7 weird but wonderful devices I noticed at MWC 2026

Cell World Congress in Barcelona is a spot the place you typically see probably the most weird but surprisingly useful gadgets from around the globe.

This 12 months’s MWC 2026 was no completely different. Manufacturers confirmed off every part from good contact lenses to devices that may scan your hair (and even analyze a receding hairline).

There was just about every part on show on the present this 12 months, and listed below are seven of probably the most weird but superior devices I noticed on the present flooring.

Tecno’s super-thin modular idea cellphone

Forward of the commerce present, Tecno confirmed it might be showcasing its Camon and POVA 8 smartphones at MWC 2026, however the firm had a number of surprises in retailer, they usually have been genuinely spectacular.

At its sales space, Tecno confirmed off an excellent skinny smartphone that measures simply 4.9mm thick and appears nearly just like the (higher model of) iPhone Air. That alone was attention-grabbing, however the cellphone also turned out to be modular. Tecno demonstrated a number of attachments that magnetically snap onto the again of the gadget and add completely different performance.

For instance, there was a big telephoto lens attachment that snaps onto the again of the cellphone and provides as much as 20x optical zoom. There have been additionally different modules, together with a further battery pack for lengthy days, a microphone attachment for recording, a walkie-talkie module, and extra.

It is the closest factor I’ve seen in actual life to Google’s old Project Ara concept from years in the past. Seeing it immediately made me nostalgic, and I actually hope Tecno finally brings a business gadget like this to the market sometime.

Huawei MatePad Mini

Huawei at all times has an enormous presence at MWC, and this 12 months was no completely different. The model had one of many largest cubicles on the present flooring and showcased a number of new and attention-grabbing merchandise. The gadget that actually caught my consideration, nevertheless, was the corporate’s new MatePad Mini.

For years, I’ve needed a pill that I may simply keep it up flights to observe content material with out taking over as a lot house as a laptop computer, and the MatePad Mini is perhaps precisely that. It options an 8.8-inch OLED show with a 120Hz refresh fee in a compact chassis measuring 198.59 x 127.27 x 5.1 mm. For these retaining observe, that’s roughly the footprint of an iPad however noticeably thinner.

It has the identical matte show end discovered on different Huawei MatePad tablets and comes with a strong metallic body. The pill packs a 6,400mAh battery with assist for 66W quick charging. Nonetheless, it runs Huawei’s HarmonyOS out of the field reasonably than Android.

I really feel the pill class can typically really feel tough to innovate in, however Huawei actually caught my consideration with the MatePad Mini. The gadget is impressively skinny, compact, and surprisingly effectively packed for its measurement.

Oukitel’s WP63 ‘fireplace’ cellphone

Oukitel is generally identified for making rugged smartphones, however at MWC 2026 the corporate confirmed off one thing… attention-grabbing, to say the least. The gadget continues to be a rugged cellphone with a chunky design and a large 20,000mAh battery that may even cost different gadgets.

What makes it stand out is a built-in electrical igniter. Along with functioning as a smartphone, the gadget features a pop-out heating factor just like the cigarette lighters present in older automobiles. You should utilize it to start out a hearth whereas tenting or for different out of doors makes use of.

Past that, it additionally works as a full survival toolkit. The cellphone features a high-intensity tenting gentle and a really loud emergency speaker that may be helpful in out of doors or emergency conditions.

AGI app is right here to manage your cellphone

Samsung not too long ago demonstrated with the Galaxy S26 Ultra how Gemini can management on-device actions, equivalent to inserting an order in your behalf or reserving a cab. Now, a model referred to as AGI Inc. needs to deliver related capabilities to all Android smartphones.

The corporate introduced a partnership with Qualcomm Snapdragon at MWC 2026 that can enable AGI to run its fashions straight on Snapdragon-powered gadgets with out counting on cloud infrastructure. This strategy may make AI brokers each sooner and extra non-public. As a result of the fashions run regionally on the gadget, they’ll carry out duties with out consistently sending information to exterior servers.

In easy phrases, think about telling your cellphone to discover a reward in your spouse’s birthday, examine choices throughout a number of web sites, and place the order for you robotically. That’s the kind of expertise AGI says it’s working towards with its on-device brokers.

There are nonetheless no particular particulars on when this know-how will really arrive, however the firm says it’s actively working with Qualcomm to make it attainable. We have requested the model for extra info and can share updates as quickly as we hear again.

Honor Robotic Cellphone

Honor caught headlines at MWC 2026 with its Magic V6 foldable smartphone and the ultra-thin MagicPad 4 pill, however that wasn’t all. After teasing the Robotic Cellphone for almost six months, Honor lastly showcased a few of its capabilities on the occasion.

As proven in earlier teasers, the Robotic Cellphone encompasses a three-axis gimbal-mounted digital camera on the again that helps seize secure movies even if you are transferring. Much like a DJI Osmo Pocket, it generates counter actions to maintain the digital camera regular, one thing that may very well be very helpful for content material creators.

On high of that, there are a number of AI options inbuilt. The digital camera can observe your motion and robotically hold you within the body whereas recording movies or throughout video calls. The gadget additionally has some playful components. It could possibly reply to its environment, nod, and even dance to music enjoying close by.

There are nonetheless many issues we do not know in regards to the Honor Robotic Cellphone, together with its specs and pricing. Nonetheless, the corporate says it’s supposed to be a business product and plans to launch it someday within the second half of this 12 months.

Vivo X300 Extremely with Smallrig equipment

Vivo is understood for making among the greatest digital camera telephones available on the market, however the firm now appears to be shifting a few of that focus towards enhancing video capabilities with its next-generation Extremely smartphone.

At MWC 2026, Vivo showcased the upcoming Vivo X300 Extremely, not on show however inside an expert accent equipment. As for the small print, Vivo confirmed that the X300 Extremely will function a 200MP Sony LYT-901 primary sensor and assist recording 4K 120fps video in each 10-bit Log and Dolby Imaginative and prescient throughout all cameras on the cellphone.

The rig itself is actually an expert digital camera setup for the smartphone. It features a cooling fan to stop overheating, a grip for higher dealing with, an LED gentle, and a number of other different equipment.

Vivo hasn’t revealed the complete specs of the X300 Extremely but, however the firm did verify that the gadget will launch in world markets later this 12 months. My guess is we’ll be taught rather more in regards to the cellphone within the coming months.

TCL Nxtpaper AMOLED Cellphone

TCL is understood for its NXTPAPER show know-how that mimics a paper-like really feel and goals to cut back eye pressure by decreasing blue gentle publicity. The draw back has at all times been that the show high quality hasn’t been capable of match what you see on flagship AMOLED panels.

Which will quickly change, as TCL showcased an NXTPAPER AMOLED show idea at MWC 2026.

This new strategy combines the attention consolation advantages of NXTPAPER with the vivid visuals of AMOLED. The result’s a show that delivers richer colours and considerably greater brightness whereas nonetheless aiming to cut back eye pressure and in addition retaining anti-glare properties.

For now, TCL has solely demonstrated the know-how as an idea gadget, however the firm says it is engaged on a business product utilizing this show and plans to deliver it to the market sooner or later.