Another year, another slew of mobile-related rumours: it can only mean that Mobile World Congress is just around the corner.
MWC 2012 promises to be the show that offers the world the fastest, sleekest and most powerful mobile devices on the planet (although that was said in 2004, when the Motorola E1000 was touted as one of the best things to put in the pocket).
This year we're expecting to see ridiculous numbers of tablets joining the slew of mobile phones we're subjected to every 12 months, with quad core likely to be a big theme this year too from all the top manufacturers.
This means things like console-quality graphics on high-definition screens in your pocket - expect gaming on the go to be a big theme in Barcelona this year.
Let's take a look at the tittle-tattle trickling out from the big names before the whole shebang kicks off on 26 February:
Well, we're pretty sure we know what's going to happen here: the Samsung Galaxy S3 is widely expected, to the point where if it DOESN'T launch Samsung is going to look pretty boring.
The phone is covered in conjecture already: will it have a 3D screen? Is it a quad core device? Or a dual core 2GHz phone? Has Samsung actually leaked an image of it already?
Update: Uh oh, S3 fans: Samsung has official stated the Galaxy S3 will not being appearing at MWC 2012.
Plus this is a company that dumps out a slew of new phones at every Mobile World Congress, and we expect way more than just an S3. We'll see the new Star 3, the Ace Plus and probably a whole host of other cheaper phones.
Given the S3 news it looks like Samsung could unveil some filler products such as the Galaxy S2 Plus and Galaxy Note S both rumoured to run Ice Cream Sandwich.
We can also expect to get our hands-on the already announced Galaxy S Advance and Tocco Lite 2.
Update: Samsung has officilly unveiled the Galaxy Ace 2 and Galaxy Mini 2 which we will look to get our hands on during MWC 2012.
Given the Galaxy Tab 7.7 still hasn't emerged, we'll probably be shown that device again - but there haven't been any rumours about a new Galaxy Tab in the near future.
Update: Two tablet models have appeared online suggesting Samsung is looking to launch new slabs at MWC. Could one of these be the rumoured Galaxy Tab 11.6?
MWC 2012 is likely to be the first event where we see the Sony brand fully taking over the Sony Ericsson portfolio, and a number of handsets have been mooted.
We've already seen the Sony Xperia S, but the Xperia Nypon and Kumquat are very likely to be the 'What's new' stuff the brand has promised at the Spanish event.
It's probable that the Xperia S is the flagship device from the brand, but refreshes to the Neo and Arc line are odds on for the new phones.
Update: It seems these devices have already popped up in the shape of the Tapioca and Nypon, and the Sony Xperia U seems nailed on to be one of the officially-named devices unveiled in Barcelona.
Update: The Kumquat and Nypon look to have be given their Xperia range names with details of the Xperia U (Kumquat) and Xperia P (Nypon) making their way onto the web. More details have also emerged on the Tapicoa too.
LG has been pretty quiet about its plans for MWC 2012 so far - but we do have an exciting tidbit of information about a possible quad core handset ready to make an appearance.
Update: LG has officially unveiled a raft of new handsets that it will show off in Barcelona. Read on to find out more.
Update: The rumoured X3 has turned into the official LG Optimus 4X HD. This monster will sport a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, a huge 4.7-inch HD (1280 x 720) screen, 8MP camera and the Optimus 4X HD will run the latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich. These specs put it in direct competition with the likes of the HTC One X.
Update: LG has officially announced its 'L-Style' range of phones which include a trio of new handsets the L3, L5 and L7.
Details on the handsets are limited, but we do know the main difference between the phones is screen size with the L3 packing a 3.2-inch display, the L5 a 4-inch option and the L7 a 4.3-inch screen. The L3 will land in Europe in March minus the Ice Cream Sandwich OS, while the other two will be available later in the first half of this year but will ship with ICS.
Update: LG has officially unveiled the Optimus 3D Max which it will show off at MWC 2012 in Barcelona. It will offer brighter 2D and 3D displays with a built in 3D convertor meaning you will be able to make standard apps appear 3D.
We have also come across the Optimus Vu which touts an unusual 4:3 5-inch screen. This could just appear in Korea so we may not see it at MWC.
Update: LG looks set to enter the Windows Phone market again after a device known as the LG Fantasy / LG Miracle has been shot by all and sundry all over the internet rumour mill. Cover your modesty, LG...
MWC has always been a big launch time for the Taiwanese brand, and we can't see this year being any exception, especially given the company really needs a win after seeing its stock price drop in 2011.
We're pretty sure a quad core device is on the way in the form of the HTC Edge or HTC Endeavor, and the HTC Ville will be another member of its dual core club as well.
The Endeavor looks likely to have four 1.5GHz cores in association with Nvidia, the latest HTC Sense 4.0 UI and a 4.7-inch HD screen.
