Highlights of this Year’s MWC Shanghai

Like MWC Barcelona, the MWC Shanghai mobile communications industry expo has served as the staging ground for game-changing developments and innovations in the mobile technologies sphere.

Underscored by the theme “Future First”, this year’s MWC Shanghai drew all sights to the transformative power of AI – particularly in how AI developments and 5G has and is reshaping the many ways the world gets things done.

During his opening speech, GSMA Director General Mats Granryd acknowledged China’s adoption of 5G, citing the Open Gateway initiative and the number of enterprise-class AI-driven large language models (LLMs) that’ve been developed locally.

His address underscored the country’s contributions to AI and 5G advances, which was evinced in the many demonstrations that were staged across five exhibition halls in this year’s MWC Shanghai.

Here’s a roundup of some of the innovations that made waves this year, which welcomed nearly 40,000 attendees from a record 124 countries and territories.

AI Deepfake Detection and Eye Protection

Honor introduced two innovative AI-based features for smartphones in this year’s MWC Shanghai: AI Deepfake Detection and AI Defocus Eye Protection.

The first leverages on the capacity to identify manipulated media like photos and videos, while the second is essentially set on simulating the benefits of defocus glasses on gadgets as a means to reduce eye strain.

Tech pundits were quick to praise the developments, given that they are practical applications of AI tech and not speculative applications which tends to trivialize AI’s use and implementation.

Eyewear-free 3D and a Path to Highly Autonomous Networks

For its part, ZTE introduced AI-powered eyewear-free 3D products that’re poised to set novel standards in the human interface devices segment.

The products’ introduction was complemented with demonstrations of its projects in 5G, particularly the “Nebula

Telecom Large Model”.

This LLM model is envisioned to be an accelerator for “highly autonomous networks”, as it enables collaboration from cross-domain to single-domains via the assistance of AI agents.

Based on the “ZTE Digital Nebula” assemblable architecture, the model also promotes leapfrog transformation from "human+machine" to "machine+human" interactions, which is envisioned to reshape current system operation mores.

A New Clamshell-type Foldable Phone

Lenovo introduced a new clamshell-type foldable phone in MWC Shanghai 2024 – the Moto Razr 50 Ultra AI.

The phone runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen3 platform, sports an improved hinge design and is powered by a 4000mAh battery. Topped with a 4-inch LTPO outer display, it feats dual 50megapixel cameras as its main imaging system which comes with optical image stabilization and AI-backed functions like subject identification.

What’s more, the device is rated with an IPX8 waterproof certification, and also highlights AI-backed multi-device connectivity features that primes it as a phone that’s ready for the future.

A Versatile System for Various Applications Across Different Industries

China’s state-owned telecommunications company China Mobile demonstrated the functional capabilities of its Jiutian platform at MWC Shanghai.

At its core, the demonstration showed how it could be used in various sectors, covering government, healthcare, hospitality and entertainment – highlights of which would include an AI-driven smart hotel management system and an advanced medical assistance system.

Migu, the firm’s content subsidiary, also had the introduction of an AIGC-enabled short play (touted as China’s first) and AI commentators for sports broadcasting.

The introduction largely clinched just how versatile the Jiutian platform is in augmenting the operations of different industries.

The Future of Electric Vehicles

Xiaomi roused the attention of MWC Shanghai attendees in presenting the SU7 – a full-size electric sedan that was initially announced in December last year.

The EV comes in three model versions in the SU7, SU7 Pro and SU7 Max, which are respectively powered by a 73.6 kWh, 94.3 kWh and 101 kWH battery. The SU7 and Pro models tout a top speed rated at 210 km/h, while the Max clocks a 265 km/h top speed.

Developed by the Xiaomi Auto subsidiary, the EV is equipped with a 16.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 system-on-chip that runs on the Xiaomi HyperOS system.

The EV’s presentation at MWC garnered approving nods among attendees, as it showed how “seamless” it is in interacting with on-hand devices such as phones, tablets and laptops via the firm’s HyperOS – a leaning which Xiaomi has been making headways in rolling out a series of smart home products that can be connected to a compatible smartphone via internet-enabled connections.