Qualcomm has announced its latest smartphone SoC (system on chip), the Snapdragon 801 processor, which brings a whole host of enhancements to power the next generation of handsets.
In terms of what the Snapdragon 801 - an enhanced version of the well known Snapdragon 800 - can offer, Qualcomm claims it'll provide up to a 45% faster camera sensor, 28% better graphics, 14% faster CPU, 18% faster DSP and 17% faster memory.
What does that mean for you and me? Well our smartphones are about to get a whole lot faster and the user experience is also going to benefit from larger cameras, better gaming and a general performance boost.
More power for less power
Battery life is also said to have been improved, with further development on power consumption making the Snapdragon 801 less demanding on power packs.
So when will we see the first Snapdragon 801 toting smartphone? Well Qualcomm wouldn't be drawn on any particular devices, but we were told it'll arrive "very, very soon" - perhaps even at MWC 2014? We'll be keeping our eyes peeled.
Unveiled at MWC 2014, Sony's Xperia M2 comes boasting hardcore processing power in a slim, impressive-looking package.
It's not up there with its twin, the Xperia Z2, but the M2 comes with a 4.8-inch qHD screen and 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor under the hood, at a price point that Sony describes as 'mid-range'.
Not to be sniffed at either is the 8MP camera - not exactly the 20.7MP sensor of its bigger brother, but it does come with Sony's Exmor RS for mobile and bespoke Xperia camera apps so you should still be able to eke some pretty decent shots out of it.
Heavy usage
The device comes with 4G smarts which are par for the course on a smartphone at this level now, plus a 2300mAh battery which Sony describes as "ideal for long days of heavy usage".
Available in black, white and purple, Sony says that the 8.6mm-thin M2 is "the slimmest smartphone in its class".
Available from April, Sony's keeping schtum on exactly what the 'mid-range' price is at the moment, although it does say that the M2's "class" is defined as 4G smartphones that launch at less than €220 (that's around £180 / $300 / AU$340) so probably somewhere around that level.
Stay tuned for our official hands on Sony Xperia M2 review, coming straight outta Barcelona very soon.
Lenovo's new S850 smartphone brings an all-glass design
Just because Lenovo recently acquired Motorola, doesn't mean it plans to stop pushing its in-house smartphones, something evidenced by the launch of three new handsets at MWC 2014.
The company has unveiled the S860, the S850 and S660 Android handsets, promising a little bit of something for all sectors of the market.
The S860 is the flagship device, with a 5.3-inch, as-yet-unspecified 'HD' screen, 2GB RAM and a MediaTek quad-core processor, but the real kicker is the promise of all true all day battery life.
The flagship Lenovo S860
The company doesn't mention the size of the cell in its news release, but claims it can hang for 24 hours of talk time, making it ideal for business users. Users will even be able to use the phone to charge other devices using the microUSB cable.
Snaring fashionistas
Second in line is the 5-inch S850 handset (main article photo). Its claim to fame is a unique all-glass design that could snare smartphone fashionistas.
The S850 also packs a 13-megapixel camera, a 5-megapixel front-facing snapper, and also has a MTK quad-core chip doing the donkey work.
Last, but not least, comes the S660, which the company is pitching as an "all rounder" for "value seekers." It has a brushed metal design and also has a quad core processor on board.
The all-rounder S660
Lenovo, in its media release, hasn't divulged everything we'd like to know about these phones. The spec sheets have a lot of gaps that need to be filled, such as Android versions and screen resolutions, but TechRadar has a strong presence in Barcelona this week, so we'll aim to get to the bottom of it.
The LG G2 Mini rocks up a little late to the "mini smartphone" party, and it looks like someone at the Korean firm has forgotten what mini actually means.
It also means there isn't a whole lot of difference between it and the 5.2-inch LG G2, and I'd still recommend the latter over the Mini if your budget can stretch that far.
The price of the LG G2 Mini is currently unknown, but I'd expect it to land around the same point as the Galaxy S4 Mini and One Mini.
Unlike the Xperia Z1 Compact, LG hasn't kept the same internal components of its bigger brother, meaning you'll have to make do with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, microSD slot, 8MP rear camera and a 1.3MP front camera.
