Blogroll

Honor's got a new foldable phone, and it's even thinner than the last one.

The company had its big unveiling in Barcelona, one day before the official start of this year's Mobile World Congress, and the key word was "slim." Oh, and also "AI," but you already knew that.

As part of MWC, which officially runs from March 2-5, Honor has revealed its Magic V6 phone, the MagicPad 4, and MagicBook Pro. We've gotten an up-close look at all of them, and there is a lot to like.

Honor Magic V6

The Honor Magic V6 is a foldable smartphone that's just 8.75mm thick when closed (for comparison, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 is slightly thicker at 8.9mm). It has a 7.95-inch, 2,352x2,172 pixel inner display, as well as a 6.52-inch, 2,420x1,080 pixel exterior display, both with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Yeah, that's a lot of pixels for your eyes to feast on. Thankfully, the phone comes with a bunch of Honor technologies to make both displays easier on the eyes, including anti-glare coating, dynamic dimming, and motion sickness relief.

The Magic V6 should be pretty durable thanks to a "super-strong" steel structure, as well as a nano-crystal shield protecting the displays (and also giving them anti-reflective properties). In fact, to prove how sturdy the phone is, Honor had a guy use it as a zipline link; check out the video below.

Inside, there's a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 6,660mAh silicon-carbon battery with 80W wired and 66W wireless charging.

The camera system on this one is pretty bonkers, too. The phone has a triple camera array, with a 50-megapixel main camera, a 64-megapixel periscope telephoto camera, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera. You also get two 20-megapixel selfie cameras, one for each display.

SEE ALSO: MWC 2026: What to expect at the world's largest phone show

Other features of note include stereo speakers and IP68/69 dust- and water-resistance rating.

On the AI side, you get Google Gemini, which should be embedded into numerous aspects of the phone. One interesting software aspects of this phone, which is a trend we're seeing a lot from Chinese manufacturers recently, is that it integrates well with Apple devices; you should, for example, be able to use an Apple Watch alongside this phone.

The Honor Magic V6 will be available in "select markets" in the second half of 2026. It will be available in four colors: Gold, Red, White, and Black; pricing will be determined later.

Honor MagicPad 4

Honor also brought the MagicPad 4, an impressively thin 12.3-inch tablet that measures just 4.8mm in thickness (for comparison, Apple's 13-inch iPad Pro is 5.1mm thick).

Do we need our tablets to be even thinner? Honor definitely thinks so. Credit: Honor

It's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip, 12/16GB of RAM, 256/512GB of storage, and a massive 10,100mAh battery with 66W wired charging. Other highlights include refresh rate going up to 165Hz, eight speakers with spatial audio, and a 13-megapixel rear camera coupled with a 9-megapixel selfie camera.

Software-wise, the MagicPad 4 is powered by Honor's MagicOS 10 on top of Android 16.

There's no word on pricing or exact availability date for the Honor MagicPad 4. It will be available in two colors: Gray and White.

Honor MagicBook Pro 14

Finally, the company also unveiled the new Honor MagicBook Pro 14, a 14.6-inch laptop with a 120Hz, OLED touch display, a battery that should last 15.5 hours in normal office work, 100W fast charging, stereo speakers, and a 1,080p front camera.

It can be configured with a range of Intel chips, from Intel Core Ultra 5 to Intel Core Ultra X9, as well as several GPUs, including Intel Arc B370 and B390. It comes with either 24GB or 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

In terms of connectivity, you get one USB-C port, two USB-A ports, a HDMI port, a memory card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The Honor MagicBook Pro 14 will come with Windows 11 Home out of the box; there's no word on pricing and availability yet.

Oh, and Honor also brought a bunch of robotic gadgets which we cover in a separate article, including its first-ever humanoid robot, and the Honor Robot phone.

Mashable is on the ground at Mobile World Congress 2026. Follow along here as we bring you the latest reveals and surprises from Barcelona.

