MWC 2026: The “IQ Era” Kickoff in Barcelona

Tech News, Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, 28 February, 2026: The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 has officially descended upon the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona. Running from March 2 to March 5, this year’s event is themed “The IQ Era,” marking a definitive shift from “connected” devices to “intelligent” ones.

While the show floor officially opens Monday, the “Day Zero” press events have already unveiled the major trends that will dominate the tech landscape this year.

1. The Rise of “Agentic AI”

The buzzword for 2026 isn’t just “AI”—it’s Agentic AI. At the MediaTek and Qualcomm keynotes, the narrative shifted from chatbots to autonomous AI agents that live on-device.

• MediaTek Dimensity 9500: Launched just ahead of the show, this chip is designed to power “On-Device AI Agents” that can handle complex, multi-step tasks (like planning an entire trip or managing your calendar) without sending data to the cloud.

• Intelligence-Native Networks: Telecom giants like HCLTech and NVIDIA are demonstrating AI-native RAN (Radio Access Networks) that use “Large Telecom Models” to self-heal and optimize signal strength in real-time.

2. Form Factor Evolution: Beyond the “Slab”

2026 is being hailed as the year the traditional smartphone shape finally cracked.

• Samsung’s Galaxy Z Trifold: Following its January debut, MWC is the first chance for a global audience to go hands-on with this triple-folding device that expands from a phone into a full-sized tablet.

• The “Robot Phone”: Honor stole the pre-show headlines with its Honor Robot Phone, featuring a built-in three-axis gimbal camera that physically extends and rotates to track subjects—effectively turning the phone into an autonomous cameraman.

• Motorola’s “Project Maxwell”: A proof-of-concept AI wearable that acts as a “perceptive companion,” using cameras and sensors to see what you see and provide real-time audio feedback.

3. Apple’s “Shadow Event”

As is tradition, Apple is not officially at MWC, but it has effectively hijacked the news cycle by announcing its own “Special Experience” event for March 4.

• The iPhone 17e: Rumors suggest a new “affordable” flagship to replace the 16e, potentially featuring the A19 chip, MagSafe (finally coming to the budget line), and the Dynamic Island replacing the old notch.

• The “MacBook Lite”: Analysts expect a low-cost laptop powered by an A-series chip, aimed directly at the Chromebook and entry-level Windows market.

4. Next-Gen Connectivity: 6G and Wi-Fi 8

While 5G is mature, the industry is already pivoting:

• 6G Previews: Keynotes from SpaceX and Qualcomm are detailing the transition to 6G, focusing on “always-sensing” networks that integrate satellite and cellular data seamlessly.

• Wi-Fi 8: Broadcom and Qualcomm are showcasing the first Wi-Fi 8 platforms, designed for ultra-low latency specifically to support the next wave of AI-enhanced XR (Extended Reality) glasses.

Summary Table: Major Players at MWC 2026