MWC 2022 has closed its doors and it’s fair to say that it was a welcome return for the trade show that brought us new tech and gadgets from both big and small brands. We were on the ground for the show, wandering through the booths and attending briefings on the latest tech from the brands you love, and here are our picks for the Best of MWC 2022 awards.
OPPO Find X5 Pro
OPPO’s latest flagship packs in Qualcomm’s most powerful processor along with a svelte ceramic design and the new MariSilicon X image processing chip that, along with the new 5-axis OIS system, promises to make the absolute most of the Hasselblad-tuned 50MP cameras on the rear panel. The big 6.7-inch AMOLED panel has QHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate with dynamic scaling, and is capable of up to 1,300 nits peak brightness. With ultra-speedy 80W SuperVOOC wired charging (0-50% in 12 minutes) and 50W AirVOOC wireless charging (0-100% in 47 minutes) to top-up the 5,000mAh battery, you’ll never know the feeling of battery anxiety ever again. Priced at €1,299 in Europe, the Find X5 Pro could be the non-Samsung flagship you need in your life. Our review of OPPO’s Find X5 Pro is coming up in the week ahead.
Realme GT 2 Pro
Coming in at just €749, Realme’s GT 2 Pro doesn’t skimp on features; it’s also powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and can be had with 8/12GB of RAM and 128/256/512GB of built-in storage. There’s a 6.7-inch flat AMOLED display with QHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, and the phone runs Android 12 out of the box. There’s a trio of rear cameras comprising of a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens with a unique 150° FoV, as well as a 40x microlens. It’s available in Paper White and Paper Green colorways which are made from sustainable biopolymer materials, making it a treat to look at and hold. We’ve got one in for review so keep an eye out for our verdict on Realme’s first flagship smartphone.
TCL Tab 10S 5G
Samsung may be clearing up at the flagship end of the Android tablet segment but not everyone wants to break the bank on a Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, which is where TCL’s Tab 10S 5G comes into play. Sporting 5G connectivity, a big 10.1-inch FHD display, dual speakers, all-day battery life, and running Android 12 out of the box, TCL’s Tab 10S 5G is the most affordable way to get a 5G-connected Android tablet with a price tag of just €349 (~$388).
With the advent of 5G MediaTek has bounced back into the limelight with its popular range of Dimensity processors that power phones such as the OnePlus Nord 2 5G. Its latest Dimensity 8000 series of high-end chips are made on a 5nm process and will compete against the likes of the Snapdragon 870 and 888 chipsets that power affordable flagships. The Dimensity 8000 chips feature a number of premium features from the 9000 processor such as simultaneous use of dual rear cameras and improved graphics performance.
Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360
It wouldn’t be MWC if Samsung wasn’t present, and while the brand had already launched its latest range of Galaxy S flagship smartphones on February 9th we did see the new Galaxy Book Pro 360 laptop being announced during the tradeshow. Packing in 12-gen Intel i5 and i7 chipsets and running Windows 11 out of the box, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 laptop with its 360° Super AMOLED display (13.3 or 15.6-inch) comes in with a thickness of just 12mm, making it slim, trim, and ultra-portable with prices starting from $849 for the base model.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
It’s a while since Lenovo’s best-selling Chromebook Duet was launched with a 2-in-1 design, portable 10.1-inch display, and powered by a MediaTek processor but now in 2022, we finally have a true successor. Called the Chromebook Duet 3, the new convertible keeps the two-toned 2-in-1 design but gains a slightly-larger 11-inch 2K display with a 5:3 aspect ratio and is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chipset. Available with 4/8GB of LPDDRX4 RAM and a choice of 64/128/256GB of built-in storage, the Chromebook Duet 3 also sports dual 1W speakers, along with a 5MP selfie camera and an 8MP rear camera. Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 3 goes on sale in May with a starting price of $399.
Nokia C2
Finally but not least, we have the eminently affordable Nokia C2 (2nd Edition) from HMD Global that has launched at a price of just $99. You’ll find an unspecified quad-core chipset under the hood along with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage, while its removable 2,400mAh battery provides all-day battery life for the 5.7-inch HD+ display. The rear panel houses a 5MP sensor and flash while there is a 2MP selfie camera housed in the bezel on top of the display. The Nokia C2 (2nd Edition) runs Android 11 (Go Edition) and HMD Global is promising 2 years of security updates for the budget handset.
