Mobile World Congress 2025 has definitively transformed AI from an emerging technology to a foundational element across the mobile industry. With over 109,000 attendees and 2,900 exhibitors, the Barcelona event showcased how artificial intelligence is now embedded in everything from smartphone chips to network infrastructure. This mainstreaming of AI signals a significant shift in how mobile technology will develop, with implications reaching far beyond premium devices into midrange phones, wearables, and telecommunications infrastructure.
1. More Phone Makers Are Going All In on AI
Honor and Oppo unveiled ambitious AI initiatives that signal major strategic shifts in mobile technology development.
- Honor announced its “Alpha Plan,” committing $10 billion over five years to develop “intelligent phones” with agentic AI that will fundamentally change user interactions across phones, computers, tablets, and wearables.
- Oppo is focusing its AI strategy on productivity, creativity, and imaging capabilities, partnering with Google and MediaTek to ensure its hardware and software can deliver these experiences to 100 million users by year’s end.
2. AI Is Trickling Down to Midrange Phones
Premium AI features previously limited to $800-$1,600 flagship devices are becoming accessible in more affordable smartphones.
- Samsung’s Galaxy A56 will bring select Galaxy AI features to the $499 price point, significantly lowering the entry barrier for AI-enhanced mobile experiences.
- Realme plans to integrate Google’s Gemini into midrange devices like the $430 Realme 14 Pro, further democratizing access to advanced AI capabilities.
3. AI Is Coming to Far More Products Than Phones
Wearable technology, particularly smart glasses, is leveraging AI capabilities despite size and power constraints.
- TCL’s RayNeo X3 Pro glasses incorporate AI translation features that provide real-time visual translation of spoken words, potentially revolutionizing international travel communication.
- BleeqUp Ranger smart glasses for cyclists use AI for intelligent tagging of video moments during rides, demonstrating AI’s application in specialized recreational wearables.
4. Telcos Are Adopting AI to Repair Networks and Lower Costs
Major telecommunications companies are implementing AI for infrastructure management and customer experiences.
- Deutsche Telekom partnered with Google Cloud to develop the RAN Guardian, an AI agent that autonomously monitors and repairs network issues in the radio access network.
- Deutsche Telekom is also preparing to release an AI-powered phone centered around the MyMagenta app, indicating carriers’ shift toward AI-first consumer offerings.
5. AI Is Being Deployed at the Chip Level
Fundamental mobile components are now embedding AI capabilities to enhance core connectivity functions.
- MediaTek’s M90 5G modem features Modem AI technology that evaluates network conditions, learns user patterns, and makes real-time decisions to improve power efficiency, reduce latency, and stabilize connectivity.
- This chip-level AI integration represents a deeper architectural commitment to artificial intelligence than previous application-level implementations.
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