#MWC25: The most intriguing gadgets out of Mobile World Congress

The Mobile World Congress 2025 just wrapped up, and as always, it was a spectacle of innovation, surprise, and a few head-turning gimmicks. From game-changing concepts that push the boundaries of technology to quirky gadgets that spark curiosity, but may never see the light of day, this year's event had it all.

Some devices looked straight out of a sci-fi movie, while others felt like they should already be in our hands. Whether it was Samsung making screens stretch like rubber, Xiaomi redefining mobile photography, or Tecno pulling off the impossible with an ultra-thin smartphone, MWC 2025 proved that the future of tech is anything but boring.

Here’s a look at some of the most jaw-dropping unveilings from this year’s event.

Samsung's stretchable display

Samsung doesn’t just follow display trends—it creates them. First, they curved screens. Then they made them fold. And now, at the Mobile World Congress? They stretch.

At first glance, it looks like just a bump on the screen, but in reality, it’s Samsung’s stretchable screen showing a football bulge out of the screen—and honestly, my favourite from the event.

This 11-inch stretchable OLED display is capable of extending up to 25% without damage. This technology offers a dynamic viewing experience, allowing elements like this soccer ball, for example, to seemingly pop out of the screen in 3D before retracting back. 

It might not have much practical use but it sure adds another layer to the immersive feeling, don't you think?

The Xiaomi modular optical system

This is perhaps, my best pick of the entire lot. The Xiaomi modular optical system looks like something that would be great for people who might love photography and want to go into it, but might not want to commit to it all the way.

It's simply a module that can be added to a simple phone via two tiny metal knobs sticking out the back. The module is Xiaomi's homemade 100MP Micro Four Thirds sensor, paired with a 35mm all-aspherical glass lens with a large aperture, transforming the already impressive camera into something that can rival mid-range DSLRs.

Sadly, though, it is still a concept phone, which means we're definitely not getting our hands on it anytime soon—if at all.

Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro

Love it or hate it, Nothing is sticking to its signature transparent design and Glyph Interface—but this time, with an unexpected twist. The Nothing Phone 3 and 3a introduce Essential Space AI, a unique take on AI that focuses on personalized interactions rather than just writing tools or image enhancements.

The Phone 3a Pro also gets a periscopic telephoto camera, making it a standout for those who want premium zoom capabilities without losing the brand’s signature aesthetic. Nothing is doubling down on its identity, and these latest models prove it's not just another Android brand—it’s here to be different.

The best part is the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro will officially launch on March 4, with prices starting at €329 for the base model and €459 for the Pro but you might not actually get your hands on it till March 25

RedMagic 3D Gaming Laptop 

RedMagic has officially entered the gaming laptop arena with a machine that brings games to life without requiring you to wear those dorky 3D glasses. The RedMagic Gaming Laptop 3D is a 16-inch beast that tracks your eye movements to adjust the 3D effect in real-time, making explosions, raindrops, and even Lara Croft’s ponytail pop out of the screen.

Powered by a 14th Gen Intel Core i9 14900HX and an RTX 4070 GPU, this bad boy isn’t the most cutting-edge spec-wise (especially with RTX 50-series laptops now out), but its 4K display and 16:10 aspect ratio make it a visual treat. 

Now, this whip is currently only available in China, and there’s no word on an international launch. But hey, it’s still exciting to see RedMagic push gaming innovation beyond just phones.

Realme's DSLR Lens Smartphone Concept

Realme came to MWC 2025 and boldly said “Smartphone or DSLR? No need, we’ll just give you both?” 

Imagine strapping a Leica M lens onto your phone and capturing pro-level shots. Well, that’s exactly what this concept phone does. This is unlike anything we’ve seen, it is pure photography magic.

The device features a unique mount that lets you attach Leica M lenses to a Sony-made 1-inch sensor, transforming your everyday smartphone into a full-fledged DSLR. While the phone itself is running on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (which is, let’s be honest, a bit outdated for 2025), the real deal here is the lens-swapping capability. Want a cinematic 73mm portrait shot? Done. Need a 10x zoom without sacrificing image quality? Just attach the right lens. 

