KDDI launches Starlink Direct international roaming in the US
UNITED STATES 02:52

KDDI launches Starlink Direct international roaming in the US

KDDI and Okinawa Cellular have begun international roaming support for their au Starlink Direct satellite-to-smartphone service in the United States from 4 March 2026. The operators said the launch represents the first cross-border roaming connection for direct satellite communications between smartphones and Starlink satellites. Initially, the service is supported on selected Google Pixel devices, with additional models expected to be added later.

Plus offers promo of Motorola smartphone, sells new Huawei smartwatches
POLAND 3 MRT

Plus offers promo of Motorola smartphone, sells new Huawei smartwatches

Polish operator Polkomtel, trading under the Plus brand, has introduced a promotion to customers buying the Motorola Edge 70 smartphone in its shops. Customers purchasing the model Edge 70 5G 12/512GB are able to buy it for PLN 3,499. They are also offered a PLN 700 cashback. The promotion is valid buying the smartphone until 31 March.

GSMA plans affordable 4G smartphone pilots in six African countries this year
AFRICA 3 MRT

GSMA plans affordable 4G smartphone pilots in six African countries this year

The GSMA has announced that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda have been selected by the GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition for pilots to introduce affordable 4G smartphones this year. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the GSMA and by the G6 group of leading African operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) partners formalises the cooperation. A current challenge is the surge in the global cost of memory prices. The GSMA and coalit

ZTE presents Nubia NEO, Redmagic handsets at MWC, updates on AI strategy
CHINA 3 MRT

ZTE presents Nubia NEO, Redmagic handsets at MWC, updates on AI strategy

ZTE is presenting new product launches and AI integrations at Barcelona Mobile World Congress 2026. The Chinese vendor said its exhibition covers the entire AI value chain, presenting a framework for full-fledged digital intelligence alongside eight next-generation innovations, including GigaMIMO for future 6G networks, Air Max AI stacks, 200G-grade PON equipment, a Wi-Fi 8 mesh product, and the agentic AI studio ZTE Co-Sight. Products debuting at MWC include mobile handsets in the gaming-focused Nubia NEO

Oppo Kenya partners with Mogo to offer smartphone financing
KENYA 3 MRT

Oppo Kenya partners with Mogo to offer smartphone financing

Oppo Kenya has announced a partnership with Mogo Kenya to offer flexible "lipa mdogo mdogo" (instalment) smartphone payment options to accelerate digital inclusion. Customers will now be able to acquire Oppo phones using Mogo's mobile financing, without the burden of upfront payment. They aim to expand smartphone access to underserved and price-sensitive segments, make advanced features accessible to a broader market, and align both brands' commitment to push innovation and technology empowerment.

Android rolls out carrier onboarding support for RCS messaging, eSIM and satellite
GLOBAL 3 MRT

Android rolls out carrier onboarding support for RCS messaging, eSIM and satellite

Google's Android unit has announced the launch of the Android Network Ready programme. Android Network Ready was created to help eligible mobile carriers and virtual network operators (MVNOs) offer premium Android services and experiences to their customers right after they have purchased a new Android handset. The platform is built on a GSMA-aligned entitlement infrastructure used to automate and digitise customer onboarding, providing a standards-compliant process to streamline carrier rollouts of advance

Satellite direct-to-device market to be worth USD 12 billion in 2030 - Omdia
GLOBAL 3 MRT

Satellite direct-to-device market to be worth USD 12 billion in 2030 - Omdia

The global satellite direct-to-device (D&D) services market is projected to reach 411 million monthly active users and generate USD 11.99 billion in revenue by 2030, Omdia forecasts. This represents mean annual growth rates of 80.1 percent for users and 49.4 percent for revenue from 2026 to 2030.