The good news is that the LG G2 Mini comes running Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box - the G2 is still stuck on Jelly Bean for now - although LG has put its own skin over the top.
Another feature the G2 Mini has over its larger namesake is LG's new Knockcode security system, allowing you to tap out a pattern to wake and unlock you handset without having to touch any buttons.
Your pattern can consist of anything from two to eight knocks, but I found that the system wasn't always overly responsive.
Sometimes I'd tap out the code and it simply wouldn't register, while at other times there was a good two second delay before the screen turned on - something I'm sure will grate after extended use.
The handset itself is relatively lightweight (121g), and that makes it comfortable to hold in one hand.
I almost didn't realise the additional depth of the G2 Mini thanks to the rounded sides of the device, but if you're worried about pocket budge it protrudes 9.8mm compared to 8.9mm G2.
The rear of the G2 Mini has a textured effect which supplies a suitable level of grip, and LG's rear button setup is present here.
Sadly they are the same size and shape as the ones found on the G2, rather than the enlarged, easier to hit buttons on the LG G Flex.
The Knockcode and Knockon features means you'll require these keys less than on a standard smartphone, but they can still be tricky to hit unsighted when you do need to use them.
I found that the G2 Mini also looks and feels noticeably less premium than the full size G2, and that's a little bit of a shame considering the One Mini's metal chassis.
A handy feature which doesn't often make its way into non-flagship devices is the inclusion of an IR (infra-red) blaster on top of the LG G2 Mini, allowing you to control TVs, DVD players, Hi-Fi systems and set top boxes from the phone.
I'd have preferred it located on the back next to the camera - as it is on the G Flex - but this isn't a huge issue.
The 4.7-inch screen may not be full HD, but the 540 x 960 resolution is still good enough to provide a decent level of detail and I found reading text and viewing images pleasing enough.
If you study the screen closely enough, or hold a full HD phone (or even a One Mini) beside the G2 Mini, you'll notice the poorer resolution, but in isolation it shouldn't give you any trouble.
Moving around the Android KitKat operating system was generally pretty smooth, but the LG G2 Mini does lack the additional zip of its higher powered bigger brother.
There is still enough power under the hood to play intensive games and I can't foresee anything giving the G2 Mini too much of a problem.
Browsing the web on the G2 Mini was enjoyable as web pages loaded swiftly - the desktop version of TechRadar for example took less than five seconds to fully load over a decent Wi-Fi connection.
That browsing speed should follow you outdoors and onto the open road, as LG has equipped the G2 Mini with CAT 4 LTE, giving you access to superfast 4G speeds.
The large screen on the G2 Mini also makes browsing websites more comfortable, plus it allows for a decently spaced keyboard complete with next word prediction.
LG has toned down the camera application on the G2 Mini, but it still keeps a few of the features from the firm's flagship device including Beauty shot, HDR, panorama, Time catch shot and sports mode.
Shutter speed is acceptable, but it's not the quickest I've experienced at this level and my pictures taken of the oddly lit demo area came out pretty well.
The LG G2 Mini also packs in a big 2440mAh battery, considerably larger than its rivals, which should hopefully result in some decent battery life and I'll be sure to put that to the test in the in-depth review.
If you fancy getting your hands on one then the LG G2 Mini release date is slated for March in some regions, with Europe following shortly after.
Early verdict
The LG G2 Mini is a decent smartphone, but it may have arrived a bit too late to really make the same sort of impact as the S4 Mini or One Mini.
If the G2 Mini does rock a similar price tag to its rivals then perhaps its larger screen and big battery will help it get some grounding in the market - but we're just going to have to wait and see.
A quartet of new Firefox OS devices have been unveiled at MWC 2014 as Mozilla ups its low-end game.
The ZTE Open C, ZTE Open II, Alcatel Fire C, Fire E and Fire S are all handsets, while the Alcatel Fire 7 is a tablet. Huawei is also releasing its first Firefox phone, the Huawei Y300.
All the new devices rock Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, and the Fire S actually has a half-decent spec sheet: 4.5-inch screen, 4G connectivity, quad-core processor and an 8MP 1080p camera.
