Next week sees the eyes of the consumer tech world focus on Barcelona for the annual Mobile World Congress (MWC 19), and this year promises to serve up quite a bit of people to fawn over.

While most companies have not revealed their plans in full, there are a few main themes that the vast majority of unveilings will focus on – 5G and foldable phones.

With that in mind, here’s what to expect from the world’s biggest smartphone makers in the coming days (24th February to 28th February).

HMD Global (Nokia)

Ever since HMD Global acquired the licence to make Nokia Mobile branded phones a couple of years ago, the company has focused on delivering good value for money mid-range devices, with a handful of flagship and retro-inspired devices thrown in the mix.

So what do they have in store for MWC 19?

Like many of the big manufacturers, HMD Global has an event scheduled for 24th February or Day Zero as we fondly refer to it.

To that end there are reports of a flagship phone in the form of the Nokia 9, which is rumoured to sport a lot of cameras on its back cover. We could also see a retro handset get a facelift too, but we’re more concerned with the Nokia 9, with HMD Global yet to have a flagship capable of competing on the same level as Samsung, Huawei and Apple.

Huawei

Also showcasing their wares on 24th February is Huawei, and the Chinese company is planning to showcase quite a bit in Barcelona.

The firm has a number of 5G offerings said to be on the way, with a successor to the popular P20 Pro said to be among them.

Along with supporting the latest broadband standard, Huawei is reportedly giving the P30 (unofficial name) four rear cameras, one of which is rumoured to be a 38MP offering.

As for other devices, it appears as if Huawei wants to be biting at the heels of Samsung, and plans to reveal a foldable phone of their own. Whether it will be ready to hit the market like its South Korean competitor’s is, remains to be seen.

Either way Huawei will be one manufacturer to watch come next week.   

Lenovo (Motorola)

It’s unclear at this stage what Lenovo, which owns Motorola, has planned for MWC 19.

In past years the company usually opted for a few subdued handsets, but this time round could be different.

There are reports that a Motorola RAZR-inspired offering is being readied, which also features a foldable design. If true, tapping into nostalgia, along with offering a unique form factor could give Motorola the jolt it needs.

With HMD Global doing the same when it revealed the new Nokia 3310 two years ago, Lenovo might be able to reinvigorate the Motorola brand too.

LG

Unlike past years, when LG laid down real markers with devices like the G3 and modular G5, the South Korean company’s more recent offerings have proved a little lacklustre.

Will MWC 19 be different?

It’s hard to tell as the only reported devices on the way is the G8 ThinQ, which does not seem that much dissimilar from previous iterations, and as such may not be enough to overshadow the 5G and foldable phones of other manufacturers next week.

Hopefully though, they have something extra in mind for Barcelona.

Samsung

Well when it comes to Samsung the South Korean manufacturer hasn’t really left anything special for MWC 19, having already debuted the Galaxy Fold and four different Galaxy S10 models.

As such it’s time in Barcelona will likely be dedicated to showing off the new devices to more members of the media last week.

Sony

As in past years Sony is holding its press conference for MWC 19 on the morning of 25th February.

There aren’t any real surprises expected from Sony, with a new flagship expected in the form of the Xperia XZ4. Apart from being a large 6.5″ device, which doesn’t feature a screen notch or headphone jack, according to recent leaked images.

If true perhaps Sony has figured out a way to have an all-screen design while still featuring a front facing camera?

The company could also have a few smart peripheral devices in tow, as they have done in previous years.