Samsung Wallet adds digital home key for smart locks
GLOBAL 3 MRT

Samsung Wallet adds digital home key for smart locks

Samsung Electronics has introduced a Digital Home Key feature within Samsung Wallet, enabling selected Samsung Galaxy users to unlock compatible smart door locks using their smartphones. The feature, which began rolling out in select regions in March, extends Samsung Wallet's digital key functionality beyond vehicles to residential access. Digital Home Key is built on Aliro, a smart lock access protocol developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, and is designed to support interoperable digital keys a

Samsung Mobile South Africa accepts advance orders for Galaxy S26 series
SOUTH AFRICA 2 MRT

Samsung Mobile South Africa accepts advance orders for Galaxy S26 series

Samsung Mobile South Africa is accepting advance orders for the Galaxy S26 series, with delivery to customers expected to begin by 04 March. The S26 starts at ZAR 20,999, the S26+ will cost ZAR 25,999 and the S26 Ultra will be priced from ZAR 30,999. The first 100 customers who place reservations from Vodacom World will get a free smartphone cover engraved to their preferences at the Vodacom World Galaxy Studio.

MTS reports high demand for Samsung Galaxy S26
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 2 MRT

MTS reports high demand for Samsung Galaxy S26

Russian operator MTS announced that demand for the Samsung Galaxy S26 smartphones is 31 percent higher than the previous  model in 2025 during pre-sales at its shops. Orders for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphone formed around 75 percent of all bookings in the first 24 hours.

XGN, X1 launch commercial 5G Broadcast rugged smartphone at MWC
EUROPE 2 MRT

XGN, X1 launch commercial 5G Broadcast rugged smartphone at MWC

XGN Global, operating in Ireland and the US, and X1 Mobile (US) have announced the launch of the first commercial 5G broadcast rugged smartphone at MWC in Barcelona. The device is able to receive 5G Broadcast TV signals and has been developed specifically for first responder solutions.

Apple upgrades entry-level iPhone with new 17e model
GLOBAL 2 MRT

Apple upgrades entry-level iPhone with new 17e model

Apple has confirmed the launch of the iPhone 17e, a lower-priced model in the latest iPhone range first launched last autumn. It comes with the same A19 chip as the standard iPhone 17 and an upgrade in the modem compared to last years 16e, to Apple's own C1X with up to twice the speeds. The new phone launches 11 March starting at USD 599.

INDIA 2 MRT

HMD to focus on smart feature phones, launch digital wallet in H1

HMD Global announced an increased focus on the feature phone market, where it has built up a successful role as one of the few active suppliers. This will include the launch of dedicated services such as a digital wallet, videoconferencing app and AI tools for feature phones. For smartphones the company will focus more on specific target markets, such as rugged devices for industrial use or high-security models targeting the defence and public sectors. Its new ambitions were laid out in a statement issued f

NORWAY 2 MRT

Telenor Norway upgrades Nummervarsel caller identification service

Telenor Norway said it is upgrading the caller identification service that it brought in last February (2025). Nummervarsel already warns customers of potentially fraudulent calls from numbers that frequently ring large numbers of people, and from calls from abroad. By 08 March at the latest, all of the operator's customers will be notified on their handset of the identity of the caller when their phone rings. The service is integrated into the mobile network and so does not require an app or any activation

GLOBAL 2 MRT

Vivo previews X300 Ultra with 400mm add-on telephoto

Vivo has previewed its flagship X300 Ultra camera-focused flagship smartphone at Mobile World Congress and confirmed that it will be the first Vivo Ultra device to launch outside of China. In a statement, Vivo said the X300 Ultra will include an add-on telephoto lens with an industry-leading 400mm equivalent focal range. The 'Vivo Zeiss Telephoto Extender Gen2 Ultra' is designed to meet APO imaging standards and supports a full 200MP optical output, added Vivo.

GLOBAL 2 MRT

Qualcomm unveils first 3GPP Rel 19 modem for 5G phones

Qualcomm Technologies has unveiled its first modem running the 3GPP's Release 19 specifications for the most advanced 5G networks. Presented at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the X105 5G modem-RF is sampling to customers already and should appear in smartphones in the second half of 2026. Also coming later this year is a new processor for wearables, to drive new "personal AI" devices such as pendants. 

