On March 6, the three-day Mobile World Congress 2025, an international exhibition where mobile technology developers showcase their achievements, has come to an end in Barcelona.
As usual, this year, one could see not only innovative products but also interesting and even bizarre developments. Wired journalists who visited the exhibition wrote about them.
Smartphone concept with a mirror lens by Realme
This concept has a large camera module, and a number of different lens attachments can be mounted on top of it to create something that truly competes with DSLRs.
The proprietary mount on the Realme phone allows you to mount a full-frame mirrorless lens, so you can use lenses from DSLRs you already own instead of buying brand new hardware. But it's just a concept, so there's no price or release date. It may never become a phone you can buy.
Images here and below are by WIRED
SunBooster directs light to your face
The SunBooster from SunLED Life Science is a tiny USB device, similar to a webcam, that attaches to a laptop or computer and emits infrared light on your face. It can improve the well-being of those who lack sun exposure.
A study in 2022 showed that daily exposure to near-infrared light in a certain dose has a lasting positive effect on health and well-being, improves mood, reduces drowsiness and resting heart rate - though only in winter, when the sun is not shining so brightly.
The device doesn't need to be used all day, as it claims to deliver a 'scientifically calibrated dose' in just two to three hours. It will be available later this year. SunLED wants to work with other manufacturers to integrate its product into their technologies (laptops, monitors) for a more seamless design.
Oukitel has launched a projector phone with a large battery
This powerful smartphone has a 33,000 mAh battery, which makes it extremely large and heavy. But the battery isn't just for keeping the phone going for a few days. It also has a built-in 100 lumen projector.
It can also be used as a camping lantern. It has a night vision camera and support for reverse wireless charging. It works like a phone, although it's huge and not very pretty. All these features are available for $899. Traditionally, this year we have seen not only innovative products, but also interesting and even bizarre ones.
A case that can charge your phone using light
Mobile phone brand Infinix has unveiled a case for its phone that uses SolarEnergy-Reserving Technology. This allows the case to capture light and use it to charge the phone wirelessly.
Infinix claims that the case stores up to 2W of energy and transfers it to the phone when needed. The case uses Sunflower wireless charging technology, which is inspired by plants. This allows the system to "dynamically adjust the transmission path" to ensure it gets as much light as possible within a three-metre range.
Cycling goggles with action camera
Why wear an action camera on your body when you can put it in your cycling goggles? This is the idea behind the BleeqUp Ranger. Right in the centre of the goggles (which are UV400 and IP54 protected) is a camera that can record up to an hour of 1080p video.
At the back of the helmet is a small accessory with a rechargeable battery that acts as a rear light and increases the total video recording time to five hours. The goggles have temple-mounted speakers so you can listen to music.
Of course, artificial intelligence is at work here, but not on the glasses themselves. Algorithms analyze the footage and suggest clips, assembling them into a single video with minimal effort on your part. The glasses will be launched on Kickstarter at the end of this month for $499.
MiRZA AR glasses by NTT Docomo
NTT Docomo's augmented reality glasses, which were demonstrated at MWC, allow you to interact with digital content in a real space without the need to connect to external devices. They can:
- fix images in space - content stays in place even if the user moves their head;
- help in creative processes - for example, during calligraphy, they overlay a sample of a character, which makes it easy to reproduce;
- support work processes - they can overlay engine diagrams or repair instructions directly on objects.
The model that is currently available costs about $1,500 and is aimed at businesses. However, NTT Docomo is working on a lighter version that will be cheaper (~$500) and will be able to display navigation and notifications from a smartphone via Bluetooth. It will probably require a subscription to the AI service.
Xpanceo demonstrates new prototypes of smart contact lenses
Xpanceo presented prototypes of smart contact lenses. Some can be recharged through the lens case, while others are equipped with biosensors that can analyze certain parameters of tear fluid to monitor glucose, cortisol, and other indicators.
Another prototype had a pattern on the lens that moves in response to intraocular pressure, which can help detect glaucoma in the early stages. And there was a smart contact lens for AR Vision that had a built-in microdisplay to show images. The ultimate goal is to combine all these prototypes into one product.
Masks for testing — Polar ID
Metalenz didn't make any new announcements at MWC 2025, but they did show new Polar ID test masks, their biometric authentication system that uses polarization data to recognize faces.
Previously, the company used 3D masks for testing, but now it uses realistic artificial heads that mimic real people. Polar ID successfully rejected a fake head because its polarization characteristics were different from a real person.
What's next
Polar ID technology will appear in Android smartphones in 2026 and will be a cheaper analog of Apple's Face ID.
