March 2, 2026, 2:17 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 will take place from March 2 to 5 in Barcelona, showcasing the future of smartphones, wearables, and network technology. Manufacturers will present new top models, AI features, and visions surrounding 6G.
Honor Magic V6 Aims to Make Foldable Phones More Practical
On-site this year is the editorial team from COMPUTER BILD. Like TECHBOOK, COMPUTER BILD is part of Axel Springer.
With the Magic V6, Honor is bringing its new foldable to Europe, specifically addressing typical weaknesses of this device category. When folded, it is 8.75 millimeters thick and weighs 219 grams. The outer display can be used like a regular smartphone, and when unfolded, it features a large screen with a crease reduced by 44 percent, according to the manufacturer.
It also includes drop protection and IP68 and IP69 certification, meaning protection against dust and water. The 6600 mAh battery is said to last up to 24 hours. The software is particularly interesting. The device can serve as an external monitor for PCs and Macs and even work with an iPhone, including file transfer and iCloud support. Honor has not yet announced a price.
Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra Focus on Performance and Camera
Xiaomi is bringing its new top series, the 17 and 17 Ultra, to Europe. While the devices are already available in China, the Ultra model made its debut for the local market at the MWC. The design change is striking: Instead of a curved display, Xiaomi now opts for a flat, clearer line design. The 6.9-inch panel of the 17 Ultra reaches up to 120 Hertz, ensuring particularly smooth display. The smaller 17 also offers a very bright display with high sharpness.
Inside, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 propels both models into the upper class. Xiaomi is once again collaborating with Leica on the camera system. The main camera uses a large 1-inch sensor with 50 megapixels, complemented by a 200-megapixel telephoto lens with optical zoom and an ultra-wide-angle camera. HyperOS 3 software based on Android 16 is used, integrating various AI functions for text and images. The Xiaomi 17 starts at 1,000 euros, while the 17 Ultra is priced at 1,400 euros.
Leica Leitzphone Brings Camera Focus
With the Leitzphone, Leica is bringing its first smartphone to Europe. Technically, it is based on the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, but the camera specialist sets its own accents in design and tuning. Notable features include the ribbed aluminum frame, the textured back, and the distinctive round camera unit with a red logo.
The focus is on the triple camera system with a 50-megapixel main sensor in the 1-inch format, a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto with optical zoom, and an ultra-wide-angle camera. Videos can be recorded in up to 8K, offering particularly high resolution. A freely assignable adjustment ring allows direct control over zoom, focus, or ISO value, which is the sensor’s light sensitivity. The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and the battery has a capacity of 6,200 mAh. The price is 1,999 euros.
Fritz! Unveils New Routers, Repeaters and Wi-Fi 7 Technology
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FritzBox and FritzRepeater with Wifi 7
With the FritzBox 6835 5G, the Berlin manufacturer is showcasing its first mobile router with Wifi 7. In dual-band operation, up to 3.5 gigabits per second are possible, according to the manufacturer. Over 5G, the device supports stand-alone and non-stand-alone networks with up to 2 gigabits per second in download and 900 megabits per second in upload.
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Nano-SIM and eSIM are supported, and power is supplied via USB-C, allowing the router to be operated with a power bank in emergencies. Together with the 5G connection, the model is suitable as a flexible backup solution for failures of DSL, cable, or fiber optic connections. Two LAN ports with 2.5 and 1 gigabit are available for wired devices. Unlike the older 6860 5G, which is powered via Power over Ethernet and still uses Wifi 6, the 6835 5G fully relies on the new standard. A price has not yet been set.
Also new is the FritzRepeater 6700 Pro. It operates on three frequency bands and supports Wifi 7, including the 6 GHz band, which provides additional capacity and less interference. According to the manufacturer, theoretically up to 18 gigabits per second are possible. For wired devices, a 10-gigabit and a 2.5-gigabit LAN port are available, allowing the repeater to be used as a fast LAN bridge. The manufacturer has not yet announced a price.
Xiaomi Watch 5 Focuses on Wear OS and Battery
With the Watch 5, Xiaomi is bringing a new smartwatch with Google’s Wear OS 6 to Germany. The system integrates Google apps and the Gemini AI assistant directly on the watch, allowing users to reply to messages, manage appointments, or start searches without reaching for their smartphone. Wi-Fi is also included, though a dedicated mobile module is still missing.
The watch features a round 47-millimeter design with a 1.54-inch AMOLED display under sapphire glass and a stainless steel case. NFC for contactless payments with Google Pay is supported. It also includes extensive fitness and health functions, including GPS tracking and quick measurement at the push of a button. The battery is relatively large at 930 mAh and is said to last up to six days in normal operation and up to 18 days in power-saving mode. The Watch 5 has been available since the end of February 2026 and costs around 300 euros.