Latest news with #ThinkPads
Mint
4 days ago
- Mint
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 review: Classic workhorse with a few quirks
When I first unboxed the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6, I was expecting all the familiar comfort, durability, and that signature 'this is a real business laptop' vibe. And for the most part, it delivered. But as someone who's used several ThinkPads over the years, and had it as their first laptop ever, I had higher expectations. If you're looking for a solid, no-nonsense workhorse that gets the job done without drama, this might just be your new favourite sidekick. What are the hits? Does it miss something? And how serious are the misses? Here is all I thought about it. I got a solid 7+ hours of battery life during a typical workday that included emailing, Zoom calls, some spreadsheet magic, and even a few video renders in the background. That's not bad for a mid-range business laptop, but it doesn't blow you away either. Still, it's enough to get through a day without needing an outlet. I took it to a client meeting where I forgot my charger and still made it through the whole day with some juice left. So if you're always on the go and don't want to be tethered to a wall socket, this is a decent pick. This thing is no slouch. I had 10+ tabs open in two different browsers, plus three Windows running heavy tasks like Adobe apps, a Python script, and a live coding session, and it handled everything without stuttering or slowing down. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 processor does its job quietly and efficiently. And yes, it stayed cool and silent under load. No throttling, no fan noise loud enough to ruin a meeting. Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 review: Classic workhorse with a few quirks Even when I ran multiple VMs and had Docker containers spinning in the background, the system remained stable. Obviously it's not a gaming beast, but it holds on its own for productivity. The 14-inch WUXGA IPS display is sharp and crisp, making it perfect for reading long emails and watching videos. But when it comes to peak brightness, it struggles in direct sunlight. I tried using it outside once, and it felt like trying to read a document under a desk lamp while standing in the sun. Not ideal if you're into outdoor productivity. That said, the colour accuracy and viewing angles are solid, and it looks great in low-light environments. Just don't expect to take notes at the park unless you bring a flashlight. It's a classic ThinkPad build, plastic, lightweight, and easy to carry. But for the price tag, I expected a bit more heft. It feels functional, sure, but maybe just a little too plastic-y for what I paid. It's not flimsy, but it's not premium either. If you're used to the heavier, sturdier builds of older ThinkPads, this one might feel a bit underwhelming. But if you value portability over tactile satisfaction, it's still a solid choice. The red dot trackpoint is there, just like always. It works, but it didn't feel as accurate or responsive as previous models. If you're a die-hard ThinkPad user who lives by the pointer, you might miss the old snappiness. On the plus side, the keyboard is still fantastic. It's clicky, tactile, and comfortable for long typing sessions. Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 review Also, kudos to Lenovo for keeping the right Ctrl key and adding the Copilot key. This is a nice touch for AI-powered workflows, setting it apart from competitors. One minor gripe? The lid didn't open with one hand. If you're trying to flip it open while juggling a coffee, a notebook, and your phone, you'll need to put something down. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's worth noting. The lid opens smoothly, but not one-handedly. If you're trying to flip it open with one hand while juggling a coffee, a notebook, and your phone, you'll need to put something down. It's not a major caveat, but it's worth noting. Despite its classic look, the T14s Gen 6 isn't stuck in the past. It has modern security features like fingerprint reader, IR camera for facial recognition, and AMD Memory Guard for added protection. For enterprise users, these are big pluses, especially in environments where data security is a top priority. Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 review The inclusion of the Copilot key is a smart move from Lenovo, especially for those who rely on AI tools for writing, coding, or research. It's a small addition, but it makes a big difference in how quickly you can access help. If you're looking for a reliable, powerful, and quiet business laptop that can handle a full day of work without breaking a sweat, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is a solid choice. It's fast, efficient, and built for the office—or at least the modern home office. But if you want a brighter screen, a slightly more premium feel, or a trackpoint that feels like it belongs to a newer era, you might want to wait for the next gen. Still, for what it is, it gets the job done. And honestly? That's exactly what a business laptop should do. Disclaimer: Mint has an affiliate marketing partnership, which means we may get some commission on purchases you make through the retailer sites links provided. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, which is free from any bias or marketing pitch. We strive to provide accurate and unbiased information to help you make informed decisions. We recommend verifying details with the retailer before making a purchase.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Inside Lenovo's Yamato lab: How ThinkPads survive Formula 1's pressure