Firefox futures
As well as announcing the new hardware, Mozilla spoke about the future of the Firefox platform. The company promises universal search, LTE support, NFC support and the ability to handle dual SIM cards are all coming in the near future.
There's also news of the first chipset for a $25 smartphone which was shown off on a reference device, and Mozilla is also trying to encourage higher-spec phones with 4.5-inch dual-core reference hardware for devs to test Firefox OS apps on.
Last year Huawei launched its flagship Ascend P6 smartphone, and now at MWC 2014 the Chinese firm has added to the range with the Huawei Ascend G6.
As you may have guessed the G6 isn't a replacement to the P6, rather it's a more affordable option which shares the same design ethos as its bigger brother.
The key facts about the Ascend G6 are its price and connectivity. While Huawei was unable to give me a firm price, I was told that it will come in at under £200.
Not bad for a handset which is sporting the latest version of 4G technology - CAT 4 - giving you a super speedy internet connection.
What else does the Ascend G6 provide? Well you get a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 4.5-inch qHD display, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, microSD slot and a sizeable 2000mAh battery.
The Ascend G6 comes running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean out of the box, which is acceptable considering its price tag and the fact Android 4.4 is the only set up it could possible make at this time.
Hauwei hasn't just left Android at its stock version though, feeling the need to slaver its Emotion UI 2.0 over the top - something which I haven't particularly enjoyed on previous handsets.
It still looks relatively childish and that detracts from the overall user experience as the Ascend G6 looks and feels like a toy.
The Emotion UI removes the application list that we're used to on all other Android handsets, although this isn't necessarily a bad thing as it means all your apps are in one place - no confusion for first users when they see the same app on a homescreen and in the app list.
Huawei's all-in-one widget which combines features such a gallery, weather and contacts into one, dominating block is present on the Ascend G6, but I'd recommend you delete it as its functionality is limited.
To aid the first time smartphone audience further Huawei has also enabled a Simple UI, which removes all the widgets and myriad of small app icons for a large, tile based interface. It's rather reminiscent of the Windows Phone homescreen setup.
While this mode won't interest power users, it has clear advantages for certain segments of the smartphone market.
Unsurprisingly for a phone which is going to come in at under £200 the Huawei Ascend G6 sports an all plastic construction, although it is solid and the thick, faux-metal band which runs round the circumference keeps everything together nicely.
The Ascend G6 sits well in the hand, the volume and power/lock keys are easy to hit and the rear cover provides a decent level of grip while also being removable.
This gives you access to the SIM and microSD slots, but the battery is sealed in so you won't be able to swap it out.
Front on the Ascend G6 is a little bezel heavy, with a rounded bump protruding below the navigation touch keys beneath the display.
The 960 x 540 4.5-inch display isn't going to win any awards, but it's perfectly acceptable on the Ascend G6 and everything is easily visible.
Huawei has avoided filling the Ascend G6 with bloatware, which probably helps it maintain its fluid performance as you move around the handset.
It's not blazingly fast, but we didn't experience any lag during our brief time with the Ascend G6.
Round the back of the Huawei Ascend G6 you'll find a 8MP camera with a single LED flash and the ability to record full HD video.
The camera app is passable, but features such as HDR are absent and the shutter speed isn't the fastest I've witnessed on handsets at this price range.
However from the handful of test shots I fired off the Ascend G6 appeared to perform well and it should be a decent little snapper.
That's just half the story though, as Huawei has also thrown in a 5MP front facing camera in an attempt to appeal to the growing selfie trend.
Coupled with the superfast 4G capabilities and quick access to social networks, Huawei is hoping the Ascend G6 will appeal to those dedicated to the likes of Facebook and Twitter.
The keyboard also stands up pretty well, allowing you to type a witty comment to go with your latest snap with reasonable next word prediction and spell checking.
The Huawei Ascend G6 release date is set for April in the UK, and you'll be able to pick it up in either black or white.
Early verdict
The Huawei Ascend G6 offers up a decent package of features and specs, but it's got tough competition with the cheaper Moto G and Nokia Lumia 520 offering better interfaces.
Microsoft is releasing an update to Windows Phone later this year, which should allow phone makers to create cheaper phones as it ups its fight against Android.
