it’s the last of the Google range to get an update this year.
Huawei at MWC 2014
There’s murmurs of a Huawei Ascend P6 refresh for MWC, with the company opting to slap an ‘S’ on the end of the name for its 2014 model. It’s tipped to feature an octa-core processor from MediaTek, but that’s all we know so far.
ZTEat MWC 2014
ZTE launched the 5.7-inch ZTE Grand Memo and the small 3.5-inch Mozilla Firefox OS ZTE Open last year.
Rumours suggest it could pull a new flagship model out of the MWC bag this year, most likely in the form of the 6.44-inch ZTE Nubia Z7.
The company could also launch a smartphone at MWC, which would be released later this year.
Tizen at MWC 2014
Tizen is scheduled to have a rather large presence at MWC 2014, including the launch of the first Tizen OS running hardware. Samsung is tipped to launch its own Tizen OS smartphones at the event, with other manufacturers like NTT Domoco also tipped to launch Tizen devices.
TrustedReviews will be at MWC 2014 to bring you all the news as it happens.
Let us know what you'd like to see most at Mobile World Congress 2014 this year in the comments below.