How ThinkPads survive Formula 1's pressure. When you think of Formula 1, it's easy to picture aurally soothing engines, 'Oh-my-god' moment overtakes, and all the courage the drivers bring with them to the track. But behind all that action is an equally thrilling digital race; one where speed, precision, and reliability matter just as much. Powering this side of the sport is Lenovo, Formula 1's Global Technology Partner. As part of this partnership, the Japanese tech giant has to ensure that every broadcast, data feed, and live stream runs without a hitch, no matter where the race goes. We recently visited Lenovo's Yamato Lab in Yokohama, Japan, where the company designs and tests its ThinkPads - a big part of what it supplies to Formula 1 through its partnership. But before we get going into the details, here's a quick overview of this deal. Lenovo and Formula 1 partnership Lenovo joined hands with Formula 1 in 2022 as an Official Partner, helping meet the sport's growing tech and broadcast needs. Their relationship deepened in 2024 when Lenovo was named the Global Partner and Global Technology Partner for the 2025 season onwards. Motorola, which is part of the Lenovo family, also became F1's Global Smartphone Partner. Lenovo provides its computing solutions, edge technology, and 'hybrid' AI systems to F1, which have become an integral part of how the widely popular motorsport runs. The company supports real-time decisions and data collection on the tracks and processes it at F1's headquarters in the UK simultaneously with minimal latency. Tech-engine behind F1 and how Lenovo fuels it by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Every Formula 1 weekend is a massive tech operation. Over 470 devices are deployed across the circuit, including ultra-high-definition cameras, microphones, and in-car cameras - as many as nine on a single car! These devices capture everything from the driver's pedal work to the slightest steering inputs. To support this, F1 operates two major technical centres. The Event Technical Centre (ETC), one of the most complex mobile tech setups in the sport, stretches across 25m by 15m and houses 750 devices that run more than 40 software systems. Each race weekend, it processes hundreds of thousands of transponder events and moves up to 400 GB of data. Then there's the Media and Technology Centre (MTC) in Biggin Hill, UK. This hub handles everything from live camera feeds to post-production work. It runs on Lenovo's virtualisation platforms, operating 270 virtual machines and processing up to 500 terabytes of data every weekend. More than 400 Lenovo monitors are used in its broadcast gallery alone. The ETC and M&TC transfer around 500 terabytes of data per event weekend, with bandwidth peaking at around 8.5 Gbps at the start of an event. Lenovo's devices at F1 setups: Built to handle dust, heat, pressure Formula 1 is a tough environment, therefore the tech has to be tougher. Lenovo provides the sport with ThinkPad laptops, high-performance workstations for editing and design, edge computing gear for instant data handling, and Motorola smartphones for on-the-move communication. Besides that, servers and computing units support everything from live broadcasts to command centre operations. Kia EV9 Review: Worth the Price Tag? | TOI Auto More than 600 F1 personnel - from engineers to media crews - use Lenovo devices every weekend. And now, Lenovo's AI-powered PCs are being tested in the F1 setup, potentially boosting speed and collaboration even further. Yamato Lab: Visiting the hub where the tough tech is born By now, you have a fair idea of what goes around in the tech-race part of F1. Let's now come back to the topic in hand - how does Lenovo ensure the reliability and robustness of its devices to prepare them for the toughest of real-life tests there is? Well, the reliability of these machines comes from years of rigorous development, much of which happens at Lenovo's Yamato Lab in Yokohama, Japan. This lab has been the heart of ThinkPad innovation. During our visit, we saw how seriously Lenovo takes testing. In the Camera Design Lab, devices are tested in real-world lighting and usage conditions to ensure top-quality video performance. In wireless and audio testing rooms, devices undergo checks for VoIP clarity and wireless strength in signal-free zones designed to isolate and detect even the smallest issues. For example, we saw the ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 (2024) which is designed with a focus on repairability and robust security. Its easy-open base cover with captive screws and QR-code-guided instructions makes servicing straightforward, even for customers, thanks to its CRU (Customer Replaceable Unit) battery and tool-free access. Security is equally advanced—featuring base cover tamper detection that logs events in the BIOS, halts boot-up on unauthorized access, and notifies IT admins. Additionally, the device sports a redesigned speaker system placed under the keyboard, optimizing space and sound while reducing overall size and weight. There are also labs where devices face repeated drop tests, vibration simulations, dust exposure, and even static electricity discharges of over 10,000 volts. Laptops are tested for hinge durability, LCD pressure, and thermal stability in conditions that mimic extreme shipping environments ranging from freezing cold to intense tropical heat. After seeing the Yamato Lab in action, it's easy to understand why ThinkPads are trusted in the fast-paced world of Formula 1. Just like in racing, where precision, reliability, and performance matter most, we saw Lenovo put ThinkPads through intense testing to make sure it delivers under pressure. Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India .
