As the dust settles from this year’s CES, we take a look forward to the next big event in the tech calendar; the Mobile World Congress by rounding up all of the internet rumours, we give you an idea of what will be unveiled in Barcelona.

CES was lacking in terms of Mobile technology – with Sony being the only big name to introduce anything spectacular with its rugged Xperia Z.

Up-and-coming manufacturers Huawei and ZTE launched models; however they failed to create much of a stir as they are currently exclusive to China and not even planned for Europe.

The reason perhaps is that this year’s MWC is being hosted at a completely new venue; which offers double the exhibition space compared to last year’s venue including 21% more seating for conferences, allowing exhibitors to play to bigger audiences.

The show runs 25th to the 28thof February and we’re expecting big releases from most of the main players including LG, Sony, HTC, Samsung and Nokia as well as troubled RIM.

Last year’s MWC drew the biggest crowd yet, so we’re expecting the most impressive show ever and we’ve decided to round up all the rumours, leaks and updates set to be announced in sunny Spain.

Samsung

Rumblings across the web suggest that the highly anticipated Galaxy S4 could be unveiled at next months’ event.

Tipped to have a whopping 5-inch screen with full 1080p display the Galaxy S4 is also rumoured to have a speedy 2GHz quad-core processor and a 13-megapixel camera. Given Samsung’s screen technology unveiled at CES, the handset is also rumoured to have an iPhone-5-beating 440ppi display.

Winner of a prestigious T3 gadget award, the current Galaxy S3 was one of Samsung’s best-selling phones yet, however it was unveiled at its very own press event, which makes us think the S4 may not be seen at MWC.

Source: Cnet

Sony

After unveiling their waterproof smartphone; the Xperia Z at last month’s CES, it seems unlikely that Sony will be unveiling any new handsets. However, the internet rumour mill is in full force and is claiming Sony will unveil an Xperia tablet.

Currently dubbed the Xperia Tablet Z, a technology blog named Techkiddyis claiming the electronics giant has leaked the specifications for the tablet.

If Techkiddy is to be believed, the tablet will be released at MWC for sale in Japan before moving across to the European market.

Sporting a 10-inch Full HD display, the Sony tablet is rumoured to carry a 1.5GHz Snapdragon processor, 2gb of Ram and a 32gb hard drive. Like its mobile phone cousin, it is waterproof and dust proof (IP55/IP57) and will run Android’s 4.1.2 Jellybean.

There is no information on pricing yet, however expect a Q2 release if it is unveiled in Barcelona.

Source: Techkiddy

LG

LG electronics has already confirmed it will release a ‘tier-one premium handset’ at MWC.

Speaking at CES 2013, LG’s Senior Vice President James Fisher said teased that their popular Nexus 4 phone is just “the first of many.” So it didn’t take long for the rumours to circulate that the Nexus 4’s successor will be unveiled at MWC 2013.

There are rumours circulating the web that LG has even stopped production of the Nexus 4 for the time being, in order to concentrate on an upcoming smartphone model.

According to the IBT, it is rumoured to have a 2GHz quad-core processor and not-yet-released Android Key Lime Pie.

There has also been speculation that LG could be bringing out a Windows 8 Phone, giving it a bigger range of available operating systems and perhaps increasing the popularity of Windows 8 phone, too.

Source: IBTimes.com

 

Nokia

Rumours have been flying around the web that Nokia might unleash the Lumia 922 at MWC 2013.

The Finnish mobile maker did not release any new smartphones at CES in Las Vegas, leading to rumours they are releasing a refresh of the Lumia 920 next month.

Specs are scarce; however people are speculating that the handsets in the US are on the way to Verizon, as their exclusivity deal with AT&T has come to an end.

Source: IT168 via Google Translate

Another rumour doing the rounds concerns the possibility that Nokia plans to announce a Windows Phone 8 Lumia bundled with their PureView technology at MWC 2013.

According to a recent report in the The Guardian's techblog, the new handset will also feature Nokia's 41 megapixel sensor that featured in last year's Symbian handset. The 41MP sensor first appeared at the MWC last year in Barcelona on final Symbian smartphone - the 808.

Source: Geeky Gadgets

HTC

HTC plans on making a comeback in 2013, and if the leak of their flagship M7 model is anything to go by, it is set to do just that.

Sporting a 4.7-inch 1080p full HD display, the iPhone 5-esque design features two front grills. The phone is expected to feature Android 4.1 Jellybean and carries a 1.7Ghz quad-core processor. A 13-megapixel is reportedly set to keep users snap-happy with enough space on the 32GB of internal storage to store plenty of photographs.

According to Unwiredview.com, the leaked images are taken from a short animation within the device’s manual, showing users where to insert the SIM card.

Perhaps the most interesting feature is the IR port placed near the power button, rumoured to mean that the TV can work as a universal remote right out the box. Impressive.

Source: Unwired View

HP

After the infamous HP TouchPad tablet, the PC maker has avoided the mobile world for the most part - only releasing the Envy X2 Windows 8 Hybrid last year. However, new rumours suggest the company might be ready to get back into the tablet game with a new Android-based device.

According to anonymous sources speaking to ReadWrite, HP has been planning an Android tablet since before Thanksgiving 2012. What's more, the device is rumoured to be one of the first tablets to arrive with Nvidia's Tegra 4 chip on board.

Although we're unlikely to see an official release at MWC this year, the company is rumoured to be showing a prototype around in several closed door meetings. Whether an official announcement will follow in the weeks after Barcelona remains to be seen - but we'll keep you posted if we hear anything new.

Source: ReadWrite

BlackBerry

Update 14/02/13: RIM - now known officially as BlackBerry - has released the BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Q10 handsets. In terms of MWC, we're not expecting much, except a possible BB10 update for the long-suffering BlackBerry PlayBook

Set to launch BB10; their latest hardware and operating system combo at a stand-alone event towards the end of January, the tech world is hoping RIM will give it a chance to fiddle with the two new phones the OS will run on.

The failing company is attempting to give the kiss of life to its once-popular range of smartphones, and MWC seems to be the perfect place to do it. After last year’s disappointing release of its Playbook 2.0 update, it seems the only way is up for RIM.

Huawei

Huawei wasted no time after CES, and confirmed they will be bringing a slim smartphone model to MWC.

Consumer Business Group CEO at Huawei, Richard Yu has confirmed that the company will unveil a slim Android-powered smartphone named the Ascend P1.

The Chinese firm will also launch “two exciting innovative products” at MWC, Yu confirmed.

With a lack of Windows phones in their CES Line-up, it seems plausible that they will unveil a Windows Phone 8 in February. Huawei is set to go in a new direction, and according to Yu “Huawei is moving away from entry-level handsets towards the mid-and high-end tiers.”

Source: Tech Radar
 

Of course, we will be bringing you all the latest news from Barcelona’s MWC so keep a close eye as we find out just how true all the speculation and rumours are.