This March, Netflix is bringing a fresh roster of thrilling movies and shows to your screen. From the return of an iconic TV character to the introduction of new characters, this month, you can expect to add some exciting films to your watchlist.

The thought of downsizing a team to just a few—or even just one—sounds like a dream. Why have a team of hundreds when a team of dozens with AI can do the same job? This whole idea of the “10x developer” is dangerous and there’s no good outcome to it.

Mobile World Congress 2026 has arrived, and Mashable is in Barcelona to bring you the latest from one of the biggest tech shows on the planet.

Following on the heels of CES and Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, this year's MWC runs March 2-5 and will share with you big reveals from Honor, Xiaomi, Nothing, and more. Mashable's Stan Schroeder is bringing you the best and most interesting news from the show floor.

We expect to see plenty of phones and tablets as well as a few surprises along the way.

One way to impress a 3D printing skeptic is to show them some of the more impressive prints you have made. Few examples inspire wonder quite as much as those that use the print-in-place technique for more complex elements.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a frequent flyer.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for March 1, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Appetizers

• Green: Building gear

• Blue: Jetsetting

• Purple: Looks can be deceiving

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Little bite

• Green: Construction equipment

• Blue: Vacation emoji

• Purple: Things you don't eat that end in foods

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #994 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Little bite: CANAPÉ, FINGER FOOD, HORS D'OEUVRE, TAPA

• Construction equipment: HARD HAT, LADDER, NAIL GUN, TOOL BELT

• Vacation emoji: AIRPLANE, LUGGAGE, PALM TREE, SMILING FACE WITH SUNGLASSES

• Things you don't eat that end in foods: COPYPASTA, JOHANNESBURGER, KNUCKLE SANDWICH, LICORICE PIZZA

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 28, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're not on. your best behavior.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 1, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 1, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Dressing down

The words are related to discipline.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe ways to chastise.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is The Riot Act.

NYT Strands word list for March 1

• Braidup

• The Riot Act

• Scold

• Castigate

• Reprimand

• Admonish

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you believe in coincidences.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 1, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for March 1, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A coincidence.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

FLUKE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, March 1, 2026:

AcrossStereotypical wearer of a letterman jacket

• The answer is Jock.

Surrounding glows

• The answer is Auras.

Eschew a heavy meal in favor of light snacks

• The answer is Graze.

The white stuff?

• The answer is Snow.

M.M.A. fight enders, for short

• The answer is KOs.

DownJacksonville N.F.L. player, informally

• The answer is Jag.

"But this love is ___" (Taylor Swift lyric)

• The answer is Ours.

Grumbly sort

• The answer is Crank.

Instrument that buzzes

• The answer is Kazoo.

Uses needle and thread

• The answer is Sews.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

Spend any amount of time browsing the internet, and you will inevitably run into a site that demands you prove you're not a robot. It might ask you to click or slide a button, solve a puzzle, mark things on the road, or even play a little game. Is it impossible for robots to pass those tests? It's not. Why are we keeping robots off the internet in the first place?

Xiaomi likes to bring cars to Barcelona; the company gave us the first glimpse of its SU7 Ultra supercar during last year's MWC in March.

This year, however, Xiaomi has unveiled something that's pretty far out there, even by its own standards. Called the Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo, it's a hypercar that was designed to go really fast while slicing through the air in a way not many cars (or race cars, for that matter) can (Xiaomi says it's been "sculpted by the wind").

It feels kinda empty in there. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

The company will bring the concept car to its MWC show floor in Barcelona on March 2, presumably when we'll learn more about its powertrain, acceleration, battery, and other trivialities. Today, however, Xiaomi was mostly focused on how the air flows through the car, using a variety of wind tunnels and channels (and even a moving part on the car's bottom) to make it more efficient.

The wheels and wheel covers are special, too. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Even the car's wheels have special covers that are (somehow) magnetically set in place so they don't rotate while the car moves, as that would also increase drag.

