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Mobile World Congress 2012

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Mobile World Congress 2012

Mobile World Congress is a vast trade show in Barcelona where all the newest phones and tablets are shown off. We're expecting hundreds of new handsets from Samsung, Sony, HTC and more, with many running the latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich. We'll be reporting live on the spot, so bookmark this page and come back every day to see what's new.

Top Stories

Best phones of Mobile World Congress 2012

CNET UK's crack team of phone hounds have sniffed every single blower at MWC and here reveal which they each think smells best.

HTC One X

The HTC One X is a phone for a specialist group of gadget fiends -- those with huge hands, big wallets and very high power requirements.

Nokia 808 PureView

The Nokia 808 PureView's 41-megapixel camera is a rocket strapped to a rollerskate -- so is it just a headline-grabbing experiment?

LG Optimus 4X HD

The LG Optimus 4X HD boasts a high-resolution screen, quad-core processor and the latest Android OS, but will that mean a sky high price?

Nokia Lumia 610

The Lumia 610 is the cheapest Windows Phone in town -- it'll suit those who want a really simple device and comes with good free apps.

HTC Sense 4.0 on Ice Cream Sandwich looks smooth in video Video

Jason has a good fiddle with HTC's new phones at MWC, to see how it's customised Android Ice Cream Sandwich in this video.

Reviews

LG Optimus L7

The LG Optimus L7 has Ice Cream Sandwich and a big shiny face, but under its hood lurks a sluggish, single-core engine.

Nokia Lumia 900

The Nokia Lumia 900 looks big and bold but it's just bluster -- the phone is no more powerful than the smaller, cheaper Lumia 800.

Motorola Motoluxe

The Motorola Motoluxe looks appealing enough, but the user experience is less than stellar and there are better phones for less money.

Motorola Defy Mini

Raw power is lacking, but the dinky Motorola Defy Mini offers a cheap yet tough package that should prove ideal for younger owners.

HTC One V

The mid-range HTC One V looks good, feels great, has a reasonable camera and apps aplenty. The con? Slightly sluggish web browsing.

Huawei Ascend G300

The Huawei Ascend G300 is the new star on the Android bargain block. You'll be hard-pressed to make your money go further.

Asus Transformer Pad Infinity 700

The Asus Transformer Infinity offers a Full HD screen and the same keyboard dock as the Prime. Its processor options are limited, however.

Lumigon T2

The Lumigon T2 puts emphasis on design, and boasts the ability to control your telly. We go hands-on.

LG Optimus Vu

The LG Optimus Vu is a ludicrously large mobile that packs some impressive hardware into its thin, light frame.

Doro PhoneEasy 740

The Doro PhoneEasy 740 looks simple but it's clever because it makes complex and powerful technologies easy for almost anyone to use.

Panasonic Eluga Power

The Panasonic Eluga Power offers an attractive waterproof design, a great screen and a potentially powerful chip, but it could be pricey.

Motorola Defy+

If your middle name is butterfingers and you're tired of reading texts through a cracked screen, the Motorola Defy+ could be for you.

Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 4.2

The Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 4.2 goes up against the iPod touch. Does it stand a chance? Read on for hands-on impressions.

Samsung Galaxy S Advance

The Samsung Galaxy S Advance is a souped-up version of the Galaxy S that packs a gently curved screen. Read on for our first-impressions.

Nokia Asha 203

The Asha 202 might be suited to a budget-conscious student with lots of overseas relatives to call, or maybe a kid wanting a basic phone.

ZTE Skate Acqua

The ZTE Skate Acqua doesn't have a huge processor, but its low price and decent design might make it a good option for smart phone newbies.

Nokia Asha 202

The Asha 202 might be suited to a budget-conscious student with lots of overseas relatives to call, or maybe a kid wanting a basic phone.

ZTE Kis

The ZTE Kis isn't the most powerful phone, but its low price and unusual looks might make it a good option for smart phone novices.

ZTE Orbit

With its colourful squares and bouncy demeanour, Windows Phone is right at home on the ZTE Orbit.

