This week MWC 2023 is happening in full force in Barcelona, Spain. The biggest mobile technology event saw several new smartphone launches and innovative technologies showcased for the world to see. Several smartphone makers took the stage at MWC 2023 to unveil new smartphones. This week saw the launches of Xiaomi, Tecno, Realme, Vivo and Samsung. The list includes the Xiaomi 13 series, Realme GT 3, Tecno’s first foldable phone, and more. Here’s a quick list of some of the top phones launched this week.
Smartphones launched this week
xiaomi 13 series
The week started with Xiaomi launching its latest flagship smartphone, the Xiaomi 13 series, on February 27. The lineup includes three devices: Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13 Pro, and Xiaomi 13 Lite. However, only the Xiaomi 13 Pro has made it to the Indian market.
Xiaomi 13 Pro: Xiaomi 13 Pro sports a 6.73-inch QHD LTPO AMOLED panel that supports 3200×1440 pixels resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 522PPI density, 1900 nits peak brightness, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection.
Powered by Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, paired with Adeno 740 GPU, the Xiaomi 13 Pro comes with up to 12GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage (UFS 3.1 for the base 128GB model). A 4,820mAh battery with 120W fast charging support keeps the light on. The Xiaomi 13 Pro boots Android 13-based MIUI 14 out of the box.
The photography needs on the Xiaomi 13 Pro are taken care of by a 32MP front-facing shooter and a Leica-powered triple rear camera setup: 50MP primary, 50MP telephoto, and 50MP ultrawide lens. It is capable of capturing 8K HDR videos at 24fps.
worth: 79,999 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage unit, Rs.
Xiaomi 13: The vanilla Xiaomi 13 features a 6.36-inch OLED display that supports 2400×1080 pixel resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 414PPI density, 1900 nits peak brightness, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset drives the show and has Adreno GPU for graphical needs. It packs up to 12GB RAM and 512GB internal storage. You get a 4,500mAh battery with the Xiaomi 13 with support for 67W wired, 50W wireless, and 10W reverse wireless charging. It runs on Android 13-based MIUI 14 out of the box.
It features a Leica-powered triple rear camera setup that includes a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultrawide angle lens, and a 50MP telephoto shooter. The 32MP snapper on the front takes care of selfie and video calling needs.
worth: EUR 999 (roughly Rs. 87,000)
Xiaomi 13 Lite: Xiaomi 13 Lite features a 6.55-inch AMOLED panel that supports 2400×1080 pixel resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 402PPI density, 1000 nits peak brightness, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
The device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC, paired with Adreno 644 GPU. Xiaomi ships the 13 Lite with 8GB of RAM and 128GB/256GB of storage. For optics, the device features a triple rear camera setup: 50MP primary, 8MP ultrawide, and 2MP macro. There is a 32MP front-facing snapper for selfies and video calls. The device runs on Android 12-based MIUI 14 out of the box.
While there’s no word yet on the India launch of the Xiaomi 13 Lite, we went hands-on with the phone at MWC 2023 to share our first impressions.
worth: EUR 499 (roughly Rs. 44,000)
realme gt 3
With the launch of the Realme GT 3 at MWC 2023, the company attracted a lot of attention from tech enthusiasts. It showcases Realme’s new 240W SuperVOOC charging technology and Pulse Interface Lighting system. Besides, the device sports a 6.74-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel that supports 2772×1240 pixel resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 451PPI density, and 1400 nits peak brightness.
Realme GT3 comes with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC and Adrena 730 GPU. It features up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.
Photography needs on the Realme GT3 are taken care of by a 16MP front-facing shooter and triple rear camera setup: 50MP primary, 8MP ultrawide and 2MP micro. It is capable of capturing 4K videos at 60fps. The device runs on Android 13-based Realme UI 4.0 out-of-the-box.
Realme GT 3 is expected to launch in India later this year. To get a better understanding of the phone’s new fast charging technology and pulse interface, you can check out our first impression of the device here.
worth: USD 649 (approx Rs. 53,700)
tecno phantom v fold
Tecno launched its first foldable phone Tecno Phantom V Fold at MWC 2023. It features 6.42-inch FHD+ Dual 120Hz LTPO Cover AMOLED panel with 2550x1080p resolution, 1100 nits peak brightness, 431 PPI density, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection. Besides, it features a 7.65-inch 2K LTPO AMOLED foldable screen that supports 2296×2000 pixels resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 1100 nits peak brightness, and 388PPI density.