I bet your car doesn't have a cocoon-shaped sofa. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Inside, it gets even nuttier. The seats are out; instead, you sit in a "cocoon-shaped sofa" with an x-wing steering wheel with five tiny displays, some of which apparently double as (contextual?) buttons. Most of the things you associate with a traditional car are gone; instead, it's you in that sofa-shaped cockpit, that steering wheel, and the road. The car's a two-seater, so don't expect to bring your family on a trip in this one.

Fortunately, you might be able to get a cocoon-shaped sofa/cockpit for your home. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

In fact, most people probably won't be able to afford a car like this, but Xiaomi's got you covered, as it plans to release a gaming console/cockpit shaped just like the car's cockpit, so you can race around in your own little cocoon in the relative safety of your home.

SEE ALSO: Xiaomi 17 Ultra hands-on: The cameraphone with a monstrous zoom

We don't know how fast it goes. We don't know where the batteries are, given that the car appears to be mostly wind tunnels under that cockpit. We don't know if it's ever going to make it to market. But boy, does it all look cool.

We'll hopefully find out more on March 2 when that show floor opens, so stay tuned for pics and videos.

We knew that Honor is about to bring its oddball Robot Phone to this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

What we didn't know, however, that the company is also bringing its first-ever AI-powered humanoid robot to the show.

SEE ALSO: MWC 2026: What to expect at the world's largest phone show

Honor announced the news on Monday via a teaser video on X, featuring both the Robot Phone and its robotic camera, and the unnamed humanoid robot.

"Something revolutionary is about to step out of the shadows. We’ve combined cutting-edge robotics with the ultimate mobile experience. The result? Something you have to see to believe," the company wrote in a tweet.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

The video actually gives us a decent glimpse of the robot, which looks just like you'd expect: a humanoid clad in matte black with a glass face, and a light bar where its eyes should be (the robot also appears to have a single camera on its forehead). In another image (below), sent to Mashable by Honor, the robot is seen from the side.

Slightly odd head shape on this one, but we'll let it slide for now. Credit: Honor

Honor shared some details about the upcoming robot with Bloomberg. Apparently, the robot will be a "service robot" which should be able to help you out with shopping, among other tasks.

Other details are scarce, except that the robot will somehow be connected with Honor's Robot Phone, which will also be shown in Barcelona.

Mashable will be there to cover Honor's event in Barcelona, which kicks off at 7 a.m. ET on March 1, 2026, so stay tuned for more updates on the company's fast-expanding robotics portfolio of products.

Xiaomi's strategy when it comes to phones, tablets, and accompanying accessories, appears to be pretty simple: Make it as Apple-like as possible, while still using the best that the Android ecosystem has to offer.

The company's new Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro, launched during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, is no different. It's a powerful, 11.2-inch tablet with slim black bezels, a metallic unibody frame, and a set of accessories that can turn it into a compact, portable computer, including a pen and two different keyboards.

The Xiaomi Magic Keyboard Pro Focus. Sounds pretty familiar, doesn't it? Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Inside, you'll find a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a 9,200mAh battery, 8/12GB of RAM, 128/256/512GB of storage, and quad speakers with Hi-Res audio and Dolby Atmos support. The 50-megapixel main camera on the back coupled with a 32-megapixel selfie camera sounds like overkill for a tablet, but then again, why not?

SEE ALSO: MWC 2026: What to expect at the world's largest phone show

All tablets look similar. But having spent some time with the device I can tell you that the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro really wears its influence on the sleeve. Its dimensions are nearly identical to the 11-inch iPad Pro, down to the thinness and weight (Xiaomi: 5.75mm and 485 grams, iPad Pro: 5.3mm and 444 grams), and Xiaomi's Magic Keyboard Pro Focus is a dead ringer for Apple's Magic Keyboard (XIaomi also offers a more portable version called the Xiaomi Magic Keyboard Pro). Heck, even the Xiaomi Focus Pen Pro looks pretty much exactly like Apple Pencil.