Update: The Endeavor looks likely to be announced as the HTC One X boasting a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 32GB of internal storage, 8MP camera and version 4.0.5 of Ice Cream Sandwich with HTC's 4.0 overlay. There is no sign of a microSD card slot though, which we find a bit odd. Take a look at our HTC One X: what you need to know for the full low-down on HTC's quad-core beast.
Update: More details on the HTC Ville have surfaced – 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, 4.3-inch qHD display, 8MP camera with full HD video capture, Beats audio and Ice Cream Sandwich with the new Sense 4.0 interface.
Update: The Ville now looks set to be the HTC One S, with the previously reported specs staying the same.
Update: Not wanting to be out-done by LG's numerous handsets, it looks like we could also see the HTC One V (previously rumoured to be the Primo) make an appearance at MWC 2012 as well. The budget One V is being touted as the ying to the HTC Rhyme's yang - a version for the lads possibly?
There have been rumours of a 10-inch tablet for the brand as well, but given the Flyer never really got going in the market we'll wait and see for that one.
HTC is also rumoured to debut a Spotify competitor to allow it to offer music streaming services to users, in conjunction with Beats Audio.
The Finns have eschewed doing MWC 'properly' for the last couple of years - instead, we've sat through conferences about partnerships with Intel in off-campus locations to not much fanfare.
This year we're praying there's something more this year - Stephen Elop is giving a keynote, and the company has nabbed a large stand space too... albeit it in the 'App Planet' centre.
However, the time is right for a new Windows Phone for the UK from the brand, and something like the Nokia Champagne would make sense... although if Microsoft announces any changes, we expect Nokia to be on board with those as well.
An industry insider has said that Nokia is planning at least one high-end phone for MWC, but no other details were provided. Nokia has dismissed claims that the Lumia 910 exists - so we won't be seeing that.
Head of Nokia Stephen Elop has hinted that the company may be launching tablets in 2012. There is an outside chance we could see one at MWC.
Update: Looks like the line-up is nigh-on confirmed for MWC 2012 on Nokia's part: there will be a worldwide variant of the Lumia 900, a low end Windows Phone in the Nokia Lumia 610 and a reboot of the Symbian-powered N8, called the Nokia Pureview 808.
We'll also be privy to a whole host of new Asha phones rocking the S40 interface, but we're not expecting Nokia to make a huge deal of these puppies.
Update: Sources close to Nokia have informed Reuters that the Finnish firm is indeed set to launch the Lumia 610 and a global version of the Lumia 900 in Barcelona.
Update: Nokia has released a video teasing a camera focussed handset to be announced at MWC. We've got a hunch that it will be the Pureview 808 and that it will run Nokia's own Symbian operating system.
MWC 2012 promises to be the show that offers the world the fastest, sleekest and most powerful mobile devices on the planet (although that was said in 2004, when the Motorola E1000 was touted as one of the best things to put in the pocket).
This year we're expecting to see ridiculous numbers of tablets joining the slew of mobile phones we're subjected to every 12 months, with quad core likely to be a big theme this year too from all the top manufacturers.
This means things like console-quality graphics on high-definition screens in your pocket - expect gaming on the go to be a big theme in Barcelona this year.
Let's take a look at the tittle-tattle trickling out from the big names before the whole shebang kicks off on 26 February:
Well, we're pretty sure we know what's going to happen here: the Samsung Galaxy S3 is widely expected, to the point where if it DOESN'T launch Samsung is going to look pretty boring.
The phone is covered in conjecture already: will it have a 3D screen? Is it a quad core device? Or a dual core 2GHz phone? Has Samsung actually leaked an image of it already?
Update: Uh oh, S3 fans: Samsung has official stated the Galaxy S3 will not being appearing at MWC 2012.
Plus this is a company that dumps out a slew of new phones at every Mobile World Congress, and we expect way more than just an S3. We'll see the new Star 3, the Ace Plus and probably a whole host of other cheaper phones.
Given the S3 news it looks like Samsung could unveil some filler products such as the Galaxy S2 Plus and Galaxy Note S both rumoured to run Ice Cream Sandwich.
We can also expect to get our hands-on the already announced Galaxy S Advance and Tocco Lite 2.
Update: Samsung has officilly unveiled the Galaxy Ace 2 and Galaxy Mini 2 which we will look to get our hands on during MWC 2012.
Given the Galaxy Tab 7.7 still hasn't emerged, we'll probably be shown that device again - but there haven't been any rumours about a new Galaxy Tab in the near future.
Update: Two tablet models have appeared online suggesting Samsung is looking to launch new slabs at MWC. Could one of these be the rumoured Galaxy Tab 11.6?
MWC 2012 is likely to be the first event where we see the Sony brand fully taking over the Sony Ericsson portfolio, and a number of handsets have been mooted.
We've already seen the Sony Xperia S, but the Xperia Nypon and Kumquat are very likely to be the 'What's new' stuff the brand has promised at the Spanish event.
It's probable that the Xperia S is the flagship device from the brand, but refreshes to the Neo and Arc line are odds on for the new phones.