Nokia Asha 302

The Nokia Asha 302 is unlikely to win many fans. It's not cheap enough to be a stone-cold bargain and its dated OS is a pain to use.

Huawei Ascend D Quad

The Huawei Ascend D Quad is shaping up to be one monstrous mobile. Read on for all the details.

Asus PadFone

The Asus PadFone is a 4.3-inch smart phone that slots into a 10-inch tablet, running both off Ice Cream Sandwich.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is shaping up to be a powerful, Ice Cream Sandwich-powered tablet, but the stylus could limit its appeal.

Sony Xperia U

For Android lovers looking for a cheaper phone that doesn't compromise on power and performance, the Xperia U could be a serious contender.

Orange Santa Clara

The Orange Santa Clara is shaping up to be a surprisingly powerful Android phone. Fingers crossed it's not too expensive.

Sony Xperia P

The Xperia P looks like it'll be a solid mid-range Android phone -- and if its camera is as good as we hope, it could be a real gem.

LG Optimus L5

The LG Optimus L5 doesn't offer much in the way of processing power, but it looks good and it's packing the latest version of Android.

LG Optimus L3

The LG Optimus L3 won't offer you much in the way of power, but it looks pretty neat and hopefully won't batter your wallet too hard.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1-inch

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1-inch packs Ice Cream Sandwich and is very thin and light. Read on for more.

Samsung Galaxy Beam

The Samsung Galaxy Beam is an Android smart phone with a built-in projector. No, really -- read on for our first impressions.

ZTE Mimosa X

The dual-core, Ice Cream Sandwich-packing Mimosa X could be a tasty addition to ZTE's Android line-up, provided the price is right.

LG Optimus 3D Max

The LG Optimus 3D Max offers glasses-free 3D and is lighter and thinner than its predecessor. Will this new model put 3D in more pockets?

Samsung Galaxy Mini 2

The Galaxy Mini 2 is unlikely to offer much in terms of hardware, but this compact and colourful Android phone should be very cheap.

Samsung Galaxy Ace 2

The Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 is the follow-up to the budget Galaxy Ace. We're keen to see how it compares to other cheap Android phones.

Crave

Best phones of Mobile World Congress we won't get in the UK Video

Check out the coolest phones at Mobile World Congress that won't be coming to the UK, in our heartbreaking video.

HTC One X vs Galaxy Note vs LG Optimus Vu vs Eluga Power Video

In the battle of the big phones, which huge handset won the day at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona?

LG's changes to Ice Cream Sandwich in hands-on video Video

LG's phones have a flavour of Ice Cream Sandwich close to Google's original version. Watch the video to find out what's been changed.

Ubuntu for Android is an open-source treat in hands-on video Video

Android and Ubuntu have been combined into one big geeky mobile OS-fest. Watch the video to see how it all works.

LG Optimus Vu lumbers into view in hands-on video Video

The LG Optimus Vu is one cumbersome phone -- it even gives the Samsung Galaxy Note a run for its money.

CNET UK Podcast 277: Best phones for 2012 Podcast

We're live(ish) from Barcelona, where we've been poking prodding and get excited about the best and worst new phones for 2012.

ViewSonic ViewPad E70 is a £130 Android ICS tablet Photo Gallery

ViewSonic has a budget Ice Cream Sandwich tab in the pipeline, plus more costly slates and dual-SIM Android phones.

Orange Santa Clara is own-brand luxury in hands-on photos Photo Gallery

Check out our hands-on photos of the Intel Atom-powered Orange Santa Clara.

Nokia 808 PureView in-depth photo gallery Photo Gallery

Take a look at our in-depth photos of the Nokia 808 PureView's insane 41-megapixel camera.

Sony sneers at quad-core 'inefficiency', holds off til 2013

The phone maker won't release any handsets with quad-core processors until next year, according to an executive.

Windows 8 beta now available as Consumer Preview

The new version of Windows is now available in beta, so you can have a look see what all the fuss is about.

Fujitsu flaunts quad-core ICS, bucketload of dunkable phones Photo Gallery

The Japanese giant is bringing its smart phones to Europe -- what should you expect?