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
Everything announced at MWC 2025: Samsung, Nothing, Lenovo, Xiaomi and more tech news
Mobile World Congress is taking place in Barcelona this week, offering manufacturers an opportunity to show off new gear without needing to hold their own splashy event. So far, we've learned about some new laptops and phones, as well as upcoming AI updates to Android and an internet connectivity announcement from Meta. There's also been some interesting ideas in the world of headphones and a whole lot of concepts that might never make it to market, but are fun to look at any way. Here's a look at everything announced at Mobile World Congress that caught our eye. We'll update this story throughout the week. Among the bigger-name manufacturers, Lenovo has arguably had the busiest MWC so far. The company has revealed a whole bunch of laptops, including upgraded ThinkPads and several intriguing concept models. The ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 has a design that's more aligned with the convertible format of the Yoga lineup than a typical ThinkPad. The 14-inch machine can be equipped with a 400-nit WUXGA touch display. Other ThinkPads are getting spec upgrades, while Lenovo claims the new ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 has 'one of the lightest ThinkPad designs ever.' The company has a fresh slate of laptops with generative AI capabilities as well. Some of Lenovo's concepts have certainly caught our attention. It's a bummer that the company doesn't currently plan to turn the Yoga Solar PC Concept into a commercial device. Thanks to the solar cells on the casing, the laptop can soak up enough energy from the sun in 20 minutes to play an hour of videos. As little as 0.3 watts of light is enough to juice up the battery. While solar-powered laptops aren't exactly new, the Yoga Solar PC feels polished. Here's hoping Lenovo does more with the notion in the future. In addition, Lenovo showed off some conceptual display accessories for a ThinkBook laptop. There's an eight-inch screen that attaches to the side magnetically to help you, for instance, keep up with notifications and widgets. The Magic Bay Dual Display Concept adds a 13.3-inch panel to either side of the main display. There's also a slim second display that's designed to sit above your laptop screen and provide quick access to things like the time, weather, notifications, a focus mode timer, an AI assistant and notifications. On top of all of that, Lenovo offered a look at a new prototype laptop with a flexible display. Building on the tech the company used in the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, the ThinkBook codename Flip AI PC Proof of concept (to give its full name) has a fold-out screen. This allows Lenovo to double the panel's size from 13 inches to 18.1 inches. The ThinkBook Rollable's display, on the other hand, can extend to 16.7 inches. Again, Lenovo doesn't currently plan to release a commercial version of this fold-out laptop, but it's an interesting idea. The main MWC news from Samsung this year is the company's latest midrange and budget phones. The Galaxy A56 has a larger screen than its predecessor at 6.7 inches, but it's thinner too at 7.44mm vs. 8.2mm. There's now a small bump where the volume and power buttons are — a tweak that we feel makes the A56 easier to handle. Samsung has switched up the camera array in the A56. On the front, there's a lower-res 12MP lens. On the other side, you'll find an upgraded 12MP ultrawide, 50MP main sensor and a 5MP macro lens. The A56 has a bunch of AI-powered camera and image editing features, such as enhanced subject detection in portrait mode and an object eraser. Pre-orders are open in the UK for the Galaxy A56, which costs $499/£499. It will hit the UK on March 19, but folks in the US will have to wait until "later this year" for it. Samsung also revealed the Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G. Both devices have a 120Hz, 6.7-inch display with brightness of up to 1,200 nits. They also share an IP67 rating and 5,000mAh battery with the A56. However, the base models of each only have 6GB of RAM (compared with the A56's 12GB). In addition, the A36 has the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor instead of the Exynos 1580 that the A56 boasts, while the A26 has a Exynos 1380 chipset. In addition to properly launching the trio of A-series phones, Samsung also brought a bunch of concept devices to Barcelona, further showing off its flexible display prowess. We've seen reporting of these, like Android Police's coverage of a "Flex Gaming" handheld. That prototype consists of a 7.2-inch OLED screen that bends in half. Flanking the display are what appear to be controllers and holes where they'd fit when the handheld is folded up. Elsewhere on the internet we also saw Samsung showcase a Galaxy Z Flip-esque device that had two hinges that let it fold in on itself from the top and bottom. Allison Johnson at The Verge has nicknamed it "The Claw," which to our editor Cherlynn