China makes a splash at MWC 2024: Transparent laptop, AI PC and 5.5G on the horizon

This year's Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, saw Chinese tech giants showcase a future filled with transparent screens, AI-powered devices and the next step in connectivity.

Lenovo showcased the world's first micro-LED transparent screen laptop. This innovative device utilizes AI-generated content (AIGC) technology to blur the lines between the physical and digital worlds, paving the way for a more collaborative and immersive user experience.

"AIGC has spurred innovations in end-user electronics, revealing that transparent screens can effectively support this blend of virtual and physical worlds," said Karen Gao, senior professional product manager of Lenovo.

Not to be outdone, Honor unveiled its first AI PC, the MagicBook Pro 16. This powerful machine promises seamless connectivity and advanced AI capabilities, highlighting the anticipated surge in the AI PC market.

Industry analysts believe that the market size of AI PCs will surge in the next four years.

"We predict that the global AI PC market will grow rapidly from 2025, with a penetration rate of about 82 percent in 2028," said Lisa Li, president of China-based Sigmaintell Consulting.

On the connectivity front, Huawei is championing the concept of 5.5G, positioning it as the key to an intelligent future. They displayed a full range of 5.5G products aimed at mobile carriers, promising faster speeds and efficient device connections.

This technology is expected to be commercially available as early as this year, according to Li Peng, Huawei's corporate senior vice president.

Days prior to the launch of MWC 2024, Huawei also launched the Pocket 2, a foldable smartphone with the latest Kirin 9000S chip, promising improved performance and a design geared towards trendsetters. Their competitor, ZTE, brought the high-powered Red Magic 9 Pro gaming phone to the show, boasting superior performance and a dedicated cooling fan.

Beyond established names, innovative Chinese players like Whale Cloud showcased their potential, presenting comprehensive B2B solutions featuring cloud-native networks and AI-driven automation.