Panasonic Lumix Phone packs 13 megapixels in hands-on video Video

Panasonic may just have created the ultimate camera phone with its 13-megapixel Lumix 101P. Jason snaffles a peek in his hands-on video.

Samsung Galaxy Beam priced at £385, projected to arrive July

The bonkers projector-packing Samsung Galaxy Beam is coming this summer, and will cost just shy of £400 SIM-free.

Windows Phone is in a 'tooth-and-nail battle' with Android

Windows Phone is in a "tooth-and-nail battle" with Android and iPhone that could last a decade, according to Microsoft.

Panasonic Lumix Phone shows potential in hands-on pics Photo Gallery

We check out the Panasonic Lumix Phone, a chunky mobile that sports top-notch camera credentials. Sadly, it's Japan only for now.

Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 4.2 adds gyroscope, Gingerbread

Samsung's Galaxy S WiFi Android MP3 player has been given an upgrade, with a slightly bigger screen and enhanced gaming skills.

HTC One X priced at £470, coming in April

The HTC One X is coming to three networks in the UK, as well as Phones4U, and is due at the start of the summer.

Toshiba shrinks the AT200 tablet, adds quad-core, ICS

The AT200 is getting a follow-up at Mobile World Congress, and it's smaller and faster. What's not to like?

Samsung admits it's "not doing very well" in tablets

A Samsung executive has admitted the company's tablets aren't faring too well. In which case, why is it still trying every size imaginable?

Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD is a 10-inch quad-core tablet

Huawei has debuted the world's first quad-core 10-inch tablet, the MediaPad 10 FHD. And it runs Ice Cream Sandwich.

Samsung Galaxy S3 specs leaked: quad-core, 1080p screen, ICS

The long-awaited Samsung Galaxy S3's specs have leaked, and they're mighty impressive, giving the iPhone more than a run for its money.

HTC One X is a quad-core ICS powerhouse in hands-on video Video

Rich Trenholm tackles the mighty quad-core, Ice Cream Sandwich-packing HTC One X in this hands-on video from MWC 2012.

Sony Xperia U twinkles prettily in hands-on video Video

Natasha Lomas goes hands-on with the characterful, colourful Sony Xperia U at Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona.

ZTE Era joins ICS gang, Kis and Acqua stick on Gingerbread

ZTE is making good on its plans to become a major player in the UK, with an Ice Cream Sandwich phone at the forefront.

Nokia Lumia 900 coming to the UK this spring

Nokia's Lumia 900 is on its way to the UK, the Finnish phonesmith has announced at Mobile World Congress.

Panasonic Eluga Power packs ICS, 5-inch screen

Panasonic has unwrapped its second UK smart phone in as many weeks, with the Eluga Power coming ICS-ready.

Asus PadFone shown off in hands-on photos Photo Gallery

The Asus PadFone shows off its 4.3-inch screen, Android Ice Cream Sandwich software and 10-inch tablet dock in these lovely hands-on photos.

Nokia Lumia 610 is official, coming this spring

Nokia just made the Lumia 610 official, and the budget Windows Phone handset will be here in the spring.

Nokia 808 PureView has 41-megapixel camera in official pics Photo Gallery

Nokia's upped the image stakes significantly, with a 41-megapixel camera built into the 808 PureView. But it runs Symbian?

Orange Santa Clara is Intel Atom-powered in official pics Photo Gallery

Orange's latest own-brand effort is the Orange Santa Clara, a 4-inch smart phone powered by an Intel Atom processor.

One X is HTC's first quad-core phone in new One Series Photo Gallery

HTC will be firing forth three Ice Cream Sandwich smart phones including the quad-core, 4.7-inch screen mammoth, the HTC One X.

Sony Xperia Ion coming to UK, Xperia U on T-Mobile

T-Mobile has already announced it'll be taking the Xperia U this spring. And the Xperia Ion is coming to the UK this summer.

Sony Xperia P and Xperia U unveiled in official pics Photo Gallery

Sony has lifted the lid on two new smart phones, both dual-core, both launching this spring, and both transparent. Hang on, what?