Low is just reminiscent of an MSI device. Unfortunately, Xiaomi doesn't have plans to bring a handset it showed off at MWC to the US. That's a real pity, because no other companies are selling phones quite like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra in the country these days. Xiaomi teamed up with Leica to make a smartphone that leans heavily into photography. The camera array includes a 1-inch 50-megapixel Sony main sensor, an f/2.2 50MP ultrawide cam, a 50MP midrange lens with a 70mm focal length and a 200MP periscope array with a 100mm focal length — that equates to a 4.7x optical zoom. Some preset Leica filters help to tie the two brands' knowhow together. That's not all that might be interesting to mobile snappers. Xiaomi's separate Photography kit includes an add-on camera grip with a physical shutter button, an adjustable dial and dedicated video button. You'll have the option to attach a standard 67mm filter adapter to a case as well — in other words, some of the equipment you might use on a dedicated camera is compatible with the Ultra 15 as part of this setup. Moreover, the Ultra 15 has a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3,200 nits of brightness to help you get a good look at your captures. Plus, unlike some other Chinese phones (like Huawei's), Xiaomi supports Google services in HyperOS 2, which is an Android skin. The Ultra 15 starts at about €1,499 (around $1,572). Speaking of Android, Google announced two new AI-powered features for the operating system at MWC. The Live Video function, which Google first previewed at I/O 2024, allows you to share what your phone's camera sees with Gemini so you can ask the chatbot questions about the footage. The new screensharing function works in a similar way. You can ask Gemini questions about whatever's on your phone or tablet's display. If they work as well as advertised, these features could be a boon for accessibility. Google will first offer them to Gemini Advanced subscribers starting later this month. Those with a $20 per month Google One AI Premium membership, which is included with some Verizon plans, have access to Gemini Advanced. Samsung wasn't the only smartphone maker of note to show off two new mid-range devices at MWC. Nothing debuted its Phone 3a Pro and Phone 3a at the event — even though it has yet to unleash the Phone 3. The 3a Pro has a beefier camera module (quite literally as the device is about 10 grams heavier than the 3a). It contains a 50MP telephoto sensor with a 3x optical zoom; a 50MP primary sensor with f/1.88 lens and dual-pixel phase detection auto-focus (PDAF); and an ultrawide 8MP sensor with a 120-degree field of view. The handset has a telemacro mode too. As for the 3a, that boasts a main 50MP camera with single-pixel PDAF, but the other two sensors are the same as on the 3a Pro. The cameras are the main difference between the two phones, which both have a 6.77-inch AMOLED LTPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1,300 nits of brightness. The phones have a 5,000mAh battery with support for 50W fast charging, and they run on a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. The devices have Nothing's multipurpose Essential Key, a physical button that can take screenshots and help you record voice notes. The phones also have some generative AI features, such as the ability to transcribe said voice notes and describe what's in screenshots and photos. As usual, Nothing is initially offering these devices in the US through a beta program. Phone 3a pre-orders are open now and the $379 handset ships on March 11. That's the date when pre-orders for the Phone 3a Pro go live. The $459 phone can be in your hands on March 25. There was more news out of MWC beyond new gear and OS updates. Meta and the Internet Society announced a partnership to bolster affordable internet connectivity around the globe. They're jointly putting $30 million into the initiative over the next five years. A major aim of the project is to help build out infrastructure in areas where commercial providers have yet to do so. The Connectivity Co-Funding Initiative will also back training programs, community-centered solutions for underserved areas and locally owned networks. The Internet Society is hoping to find more partners to help with the project. Finnish company HMD, which also makes devices under the Nokia brand, brought a bunch of phones to Barcelona this year, but maybe the most interesting thing was some earbuds. The Amped Earbuds are a pair of fairly standard Bluetooth buds, with a twist in the case: It's got a 1,600mAh battery built in that supports reverse wireless charging. It's a pretty solid idea — given you're likely already carrying a phone and some headphones. Perhaps the one issue is that capacity: 1,600mAh is enough to charge a lot of headphones, but it's dramatically smaller than the battery in your phone. Still, an extra 20 percent of battery life could be an lifesaver. Update, March 7 2025, 4:05PM ET: This story has been updated twice since publish. Once to include a section on Samsung's concept folding devices, and once to add a section on HMD's Amped Earbuds. The introduction of the article was also changes. Engadget will be reporting all the latest mobile and smartphone news from MWC 2025 as it happens the week of March 2.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MWC 2025: All the news from Samsung, Nothing, Lenovo, Xiaomi and more