Of course, this is just a concept and likely won’t hit stores anytime soon, but can you see how Realme is evolving mobile photography?

Tecno's World Slimmest Phone

Samsung and Apple might be talking up their upcoming slim phones, but Tecno just walked into MWC 2025 and dropped the mic with the world’s slimmest smartphone. 

At an absurdly thin 5.75mm, the Tecno Spark Slim is nearly half as thick as a pencil and weighs just 146 grams. Holding it feels surreal, like handling a sharp glass wafer that could double as a stealthy spy weapon.

But don’t let the ultra-thin frame fool you. Tecno still managed to squeeze in a 5,200mAh battery and a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display. The back features a striking dual 50MP camera setup surrounded by white LED accents, adding some flair to its impossibly sleek profile. 

And before you ask, yes, it has a USB-C port, but beyond that, Tecno is keeping the full spec sheet under wraps. The company also teased its tri-folding phone prototype, proving that it’s not just about making devices smaller, but also more flexible. If this is where smartphones are headed, the future looks ridiculously cool.

Lenovo's Foldable OLED laptop

Lenovo has never been afraid to push the boundaries of laptop design, and at MWC 2025, it unveiled one of its most ambitious concepts yet: the ThinkBook Flip. This AI-powered laptop comes with an 18.1-inch foldable OLED display, which can transform between multiple modes for different use cases.

When unfolded, the massive screen acts as a vertical display for multitasking, while it can also fold down to a compact 13-inch laptop for everyday productivity. Lenovo has packed five different modes into this device, Clamshell Mode, Vertical Mode, Share Mode, Tablet Mode, and Read Mode.

Beyond its wild display, the ThinkBook Flip features Lenovo’s Smart ForcePad, an interactive touchpad with a three-layer illuminated dashboard for numeric keys and media controls. Under the hood, it packs an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a PCIe SSD for ultra-fast performance.

AI plays a big role in this concept, too. Lenovo’s Workspace Split Screen feature enables seamless multitasking across multiple apps, while its built-in AI assistant boosts productivity with smart automation. Plus, the Flip supports modular accessories like the Magic Bay Dual Display, a 13.3-inch secondary screen that turns it into a full workstation, and Magic Bay Tiko, an AI-powered companion for real-time updates and notifications.

Infinix's Solar Powered Phone

We’ve all been there—low battery, no charger in sight, and an impending sense of doom. But what if your phone could quietly sip power from the lights around you? That’s exactly what Infinix brought to this year's MWC, with its new SolarEnergy-Reserving Technology, and no, you won’t need to leave your phone baking under the sun like a piece of toast.

Instead of relying on direct sunlight, Infinix’s tech can harvest energy from indoor lighting—your bedroom lamp, or even office fluorescents, thanks to a fancy perovskite photovoltaic layer that captures light more efficiently than traditional solar panels. That means your phone could be topping up its battery just by existing in a well-lit room. If you need to slap a case on to protect your phone, Infinix also showcased a solar-charging phone case that can transfer energy to the phone through contact points.

Infinix is calling this "Sunflower" technology, because, like an actual sunflower, the system actively adjusts to capture the most light possible. It also uses AI-powered Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to fine-tune voltage, prevent overheating, and keep your battery sipping energy.

Will this make dead batteries a thing of the past? Probably not yet. But if Infinix manages to make this practical (and not just a cool concept), we could be looking at a future where your phone is always low-key charging.

Conclusion

This year's Mobile World Congress wasn’t just about incremental upgrades—it was a glimpse into the future of mobile tech. Whether it’s Samsung redefining how we interact with screens, Xiaomi reimagining smartphone photography, or Techno showcasing a unique design, these innovations hint at an exciting road ahead.

While some of these concepts may take time to reach mainstream adoption, some might never even hit the shelves at all. But one thing is clear, innovation in the mobile industry isn’t slowing down anytime soon.