Samsung Galaxy Beam flaunts projector in hands-on pics Photo Gallery

Check out our hands-on photos of the Samsung Galaxy Beam, an Android smart phone with a built-in projector.

Huawei Ascend D Quad claims to be world's fastest phone

Huawei reckons it has the world's fastest phone out in Barcelona -- the quad-core Ascend D Quad is kicking up a storm at MWC.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) joins 7-inch model

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 will come in a 10.1-inch variety as well as the 7-incher, making it really easy to describe which one you mean. Ahem.

Samsung Galaxy Beam projector phone shown in official pics Photo Gallery

Samsung's latest phone has a built-in projector that shows movies at up to 50 inches across.

Windows 8 to do away with Zune and Windows Live

Microsoft is reportedly planning on killing the Windows Live and Zune services when it unveils Windows 8 at Mobile World Congress next week.

Acer Liquid Glow is curvaceous, packs Ice Cream Sandwich

Acer's latest smart phone effort is the Liquid Glow, an Ice Cream Sandwich-packing smart phone. Here's the skinny.

Samsung Galaxy S2 sells 20 million

The Samsung Galaxy S2 has sold 20 million -- not as many as the iPhone, but a good sign for the hotly-anticpated Galaxy S3.

LG Optimus 4X HD is a fantastic four with Ice Cream Sandwich

The LG Optimus 4X HD boasts a 4-inch screen, four cores and Ice Cream Sandwich.

Nokia teases new camera phone with snowy video

Nokia's teased a new camera phone, with a snowy video inviting us to 'get ready to capture a pure view'.

LG Optimus 3D Max allows 2D/3D conversion

LG has outed the Optimus 3D Max, a phone that lets you convert standard pictures, video and maps to 3D right on the handset. Smart.

ZTE Mimosa X coming with Ice Cream Sandwich

The Mimosa X is another ZTE handset to be announced running Ice Cream Sandwich. Should the big boys be scared?

LG L7, L5 and L3 Android mobiles ape the Prada Phone

Three new L series Android phones from LG follow in the fashionable footsteps of its recent Prada Phone.

Samsung Galaxy Ace 2, Galaxy Mini 2 budget phones outed

Samsung has outed two more phones ahead of Mobile World Congress, and they're both budget Android models.

Fujitsu phones coming to UK after MWC

Japanese company Fujitsu is set to launch a range of smart phones in the UK at next week’s Mobile World Congress.

Booth babes and burlesque: Tech's tiresome little secret

With Mobile World Congress around the corner, Natasha takes exception to Microsoft's burlesque-themed MWC party.

ZTE to launch PF200 and N910 at MWC

ZTE will showcase two new phones at MWC, and they'll be higher-end than its usual budget fare. Could it challenge the Android big boys?

LG Optimus Vu official, challenges the Galaxy Note

Just a couple of weeks after teasing it, LG has made the Optimus Vu official.

HTC One S plus One X equal Ice Cream Sandwich excitement

HTC is planning the One S and One X, two new phones packing Ice Cream Sandwich, to be officially unveiled this month.

HTC Endeavour ROM leaks, confirms ICS, 720p screen

A leaked ROM for the upcoming flagship HTC phone seems to confirm the specs rumoured a while ago.

Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 leaks, has better screen and processor

It's not due to be announced until Mobile World Congress, but the Galaxy Mini 2 has popped up early online.

HTC Ville looks city slick in new leaked photos

The HTC Ville has popped up in a new leaked photos, showing off its slim profile and new version of HTC's Sense UI.

LG P-700 joining X3 at MWC, runs ICS

Another LG Android handset has leaked ahead of MWC, and this one runs Ice Cream Sandwich as well, though not as you'd expect...

Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus and Note S tipped

Rumours of new Samsung mobiles abound -- could we see the Galaxy S2 Plus and the Note S before the end of the month?

Samsung Galaxy S3 not at Mobile World Congress, says Samsung

Samsung has confirmed that the new Galaxy S3 will be shown off at a separate event in the first half of this year.

BlackBerry London leaks again, with brand new look

The rumoured BlackBerry London has popped its head out again, and this time it's sporting a svelte new look.

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