There's an optional pen, and another, lighter keyboard on offer as well. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

The good news is that Xiaomi's tablet and accessories all quality-made, so if you don't mind the similarities with Apple, you don't have to worry about them not being good. In other words: It's not just a cheap knock-off.

In fact, Xiaomi's tablet beats its competitors in several regards. Both of its cameras are pretty amazing for a tablet. It has fast 67W charging. The 3.2K display is as crisp as they come. Battery seems to lasts forever if you're browsing or reading, or even using it as a secondary display (yes, you can do that even if you have a Mac). Sure, the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro not an absolute powerhouse like the iPad Pro, as it has a smartphone chip, but I think the vast majority of users don't need their tablet to be more powerful. For what it's worth, I've found Xiaomi's Pad 8 Pro to be very snappy in common everyday tasks.

Xiaomi's HyperOS software could use some work, though. It, too, is extraordinarily similar to Apple's iPadOS, down to the icon design. But sometimes you can tell it's an adaptation of a smartphone OS. For example, I was frustratingly enable to set up even the simplest of widgets the way I wanted them on the screen, as the widgets take up tons of empty space for no good reason. AI is baked in, of course, in the form of Google Gemini; you can invoke the assistant with a long press of the power button.

You can get the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro in Blue, Gray, and (pictured) Pine Green. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Depending on which keyboard you choose, you'll either get a slightly bulkier tablet that feels more like a tiny laptop, or a truly portable tablet that also happens to have a decent keyboard. I'd probably opt for the bulkier Magic Keyboard Pro Focus, simply because it has a touchpad.

Despite the fancy keyboards, this thing is not a great replacement for a laptop, but neither is the iPad. Instead, the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro is a pro-looking Android tablet that will excel at things tablets are for: Browsing, reading, gaming, and some light work.

Xiaomi's ecosystem of gadgets is expanding.

As is customary, the company brought its new flagship phones to Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, including the Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

Xiaomi also launched a new smartwatch called the Xiaomi Watch 5, a new pair of earbuds called the Redmi Buds 8 Pro and, for the first time, an AirTag-like tracking device called the Xiaomi Tag.

SEE ALSO: Xiaomi 17 Ultra hands-on: The cameraphone with a monstrous zoom Xiaomi Tag is here to compete with AirTag

Xiaomi Tag is as simple as they come: A white puck that you can attach to your keys and track via your phone. But the big deal with this one is that it works with Apple Find My, making it a very real competitor to Apple's AirTag. Xiaomi sent me one to test, and I can confirm that it's trackable via Find My just like any other Apple gadget (you don't get Apple's Precision Tracking, though).

Yes, Xiaomi brought a lot of new gadgets to Barcelona this year. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable Xiaomi Watch 5 is ready for your wrist

Xiaomi's new Watch 5 was launched in December 2025 in China. It's a round smartwatch running Xiaomi's HyperOS 3, with a 1.54-inch AMOLED display inside a stainless steel frame, a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip inside, and a 930mAh battery.

SEE ALSO: MWC 2026: What to expect at the world's largest phone show

Xiaomi also has a different line of smartwatches called the Redmi Watch, and these are square and very resemblant of Apple Watch. The Xiaomi Watch 5 is more of a successor to 2024's Watch S4, which had a slightly smaller display, and a battery that was half the size.

The Xiaomi 5 Watch is a hefty, sturdy looking device that's more of a dress watch than a sports watch. It does, of course, come with various health and activity tracking features, including an EMG sensor and an ECG heart rate sensor.

Xiaomi Redmi Buds 8 Pro are packed with features

Launched a few weeks back, Redmi Buds 8 Pro are a pair of sleek-looking earbuds with hi-res audio support, active noise cancellation, and up to 36 hours of battery life.