Update: It seems these devices have already popped up in the shape of the Tapioca and Nypon, and the Sony Xperia U seems nailed on to be one of the officially-named devices unveiled in Barcelona.
Update: The Kumquat and Nypon look to have be given their Xperia range names with details of the Xperia U (Kumquat) and Xperia P (Nypon) making their way onto the web. More details have also emerged on the Tapicoa too.
LG has been pretty quiet about its plans for MWC 2012 so far - but we do have an exciting tidbit of information about a possible quad core handset ready to make an appearance.
Update: LG has officially unveiled a raft of new handsets that it will show off in Barcelona. Read on to find out more.
Update: The rumoured X3 has turned into the official LG Optimus 4X HD. This monster will sport a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, a huge 4.7-inch HD (1280 x 720) screen, 8MP camera and the Optimus 4X HD will run the latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich. These specs put it in direct competition with the likes of the HTC One X.
Update: LG has officially announced its 'L-Style' range of phones which include a trio of new handsets the L3, L5 and L7.
Details on the handsets are limited, but we do know the main difference between the phones is screen size with the L3 packing a 3.2-inch display, the L5 a 4-inch option and the L7 a 4.3-inch screen. The L3 will land in Europe in March minus the Ice Cream Sandwich OS, while the other two will be available later in the first half of this year but will ship with ICS.
Update: LG has officially unveiled the Optimus 3D Max which it will show off at MWC 2012 in Barcelona. It will offer brighter 2D and 3D displays with a built in 3D convertor meaning you will be able to make standard apps appear 3D.
We have also come across the Optimus Vu which touts an unusual 4:3 5-inch screen. This could just appear in Korea so we may not see it at MWC.
Update: LG looks set to enter the Windows Phone market again after a device known as the LG Fantasy / LG Miracle has been shot by all and sundry all over the internet rumour mill. Cover your modesty, LG...
MWC has always been a big launch time for the Taiwanese brand, and we can't see this year being any exception, especially given the company really needs a win after seeing its stock price drop in 2011.
We're pretty sure a quad core device is on the way in the form of the HTC Edge or HTC Endeavor, and the HTC Ville will be another member of its dual core club as well.
The Endeavor looks likely to have four 1.5GHz cores in association with Nvidia, the latest HTC Sense 4.0 UI and a 4.7-inch HD screen.
Update: The Endeavor looks likely to be announced as the HTC One X boasting a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 32GB of internal storage, 8MP camera and version 4.0.5 of Ice Cream Sandwich with HTC's 4.0 overlay. There is no sign of a microSD card slot though, which we find a bit odd. Take a look at our HTC One X: what you need to know for the full low-down on HTC's quad-core beast.
Update: More details on the HTC Ville have surfaced – 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, 4.3-inch qHD display, 8MP camera with full HD video capture, Beats audio and Ice Cream Sandwich with the new Sense 4.0 interface.
Update: The Ville now looks set to be the HTC One S, with the previously reported specs staying the same.
Update: Not wanting to be out-done by LG's numerous handsets, it looks like we could also see the HTC One V (previously rumoured to be the Primo) make an appearance at MWC 2012 as well. The budget One V is being touted as the ying to the HTC Rhyme's yang - a version for the lads possibly?
There have been rumours of a 10-inch tablet for the brand as well, but given the Flyer never really got going in the market we'll wait and see for that one.
HTC is also rumoured to debut a Spotify competitor to allow it to offer music streaming services to users, in conjunction with Beats Audio.
The Finns have eschewed doing MWC 'properly' for the last couple of years - instead, we've sat through conferences about partnerships with Intel in off-campus locations to not much fanfare.
This year we're praying there's something more this year - Stephen Elop is giving a keynote, and the company has nabbed a large stand space too... albeit it in the 'App Planet' centre.
However, the time is right for a new Windows Phone for the UK from the brand, and something like the Nokia Champagne would make sense... although if Microsoft announces any changes, we expect Nokia to be on board with those as well.
An industry insider has said that Nokia is planning at least one high-end phone for MWC, but no other details were provided. Nokia has dismissed claims that the Lumia 910 exists - so we won't be seeing that.
Head of Nokia Stephen Elop has hinted that the company may be launching tablets in 2012. There is an outside chance we could see one at MWC.
Update: Looks like the line-up is nigh-on confirmed for MWC 2012 on Nokia's part: there will be a worldwide variant of the Lumia 900, a low end Windows Phone in the Nokia Lumia 610 and a reboot of the Symbian-powered N8, called the Nokia Pureview 808.
We'll also be privy to a whole host of new Asha phones rocking the S40 interface, but we're not expecting Nokia to make a huge deal of these puppies.
Update: Sources close to Nokia have informed Reuters that the Finnish firm is indeed set to launch the Lumia 610 and a global version of the Lumia 900 in Barcelona.
Update: Nokia has released a video teasing a camera focussed handset to be announced at MWC. We've got a hunch that it will be the Pureview 808 and that it will run Nokia's own Symbian operating system.
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