Mobile World Congress is taking place in Barcelona this week, offering manufacturers an opportunity to show off new gear without needing to hold their own splashy event. So far, we've learned about some new laptops and phones, as well as upcoming AI updates to Android and an internet connectivity announcement from Meta. Here's a look at everything announced at Mobile World Congress that caught our eye. We'll update this story throughout the week. Among the bigger-name manufacturers, Lenovo has arguably had the busiest MWC so far. The company has revealed a whole bunch of laptops, including upgraded ThinkPads and several intriguing concept models. The ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 has a design that's more aligned with the convertible format of the Yoga lineup than a typical ThinkPad. The 14-inch machine can be equipped with a 400-nit WUXGA touch display. Other ThinkPads are getting spec upgrades, while Lenovo claims the new ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 has 'one of the lightest ThinkPad designs ever.' The company has a fresh slate of laptops with generative AI capabilities as well. Some of Lenovo's concepts have certainly caught our attention. It's a bummer that the company doesn't currently plan to turn the Yoga Solar PC Concept into a commercial device. Thanks to the solar cells on the casing, the laptop can soak up enough energy from the sun in 20 minutes to play an hour of videos. As little as 0.3 watts of light is enough to juice up the battery. While solar-powered laptops aren't exactly new, the Yoga Solar PC feels polished. Here's hoping Lenovo does more with the notion in the future. In addition, Lenovo showed off some conceptual display accessories for a ThinkBook laptop. There's an eight-inch screen that attaches to the side magnetically to help you, for instance, keep up with notifications and widgets. The Magic Bay Dual Display Concept adds a 13.3-inch panel to either side of the main display. There's also a slim second display that's designed to sit above your laptop screen and provide quick access to things like the time, weather, notifications, a focus mode timer, an AI assistant and notifications. On top of all of that, Lenovo offered a look at a new prototype laptop with a flexible display. Building on the tech the company used in the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, the ThinkBook codename Flip AI PC Proof of concept (to give its full name) has a fold-out screen. This allows Lenovo to double the panel's size from 13 inches to 18.1 inches. The ThinkBook Rollable's display, on the other hand, can extend to 16.7 inches. Again, Lenovo doesn't currently plan to release a commercial version of this fold-out laptop, but it's an interesting idea. The main MWC news from Samsung this year is the company's latest midrange and budget phones. The Galaxy A56 has a larger screen than its predecessor at 6.7 inches, but it's thinner too at 7.44mm vs. 8.2mm. There's now a small bump where the volume and power buttons are — a tweak that we feel makes the A56 easier to handle. Samsung has switched up the camera array in the A56. On the front, there's a lower-res 12MP lens. On the other side, you'll find an upgraded 12MP ultrawide, 50MP main sensor and a 5MP macro lens. The A56 has a bunch of AI-powered camera and image editing features, such as enhanced subject detection in portrait mode and an object eraser. Pre-orders are open in the UK for the Galaxy A56, which costs $499/£499. It will hit the UK on March 19, but folks in the US will have to wait until "later this year" for it. Samsung also revealed the Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G. Both devices have a 120Hz, 6.7-inch display with brightness of up to 1,200 nits. They also share an IP67 rating and 5,000mAh battery with the A56. However, the base models of each only have 6GB of RAM (compared with the A56's 12GB). In addition, the A36 has the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor instead of the Exynos 1580 that the A56 boasts, while the A26 has a Exynos 1380 chipset. Unfortunately, Xiaomi doesn't have plans to bring a handset it showed off at MWC to the US. That's a real pity, because no other companies are selling phones quite like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra in the country these days. Xiaomi teamed up with Leica to make a smartphone that leans heavily into photography. The camera array includes a 1-inch 50-megapixel Sony main sensor, an f/2.2 50MP ultrawide cam, a 50MP midrange lens with a 70mm focal length and a 200MP periscope array with a 100mm focal length — that equates to a 4.7x optical zoom. Some preset Leica filters help to tie the