It draws power from MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ SoC and Mali-G710 MC10 GPU. The device comes with two storage options: 12GB LPDDR5 RAM/256GB UFS 3.1 storage and 12GB LPDDR5 RAM/512GB UFS 3.1 storage.
The device sports a triple camera setup at the back, which houses a 50MP primary sensor, a 13MP ultrawide lens, and a 50MP portrait shooter. The cover screen houses a 32MP selfie shooter, while there’s a 16MP snapper on the internal display. The Tecno Phantom V Fold runs on Android 13-based HiOS 13 Fold custom skin out-of-the-box.
We also got our hands on the Tecno Phantom V Fold at MWC 2023. Here we have thought about the foldable phone.
worth: 89,999 for the 12GB/256GB model and Rs.99,999 for the 12GB/512GB unit.
Vivo V27 Series
The week ended with the launch of the Vivo V27 series. The lineup included the Vivo 27, V27 Pro, and V27e. However, the company only ships the Vivo V27 and Vivo V27 Pro models to Indian shores. Vivo V27 series phones have a unique feature Design that changes color when exposed to direct bright light.
Vivo V27: The vanilla Vivo V27 features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display that supports 2400×1080 pixels resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 388PPI density, and 1300 nits peak brightness.
Mediatek Dimensity 7200 chipset drives the show and Mali-G610 MC4 for graphical needs. It packs up to 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. With the Vivo V27, you get a 4,600mAh battery with 66W fast charging support. Vivo V27 Out of Box runs on Funtouch 13 based on Android 13.
It has a triple rear camera setup, which includes a 50MP primary sensor, n 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro shooter. On the front, the 50MP snapper takes care of selfie and video calling needs.
worth: 32,999 for the 8GB/128GB model and Rs.36,999 for the 12GB/256GB unit.
Vivo V27 Pro: Vivo V27 Pro features a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel that supports 2400×1080 pixels resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 388PPI density, and 1300 nits peak brightness.
Powered by Mediatek’s flagship Dimensity 8200 SoC, coupled with Mali-G610 MC6 GPU, the Vivo V27 Pro comes with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. A 4,600mAh battery with 66W fast charging support keeps the light on. The Vivo V27 Pro boots Android 13-based Funtouch 13 out of the box.
The photography needs on the Vivo V27 Pro are met by a 50MP front-facing shooter and a triple rear camera setup: a 50MP primary sensor, n an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro shooter. It is capable of capturing 4K videos at 60fps.
worth:
- Rs 37,999 for the 8GB/128GB model
- Rs 39,999 for the 8GB/256GB unit
- Rs 42,999 for the 12GB/256GB variant
Vivo V27e: Vivo V27e flaunts a 6.62-inch AMOLED panel that supports 2400×1080 pixels resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 398PPI density, and 1000 nits peak brightness.
It is powered by MediaTek’s Helio G99 SoC, paired with Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. Vivo offers the V27e with 8GB of RAM and 128GB/256GB of storage, which can be expanded via microSD card. The device runs on Android 13-based Funtouch 13 out-of-the-box.
For optics, the device sports a triple rear camera setup: 60MP primary, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth. There is a 32MP front-facing snapper for selfies and video calls.
worth: RM 1,299 (roughly Rs. 23,970)
Samsung Galaxy A14 4G
Although the company has officially listed the Samsung Galaxy A14 4G on its website, the pricing and India availability of the device is yet to be revealed. Samsung has given a 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD panel in the Galaxy A14 which supports 2408×1080 pixel resolution and 400ppi density.
The device is powered by MediaTek Helio G80 SoC paired with Mali-G52 MC2 GPU. It packs 4GB/6GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB of storage, which can be expanded via microSD card. Samsung Galaxy A14 Out of Box runs on One UI 5 based on Android 13.
It has a triple rear camera setup: 50MP primary, 5MP ultrawide and 2MP macro. There is a 13MP selfie shooter at the front. You can capture 1080p videos at 30fps with both the front and back cameras of the Samsung Galaxy A14 4G.
worth: TBA