GLOBAL 2 MRT

Motorola launches Razr Fold at MWC, agrees GrapheneOS partnership

Motorola introduced its latest foldable smartphone at Mobile World Congress, the new Razr Fold, which will launch in the coming months first in Europe for EUR 1,999. Also on display are the new Moto Edge 70 Fusion smartphone, including a special edition from the company's sponsorship of the Fifa World Cup this summer, and a new partnership with Graphene to work on more secure devices for the business market. 

GLOBAL 2 MRT

Corning launches Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3 ahead of Motorola foldable debut

Corning has introduced Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3, which it describes as the toughest Gorilla Glass Ceramic to date, with the first commercial deployment planned in an upcoming foldable smartphone from Motorola. Corning said laboratory testing designed to replicate real-world surfaces showed the material survived drops of more than two metres onto concrete-like surfaces. In repeated-drop testing, it withstood at least 20 drops from one metre onto asphalt-like surfaces. Under similar conditions, a compe

GLOBAL 2 MRT

Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra launch globally at MWC alongside Leica Leitzphone and Pad 8 tablets

Xiaomi has taken advantage of its appearance at Mobile World Congress to launch the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra smartphones for international markets, as well as a number of additional devices, including the Leica Leitzphone and the latest Pad 8 tablets. The global versions of the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra, released in China at the end of last year, share the same specifications as the earlier models apart from slightly different battery sizes – 6,330 mAh and 6,000 mAh respectively – and are priced at

GLOBAL 2 MRT

Honor previews 'robot phone', new foldable at MWC

Honor has presented a "Robot Phone" at Mobile World Congress, featuring a small movable camera at the top of the phone to collect data on the user's surroundings. The "new species" of smartphone looks at how future AI devices could integrate motion and spatial awareness. Alongside the preview device - which has no launch date - the company unveiled its new foldable phone, the Magic V6, which will reach markets in the second half of the year. 

GLOBAL 2 MRT

Infinix appoints Itzy's Yuna as first global brand ambassador

Infinix has appointed Yuna of the K-pop group Itzy as its first global brand ambassador, coinciding with the launch of its Note 60 Series smartphones. The company said the partnership aligns with the global debut of the Note 60 Series and forms part of its move into the premium smartphone segment. The devices include Infinix's first Note model powered by a Snapdragon platform from Qualcomm Technologies and feature design collaboration with Pininfarina and audio branded as Sound by JBL.

GLOBAL 2 MRT

Samsung partners operators to expand satellite connectivity on Galaxy devices

Samsung Electronics has expanded satellite communication support for select Galaxy smartphones, including the Galaxy S26 series, through partnerships with telecom operators in North America, Europe and Japan. The company said the capability is designed to support emergency response and essential communications where terrestrial mobile networks are unavailable. Since 2025, satellite communication has been supported on select Galaxy flagship and Galaxy A series devices, with Samsung stating it is extending co

POLAND 27 FEB

T-Mobile Poland starts orders for Samsung Galaxy S26 smartphones

T-Mobile Poland has started pre-sales of the Samsung Galaxy S26 smartphones in its shops. Customers also can the Galaxy Buds4.The smartphones start at a promotional price of PLN 4,499 for the S26, rising to PLN 5,399 from 11 March. The S26+ starts at PLN 5,599, and the S26 Ultra is available for PLN 6,499, including a special PLN 900 discount on the 512 GB version (PLN 7,399 from 11 March). The 16 GB/1 TB model is available for PLN 7,399 promotional price and will increase to PLN 8,699 later.

SOUTH AFRICA 27 FEB

Honor brings Magic 8 Pro to South Africa

Honor announced the launch of its Magic 8 Pro smartphone in South Africa. Available in local stores on 01 March the device is priced at ZAR 27,999.

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Background

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