Although Microsoft is being cagey about giving it an official name, we're expecting the software to be known as Windows Phone 8.1 and it should be released at some point this spring.
The company is lessening its vice-like control over Windows Phone hardware by allowing the use of lower-end Qualcomm processors, and letting manufacturers do away with physical buttons if they want to.
Until now, Microsoft had demanded three standard keys on the front of the handset, plus a camera shutter button too.
Remote control
After the update, phones will also be able to store apps on the SD card for the first time, and manufacturers can make dual-SIM Windows Phones too. Microsoft is even letting phone makers reuse their Android designs for Windows Phone, which is a pretty big move for the control-freaks over in Redmond.
There'll also be some new faces in the Windows Phone game - Lenovo and Foxconn will be making devices, while LG is also returning to the WP fold.
These updates add up to cheaper phones as Microsoft goes after emerging markets like India where many people are yet to buy their first smartphone.
Finally, a treat for existing Windows Phone users: Facebook Messenger will be hitting the OS in a matter of weeks.
The Windows Phone 8.1 update is 'technically' compatible with existing Windows Phone 8 devices, but it sounds as though carriers will have the final say in whether you get it or not. Stay tuned.
Which flagship has you sailing for the mobile store?
The Samsung Galaxy S4 and the iPhone 5S are devices that highlight the best of two of the largest tech companies at the height of their powers, so which one should you choose?
Each handset has its own strengths, from amazing screens to epic cameras and a whole raft of different features that give each device its own personality.
We've given each our thorough run through in our in-depth reviews, but if you're still a little unsure quite which of these exceptional devices is for you, then this guide is pretty much tailor-made for you.
Design
Gone are the days that the Samsung Galaxy range is accused of being iPhone-esque, with the Galaxy S4 looking quite a lot different than its Apple counterpart.
The most noticeable difference between the Korean and American offerings is the size. The Samsung towers over the iPhone, measuring in at 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9mm yet weighing only 130g. This dwarfs the iPhone at 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6mm, but makes it 18g heavier than the 112g Apple.
It is this smaller stature that makes the iPhone sit in the hand a lot easier, making one handed operation simpler on top of making it sit nicer in small skinny jeans pockets.
Apple has followed a seemingly industrial style design with the iPhone 5S, the all glass black (or white) front is almost unbroken, with a subtle hints of the home button/Touch ID sensor, front camera and speaker.
If you opt for the black front, space grey aluminium wraps around the side and the back, with more hints of the black glass present at the top and bottom. The white front options offer the choice of a silver or gold back, as well as a matching ring around the home button.
Samsung, on the other hand, has produced a curvier handset, which also comes in black or white. A silver band around the home button, a silver speaker grille and silver Samsung branding help to break up the front, with the black and white front/back also coming with a faint textured look.
A faux chrome band wraps around both versions of the Galaxy S4's plastic chassis. This construction aids in weight reduction and allows users to access the battery and microSD port, allowing heavy users that like to keep extra battery packs with them to swap them in and out, as well as able to keep multiple SD cards.
Both the iPhone 5S and the Galaxy S4 come with the home button at the base, something that led to numerous comparisons between the original Samsung Galaxy S and the iPhone 3GS. Soft keys sit either side of the elongated home button of the Samsung, whereas, home button aside, Apple relies entirely on on-screen controls.
Screen
Part of the reason for the size differences is just how heavily the screen dominates each handset. As with nigh-on all modern smartphones, the screen is very much the focal feature.
The iPhone 5S comes with a 4-inch Retina display; a 1136 x 640 resolution resulting in 326ppi. Opting for a 'bigger is better' mantra, the Galaxy S4 comes with a 5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display meaning a 1920 x 1080 resolution and a massive 441ppi.
This added screen real estate means that it perfect for watching movies, or for playing one of the many games that grace the Google Play Store. Being Super AMOLED as well means that colours come highly saturated, although this can be toned down within the settings menu.
There are many that continue to mock Apple for not (yet at least) building a larger iPhone, but equally there are many that feel larger devices are less suited to making phone calls and also doing things like browsing the web more easily with one hand.
