Phones are going to get weird next week

"This year's biggest event is expected to be Xiaomi's launch on Saturday. Ever eclectic, it's teased tablets, super-slim power banks, earbuds, and smart trackers among its MWC lineup, but all eyes will be on the Leitzphone. This collaboration between Xiaomi and Leica takes the former's Xiaomi 17 Ultra - follow-up to one of the absolute best cameras in any phone last year - and slaps a rotating camera ring on the back, allowing you to physically scroll through the continuous optical zoom the phone's telephoto provides."

"The tech industry's biggest mobile show may not quite have the clout it once did, when the likes of Samsung, Sony, LG, and HTC showcased new flagships there each year, but it still attracts more phone launches than CES does two months earlier. It's especially popular with the Chinese manufacturers who are still fighting for space in the global market, along with niche manufacturers who turn up with extra-durable rugged devices, or battery beasts that are more power bank than phone."

Mobile World Congress remains a significant platform for phone launches, attracting manufacturers beyond the traditional flagships. Chinese manufacturers and niche producers use the event to showcase innovative devices. Xiaomi's anticipated launch features the Leitzphone, a collaboration with Leica that incorporates a rotating camera ring enabling physical scrolling through optical zoom capabilities. Honor will also present new devices at the event. These innovations represent departures from conventional smartphone design, introducing novel hardware features that push beyond standard configurations. The event continues to draw more phone launches than CES, maintaining its relevance in the mobile industry despite changes in participation from major manufacturers.

Read at The Verge