![\"galaxy-s9\"](\"http:\/\/192.168.3.178\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Galaxy-S9-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe world\u2019s phone manufacturers (apart from one notable exception) are currently gathered in Barcelona for Mobile World Congress, an annual tradeshow where Samsung, Sony, et al show off their latest devices.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s MWC has been a slightly understated affair, with many of the big names \u201d\u201c most notably LG and Huawei \u201d\u201c holding back their new flagships for their own events later in the year. However, we\u2019ve still been treated to a glimpse of some exciting new tech. Here\u2019s the pick of the bunch.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s get the big one out of the way first. The launch of the Galaxy S9 opened MWC and has stolen most of the headlines, even though it isn\u2019t that <\/em>much different to last year\u2019s S8 (which, to be fair, was a pretty big leap forwards for Samsung).<\/p>\n Although you\u2019d struggle to tell the S8 and S9 apart in a line-up, the S9 features a major camera upgrade. The 12 megapixel camera now includes dual-aperture technology, including the world\u2019s first f\/1.5 aperture on a phone, which adjusts the camera based on lighting conditions.<\/p>\n For more on the Samsung Galaxy S9, check out this blog post<\/a>. It\u2019s available to buy from 16th<\/sup> March for a not-unsubstantial \u00a3739.<\/p>\n The other major flagship launch at MWC, the Xperia XZ2 is Sony\u2019s latest attempt to claw back some market share after downsizing their mobile division.<\/p>\n Starting at \u00a3699 for a SIM free model, the Xperia XZ2 boasts a 5.7 inch screen house in a mainly glass design, a 19 megapixel camera and a Snapdragon 845 processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage (which is expandable with a microSD card). Sadly, the headphone jack is gone to make the device slimmer (boo, hiss, etc).<\/p>\n Interestingly, Sony have given a lot of attention to something most smartphone users don\u2019t think about: the vibration system. The XZ2 includes Sony\u2019s Dynamic Vibration System, which delivers contextual haptic feedback based on what you\u2019re playing, watching or listening to (a bit like a PS4 controller).<\/p>\n The Xperia XZ2 will be available in black, silver, blue and pink and will hit shelves later this year.<\/p>\n Yep, you read that right. Land Rover, best known for making all-terrain vehicles beloved by footballers and farmers, has launched their very own smartphone.<\/p>\n The Land Rover Explore is designed for \u201d\u02dcoutdoor adventure\u2019, which we presume means climbing a mountain rather than nipping down to the shops. It has a 5-inch screen, 4GB of RAM and an extra rugged case that protects the device from extreme temperatures and water. One promo picture even shows the device being dropped into a muddy puddle… and surviving!<\/p>\n The Explore includes topographic mapping options from ViewRanger, which also includes an augmented reality skyline feature, as well as weather information and an SOS light toggle. It\u2019ll cost \u00a3599 when it\u2019s eventually released.<\/p>\n The bad news: Huawei didn\u2019t launch the highly anticipated P20 at MWC, saving it instead for their own launch event on the 27th<\/sup> March.<\/p>\n The good news: they\u2019ve launched a new laptop that is pretty much a MacBook for Windows users.<\/p>\n The Matebook X Pro boasts a nearly bezel-less unibody metal design with a touchscreen, spill-resistant keyboard and touch, and a fingerprint scanner. It also includes a quad speaker system with 2nd<\/sup> gen Dolby Atmos surround sound and Intel\u2019s latest CPUs, making for a very exciting laptop indeed.<\/p>\n Huawei haven\u2019t announced an official UK price yet but it\u2019ll cost around \u00a31300 for the base level 256GB model.<\/p>\n Since their acquisition by HMD, Nokia have slowly but surely rebuilt their reputation with a series of dependable mid-range Android devices (and the rebooted 3310, of course).<\/p>\n The 8 Sirocco is their attempt to break the flagship market currently dominated by Apple and Samsung. The ultra-thin glass design, which looks fantastic, houses a 5.5 inch curved OLED display and dual rear cameras (one 12MP, the other 13). In a sign of the times, the humble headphone jack has been dropped.<\/p>\n The Sirocco runs off a Snapdragon 835 processor and 6GB of RAM and will include Android One software with precious few tweaks. It\u2019ll retail for 749 Euros, which converts to around \u00a3660 \u201d\u201c not bad in a market where \u00a3700+ smartphones are the norm.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Xperia](\"http:\/\/192.168.3.178\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/xperia-xz-2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSony Xperia XZ2<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n![\"Land](\"http:\/\/192.168.3.178\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/land-rover-explore.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe Land Rover Smartphone<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nHuawei MateBook X Pro<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n![\"Nokia](\"http:\/\/192.168.3.178\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/nokia-8-sirocco.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNokia 8 Sirocco<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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![\"Nokia](\"http:\/\/192.168.3.178\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/nokia-8110.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Start](\"http:\/\/192.168.3.178\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/startselling.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"