The Buds 8 Pro also have a noise reduction system that should make calls clear in extremely noisy scenarios (up to 95dB of external noise), as well as very windy environments.

Other features of note include Dolby Audio support, dynamic head tracking, and IP54 dust and water resistance.

Xiaomi 17 brings all the megapixels Xiaomi 17 has a crisp, 6.3-inch display, and is just the right size for my hand. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Finally, the star of the show is the Xiaomi 17. It's Xiaomi's no-nonsense flagship, a powerful Android smartphone that sets its sights on Apple's non-Pro iPhone. It has a 6.3-inch, 120Hz OLED display, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, 12GB of RAM, 256/512GB of storage, and a hefty 6,330mAh battery with 100W fast charging (and 50W wireless charging).

On the back, you'll find a Leica-branded, triple camera system that consists of a 50-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel telephoto camera, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera. There's also a 50-megapixel selfie camera on the front, hidden inside a punch-hole cutout at the top of the display. Yes, Xiaomi just slapped a bunch of 50-megapixel cameras onto this one, and we don't mind it one bit.

Having had some time with both the Xiaomi 17 and the 17 Ultra, I can say that I actually prefer the "regular," Xiaomi 17 variant, even though it has a less powerful camera system. It has a very clean design with glass on both front and back, and I love the Venture Green color my unit was in, as it covers both the back and the sides of the phone (other colors on offer are Black, Alpine Pink, and Ice Blue).

The Xiaomi 17 has a triple, 50-megapixel camera system on the back, and a 50-megapixel selfie camera on the front. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

The phone sits in the hand perfectly as it's not top heavy like its Ultra brother. Xiaomi includes a see-through case which isn't bad, but the phone's color and feel is so nice that wrapping it up in plastic is a shame.

Other features of note are an in-display fingerprint sensor, Hi-Res audio support, and IP68 dust and water resistance. Xiaomi also offers a very simple and super-thin magnetic battery which wirelessly charges the phone when attached. Interestingly, it only works with the Xiaomi 17; the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has such a massive rear camera bump that the magnetic battery doesn't fit.

I've been writing about phones for a long time, and don't remember when I expected to see so many new phones in such a short time span. I'm talking late February to early March, when we could see more than a dozen new devices within a week or two.

Samsung typically launches its new Galaxy flagships in January, but this time it's probably happening in late February. This year, Apple is also reportedly launching its new iPhone 17e in that same time frame. And the Mobile World Congress, an annual mobile industry event taking place in Barcelona, Spain, kicks off on March 2, with some announcements probably coming a day or two earlier.

MWC is always about phones, with some tablets, laptops, and other gadgets thrown into the mix. So what's different this year? Well, there's just gonna be a little more of everything, we suspect.

This year marks the Mobile World Congress' 20th year in Barcelona. The event was badly hurt during the Covid pandemic years, but it managed to rebound, once again attracting numerous large phone manufacturers which will show their new devices in Barcelona for the first time.

Judging by the invites we have, and the reports we've seen, there will be a lot of those. Here's what we know right now.

Xiaomi could bring a surprise or two Remember when Xiaomi brought its SU7 Ultra supercar to Barcelona? Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Xiaomi is the largest consumer electronics company that typically unveils its entire new lineup of mobile products at MWC. Think phones, tablets, earbuds, watches, and a bunch of accessories.

In the past couple of years, Xiaomi also spiced things up by bringing its latest electric vehicles to the show, as well as showing off cool gadgets like this cute, back-flipping robotic dog. We've got big expectations for the company's MWC booth, and Xiaomi always manages to surpass them.

Honor's Robot phone highly anticipated The Honor Robot phone is real, and we'll probably get a closer look at it during MWC. Credit: Honor

Honor is a company that quietly ships devices with specs that beat most other phones out there. Last year, Honor mostly focused on strategy, which isn't the most exciting topic from the consumer's standpoint. This year, however, Honor's booth is going to be a lot more interesting.