two brands' knowhow together. That's not all that might be interesting to mobile snappers. Xiaomi's separate Photography kit includes an add-on camera grip with a physical shutter button, an adjustable dial and dedicated video button. You'll have the option to attach a standard 67mm filter adapter to a case as well — in other words, some of the equipment you might use on a dedicated camera is compatible with the Ultra 15 as part of this setup. Moreover, the Ultra 15 has a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3,200 nits of brightness to help you get a good look at your captures. Plus, unlike some other Chinese phones (like Huawei's), Xiaomi supports Google services in HyperOS 2, which is an Android skin. The Ultra 15 starts at about €1,499 (around $1,572). Speaking of Android, Google announced two new AI-powered features for the operating system at MWC. The Live Video function, which Google first previewed at I/O 2024, allows you to share what your phone's camera sees with Gemini so you can ask the chatbot questions about the footage. The new screensharing function works in a similar way. You can ask Gemini questions about whatever's on your phone or tablet's display. If they work as well as advertised, these features could be a boon for accessibility. Google will first offer them to Gemini Advanced subscribers starting later this month. Those with a $20 per month Google One AI Premium membership, which is included with some Verizon plans, have access to Gemini Advanced. Samsung wasn't the only smartphone maker of note to show off two new mid-range devices at MWC. Nothing debuted its Phone 3a Pro and Phone 3a at the event — even though it has yet to unleash the Phone 3. The 3a Pro has a beefier camera module (quite literally as the device is about 10 grams heavier than the 3a). It contains a 50MP telephoto sensor with a 3x optical zoom; a 50MP primary sensor with f/1.88 lens and dual-pixel phase detection auto-focus (PDAF); and an ultrawide 8MP sensor with a 120-degree field of view. The handset has a telemacro mode too. As for the 3a, that boasts a main 50MP camera with single-pixel PDAF, but the other two sensors are the same as on the 3a Pro. The cameras are the main difference between the two phones, which both have a 6.77-inch AMOLED LTPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1,300 nits of brightness. The phones have a 5,000mAh battery with support for 50W fast charging, and they run on a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. The devices have Nothing's multipurpose Essential Key, a physical button that can take screenshots and help you record voice notes. The phones also have some generative AI features, such as the ability to transcribe said voice notes and describe what's in screenshots and photos. As usual, Nothing is initially offering these devices in the US through a beta program. Phone 3a pre-orders are open now and the $379 handset ships on March 11. That's the date when pre-orders for the Phone 3a Pro go live. The $459 phone can be in your hands on March 25. There was more news out of MWC beyond new gear and OS updates. Meta and the Internet Society announced a partnership to bolster affordable internet connectivity around the globe. They're jointly putting $30 million into the initiative over the next five years. A major aim of the project is to help build out infrastructure in areas where commercial providers have yet to do so. The Connectivity Co-Funding Initiative will also back training programs, community-centered solutions for underserved areas and locally owned networks. The Internet Society is hoping to find more partners to help with the project. Engadget will be reporting all the latest mobile and smartphone news from MWC 2025 as it happens the week of March 2.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Yahoo
MWC 2025: Everything announced in Barcelona so far
Mobile World Congress is taking place in Barcelona this week, offering manufacturers an opportunity to show off new gear without needing to hold their own splashy event. So far, we've learned about some new laptops and phones, as well as upcoming AI updates to Android. Here's a look at everything announced at Mobile World Congress that caught our eye. We'll update this story throughout the week. Among the bigger-name manufacturers, Lenovo has arguably had the busiest MWC so far. The company has revealed a whole bunch of laptops, including upgraded ThinkPads and several intriguing concept models. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 has a design that's more aligned with the convertible format of the Yoga lineup than a typical ThinkPad. The 14-inch machine can be equipped with a 400-nit WUXGA touch display. Other ThinkPads are getting spec upgrades, while Lenovo claims the new ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 has 'one of the lightest ThinkPad designs ever.' The company has a fresh slate of laptops with generative AI capabilities as well. Some of Lenovo's concepts have certainly caught our attention. It's a bummer that the company doesn't currently plan to turn the Yoga Solar PC Concept into a commercial device. Thanks to the solar cells on the casing, the laptop can soak up enough energy from the sun in 20 minutes to play an hour of videos. As little as 0.3 watts of light is enough to juice up the battery. While solar-powered laptops aren't exactly new, the Yoga Solar PC feels polished. Here's hoping Lenovo does more with the notion in the future. In addition, Lenovo showed off some conceptual display accessories for a ThinkBook laptop. There's an eight-inch screen that attaches to the side magnetically to help you, for instance, keep up with notifications and widgets. The Magic Bay Dual Display Concept adds a 13.3-inch panel to either side of the main display. There's also a slim second display that's designed to sit above your laptop screen and provide quick access to things like the time, weather, notifications, a focus mode timer, an AI assistant and notifications. On top of all of that, Lenovo offered a look at a new prototype laptop with a flexible display. Building on the tech the company used in the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, the ThinkBook codename Flip AI PC Proof of concept (to give its full name) has a fold-out screen. This allows Lenovo to double the panel's size from 13 inches to 18.1 inches. The ThinkBook Rollable's display, on the other hand, can extend to 16.7 inches. Again, Lenovo doesn't currently plan to release a commercial version of this fold-out laptop, but it's an interesting idea. The main MWC news from Samsung this year is the company's latest midrange and budget phones. The Galaxy A56 has a larger screen than its predecessor at 6.7 inches, but it's thinner too at 7.44mm vs. 8.2mm. There's now a small bump where the volume and power buttons are — a tweak that we feel makes the A56 easier to handle. Samsung has switched up the camera array in the A56. On the front, there's a lower-res 12MP lens. On the other side, you'll find an upgraded 12MP ultrawide, 50MP main sensor and a 5MP macro lens. The A56 has a bunch of AI-powered camera and image editing features, such as enhanced subject detection in portrait mode and an object eraser. Pre-orders are open in the UK for the Galaxy A56, which costs $499/£499. It will hit the UK on March 19, but folks in the US will have to wait until "later this year" for it. Samsung also revealed the Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G. Both devices have a 120Hz, 6.7-inch display with brightness of up to 1,200 nits. They also share an IP67 rating and 5,000mAh battery with the A56. However, the base models of each only have 6GB of RAM (compared with the A56's 12GB). In addition, the A36 has the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor instead of the Exynos 1580 that the A56 boasts, while the A26 has a Exynos 1380 chipset. Unfortunately, Xiaomi doesn't have plans to bring a handset it showed off at MWC to the US. That's a real pity, because no other companies are selling phones quite like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra in the country these days. Xiaomi teamed up with Leica to make a smartphone that leans heavily into photography. The camera array includes a 1-inch 50-megapixel Sony main sensor, an f/2.2 50MP ultrawide cam, a 50MP midrange lens with a 70mm focal length and a 200MP periscope array with a 100mm focal length — that equates to a 4.7x optical zoom. Some preset Leica filters help to tie the two brands' knowhow together. That's not all that might be interesting to mobile snappers. Xiaomi's separate Photography kit includes an add-on camera grip with a physical shutter button, an adjustable dial and dedicated video button. You'll have the option to attach a standard 67mm filter adapter to a case as well — in other words, some of the equipment you might use on a dedicated camera is compatible with the Ultra 15 as part of this setup. Moreover, the Ultra 15 has a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3,200 nits of brightness to help you get a good look at your captures. Plus, unlike some other Chinese phones (like Huawei's), Xiaomi supports Google services in HyperOS 2, which is an Android skin. The Ultra 15 starts at about €1,499 (around $1,572). Speaking of Android, Google announced two new AI-powered features for the operating system at MWC. The Live Video function, which Google first previewed at I/O 2024, allows you to share what your phone's camera sees with Gemini so you can ask the chatbot questions about the footage. The new screensharing function works in a similar way. You can ask Gemini questions about whatever's on your phone or tablet's display. If they work as well as advertised, these features could be a boon for accessibility. Google will first offer them to Gemini Advanced subscribers starting later this month. Those with a $20 per month Google One AI Premium membership, which is included with some Verizon plans, have access to Gemini Advanced. Engadget will be reporting all the latest mobile and smartphone news from MWC 2025 as it happens the week of March 2.