First, the company is bringing a new foldable, the Honor Magic V6, to the show. It follows the Magic V5 which globally debuted in August 2025; hopefully, Honor's got a good reason to show us the V6 so much earlier in the year.

We'll also likely see new tablets and laptops from Honor at MWC. But the real star of the show could be the Honor Robot phone, a concept device with a robotic gimbal camera that extends from the rear of the phone. The idea extends a smartphone's functionality into a unique blend of a home smart companion, a tripod, and a baby monitor. The Robot Phone has been spotted in the wild before, but at this year's MWC, we could get a really close look at what it can do.

Samsung likely to bring Galaxy S phones Can Samsung top the Galaxy Z TriFold with something even crazier? Credit: Timothy Werth/Mashable

This is an odd one. In the past couple of years, Samsung has revealed its Galaxy S flagships in January, leaving a little space between the launch and MWC. This January the company showcased an entirely new category of devices with its triple-folding Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold, but the Galaxy phones are likely coming in late February.

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked is set for Feb. 25, just days before MWC kicks off. We'll definitely cover Unpacked, but perhaps the MWC gives a chance to have a second look at some of the new Samsung phones, or maybe the company is saving a surprise or two for the Barcelona show. Remember the Samsung Galaxy Ring? We (unexpectedly) got a first glimpse of it in Barcelona, a few years back.

Lenovo/Motorola might bring a fun concept Last year, Lenovo brought a laptop with a see-through display. Can the company top that with something even wieirder? Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Lenovo likes to bring bold new concepts to MWC, and we're expecting something similar this year. Think laptops with rotating displays, flip laptops, laptops with transparent display...well, you get the idea.

Lenovo's phone brand Motorola probably won't launch anything major during MWC, but we'll be on the lookout for new concepts and prototypes.

TCL will likely bring it all TCL's NXTPAPER is still unique on the market. Credit: TCL

China's TCL keeps building on its interesting NXTPAPER tech, which turns a regular-looking smartphone's display into something much easier on the eyes and akin to an e-ink display.

The company typically brings its entire lineup to Barcelona. Often, these are phones that have already launched in China, but it's always cool to get an overview of what the company has in store (and when it plans to launch the latest devices globally).

Nothing expected to have a new phone to show off Nothing's phones were the coolest looking devices at last year's MWC. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Nothing, the brand that makes those see-throughy phones that look like nothing else on the market, launched its Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro during MWC last year.

We're not sure whether the company will follow up with successors this year, but we do know that it will have a presence in Barcelona. Fingers crossed.

Oppo, Vivo, Huawei, ZTE, Nubia, Tecno, and others to bring phones, cameras, more Long before the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, there was Tecno Phantom Ultrimate 2 Credit: Christian de Looper/Mashable

Yes, a lot of Chinese companies have a strong presence at MWC, and a lot of them are bringing new devices to the show this year.

We're not aware of any specific major flagship that's about to launch in Barcelona this year, but that doesn't matter, because concept phones and prototypes that we see at these companies' booths often end up being more exciting than your standard candy bar phones. Think ultra-thin foldables, bendy displays, phones with incredibly powerful cameras, and other off-the-charts stuff. Will all of them ever actually make it to market, especially the U.S. market? Probably not, but they're really cool to look at.

Mobile World Congress 2026 is officially held in Barcelona from March 2 to 5, 2026, with press days starting on February 28. Mashable will be there to cover all the news coming out of the event.

It feels like every consumer security camera requires you to pay a hefty subscription price to get the most out of it. I've recently been testing the Reolink floodlight and camera combo, and I've got to say, being able to access a full suite of awesome features without a subscription is a big deal.

Portable power stations are great to take camping, on van adventures, out on content creator assignments, or to the worksite. If you live in an area that’s prone to power outages, a portable power station can keep your phone charged, your CPAP machine on while sleeping, and some can even power the refrigerator, so you won’t have to worry about food spoilage. 

Portable power stations come in tons of varieties. Some are great for camping, while others weigh hundreds of pounds, powering up an entire house, and really push the limit of what we could consider portable. The market has seen serious expansion in the last few years, and we have tons of great models to choose from these days, so you're allowed to be as picky as you’d like in terms of power provided, port options, and nice extras. Here are Mashable’s favorite portable power stations.

As of March 2026, I think the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air powered by the M4 chip is the best cheap MacBook for most people. It's seriously speedy and super well-made. It's priced at a very fair $999 to start, but Amazon and Best Buy have sold it for as little as $749.

If you need an even cheaper MacBook, just hold tight: Apple is rumored to be launching a new low-cost MacBook in early March. It could retail for around $599 to $699.

Among the best Windows laptops, the Acer Aspire 16 AI is my top budget pick. It has a big, buttery smooth display, an impressive battery life, and a good mix of ports. On the performance front, it outpaces every other sub-$900 laptop we've tried. For those with a more flexible budget, the ultraportable Asus Zenbook A14 is my favorite Windows laptop under $1,000.

SEE ALSO: We've tested more than 30 laptops in the past year. Here are the 13 best for 2026.

TL;DR: Enjoy Microsoft tools with AI capabilities thanks to this Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC lifetime license, on sale for $99.97 through tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC Lifetime License $99.97
$249.99 Save $150.02   Get Deal

What do you get when you take classic computer apps and infuse a little AI? Your new go-to work tools. Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business brings some Microsoft essentials to your PC or Mac, and adds some present-day AI capabilities. You can get the lifetime license for just $99.97 through tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.

If you’ve got an old PC or Mac lying around, you can give it an easy upgrade with this Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business license. This lifetime license gives you permanent access to five of Microsoft’s must-haves, with no subscription costs needed.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Curious what’s included? You’ll get old classics like Word to help you draft documents, Excel for any spreadsheet needs, and Outlook to manage your emails. PowerPoint can help you build eye-catching presentations, and OneNote rounds out this license to bring your note-taking into the 21st century.

Don’t let the year of this edition fool you — these tools have been updated and include AI capabilities. You can take advantage of features like text, formatting, and design element suggestions. There’s also AI assistance for analyzing data, identifying trends, and building better charts and graphics in Excel.

Aside from some help from AI, you’ll also enjoy perks like Focus Mode in Word, which helps you concentrate on your project. There are also options in PowerPoint to record presentations with voice, video, and closed captions.

Get this Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC lifetime license for $99.97 through tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Make 15 minutes feel productive with this lifetime subscription to Headway Premium, currently on sale for just $59.99, the best price online.

Opens in a new window Credit: Headway Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription $59.99
$299.95 Save $239.96   Get Deal

We’re all hurting for free time, but if you’re hoping to sneak a little culture or knowledge into your lunch break, Headway makes it possible. This app actually needs just 15 minutes to catch you up with a summary of one of the world’s best nonfiction books, making it a game-changer when you’re standing in line or commuting home.

You can currently pay once and secure a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium for just $59.99, the best price on the web.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Want to cut back on your doom scrolling? If you’re looking for an app that can help you do something more productive on your phone, Headway is it. This app serves up summaries from nonfiction books in 15 minutes, and you can choose to read them or listen via professional audio summaries.

Over 15 million people are already taking advantage of Headway’s growing collection of book summaries. You’ll receive the key concepts and ideas from the books, and while they don’t replace reading the entire book, they’re a great way to introduce you to topics you may want to explore further.

Learn more about business strategies, personal development, health and wellness, and tons more topics. There are over 2,000 summaries currently available, with more added every month to keep exploring.

Headway’s gamified learning process incentivizes you to keep learning. It tracks your progress, and there are quizzes and trivia to test your understanding of the concepts you’ve learned and keep things fun.

Get this this lifetime subscription to Headway Premium for the best price online, just $59.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.